Talk Hockey to Me (Bears Hockey #3) - Kelly Jamieson Page 0,53

mouth with a fingertip. “Be right back.”

He walks into my bathroom and I’m not too far gone to watch his back view because holy hell it is delicious. He’s got a hockey ass and it is exceptional. Also his thighs…they’re like redwoods.

I look down at my own thighs. They’re strong, but not as muscular as they used to be, even though I still work out and skate. At one time in my life, I bemoaned their thickness, but hockey was more important than thin thighs, so I got over that.

I reach for the soft throw folded over one corner of the couch and pull it over me.

Hunter returns wearing nothing but a smile. His cock has softened but is still hefty. He sits next to me, pulling me close, adjusting the blanket to cover us both. We snuggle there for a while. I drift off, not really sleeping, but I lose track of time until Hunter moves.

“Hey,” he says softly. “You want to go to bed?”

“Sorry.”

“No, no. I’m just asking.”

“Will you come with me?”

“If you want.”

“Yes.”

He wraps the blanket around me and guides me to my bedroom. I pause as he pulls the covers back, then drop the throw and slip between them. He follows me, spooning me, my ass pressed to his groin, his hand on one breast.

“Naked cuddles are the best cuddles,” I murmur.

He gives a low laugh. “Definitely.”

“You’re hard again.”

“Yeah.”

I smile. “It’s all sweet and innocent until someone gets a boner.”

He chokes on a laugh. “Guilty.”

“I’m not sleepy anymore.”

“Okay, then.” He sounds amused.

“Do you have another condom? Because I have some if you don’t.”

“I do.”

“Yay.”

16

Hunter

When Kate invited me to come to Chicago with her, I was surprised but glad. We’ve been spending so much time together and I was going to miss her. Meeting her father and her brother…is a step. But we’ve taken a lot of steps together lately, so it’s just one more.

Also, not that she’d admit it, but she’s freaking out about meeting her dad’s girlfriend. I think she wants me there for the support. And I’m happy to support Kate. She’s always the one looking out for everyone else. If she wants to lean on me a bit, or even a lot, I’m there for her.

We arrive at the Bridges’ home in Bucktown late Friday afternoon. Kate lets us in, but the house is empty and quiet. She rolls her eyes. “I guess Dad’s still at work.”

The place is huge, a new build in an old neighborhood, all light and airy with high ceilings, cream walls and pale hardwood floors throughout. I bring both our carry-on suitcases in and set them at the foot of the staircase as I gaze around. “Your dad lives here all alone?”

“Yeah. It’s way too much house for him but he doesn’t want to move.” She, too, looks around.

“You grew up here.”

“Yeah.” She frowns. “The décor could use some updating. Dad’s not into that, though.”

“Maybe Jenelle is.”

“Eeek.” She turns and heads into the kitchen. I follow. “Would you like a drink?”

“I guess it’s five o’clock somewhere.”

She laughs. “Let’s see what Dad has. Maybe we need to make a booze run.”

She pulls open the fridge. “Ah! Beer. Thank you, Dad.”

As we open beers and lean against the kitchen island, we hear the front door open again. Kate pops up straight and hurries back to the front of the house. “Dad?” Then, “Oh. It’s you.”

I hear a low laugh. “Nice greeting, Katerade.”

I grin. It must be her brother. I wait as they greet each other, and she brings him back to the kitchen. “Ryan, this is Hunter Morrissette. Hunter, my little bro.”

I shake Ryan’s hand. His grip is firm as he studies me. He’s about my height, leaner but fit, and very tanned. “Good to meet you, Ryan.”

“Yeah, you too.”

“Where’d you fly in from?”

“Toronto. On to San Diego next. Hey, beer.”

“Help yourself,” Kate says. “It’s Dad’s.”

She opens cupboards and finds a couple of boxes of crackers, which she sets on the island. We all pull up stools and sit to munch and drink and talk, Kate and Ryan catching up. I see the family resemblance, especially the eyes.

“So we’re here to meet the girlfriend,” Ryan says.

“And for business,” Kate adds. “I’m meeting with a potential client tomorrow.”

“Huge potential client,” I clarify.

She sends me a quick smile. “Yeah.”

“Good for you,” Ryan says. “How is business?”

“It’s going okay. It’s free agent frenzy right now so I’ve been busy.” She waves a hand at me. “Hunter’s a free agent, and a few of