Page 43 of Game Changer (Wynn Hockey #5)

I keep reading his choices. “A. Molly’s grapefruit perfume.” I pause. What is this? “B. Molly’s grapefruit lotion; c. Molly’s grapefruit body wash; d. Molly.” My insides soften and warm as I meet his eyes.

“All of the above,” he says softly.

I swipe a hand under my nose. I think I see where this is going and it’s amazing.

He picks up a card. “What chemical is responsible for making my heart race when I see you? A. dopamine; b. norepinephrine; c. adrenalin.”

My throat is squeezing up. “Adrenalin.”

“That’s right.”

“Your heart races when you see me?”

“Yes.” He holds my gaze steadily.

“Me too,” I whisper.

After a protracted silence, he says in a gruff voice, “Your turn.”

“Oh. Right.” I take the card he hands me. “Which bonding chemical is released in my brain when you make me orgasm?” I lower the card. “Where did you get this game?”

“Never mind that.”

I keep reading. “A. estrogen; b. oxytocin; c. vasopressin.”

“Oxytocin.”

“Yes.”

Jax is next. “What are my favorite parts of Molly? A. Smile; b. butt; c. breasts; d. legs.”

My eyes widen. “Uh…” He has commented a lot that he likes my ass…

“Never mind, it’s all of the above. Your turn.”

I choke on a laugh, shaking my head. “Okay. What is the best sex position for me to have an orgasm in?” I look up. “Me, as in me ?”

“Yes. You.”

I clear my throat. “A. missionary; b. girl on top; c. doggy style; d. the bridge.” I look up. “I don’t even know what the bridge is.”

“We’ll work on that. The answer is c, doggy style.”

“That’s right.” My cheeks heat up as I lay down the card.

“What makes Molly the most loveable? A. her sense of humor; b. her belief that everything will be okay; c. her PMS; d. her love of hamburgers; e. her generosity; f. her incredible trivia knowledge.” He pauses. “Although being a know-it-all can be a little annoying at times.”

“Hey!”

His lips twitch. “In life, it’s important to know when to stop arguing with people.”

“And let them be wrong,” I finish.

He barks out a laugh, shakes his head, then continues reading. “G. her sexpertise; h. her—”

“Stop!” I press my hands to my mouth, trying not to laugh. “You’re crazy!”

“That’s not the answer.”

“Oh my God.”

“Okay, fine, the correct answer is all of the above.”

My bottom lip quivers. “Jax.”

“Your turn.”

Shaking my head, I pick up a card. “Why is Jax an idiot when it comes to relationships?” I roll my eyes. “A. He’s just an idiot; b. He’s a coward; c. Both A and B.” I pause and add my own answer. “D. He’s not a coward and he’s not an idiot. That’s my answer.”

He grins, but ruefully. “Yeah, I am. I’ve always believed marriage is for suckers. That real long-term relationships don’t exist. I’ve always been afraid that if I get into a relationship, I’ll hurt her because I’ll do something stupid like cheat on her.”

I knew he didn’t believe in relationships. I knew part of that stemmed from his parents’ divorce. But believing he would do the same thing he thought his dad did? I didn’t know that. “Do you still believe all those things?”

“No.” He meets my eyes and holds them with a steady, open gaze. “That was the idiot part. Then there’s the cowardly part.”

I blink at him.

“I talked to my mom earlier.” He lowers our clasped hands to his thighs.

“I needed advice. I’ve never felt like this before.

I’ve never screwed up like this before. I didn’t know what to do about it.

My mom…always used to tell us that if you make a mistake, the first thing to do is admit it.

Then learn from it. And don’t do it again. ”

“Good advice,” she murmurs.

“I don’t want to make that mistake again…not talking about things.” He bends his head. “I’ve never been good about talking about my feelings.”

“I know.”

He lifts his head, his lips twitching. “Yeah. You told me that. I missed years with my dad because I didn’t want to talk about it.

After he left, I pretended everything was fine.

I was strong. I could handle my dad leaving, no problem.

I kept telling everyone I wasn’t worried about my contract.

But talking to you about that…helped. The way you listen and don’t judge… you never made me feel weak.”

I swallow, my heart rising to lodge in my throat. “You’re not weak. It’s not weak to have feelings.”

He nods. “That’s what Mom told me. Keeping myself closed off that way just deprived me of connecting with other people. Kept people distant. Even my parents.” He pauses. “Even you.”

My bottom lip wobbles.

“It left me all alone,” he rasps out, his fingers tightening on mine. “When I signed the contract, I didn’t have anyone to share to the good stuff with. And that’s important too.”

“Yes.” I blink rapidly, my eyelashes damp.

“I want you in my life. So I have to be brave enough to tell you how I really feel. Even if it scares the hell out of me. And I’m not scared anymore. I will be faithful to you, Molly. I know it. I don’t want anyone else. And I will never hurt you.”

We share a slow, heated smile, warmth blooming inside me and spreading from my chest outward.

He reaches out and picks up another card. “Who typically says ‘I love you’ first? Men? Women? Or both equally?”

When he looks up from the card, I gaze at him. I open my mouth at the same time he does and we both say, “I love you.”

Then we burst out laughing.

Except my laughing is almost crying because I’m so emotional and I fling myself into his arms. He wraps me up in a tight hug, my face pressed to his shoulder. “I love you. So much.

His hand strokes my hair. “I love you too, Molly.”