Chapter 25 #2
“Hey there, little one,” I say quietly as I lean closer. “You may not know this, but I missed your adorable little face.”
I click the carrier into the base, making sure every latch locks, then tug it twice just to be sure.
She kicks one foot inside her fleece suit, a tiny wiggle of excitement, like she might know my voice. Then she gives me this gummy little smile, half sideways, like she is still deciding if she recognizes me.
“You’ve met a lot of new faces, haven’t you, little one?” She coos. “I really hope you don’t forget mine.” I reach in and brush a knuckle gently along her blanket; her blue eyes follow the movement. “You grew. I know it has only been a week, but you definitely grew.”
Her fingers curl around the edge of the blanket, and I swear she looks… brighter. Happier. Or maybe I am projecting. Maybe I am the one who feels those things seeing her again.
Savannah babbles again, her little voice high and sweet, her eyes locked on mine like she is telling me about her week.
I lean close to the car seat. "Your only job is to grow, little one," I whisper. "And you're crushing it."
I secure the final strap, tuck the blanket under her chin. She squirms, her face lighting up with a toothless grin. She comprehends nothing, yet somehow makes everything make sense.
I triple-check the buckles.
"She's not going anywhere, Deacon," Claudia says with a soft laugh.
"I know," I reply, checking one last time anyway.
I resist the urge to kiss her pudgy cheek and slide into the passenger seat.
"You're breathtaking right now," I tell Claudia.
"You text morning and night, but couldn't mention you were—"
"Thought it was dehydration after the flight.
" I flash a grin. "Considering this gorgeous woman had sucked me dry.
" She swats at me. I take her cold hand between mine.
"Blamed my slow reaction time at practice on the break.
Got dizzy again after showering. Came out to find Costello waiting in my suite. "
"In your room?" She stares at our intertwined fingers.
"Yeah. Coach D noticed something off. Miles ran some tests—I failed.
Nothing serious—even at half-speed, I outplay Johnson, but I'm benched.
" I press her hand against my chest. "Hockey players deal with this constantly.
You were starting a new job. Savannah was adjusting to daycare.
My issues seemed insignificant compared to yours. "
She watches my mouth, silent. I recognize that look.
"I'm going to kiss you now."
I don't wait for permission—her eyes have already granted it—especially when she crashes her lips against mine.
Desperate. Electric. Consuming.
After she breaks the kiss, I only get half a second to savor her expression —hunger and relief—before Claudia yanks me in by the lapels and we smash together again.
My lips part on instinct. Her tongue tastes like cinnamon, and her, like everything I’d spent not just the week but all the days, weeks, and months I should have had.
It’s not a gentle kiss. She bites and pulls at my bottom lip, like she’s been holding her breath since I left, too.
My hands cradle her jaw, thumb tracing the delicate pulse just below her ear.
She’s trembling, electric currents running under her skin, and I’m helpless against the charge.
It’s ridiculous, making out in a car in the shadows, Savannah in the back seat, a row of cabs idling three cars down, but I’m beyond caring. She’s all I see, all I hear, the rest of the world a blur through the fogged windows.
The vehicle is too small for what I want from her. I twist, clutching her shoulders, and Claudia arches into me, her knees hitting the console. I lose a hand to her coat, to the silky mess of her hair. Her heat, her needy gasp, the way she shoves aside any space between us.
She tastes like a confession and not a secret. Like home, if home were a mouthful of fire.
I break away first. “God,” I whisper, dizzy. “Come back to my suite with me?”
She doesn’t answer, just pulls me back, kisses harder, deeper, arching in until I feel every shiver that runs through her.
Then she breaks away again. “I can’t. Nalani will—”
“Nalani is making up for a missed week with her man, and you should feel free to do the same.”
“You’re not mine,” she closes her eyes and leans back in the seat.
“Yeah, well, tell that to every fucking part of my body.” I force a laugh and adjust my aching cock.
“This is insane, we’re not teenagers. I’m a mother, for God’s sake.” She sighs, rolling her head to the side, looking at me.
I fight back a smirk, but she sees it. “I bet you were a player when you were.”
“I’ve been married to the ice since I watched my first game when I was five.
” I hold a finger over her lip, “Can I trust you with a secret?” She nods, and I watch her pupils darken.
“I got a Paul Bronski for my birthday that year.” His sexy, full lips twist up slowly.
“Didn’t even notice him because there were only two people in the world that night, you and Savannah.
” I sit back and roll my neck, which doesn’t help relieve the tension I’m feeling elsewhere, but touching her just makes me harder.
“Had I recognized him that night, I may have acted a fool like Dash.”
“Does he know?” she asks, voice a little deeper, sultrier.
“No damn way,” I laugh. “My suite has two rooms; I offered him one. He said no because the old man loves Dash fawning over him. I’m not getting played like that.”
She laughs from her fucking belly, and it is the first time I have ever heard it. “Jesus, Doc, that laugh will make a man who’s been floating downward in a haze of regrets for over a year, fall face-first.”
I immediately regret allowing those words —the truth— to fall from my mouth because she looks… fucking gutted.