Excellent.
I threw a sharp smile on my face. “You’ve ratcheted it up a notch.”
His face fell back into place. If I hadn’t seen that twitch, I would have thought him as formidable as ever. “I have a fresh player to train.”
I snorted. “He’s a Hallsworthy veteran, Ward. Not some green camper you picked off the side of the road.”
He looked affronted. “I never bring in strays.”
I coughed into my hand. “Hansen.” It turned out my kitten was a rescue. Husband dearest had a soft heart. I knew little detail. We both elected to ignore it.
“The cat is different.” He paused. “How is he?”
“Cute. Taking over the house.”You left me, goddam you.I swallowed hard. “Thank you.”
“For the fluff ball?” He watched me warily.
“For making sure I’m safe when I’m alone.”
“That’s what the cat is for.” The muscles around his face barely moved.Not an admission.
But I knew.
“Kitten,” I corrected, swallowing hard over the ache in my throat.I love you. Stay.My mouth dried and nothing I wanted to say actually came out. He wouldn’t have answered me anyway. “Hallie is a great help. Lay off her, would you? She cried in my office.”
He frowned. “Over what? I’ll never hurt Solace’s girl. Or my assistant.”
Or me?
Wait. Had Hallie said why Ward was such an asshole? He excelled at the sport, and I took it for granted he turned the hatefactor up just for me this week. Now, I couldn't think of anything she had said to incriminate him at all.
“I don’t know.” I stared at him, willing him to answer me. “She didn’t say.”
“Right.” Ward’s brows knitted. “And she cried?” His eyes met mine, steady. Unflinching.
I licked my lips, noting the way his gaze tracked the movement. “Yes.”
“Mmm.” He made a non comital noise, and watched me.
Pure sass sat on the tip of my tongue, but a huge part of me was too tired to belt it out with him. Far too tired. All I wanted was to collapse into one of the seats, curl up, and watch him skate again. Listen to the softswish swishof his blades across the ice while the players had some down time after the season was over for a scant two weeks while the rest of the club caught up on admin.
But he’d deny me even that.
I wouldn’t dare consider begging for a hug.
“What are you still doing here, Sia,” Ward asked in a low voice.
Low and soft and sexy. The complete opposite of assholic.
All the pennies dropped on an over stressed, under caffeinated brain.Mybrain as I caught up with the hockey program far too slowly.
“Ward. Do you have a press conference shortly?”
He gestured to his hockey clothes. “Do I look like I’m dressed for press?”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry I bothered you.”
“Don’t be.” He collected his stick. “Watch the floor. It’s slippery near the door.”
