Page 22 of Secret Pucking Unicorn

“What?” I ask.

“Can I make a suggestion without you getting mad at me?”

My eyes narrow. “It depends.”

“Skip the tour today and get some sleep?”

Before I have the chance to say anything, Declan reaches out and grabs my hand, cradling it in his. “Miranda, you’re exhausted. You’ve been traveling across tons of time zones, working, and then not sleeping on the plane.”

He runs a calloused fingertip lightly along the top of my cheek.

“You have shadows under these beautiful eyes, and I worry you’re going to make yourself sick. Stay here. Grab a few more hours of sleep. We will be back here at least two more times this season and I promise to take you to Garden of the Gods or anywhere else you want on those trips.”

This man. I can’t remember the last time someone took care of me, told me to slow down. Blinking quickly so the tears springing to my eyes don’t fall, I nod.

“Are you going?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “No, my plan was to stay here, look at farm listings, rest.” A slight flush colors his cheeks. “Here in the hotel. I didn’t mean stay in your room.” His flush deepens. “Unless you want me to.”

I can’t suppress my smile. He’s too cute when he’s embarrassed. “I know what you meant. We can hang out together. Here or in your room. Whatever you want.”

“Let’s go to my room then. Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m good. I have my phone and my key. That’s all I need. I need to change before the game, but otherwise I’m done. Let me tell Daphne I’m staying here.”

I take a moment and shoot her a text. She responds with a thumbs up.

“If you’re all packed up, bring your bag with you. You can change there as easily as you can change here,” he says.

That sounds logical. I do a quick check of the bathroom and the drawers to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything and go to grab my bags, but Dec already has them over his shoulder.

“All set?”

I nod and follow him out of my suite and down to his.

Liam and Brick are there when we walk in. I didn’t think about his suite mates because I didn’t see mine. I know they are Annie and Carter, but it’s felt like I’ve had the place to myself the whole time.

“Hey Randi,” Liam says when we walk in. He jerks his head toward my bags Dec is carrying. “Moving in?”

Wishing the floor would open and let me fall through, I smile weakly. Before I can say anything, Dec interjects.

“We were going to hang out and rest before the game instead of going on the tour.”

“Good plan,” Liam says. “You’re sharing with Carter, right?”

I nod.

“He is the noisiest dude I know. I don’t know how you people live with him.”

Shrugging, I grin.

“Liam, I’ve known him longer than any of you have. I’ve shared hotel rooms with him. Heck, we’ve shared a bed sometimes when we traveled for games or competitions.” I ignore the way Dec’s head whips around to me. “I’m used to his noise. I can tune it out.”

Brick narrows her eyes. “Have you and Carter dated?”

Oh goodness, she thinks I’m working my way through her teammates.

“Nooooo. We know each other too well to date. He’s like a brother to me.” My ew face probably says it all.

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