“As you wish.”
He growled. “Oh, you’re gonna pay for that, Blue.” And he wasn’t even winded. Ugh. But I smiled, utterly content and happy.
* * *
The sounds of male voices dragged me out of my work later that day. My thighs hurt as I unfolded them from my cross-legged seat on the bed, and I bit off a grimace, setting my tablet aside. The tranquil beach that I’d had the misfortune of meeting firsthand this morning drew my attention.
The truth was, I disliked jogging far more than eating chewy toffee that stuck to my teeth, but being with War, who encouraged me every step of the way, exhilarated me. Heck, hats off to my man for working this miracle, and more so that he’d carried me back to the house without breaking out a sweat.
But it was a warm, sunny Sunday, too wonderful to be cooped up indoors, and I was almost done with my drafts. A smile tugged my mouth as I glanced at the little girl I’d sketched in the pink, two-seater spaceship she’d landed on the moon with her large, stuffed, green ant co-pilot before zooming off to a neighboring star. Oh, the whimsy of a child where all things were possible.
If only.
Setting my tablet and pen aside, I crawled off the bed and wandered downstairs to the kitchen. The sounds of drilling and timber clattering drifted to me. A curse followed.
“Dammit, Andy!” a man complained. “That’s my freaking toe you nearly broke.”
I stepped into the room as the dark-haired guy, Andy, snorted. “Better your toe than expensive wood, Chris—” He glanced my way, and a grin broke free. “Hey.”
I’d met the guys that morning when they arrived to finish work on the kitchen as I rushed through my coffee and toast to get started on my work. I smiled a greeting.
War looked my way, and his blue eyes lit up. “You done?”
“Uh-huh.” I nodded, my gaze darting about the once bare bones of cupboards now completed, revealing the gorgeous cherrywood kitchen, despite the sawdust on the floor and sections of timber lying about. “Wow, this is beautiful.”
The guys grinned. “It is,” Chris said, sore toe forgotten. “War knows what he wants. It makes our job easy. Really, he should consider this career when he retires from hockey.”
“Flippin’ houses?” My man snorted and wrapped his dust-covered arms around me, dropping a kiss on my head.
“Yeah, that.” Chris chuckled, snagging a fallen broom and sweeping up the debris. “Anyway, we’re done here. We’ll be out of your hair in a few minutes.”
“Thanks,” War told them. “You guys made good time. I have visitors arriving this evening.”
“We do?” My gaze rushed to his. “Who?”
A smile lit his eyes. “Max and Jack.”
“Okay, don’t get me wrong, I like them, but why aren’t they bringing their other halves, too?” I moaned.
He laughed and nuzzled my neck. “They’re all coming.”
“Meanie,” I grumbled but gave him a tight squeeze around his waist. Yeah, Max and Jack were like his brothers, unlike that horrid, spiteful Justin. God, I would be so glad never to see him again.
The guys finished up, grabbed their stuff, then with a two-finger salute from Chris and a handshake from Andy, they left. War walked out to see them off.
The kitchen suddenly too silent, I took a soda from the fridge and wandered outside onto the patio, eyeing the massive yard still awaiting my skills in getting it weed-free. I rolled my eyes. Tomorrow, I’d give it all my tender, loving attention.
Arms snuck around my waist, and a hard, warm body pressed into mine, War’s scent enfolding me. I sighed, leaning back against him. He rested his chin on my shoulder.
“So flipping houses, huh? Is that what you want to do when you retire from hockey?” I asked, glancing at him.
His brow creased. “While I liked working on this house, I don’t think so. I want to coach kids—teens in hockey, maybe open a sports center for them.”
For kids like the underprivileged ones, no doubt. “That’s great.”
“Yeah. It’s a double-win, giving back, and I still get to play hockey.”
My insides melted. He did have a huge heart. I stroked his arms around me. “So, what are we doing for later? Preparing dinner for our friends or a barbecue?”
