Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 138(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 92(@300wpm)
“Tempting, angel. You have no idea how tempting. But if I get in the tub with your sexy, wet, naked body, I won’t be able to control myself.”
She raised her head, and a cute little pout pursed her lips.
I chuckled and gave her a quick kiss.
“But I’ll hold you all night.”
She seemed satisfied with my answer, laying her head back on my shoulder with a contented sigh.
8
MARNIE
All that worrying I’d done about Hayes leaving me at the compound when he moved into his house had been for nothing. Only one week later, not only was it fully furnished with brand new furniture that he’d asked me to pick out during my days off, but just about all of my clothes and toiletries were in the primary closet and bathroom.
The day after he did the final walk-through with the builder, we’d stopped at my apartment to pick up what I thought would only be a few more things. Instead, he’d had a prospect follow us in an SUV…with four extra suitcases. Big ones, too.
I wasn’t sure how many trips it would take me to get all my things back to my apartment after this was all over. But with how Hayes kept calling the house our home, I was hoping I’d never have to find out.
We hadn’t really put a label on our relationship yet, but I was meeting his brother today. Which had to mean something. Or at least that was what I kept telling myself.
“You’re sure Nathan doesn’t want to stay here instead?” I asked for the fifth time, worried that I’d scared off his younger brother.
“I’m positive, angel.” Hayes brushed his lips against mine and murmured, “He’s got his own room at the hotel. He’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” I sighed, still feeling bad because he had been planning to stay at the house until Hayes had told him about me.
“You’re worrying for nothing,” he assured me, placing his palm on my lower back to lead me into the garage. “He just doesn’t want me to kick his ass for hearing something that he shouldn’t. You shouting my name as you come is for my ears only.”
Climbing into the passenger seat of his SUV, I rolled my eyes. But I didn’t bother arguing because I couldn’t deny being loud in bed. So it probably was for the best that Nathan didn’t stay with us the first time I met him.
What really helped settle my nerves was being surrounded by the women of the Iron Rogues in the suite at the arena. I had already been well on my way to becoming good friends with Molly, Dahlia, and Elise before I met Hayes, and the time I spent at the Iron Rogues compound had solidified those relationships. I’d also gotten close with the others, and it felt good knowing they had my back if Nathan disapproved of me being with his brother.
Especially since he looked fierce out there on the ice.
“I had no idea hockey moved so fast.”
“You shoulda seen me play.” Hayes gently bumped his hip against me. “My kid brother is good, but I was better until that last injury took me outta the game.”
“Don’t worry.” I beamed a smile at him. “I might not be familiar with ice hockey, but I don’t need to see you play to know that you’re my favorite player of all time.”
“Damn straight, angel,” he murmured before taking a sip of his beer.
I tugged on the sleeve of the jersey he was wearing. “I have to admit, I was surprised to see you in this. Although you’re here to watch your brother, you played for the Trojans for years. Do your old teammates and fans give you a hard time for so publicly rooting for the competition?”
“Doesn’t really matter.” He shrugged and gestured toward the ice with his bottle of beer. “Nathan’s family, and that’s all that counts. I would have worn his jersey for him when I was still playing for the Trojans if my contract had allowed it. As long as my team wasn’t the one facing off against him, I rooted for the Navigators.”
His steadfast loyalty was just one of many traits making me fall head over heels in love with Hayes. “He’s lucky to have a big brother like you. I enjoyed being an only child, but listening to you talk about him makes me think that I would have liked having an older sibling to look out for me.”
“Nathan was a pain in my ass growing up, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything.” He wagged his brows at me over the rim of his beer bottle. “Maybe having three kids instead of two would make it easier on them when they’re young. What do you think?”
“Um…not sure I’m the best person to ask since I didn’t have the chance to experience sibling rivalry up close and personal like you.”