Page 22 of If You Love Me

“She’s dating his best friend, so they’re together a lot.”

Coach Forrester leans back in her chair, expression pensive. “There has to be a way for them to connect.”

“It might be easier if you try connecting with them individually.”

“I do that on the ice with them every day,” she says.

“Think about all your best coaches,” I press. “What made them great?”

Her eyes flare and her cheeks flush. Flashes of our weekend together inconveniently float to the surface. “Show me how. I want to learn, Roman.”

She clears her throat and looks away. “I saw them as people, not just my boss.”

“So be the same. Share your story. That’s the best way to learn something about Grace. What’s he lost? What makes him who he is? You’ve overcome adversity, and maybe it’s not the same as Grace, but it sure is relatable.” I wait for her eyes to meet mine again. “You’re the first female assistant coach in the league, Lexi. It’s an incredible accomplishment. And it comes with its own challenges.”Such as me being a past hookup. “But you’ve already proven you’re tenacious and passionate about the sport. You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t. You’re showing you care about more than team stats by having this conversationwith me, because let’s be honest, this isn’t easy for either of us.”

“I—”

I hold up a hand. I can tell I’m making her emotional, and if I break her, I’ll break, too. I need to get the words out and get out of her office. “Show these guys who you are. Be real with them the way you were last night with my daughter and the other women who work for this team. You made an impression on them. You definitely made one on me. You’re already making one on the team. Be more than their coach. You’re a mother to your sisters. You’re doing all of this on your own.Yougot yourself here.” I motion to her office. “Your passion for leading is what brought you here. Have confidence in your abilities, and they will, too.”

“You’re being awfully kind to me today,” she says softly.

“I wasn’t my best self yesterday.” I struggle to leave it at that and not bring up our past. “I’m sorry about your mom and your stepdad.”

She smiles weakly. “Me, too.”

“Are you and the girls managing okay?” I can’t imagine how difficult this is for her.

“Most days, yeah,” she replies.

“Being a single parent is hard, even when you’re prepared for it.”

“I want taking this job to have been the right move. Not just for me and my career, but for them, too. I wanted it to be a fresh start for all of us and I’m terrified that I’m going to fuck everything up. I don’t want to do more damage than good.” She shakes her head. “Why am I telling you this?”

“That you’re worried Lexi means your head and heart are in the right place. I still worry that I’m fucking things up and Aurora is grown and self-sufficient, so you’re not alone. Every good parent feels that way. I know you’re here to support and guide this team, but if you let them, they’ll show up for you and those girls.” I grip the arms of my chair and let my eyes slideclosed. I want so many things, and I can’t have any of them. “I gotta go.”

I stand and she does the same. “Roman.”

I meet her gaze.

“I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.”

“I’m sure you are.” I leave her office before I do something stupid—like ask questions that will only make keeping my distance harder.

CHAPTER 9

LEXI

“I’ll do that for you.” Roman’s warm, calloused hands move mine away. I let mine fall to my sides and shiver as he finger combs my hair. It’s devastatingly sexy to have this huge, imposing man french braid my hair.

I watch him in the mirror, my nipples peaking against my sleep tank. Not for the first time, I wish I’d packed sexy lingerie for this trip. Although I’ve spent the better part of the last twenty-four hours naked.

Roman’s forearms flex as he gathers hair with his pinkie, feeding it into the braid. When he’s finished, I pass him the hair tie, and he secures the end. Then he wraps it around his fist, tugging gently as his lips skim my neck. His other hand slides down my stomach to cup between my thighs. “I’m going to enjoy holding this when I ruin your pussy,” he growls in my ear.

The sound turns into a grating beep. My eyes pop open. My sheets are twisted around my thighs, I’m sweaty, and my hand is in my underpants. “Seriously?” I shoot my phone a dirty look as I silence my alarm. I was just getting to the good part.

This is the fifth time in as many days that I’ve woken from an explicit dream featuring Roman. I thought they would settle down with time, not ramp up. Between ice time and the past twoexhibition games, one of which we lost, I would have thought working together would dull his effect.

But apparently, my vagina is pining for Roman’s cock.

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