Page 61 of Pinch

“We made tater tots.” Haddy’s voice is quiet, and she motions to the stove.

Her voice sounds so good after texting for so long.

“Yeah, Mav showed me.” My voice is equally quiet, and I take a step closer.

“You do look nice in a suit.”

“You look beautiful.”

“In this?” She huffs a little laugh, shaking her head.

She’s wearing black leggings and a white, long-sleeved tee. Her face is freshly washed, her dark hair is piled on her head, and her lips are glossy.

She looks like sunshine after weeks of rain. She smiles and warmth fills my entire body.

“It’s really good to see you again, Hads.”

Her eyes blink quickly, and she goes to where theleftovers are still sitting on the counter, lifting the bowl. “Want one?”

Exhaling a breath, I take the bowl from her hand. “I’ve been thinking about these since you mentioned them.”

“I was just putting them in the oven when you texted.”

She looks up at me, and her full lips part. We’re all alone in the kitchen. The sound of Gigi and Mav’s animated conversation echoes from the living room.

I swallow quickly, placing the bowl on the counter, my eyes fixed on her mouth. “I’d really like to kiss you right now.”

Her eyes darken. She glances down then steps closer to me. Reaching up, she puts her slim hand on the front of my blazer, and rises onto her toes.

Fresh jasmine surrounds me, and she closes her eyes before pressing her lips to my cheek. She’s on her way back down when I catch her, cupping her face in my hands and leaning forward to seal my lips over hers.

A soft whimper slips from her throat, registering straight to my cock, and I open her mouth with mine. Our tongues slide together, and heat twists my stomach. Her fingers curl on the lapel of my jacket, pulling me closer.Fuck, it feels so good.

Wrapping my arms around her, I hug her body up, closer to my chest, and her arms slide around my neck. I’m lost in our tongues chasing, our lips pulling, the softness of her body pressed against mine, the soft sounds of reunion.

All at once, her hands grip my shoulders, and our lips part with a little smack. She’s out of my embrace, turning quickly to the counter so her back is to me.

“Food’s almost here!” Mav bursts into the kitchen, going to the refrigerator and taking out a beer.

I’m breathing fast, feeling shaken. It’s like I was justswept up into a tornado and then unceremoniously dropped to the ground again.

My buddy is oblivious to what’s going on. He shoves a beer in my hand and starts for the living room. Haddy has the bowl of tots in her hand when she turns to face me again.

She slides a finger under her bottom lip, and shakes her head. “I’m sure you’re hungry. Mav never stops eating during the season.”

I’m hungry all right, but not for food.

Haddy seems to read my mind, and she catches my forearm, giving me a little pull. “Come on. We can’t stay in here all night. They’ll start to wonder.”

I couldn’t care less, but I let her lead me into the living room. When our food arrives, Mav spreads everything out on the coffee table. My stomach growls at the scent, and I guess I’m hungrier than I thought.

Or seeing Haddy has eased one hunger, making room for the other.

It doesn’t take long to polish off the burgers, fries, and tots. Mav fills the girls in on our winnings on the road. We’re only one game down at this point, thanks to my disorientation after Halloween night with Haddy.

I don’t regret it one bit.

I’m sorry I let the team and the fans down, but damn, it was worth it.