Page 14 of Power Play Daddies (Miami Icemen #1)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Mason

I can’t explain what drives me to chase after her.

Something about the way Daisy looked at me, like I was some kind of asshole, has me twisted up inside.

The ache sitting heavy in my chest only gets worse as I watch her walk off. Did she really think we’d said all that shit about her? The idea gnaws at me.

Before I know it, I’m jogging to catch up. When I spot her standing with Kieran, I slow my steps, running a hand through my hair like that’ll do anything to calm the tension rolling through me.

“Hey,” I say, nodding at Kieran as I step up.

He glances at me, then back at Daisy. “Hey, I’m sorry to cut this short, but we should head out. I’ve gotta meet the seller downtown.” He looks at her like he’s genuinely sorry, which, honestly, annoys me more than it should.

Daisy shrugs. “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

“I can drive her,” I say before I’ve even thought it through. The words just come out. Kieran arches a brow at me, clearly surprised.

“You sure?” he asks, but there’s no suspicion in his voice, just that easy trust he always throws around.

“Yeah, no problem.” I shove my hands into my pockets, trying to act casual when my chest’s about to implode.

Daisy glances at me, her expression unreadable. “I don’t mind,” she says quietly.

Kieran leans in and kisses her, soft and quick, but it’s enough to make her blush. She turns to me, face pink, and I don’t even try to stop myself from noticing how good that damn shirt looks on her. His shirt.

I clear my throat. “You wanna swim some more, or should we head out?”

“I need to get home,” she says, then hesitates. “But can we stop by a pet store first?”

“Of course.”

She looks at me for a beat, then says, “Thanks for not telling Kieran what we were talking about.”

I shrug. “Not sure he’d have minded.”

Her lips press together like she’s not so sure about that, but she doesn’t argue. Instead, she pulls the hem of the shirt down like that’s gonna cover her bare legs any better. It doesn’t. My throat dries up as I force my eyes to stay on her face.

When we pull up to the pet store, she glances at herself, then back at me. “I can’t go in like this,” she says, gesturing to the oversized shirt. “What if someone recognizes me?”

She’s right. Kieran’s name comes with fame, and the last thing she needs is a picture of her in his shirt splashed across some gossip site.

“I’ll go,” I say, already stepping out.

Her brows lift. “You?”

“Yeah, why not?”

“It’s for a kitten,” she says like she’s warning me, reaching for her wallet.

“Seriously, I got this,” I tell her.

Inside the store, I grab the basics—food, a little bed, toys, even a damn scratching post—because if I’m doing this, I’m doing it right. By the time I get to the register, my head’s spinning. I’ve never even had a pet, and now I’m playing errand boy for a kitten.

When I get back to the car, she’s still in that shirt, her legs tucked under her like she’s trying to disappear. I shove the bags in the back and hand her the receipt.

“Thanks,” she says softly, looking down at the list like it’s suddenly the most interesting thing in the world. “But you didn’t have to get all this. I have had him for a while now, and he is pretty sorted out.”

“Don’t mention it. Take it as an apology for being a purported asshole. But as payment, I should at least get to meet this kitten,” I say, smirking.

She glances at me, her lips curving just a little. “His name’s Slim, and I don’t mind.”

“That’s a badass name for a kitten,” I say, grinning.

Her smile grows, and for a second, I forget how to breathe. She’s got the sexiest smile, all soft lips and shy confidence, and it hits me harder than I’d like to admit.

When she looks away, I take a discreet moment to adjust myself because, apparently, seeing her in nothing but a shirt has my body reacting like a damn teenager.

“So, Slim,” I say, forcing my brain to focus. “How’d you come up with the name?”

She shrugs, her fingers playing with the hem of the shirt. “He’s tiny, but he thinks he’s tough. He’s my little Slim Jim runt.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “That’s perfect.”

By the time we pull up to her place, I’ve memorized the way her laugh sounds and the way her legs look tucked under her. She grabs the bags and starts to thank me, but I cut her off.

“I meant it, Daisy. I wanna meet Slim.”

Her cheeks flush, but she nods, opening the door.

When I step inside, the little furball comes bounding over, all big eyes and tiny meows. “This him?” I ask, crouching down.

“Yeah,” she says, her voice softer now.

Slim climbs right into my hand, and Daisy laughs. It’s a real laugh, the kind that makes me want to hear it again.

“Guess he likes you,” she says, her lips twitching.

“Yeah, well, I’m a likable guy,” I say, glancing up at her.

She rolls her eyes, but there’s a smile there too. For the first time all day, I don’t feel like I’m fucking things up.

Slim lifts his little black paws and then yawns. I put him on the floor to run wild.

He darts between her ankles, tail flicking.

“You all right?” I ask, scratching the back of my neck. “I can head out if?—”

“No, it’s okay.” Her voice is soft, almost hesitant. “Do you want… juice or something?”

Juice? That’s random, but I nod. “Yeah, sure.”

She steps aside, letting me in. Her place smells like vanilla and something floral. Slim pads ahead of us toward the kitchen, tail held high.

“Nice place,” I say, trailing behind her.

“Thanks,” she says, glancing over her shoulder. She’s still wearing Kieran’s shirt. It’s long enough to cover her thighs, but damn, her legs are right there. Smooth. Golden. My mouth’s suddenly dry.

She pours juice into two glasses and hands me one. “Sorry, this is awkward.”

I chuckle, leaning against the counter. “You don’t have to be embarrassed.”

Her cheeks flush, and she tucks her hair behind her ear. “I am, though. I mean, you’re Kieran’s friend, and now you’re here, and it’s just?—”

I cut her off. “Don’t be.” I set the glass down and take a step closer. “Wanna know what’s embarrassing? I’ve been sitting here, wondering how you’d react if I told you something… personal.”

Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t move away. “Like what?”

I hesitate for half a second before diving in. “The person I turned Avery down for? It was you.”

She blinks. “What?”

I shrug, trying to act casual, but my pulse is racing. “Yeah. Feels stupid now ’cause you’re clearly with Kieran, but…” I trail off, watching her.

She bites her lip. “Kieran and I… we’re not really a thing.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” I say, my voice rougher than intended.

She shifts, looking down at her glass. “We had sex. He didn’t… claim me or anything.”

The word “claim” hits me like a punch to the gut. My grip on the counter tightens. “What does that even mean? ‘Didn’t claim you’?”

She sighs, taking a sip. “It means we’re figuring it out. We didn’t talk much about… what we are.”

I nod slowly, processing. “So, you’re in limbo.”

“Something like that.”

My gaze drops to her mouth, then back to her hazel eyes. “Wanna make this less awkward? Tell me something embarrassing about you.”

She laughs, a nervous little sound. “Like what?”

“Anything.”

She thinks for a moment, then smirks. “Okay, uh… I once called my high school teacher ‘mom’ in front of the entire class.”

I laugh. “That’s rough.”

“Your turn,” she says, eyes brightening a little.

I lean in slightly, lowering my voice. “I’m sitting here trying not to think about what your pussy looks like.”

Her breath hitches, and her grip on the glass tightens.

“And now,” I continue, my voice dropping, “now that I’ve seen that hickey on your thigh from Kieran, I’m wondering what it’d be like marking your other thigh.”

Her cheeks flame red, and she presses her lips together, but she doesn’t look away.

“I’m not sure…” she whispers, her voice shaky. “It’s… complicated.”

I step closer, dragging her stool toward me so her knees brush mine. “Complicated is fine. Just tell me if you want this.”

She bites her lip again, her hazel eyes locking on mine. “I don’t know. Maybe. It’s… been a weird day.”

I nod, leaning down until our faces are inches apart. “You smell like the sun and the ocean,” I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re beautiful.”

Her breath catches, and she leans back slightly. “Are you sure about this?”

Instead of answering, I tilt her chin up and press my lips to hers.

She tastes like citrus and something sweet, like honey. Her lips are soft, tentative at first, but then she kisses me back, her hands gripping the edge of the counter.

I pull away just enough to look at her. “You’re driving me insane, you know that?”

Her lips are swollen, her chest rising and falling quickly. “Mason…”

“Say the word, Daisy. I’ll stop if you want me to.”

She doesn’t say anything, just looks at me with those hazel eyes that have gone almost green.

I take that as my cue, dipping my head to kiss her again, slower this time, savoring every second. Her fingers brush my jaw, sending a jolt of heat straight through me.

Slim jumps onto the counter, his tail flicking like he’s judging us. Daisy laughs softly, pulling back.

“I think we have an audience,” she says, nodding toward the kitten.

I grin, brushing a thumb over her cheek.

She laughs again, and damn, it’s the sweetest sound.