Page 21 of Keeping it Real

His best friend’s question felt like it was coming out of left field.“You were the first person to tell me I’m doing the right thing.”

“You are.With Finn.But what about with the kid’s aunt?”

What the hell?

“It’s not like I can take care of Finn on my own, even if Sheridan would let him out of her sight.What exactly are you implying?”

Gus sighed.“It’s that Claire and Sheridan have been video chatting.”He lowered his voice.“Valentine and Picard are going to want to put her on the top of their own lists once they find out she doesn’t have fat ankles.Or saggy boobs.”

Hell, has Gus been checking out Sheridan’s rack?

“Over my dead body,” he ground out through his tight jaw.

Gus’s eyebrows shot up.“Ah, so it’s like that, huh?”

“No!”Alek glanced around the office when he realized he was shouting.He dragged in a calming breath.“It’s not like that with Sheridan.She’s Jamie’s kid sister, for crying out loud.I don’t think of her in any other way.End of story.”

It was a wonder his joggers didn’t burst into flames.He’d been thinking of her in lots of other ways since seeing her again.Most of them involved her naked beneath him, her hair spread out on his pillow and her legs wrapped around his waist.It was an insane fantasy, though.They may have parted as enemies, but Alek would never take advantage of his former best friend’s sister.

Because that would be a crime as bad as Jamie’s.

“Hmm.”Gus did that thing where he practically made his lips disappear as he nodded in approval.“You’re sticking to your principles.That’s good to know.Of course, that’s a whole lot easier said than done once she’s living under your roof.”He patted Alek on the back.“I wish you luck, my friend.”

“I don’t need any luck,” Alek replied to Gus’s retreating back.“I have this under control.”

His friend had the nerve to bark out a laugh as he turned the corner.

Alek remained where he was, hands on his hips.He didn’t need any damn luck.He needed a willing woman to take his mind off the untouchable one who was about to move in with him.Maybe Valentine’s list could be of some use after all.

Six

“This place is gorgeous.”Sheridan addressed the compliment to Peri Bergeron.There was no doubt that Alek’s mother had a hand in choosing the décor of his sprawling home.

“Thank you,” Alek and Peri said at the same time.

The three of them stood around the island in the kitchen—a spacious room that could house the kitchen, dining room, and den from Sheridan’s childhood home.Along with its gourmet appliances was a keeping area with a loveseat, two chairs, and a double-sided fireplace that opened to the family room on the other side.A round table with banquette seating was built into a large bay window with a view of the backyard where Hattie and Finn chased each other around, working the kinks out after the long two-day drive.

“I designed it to be comfortable.”Peri picked up the bottle of wine they’d enjoyed at dinner and poured some into Sheridan’s glass.“My goal was to make it a place where Alek can relax and decompress away from the rink.”

“Hah!”Sheridan reached for the glass, trying hard not to chug it to calm her nerves.“Relaxing and decompressing are not usually synonymous with little boys and big dogs.I’ll make sure they both stay out of your space as best I can.”

She risked a glance in Alek’s direction.He was hard to read this evening.When they arrived earlier, he’d welcomed them warmly.Even the dog.But he’d become more guarded as they settled in and throughout dinner.He was looking at her now as though she were a ticking time bomb he needed to deactivate.

“Regretting your offer already?”The question didn’t come out sounding as light and jovial as she’d hoped.

“Of course not,” Peri said.“Alek, tell her she’s being ridiculous.”

Alek crossed his arms over his broad chest and leaned his hips against the countertop.The black cashmere sweater he wore showed off his sculpted shoulders and arms to perfection.His narrow hips and muscled thighs were encased in the soft cotton of gray joggers.

Lord have mercy.

This would be her view every day.It was all she could do not to drool.She jerked her eyes up north only to slam into bemused blue ones.

“You’re being ridiculous, Sheridan,” he said.

Her face grew warm.It was as if he’d read her mind.

“My mother makes it sound like I need to hide out in a soundless chamber to recover after a game.”He shot Peri a look.“I don’t.Finn and Hattie are welcome to roam freely.”His gaze returned to her.“Same goes for you.”

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