“So I’ve been told.” He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers linger on my jaw, feather-light. “But you like trouble.”
“I really don’t.”
His thumb strokes my cheek. “Then why are you still here?”
I don’t have an answer. Or I do, but it’s not one I’m ready to say out loud.
His thumb moves across my cheekbone, and I lean into the touch without meaning to. It would be so easy to close thedistance, to let him kiss me again and lose myself in the heat and desire coursing through my veins.
But Maisie is upstairs. This is his home, his real life, and if I cross this line, there’s no going back.
“I should go,” I say again.
This time, I step back, putting space between us. I cross the room and pick up my coat from the couch.
He doesn’t stop me, just watches with those dark eyes, hands shoved in his pockets.
“Thank you,” he says quietly. “For tonight. For watching Maze.”
“Anytime.” I mean it more than I should.
I’m at the door when he speaks again.
“Tori.”
I turn.
“She liked you.” There’s something vulnerable in his voice. “Maze doesn’t warm up to people easily. I can tell she liked you.”
My throat tightens. “I liked her too.”
“That means something. To me.”
I hold his gaze for a long moment, then nod, open the door, and step out into the frigid night air.
I’m halfway to my car before I let myself exhale.
I just spent the evening with his daughter. I read her bedtime stories, tucked her in, and let her hold my hand while she fell asleep.
This isn’t just a kiss in a hallway anymore. This isn’t just tension, attraction, and stolen moments.
This is starting to feel like something real.
And I’m terrified.
16
EARLY BIRD GETS THE GIRL
Zayden
The facility’s quiet this early. Most of the guys won’t roll in for another twenty minutes, which is exactly why I like getting here first. Fewer people. Less noise. More time to get my head right before practice.
“Morning, Mr. Bishop.” Eddie, the security guard who’s been here longer than most of the roster, looks up from his crossword puzzle.
“Eddie. How’s the knee?”
“Better since I started those exercises you told me about.” He grins. “Physical therapy works. Who knew?”
