Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103721 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 519(@200wpm)___ 415(@250wpm)___ 346(@300wpm)
“Oh my God, are you okay? I’m so sorry. I got the puck with the tip of my blade. I’m sorry.”
I wouldn’t have believed him if I hadn’t spent the last week with the kid. When he isn’t paying attention, he makes foolish mistakes. His eyes are wide, full of guilt, as he asks Cameron over and over again if she’s okay. Then he looks at me. “Dude, that was sick.”
I grin. “Yeah, but how about don’t do that ever again, or I’ll shove a puck down your throat?”
He nods quickly. “Yeah, my bad. I shouldn’t have been shooting anyway.”
He shouldn’t have, but all that is enough to annoy me and decide we’re done. “It’s fine. Hit the showers. I’ll meet you in the morning.”
Dawson looks back at Cameron. “I’m really sorry.”
“It’s okay. Thankfully, I have a boyfriend with quick hands.”
I lick my lips to keep from strutting like a llama with the biggest dick. Dawson nods, apologizing once more before heading into the tunnel, grabbing his water and extra sticks.
Once we’re alone, I ask, “You sure you’re okay?”
She nods. “I promise. Thank you for protecting me.”
I don’t know what to say to that because doesn’t she realize it’s my job to protect her? Not only her heart but her body? I hold her gaze, and then slowly, I look away. “It’s as easy as breathing to protect you, my beauty.”
Her lips curve before she takes me by my jersey, pulling me to her with ease. I throw my gloves down as her lips meet mine, and my stick rattles on the ice before I wrap my arms around her. I kiss her with every single ounce of myself, and I wish this board weren’t between us as I dig my fingers into the small of her back. I lift her slightly off her feet, and the smile she rewards me with against my lips makes it real hard to breathe.
When we part, she traces my jaw, then my lips with her fingers. “So, I packed a bag.”
I raise a brow. “Yeah?”
“Yes, but I forgot it.”
A deep chuckle tickles my chest. “We can stop by and grab it.”
“Good, because I thought I’d stay the night with you.”
I lean in, kissing the side of her mouth. “I think you’re the smartest girl I’ve ever met.”
“Forgetful, though.”
I kiss her again. “It’s okay. When you forget, I’ll remind you, or I’ll fix it. No worries.”
Her eyes dance with mine, and I know her ADHD fucks with her confidence. I now know it’s because of her mom, but for me, it’s not a big deal. Her lips curve against my lips, and I close my eyes in pure satisfaction.
Every perfection and every flaw…I love every single thing about this girl.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Benson
“Why couldn’t I go up with you?”
Cameron’s eyes cut to mine, accusation in her gaze. “Because you and I both know that instead of grabbing my bag off the bed, you would have knocked the bag away and laid me out on that bed.”
I shrug. “Facts.” She giggles as we head toward the Adlers’ house. “But in my defense, I did just set your bag in my room.”
We had to stop at my place so I could change into something better than Crocs. Elli isn’t a fan of my shoes, and I worry one of these days she may not feed me if I show up to family dinner in them. While I showered and dressed, Cameron worked on some posts for the B-roll footage we’ve been working on. “Because I knew better. If I had followed you into your room, we wouldn’t be heading to dinner.”
“Hundred percent facts,” I agree, and her laughter is contagious as she taps quickly on her phone. Which I dislike because her hand isn’t in mine. “Though, I think you didn’t want me in your room because I bet you haven’t put away your laundry from the first time I kissed you.”
Her cheeks flush, and I can’t help but laugh at how she tries to hide her smile. “I will not dignify that comment with a response, my fine sir.”
“Ah, but my lady, you can admit I’m right.”
“Never,” she proclaims as she continues to type quickly on her phone.
“What are you working on now?”
She shakes her head. “I’m not. I’m texting Coach. My vault has been trash all week, and I’m making sure the gym will be open tomorrow morning. Can you drop me off when you go in with Dawson?”
“Absolutely. What time?”
“I have a meeting at ten, so I’ll want to be there by seven to get some work in and shower before my meeting.”
“I’m not meeting Dawson until nine, so that’s totally fine.”
She waves me off quickly. “No, it’s fine. I’ll get an Uber.”
“The fuck you will,” I insist, meeting her surprised gaze. “My girl doesn’t take an Uber.”