Page 176 of Home Game

When he walked me to my door, I stood and looked up at him. Now what? Should I invite him in? Did he want to have sex? I wanted to have sex, but this situation scared me.

He bent down, cupping my face with his hands.

His kiss was better than I remembered. It was a swirl, a caress. He skimmed and grazed my lips, making me want more. I wrapped my arms around his neck and in response, he deepened the kiss. I moaned as his mouth possessed mine. When he stepped back, my entire body trembled.

“Can I call you?” His voice was husky, and his eyes were on my mouth.

“Yes.”

“Thank fuck,” he breathed. “Okay. See you soon.”

“Goodnight.”

I leaned against the doorframe and watched as he disappeared down the steps.

CHAPTER 35

RYAN

Eleven fucking glorious dates,squeezed between the intense, exhausting schedule of the playoffs.

One day Zoey and I went for a bike ride and ice cream. Another date, I took her to the movies and watched her more than the movie itself.

I took her to the Symphony in the Park. Zoey lay on the blanket, her head resting on my chest for the performance. When it ended, she cried.

“What’s wrong?”

“It was just so beautiful,” she smiled at me through her tears.

“No, you’re beautiful.”

“Ryan!”

Sitting on that blanket, in the middle of public, I kissed her until someone walking by told us to get a room.

Last week,the GM pulled me into his office for another unofficial meeting. Rory sat on the edge of the desk, a small smile on her face.

MarkAshford told me how much he appreciated me making the effort to gel with my team, and that he felt I had proved that I was a Vancouver Wolf. Then he offered me a six-year, $72 million-dollar contract. To both of our surprise, I told him I’d make my decision after the playoffs.

He stared at me for a long moment. “Can you tell me what your hesitation is?”

“It has nothing to do with hockey.”

“What is it? My power has a lot of reach.”

“It’s a woman.”

“Ah,” he sat back in his seat. “I can’t help you there.”

“If she doesn’t want me, I’m thinking a fresh start might be a good thing.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Might this young woman be Zobenia Petrik?”

My eyes widened and I glanced at Rory. “How did you know?”

“I know everything.”

I had a feeling his daughter knew everything and just looped him in. “I’m trying to get her back.”

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