Page 27 of Offside and Off-Limits
“Sign me up for all of them,” I repeat.
“But you don't even know what they involve,” she protests.
I shrug. “The dancing on the ice was fun and I'm happy to do whatever the team needs me to do.”
“You aresucha team player, Lennox,” Jamie says, slapping me on the bare shoulder.
“That I am, Captain,” I reply, ignoring his sarcasm.
“Even the one in which you showcase a non-hockey talent?” Clara asks with a look that tells me she doesn't think I have a talent outside of hockey—or possibly outside of parading around bare-chested.
“Bring it on,” I say, my smile not wavering.
“I look forward to that,” she replies tightly.
I lift my lips into a grin. “I promise you, you won't be disappointed.”
“Oh, good grief,” Jamie says with a shake of his head.
But I don't care. Standing here, talking to this gorgeous woman, I could flirt my butt off all day long, and I know she'll do her best to bat each and every comment away.
It's like a game.
A fun, sexy game.
A game I intend to win, because I’ve turned that new leaf and have become a new man—a man who wants just one woman.
And she’s standing right in front of me.
Who knows? Clara Johnson might just turn out to be my Hallmark movie happily ever after.
CHAPTER 7
CLARA
I lean backagainst the seat of my car in the parking lot outside the arena, mid conversation, waiting for the rain that’s teeming outside in the dim early morning light to let up before I make my way into the office.
ChronicWarrior88:
Tell me more about this new job of yours.
Me:
I thought we agreednot to share specifics?
ChronicWarrior88:
You’re right. You don’t need to give me details. I just want to know how you spend your days so I can picture you.
I smile at my phone. Chatting with Warrior has been the highlight of my day for months now and I love the way he shows concern for me, no matter whether it's to do with the kids or something going on in the town or, more recently, my new job. He's so different from the guys I meet who love to talk about themselves the whole time, telling me how awesome they are at whatever it is they’re bragging about—and in a small town like Maple Falls, it’s either hunting or fishing or hiking, or a combination of all three.
It's not like that with Warrior. He’s not once mentioned hunting or how big a fish he can catch when he's out with his buddies, or even how far he can hike.
All things guys seem to think we women are looking for in a relationship.
Instead, he's nothing but sweet and thoughtful and the best listener I know.
Me:
