Page 60 of Offside and Off-Limits
That’s it. I’ve reached my limit with this flirty talk that’s sending tingles through me and making me think of things other than hockey. “Cade, can you be serious for even one minute?”
“You know me. I’m always serious, Triple,” he says with a grin that says the exact opposite.
“You’re being all flirty and suggestive. Let’s just concentrate on hockey, okay?”
He opens his mouth to speak, and I hold my finger up. “And don’t tell me you were concentrating solely on hockey, because we both know you weren’t.”
He nudges me with his elbow. “Come on. Even you can admit this is fun.”
I twist my mouth. With his easygoing and playful nature, Cade can make me feel like I’m seriously uptight, too strait-laced to have fun. Which isn’t true. I can have fun along with the best of them. The problem is, letting go of this tight control I have on myself around him could lead to places I don’t want to go.Places Ican’tgo, not if I want to honor the non-fraternization clause in my contract and keep my sanity.
Because I know I could so easily give in to this man with his sexy grin and smoldering eyes. Because Cade is so much more than that. He’s got substance. Depth. He’s kind and patient and cares deeply for those people lucky enough to be in his life.
I could fall for a man like Cade Lennox, and I can’t let that happen, even if the terrible truth is, I think I already am falling for him.
The plan was simple: do my job, create engaging content, prove I belong in this professional world I've worked so hard to be a part of. It didn't include developing feelings for a player whose reputation precedes him like a warning siren.
Except I know that’s only part of who he is, and getting to know the real Cade, the man behind the carefree, flirty façade? Well, that might just be my undoing.
Even if the way he's looking at me right now suggests he’s worth the risk.
CHAPTER 13
CLARA
I’m preparingto knock on Cade’s polished wooden door when it swings open, revealing Cade in all his Cade-ness. Which is to say he’s wearing casual clothes that show off his wide shoulders and long legs, and his characteristically broad smile.
I’m hit with a sudden, unhelpful flutter at the sight of him, and I count my blessings he’s got a top on, covering his muscular frame.
“Hey, it’s my favorite little Maple Leafers,” he exclaims as he grins at my kids.
Benny giggles.
“We’re not maple leaves. We’re people,”Hannah insists.
He narrows his eyes as though to assess them both. “You are too. My bad. She’s a smart one,” he says to me.
“Oh, yes,” I reply.
“Come on in.” He stands back for the three of us to enter.
We hang our jackets on the hooks by the door, and make our way into the living room, Benny chatting incessantly aboutThe Timekeeper Chronicles.
“Owen said it’s so cool! Max helps a Forgotten Girl do her dragon book report and he fixes time,” Benny says.
“And that’s in the new comic book you say?” Cade asks as we reach his open plan living-slash-kitchen. There’s a delicious aroma in the air, like we’ve walked into an Italian restaurant.
“Sure is. Mommy, can we go get it from Aunt Emmy’s store tomorrow? Please?” Benny pleads.
“I’ve got the Drench for Defense at the farmers’ market tomorrow, buddy. We can go one day after school next week,” I reply.
He tries again. “Please?”
“Next week, sweetheart. I promise,” I say.
Benny lowers his head and kicks the ground. “Okay.”
“How about I save you the trip?” Cade asks, and Benny’s head suddenly pings up as Cade pulls a comic book from behind his back.
