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Applause rolls through the room, and I swallow as Miles stands and holds a hand in acceptance.

But from across the room, I notice something about his expression changes.

I remember his brother's call and the farm hanging behind every dollar Miles earns here. He wants this. No… he needs it.

And now, standing here in this room, now announced as this team's leader… his broad shoulders hold tighter than they did beside the mountain, and for one second, I see the pressure beneath all that control.

Then Big Mike points toward me. “For everything else, see Audrey Fields. She’s in Suite 609 and after what we all saw yesterday, we know how capable she is.”

“Great. And now you just told an entire hockey team where I sleep.”

Coach Dave dismisses everyone for practice, and players begin pushing toward the doors. I move out of the way and notice how Miles walks against the flow.

Straight toward me.

My pulse immediately relocates somewhere between my thighs.

Miles finally reaches me as the last few players file through the doorway.

“Well,” he says, glancing back toward Big Mike. “I was going to ask whether you’d decided to stay, but apparently Mike has decided for you.”

“He’s very efficient that way. Yesterday I was unemployed and homeless. Today I have a job I haven’t accepted and an entire hockey team who now knows where I sleep.”

Miles drags one hand across his jaw, although the movement fails to conceal his amusement. “Yeah. Sorry about the room number.”

“You don’t sound sorry.”

“I’m trying to be.” His gaze returns to mine. “For what it’s worth, I don’t think any of these guys will bother you.”

“And if they do?”

His expression shifts, becoming considerably more sexy with how serious it is. “Then they answer to me.”

The answer sends an inappropriate pulse of warmth through my body.

I tip my head. “Is that your first official declaration as captain?”

“No. My first is that nobody drinks cider before practice.”

“Excellent. Then Aidan has already staged a rebellion.”

Miles laughs, and I feel the low sound travel through me. Then his attention moves above my head. I follow his gaze toward a thick bundle of mistletoe hanging beneath the timber doorway.

“Is there anywhere in this resort they haven’t hung that stuff?”

“My family supplied most of it.”

“So this is technically your fault.”

“Probably.” His eyes lower to my mouth. “Although it isn’t the most dangerous thing I delivered here last night.”

My breath catches as he takes one slow step closer, the heat of his body making me lean in to him.

This is dangerous. So fucking dangerous.

Because just yesterday, I was committed to another man. A man I thought I loved. A man I promised I would spend the rest of my life with.

How quickly everything can change.