Wild About You (Wildcat Hockey, #2)

by Rebecca Jenshak

Only when he’s out the front door do I release a breath and pull out my phone to read his text. You look even more beautiful than you did four years ago.

We’re in that new stage of friendship where I still feel a little awkward when I show up, but I always leave feeling like I’ve known them forever.

“Because I’ve missed you every day for four years and because now that I’ve seen you again, I can’t imagine another day going by where I can’t.”

“I didn’t think I believed in fate, but then you walked into that principal’s office and my heart stopped.”

Maybe the truth is Tyler is a good guy. But he can be a good guy and still be the jerk that broke my heart.

“I’ll do it,” I say. “I will look after Everly, be her nanny, or whatever.” “You will?” “Yes.”

“Before I go, I need to come clean on something.” She stiffens. “What?” “I said this was about what is best for Everly, and I meant it. I think you are the best person for the job, and I don’t want to screw with that.” “O-kay.” I step closer. Her bottom lip trembles as I invade her space. “But it doesn’t change how I feel about you. There’s something still here, Pipes. I know it.”

“I like Piper. She’s great. If I have to have a babysitter, then I’m glad it’s her. I see why you were so crazy in love with her. Plus, she’s really hot. Way too hot for you.”

“You can be whoever you want.”

I don’t particularly like feet, but Piper’s are sexy as hell. I’d suck on each one…

“Break up with your boyfriend, Piper.” “Wha-at?” Her voice breaks on the word. I invade her space. She doesn’t step back. “I want good things for you too.” “Okay.” A line forms between her brows. I allow myself only to brush my fingers against hers. It’s the smallest contact. Not enough, but still so fucking good. “Break up with him because I’m what’s good for you.”

When Tyler’s green eyes finally lock on mine, I summon every bit of courage in my body, close the remaining distance between us, and kiss him. He’s shocked and slow to respond. His teammates and friends are cheering, but as soon as his arms wrap around me, I couldn’t care less. He picks me up and squeezes me to him. And it feels like no time has passed at all.

“You’re kind of sexy all overprotective and worried.” He huffs a laugh. “So, all the damn time?” He was kidding, but he got it exactly right. “All the damn time.”

“The beach with you,” he says, and the memory hits me so hard I can almost taste the salty air from that night. “There hasn’t been anyone but you.”

“There are a lot of things we should talk about, but tonight let’s just enjoy being with each other again.”

“Take your time and figure out what you want, Piper, because I plan on being the last guy inside of you.”

“You’re mine. Always have been. Always will be.” Her head tips back and she starts to close her eyes. I stop moving and increase the pressure ever so lightly around her throat. “Say it, Piper.” She bucks into me and whines. I’m so close, if she does that a few more times, it’ll be game over. But I don’t relent. I need to know that this means the same thing to her. “I’m yours,” she whispers. I slam into her. “Mine.”

“Be terrified with me, Pipes? Give me a real shot to get it right this time. That’s all I’m asking.” I nod. “Yes. A thousand terrified yeses.”

“Whose?” “Yours, Tyler.” “Good girl.”

“That has to be ripe, baby. I worked out in that.” “I don’t care. I like smelling you.”

“I’m sorry,” he says again. I can hear how genuine he is in the apology. It’s laced with frustration, and that reminds me just how much he has on his plate. “It’s fine,” I say cheerily. “You can make it up to me later.” He chuckles. “You can count on it.”

“This is Piper Vaughn, my girlfriend.”

“Oh, trust me. Looking at you in those shoes is painful. My dick has been trying to wrestle through my pants all freaking night.”

“Okay.” “Really?” She nods. “Yes, really. I love falling asleep with you every night.” “And waking up with me?” “I would if your alarm went off about two hours later.”

“I’m practically married. I’ll be old and boring in no time.”

“He’s had a lot going on. He probably just needs a reminder that you’re a goddess,” Scarlett says. “How do I remind him of that?” “Oh, I think you know.” Jade smirks and gives me a slow once-over that feels downright sensual. She laughs, and in case I didn’t pick up her hint, she says, “Take off all your clothes and lie on top of him.” “Sex?” Scarlett asks with a snort. “Your answer to this is sex?” “I’m sorry,” Jade says with a roll of her eyes. “Let me clarify. Lots of sex. Repeatedly until he can’t think of anything else.”

The realization of what he’s doing is as annoying as it is touching. We. Belong. Together. And he damn well knows it, but still he’s doing it again—making decisions for me based on what he thinks I want when what I want is him. What I need is him.

Stupid, stubborn, amazing man. Everything is nothing without him.

“No, not because of that. I needed a little time to get things in order.” I pull the ring box from my pocket and set it on the middle of the table. “I’m going to ask Piper to marry me.”

I gotta admit, I don’t spend a lot of time watching what’s happening on stage. I’ve got a diamond ring in my pocket, and the love of my life sitting next to me. I’m a little bit distracted.

“Because that’s what family does,” Jack says, eyes still on the stage. “They show up.”

“Go. I’ll be here.” Always.

“You almost seem happy about your man being sent to the penalty box.” “Oh, I am. Not about the penalty but wait for it.” She nudges me with an elbow, and I watch as Leo skates off the ice and into the penalty box. “What exactly am I waiting for?” I ask as the jumbotron zooms in on Leo. He throws himself onto the bench and glares ahead. “That look.” She shivers. “It’s the same one he gets on his face during sex.”

“Atta boy, Sharpie!”

“You still get the same look on your face when you score a goal that you did when you were seven.” “I do?” She nods. “On the ice is always where you seemed happiest.”

“You asked me what was the first thing I bought when I signed my contract. This.”

“Because I wanted to share that moment with you, and I couldn’t. And when I realized that, I just knew you were my end game. I used to think relationships were all about timing, but since you came back into my life, I’ve had to accept that maybe there is no such thing as the right time. There is always going to be something I can’t give you or some event during the season I’m going to miss because I’m traveling. But I promise you that no one has or will ever love you more than I do. I love you, Piper. I’ve loved you since I was eighteen years old. Fuck yeah, we belong together, always. Marry me, Pipes?”

“To Piper and the rookie!”

“Time’s up.” He kisses my neck. Jade laughs good-naturedly. “Fine. Take your hot fiancées back. I need to go find my man and attach his ball and chain.” She gets a serious look on her face. “Where do you buy those? Target? The Container Store?” “Ikea,” Leo and Tyler say at the same time.

Parties are the best foreplay.

Tyler is a great father. No surprise there. No matter how tired he is, he makes time to have tea parties with Charlotte and read to Sofia. They have him absolutely wrapped around his finger, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I never knew I could love someone so much. All three of them. They are my entire world.

A sedentary Tyler is a grumpy one. Though that’s how Sofia happened, so I’d say his time off was well spent.

“And miss out on all this?” I ask, leaning my head on his shoulder and breathing in Sofia’s sweet baby scent. “Not a chance.”