Accidentally Checked By My Brother’s Best Friend (Accidentally In Sports #3)

30. Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ava

Duncan wasn’t lying about Rocco’s. The Caprese salad and Chicken Milanese were exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

Like the man sitting a few feet away from me.

We settle back on the couch after clearing away the take out. The TV plays softly in the background.. My legs tucked under me and my hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea, the TV playing softly in the background. Duncan sits with his arm lightly resting on the back of the couch behind me.

Being this close to him makes me aware of every inch of him, and his slight movement has butterflies swarming in my stomach.

“She didn’t?!” My mouth falls open and a surprised laugh is pulled from me. “In front of everyone?”

My cheeks are lifted in a smile that won’t quit and my stomach aches. Duncan has been telling me about Scarlett and her cheeky little ways.

That niece of mine is a piece of work, and she should be a comedian.

“She did!” Duncan’s eyes dance, his lips stretched across his face. “Then she yelled at me for having her on speaker phone.”

The sheepish grin that follows, makes me belly laugh. “In a way, it is my fault. I need to remember that that imp is unpredictable and doesn’t think about what comes out of her mouth.”

“I’m not so sure I believe that.” Pulling my lip between my teeth, I chuckle. Thinking about her matchmaking ways when it comes to the two of us. “I think she has a plan for almost anything.”

Duncan’s eyes twinkle and his smile softens. “I’m pretty sure she’s smarter than all of us put together.”

“Don’t tell David, but I’m a bit scared for him.” Duncan throws his head back and laughs, the throaty sound making my heart race. “She’s only eight.”

“I tell him that all the time!” His gaze meets mine and my heart stops. His eyes shift and warmth runs through me. Taking a sip of my tea, I swallow hard trying to push the cotton down my throat. “But to be honest, I’m a bit scared too.”

The seriousness in his tone has ripples running through me, and I can’t stop the laugh from erupting. Placing my tea on the coffee table, I look back at him. The solemn nod he gives me rips another laugh from me. Putting my arm around my stomach.

“You’ve only been here a few weeks! You have no clue what she’s capable of.” Glancing up at Duncan’s face, his brows furrowed and his lips drawn together, he’s pretending to be distraught, but the glint in his eyes belies how he feels about our goddaughter.

“You have heard of FaceTime, right?” My eyes widen and my cheeks pull up.

“Of course I have, but I wouldn’t think an old timer like you has.” Reaching out, I smack him, only to have my hand sting at the boulders this man calls muscles. His reflexes are so fast he covers my hand holding my palm captive against his chest.

The air crackles and my breath catches in my throat. For a moment, heat lingers in his eyes, and it quickly becomes replaced with the humor that was dancing there a minute ago. Slowly dragging my hand away, I immediately regret the loss of his warmth. I nervously chuckle to cover the effect that simple touch has on my body.

“I’m only five years older.” Breaking eye contact in an attempt to slow my heartbeat. I pick up my tea and take a sip. Holding the cup in both hands, I glance back at Duncan; the way he’s looking at me has my heart dropping to my stomach before it gallops around my body.

“Your age has never been something that bothered me.” His eyes are filled with a gentleness that makes my entire body tingle, and the way his eyes roam my face has me feeling like I’ve been in the desert without water for weeks. Swallowing hard I watch as a mischievous grin covers his face. “But teasing you about it will never get old. Pun intended.”

I’m so caught up in how he makes me feel that it takes me a moment to process what he said. “Hey!” I squeak out.

His grin widens, before he points at me, and makes a circle with his hand. “This reaction is why. You’re just too cute.”

Heat creeps up my face and I look away, taking another sip of my tea. I can still feel his eyes on me and with every shift of his gaze a tingle is left in its wake.

“You were talking about FaceTime?” A grin crawls along my lips and I take another sip, before putting the mug down.

Turning back toward him, I smile self-consciously. “You’re not the only one Scarlett has embarrassed in front of people.” The temperature of my face gets hotter as Duncan’s eyes widen and curiosity covers his expression. “I was going over lines with Sean a few years ago for the first movie we did together…”

“ The Zamboni Kiss. ” My gaze whips to Duncan. Pretty sure my eyes are the size of saucers right now. A tiny bit of color appears on his cheeks, and a bashful grin lines his lips. “Red loved that movie and thought I should too because I played hockey.”

A tinge of disappointment sneaks in that he only watched it for Scarlett’s sake, but the image of him watching it with her has my heart expanding. “Yes, that one.”

Duncan’s dancing green eyes remind me of the perfect spring day after a week of rain. Bright and breathtaking. Licking my lips, I continue.

“Fiona was still alive and Scarlett was just learning to talk. Remember when she had that lisp?” Duncan’s smile widens and I’ve already started chuckling. “Fi was telling me one of the many Scarlett stories when her little voice could be heard yelling ‘Aunt Rava, Aunt Rava’. Sean let the entire crew know and for the rest of the shoot my chair said “Rava” Norris. They were also talking about how everyone was ‘rava-ing’ about the movie.”

“Oh come on!” Duncan scoffs, and rolls his eyes so hard I’m surprised they don’t go around his head. “That’s nothing compared to Uncle Dunky!”

I cover my mouth to keep the laughter in, but I can’t. My lips split across my face and the laughter explodes. Holding my already sore stomach I laugh until tears run down my face. Wiping them away, I look at Duncan. The scowl he’s giving me starts the entire process all over again.

Crossing his arms over his chest, he puts on his best glower. I might believe he was bothered if not for the gleam in his eyes. “Yeah, that one went around the locker room for a few days, which is a short time for my teammates. Luckily for me, there was something else that caught their attention.”

His gaze pins mine and his meaning takes hold, making my stomach flutter. What distracted them was the news of the two of us ‘dating’.

“I’m glad that I was able to help… Dunky.” Biting my bottom lip I grin. He narrows his eyes at me and tilts his head before inhaling and exhaling slowly. The entire reaction has me covering my mouth to keep from laughing again.

His eyes suddenly turn roguish as he gently pulls my hand away from my mouth, and looks at my lips. My heart stops and thuds to my stomach as his gaze lingers there. I push past the tightness in my throat and try to breathe.

It takes me a moment to realize he asked me a question and by then, it’s too late as he starts to tickle me.

“No! No! Nooooo!” I squeal, only to have him laugh uproariously at me.

After what seems like an eternity of torture I finally escape by rolling off the couch onto the floor. Gasping for breath, I look up to find Duncan resting his head on his hand, looking down at me with a glint in his eye.

“How did you know I was ticklish?” I ask, still trying to catch my breath—a smile on my face.

“Fiona,” Duncan grins. “I used to tickle Scarlett all the time and Fi would laugh saying she was just like you.”

I close my eyes and think of my sister, a longing so intense comes over me. Blowing out a big breath, I open my eyes.

Duncan is watching me. The warmth in his eyes has my heart ping-ponging around my chest. He extends his hand and I tilt my head at him giving him a skeptical look.

“Just trying to help you up from the floor.” His hands are raised, but I give him a questioning glance. He throws his head back and laughs before extending his hand again. Then he says softly, “I promise. No more tickling.”

Staring at his hand, then glancing back at him, I place my hand in his and a jolt of energy moves through me from the contact.

Did he feel that, too?

He gently pulls me back on the couch, holding my hand for a moment before reluctantly letting it go. Watching his hand as he pulls it back, I swallow and shift my gaze. My eyes stop at his lips, before moving up to his eyes.

He swallows hard before a lopsided grin slides across his face. “Do you want to watch a movie?”

Glancing at my fitbit I notice it’s after nine. Not wanting to leave yet, I nod. “Which movie did you want to watch?”

“How about The Zamboni Kiss ?” My eyes nearly pop out of my head and a giggle escapes. “I told you, Scarlett made me watch it nearly every day. I had to buy a digital copy.”

“If you really want to,” I say shyly. “I haven’t seen it since the screening.”

Duncan reaches out to the coffee table, grabs the remote control, and deftly pulls up the correct app before selecting the movie. When he turns back toward me, I quickly look away and adjust myself on the couch to get comfortable.

“Come here.” Duncan’s raspy voice sends a shiver through me. Looking over, I find him with his arm up, inviting me to sit closer. Without hesitation, I slide up beside him and rest my head on his chest letting the warmth of his body seep through every inch of me. His arm falls over my shoulder and tucks me into his side.

I hear the steady beat of his heart as it pounds against his chest. Being wrapped in his warmth, an overwhelming sense of peace settles deep in my belly…along with the realization that I’m sleepy.

Duncan hits play and the opening credits roll.

I yawn and feel Duncan’s lips press against the crown of my head. A contented smile creeps on my face and I let my eyes drift close.

Duncan gently pushes a strand of hair behind my ear, and the rise and fall of his chest under my face relaxes me even more.

Sighing, I wrap my arm around his waist and snuggle closer, his scent making me certain I could stay in his arms forever. The last thing I feel before drifting to sleep is the weight of his cheek on my head.