My chest aches so hard it’s almost unbearable.
All my life, I’ve survived things alone.
Pain. Fear. Nightmares.
And suddenly, this woman stands in my loft looking at me like sharing the weight is the easiest thing in the world.
Emotion lodges thickly in my throat.
I pull her gently into bed with me before I can overthink it.
The blankets shift around us as Peyton curls instinctively against my side, fittingperfectly against me.
My arms wrap around her automatically, protective and possessive.
Peyton rests her head against my chest while silence settles softly around us.
My fingers slide slowly through her hair while mountain wind rattles faintly outside the cabin windows.
Her breathing evens out, and she sighs softly in her sleep. Her fingers curl lightly into my shirt, like even when unconscious, she wants to stay close to me.
I press my lips against the top of her head.
The gesture feels terrifyingly natural.
This feels dangerously close to love.
61
PEYTON
I should’ve known something was wrong the second Connor pulled the door open wearing sunglasses indoors.
“Why do you look like a divorced nightclub owner?” I ask suspiciously as I step inside the arena event room beside Daltyn.
Connor gasps dramatically. “Fashion is art, Peyton.”
Allie snorts from nearby. “He found those in a gas station.”
“They called to me spiritually.”
Daltyn mutters, “Burn them.”
Connor points aggressively. “See? This is what happens when goalies fall in love. They become bullies.”
I nearly choke.
Beside me, Daltyn goes completely still.
Connor’s grin turns feral.
“Oh my God.” He whips toward the rest of the team. “HE DIDN’T EVEN DENY IT.”
Ford closes his eyes briefly, like he’s exhausted already.
Jake nearly drops his sports drink. “Holy shit.”
Cole clutches his chest dramatically. “Brother’s cooked.”
