Page 113 of Pucking the Team

He frowned, his brow creasing. “We won’t, but if you get the urge, stay and talk it out.” He nipped my chin and drew my face to his.

We kissed, a firmer, deeper kiss than Theo’s and Eduardo’s, and he tasted darker, hungrier. A tightening in my belly told me my body still very much wanted him, all of them.

But the kiss didn’t last long, and Ben was claiming me. He didn’t speak, but his eyes told me how glad he was that I was no longer packing a case—that I was staying in his home, with him, with his brother and with his two teammates.

I had no idea what I’d let myself in for with this bold decision, but one thing was for sure, it was going to be a wild ride. I’d be sharing myself between four sex gods, guys who played hard on and off the ice, and were damn persuasive, too. And my reward would be happiness, love, and satisfaction. Surely that was worth any amount of risks.

The stark Florida sunshine poked fingers around the closed drapes. I stared at the patterns as I listened to Ben’s steady breathing.

After I’d agreed to stay, the guys had agreed to return to practice. I’d pointed out Gina’s and Mike’s wrath would be worse if they didn’t appear at the rink until the next day, and that had seemed to make up their minds.

I’d unpacked listening to Taylor Swift’s new song and then spent the afternoon cooking up a huge roast chicken mealwhich we’d all tucked into at sunset. The evening had been relaxing. I sensed we were all emotionally tired as well as physically, and I’d fallen asleep with my head on Theo’s lap while Eduardo had given me a foot rub.

A vague memory teased me, Dylan carrying me to bed and then Ben slipping under the covers next to me.

“Hey, get your panties on,ma choue.It is show time.” Eduardo appeared beside me holding a steaming mug, his big silhouette outlined by the drapes and the sun shards.

“Mmm?” I unpeeled from Ben’s embrace and sat. “I’ll inform you I have panties on and in place.”

He grinned and set the drink down on the bedside table. “I am not surprised, you were so tired last night.”

“I guess exhaustion was always going to catch up with me.”

“But today.” He clapped. “There are things to do.”

Ben groaned and turned over. “Shut the fuck up, man.”

“There is no time for exhaustion,” Eduardo went on loudly. “Mae and her photographer and an entire set are waiting for you and your pretty face to do your thing.”

“Ah, of course.” I reached for my tea and took a sip. “I’ll just have this then I’ll be right there.”

“Your carriage leaves in thirty minutes, Cinderella.” He tapped his Rolex. “Do not be late.”

“That dude is always so damn energetic in the morning,” Ben muttered.

“You need to get up and going, too.” I poked him with my toe. “Aren’t you all going for fittings for new kits?”

“Mmm, yeah.”

I frowned at the door. “Why isn’t Eduardo going?”

“His went missing on tour?” Ben sat and scraped his hand through his hair. “He’s already got new kit.”

“Ah, I see.” I took another sip of tea then set my drink down. “I’m gonna shower, then get going.”

“Really?” He reached for me, curling his wide, bed-warm arm around my skin. “Can’t we just…before…?”

“No.” I laughed and squirmed free. I reached for a pair of denim shorts and a white vest top. “You heard Eduardo. My carriage is leaving soon, and I have to shower and wash my hair.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

An hour later, I was walking onto the set of Mae’s fashion shoot. It had been decked out like a Western pioneer settlement complete with dirt and cacti and a prairie schooner. The background to the set was green, and I guessed they’d be adding in Rocky Mountains and sunsets later.

“Ah, good, you are here.” Mae reached for my hand and squeezed. “I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to today, everyone is. Thank you so much for doing this.”

“No problem.” I smiled and nodded at her bump. “How are you feeling?”

“Good.” She grinned and rubbed her belly. “Tired. This little guy didn’t stop kicking me all night. I’m pretty sure he’s going to be into soccer rather than hockey.”