Page 100 of Slap Shot Scandal
I nod. “Yeah. Same thing happens to me after a game. I have a whole post-game meditation ritual. I can share it with you if you want.”
“Really? That’d be great.” She beams up at me like I’m the brightest, most amazing man in the world and my chest cracks open.
I’m falling in love with this woman.
Voices carry across the sand from the Inn patio and Harbor stills in my arms, a flash of worry dancing across her face.
“Let’s walk.” Touching only her pinky finger, I lead her away from the potential prying eyes at the hotel. We walk down the beach, away from the main hotel and condo area, toward the private residences. Most porch lights are off, the inhabitants asleep.
“So…” I glance over at her, noticing her face is already more relaxed. “I hesitate to tell you this…but I had fun at the clinic today.”
“Really?”
“Yep. I liked working with the kids. Seeing the joy on their faces when they hit the puck was really cool.”
“You’re a natural.”
I shrug. “I don’t know about all that.”
“No, you are. All of you guys were great, but I heard a lot of moms bring up your name after the clinic. You better be careful or you’re going to get recruited as a coach during the off-season.”
“I wouldn’t mind if I have the time.”
“You were great with the kids. Not to get too personal, but do you want to have children of your own?”
Direct violation of rule #3.
But I don’t bring it up.
“I think so. Once hockey settles down a little bit. I want to be able to spend time with my kids, you know? My dad wasn’t around much when we were growing up—first, he was playing hockey, then he was busy impressing Prissy.”
Harbor grabs my hand, lacing her fingers with mine and squeezing. “That must have been hard.”
“It wasn’t optimal. I swore to myself I wouldn’t be like that with my own kids. So I’ve put off relationships and stuff for hockey.”
Until now.
I leave the words unsaid, pulling Harbor down to the shoreline. The waves lap at our feet and I trace her soft, smooth cheek.
“You’re so damn beautiful, Hurricane. You’re turning me inside out, making me think about things I never thought could be mine.”
“Weston…” She rests her face in my palm and I want to stay like this, out on the beach with Harbor, forever.
No team, no rules, no expectations.
Just the two of us.
Being real and raw.
“Say you feel the same way. Please.” I work to keep the pleading tone out of my voice, not wanting to come off desperate.
Even though I totally fucking am.
I need her to be mine.
“You know I do. I’ve never felt this way about anyone…” She inhales a shaky breath, blinking, the moonlight shimmering in her eyes. “It scares me.”
Instead of delivering some hollow speech, I cup her face in my hands and kiss her. Soft and deep, making her believe in me.
