Each sent a fiery trail burning through her body, making her yearn and ache.
“Still not sure,” she managed to whisper.
This kiss wasn’t sweet or gentle. It was spicy and seductive. Hot and hard.
Bad Boy could be very persuasive indeed.
* * *
RUNNING PAST A girl’s house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her during his morning workout, was pathetic. That’s what teenagers did, not professional hockey players.
What had possessed Jake to change his usual route? He must be nuts, he thought as he turned down the leafy avenue of Victorians.
He hadn’t been able to see Maggie since the postgame dinner last week, but she’d been in his thoughts constantly. That last scorcher of a kiss had started fires burning he’d yet to extinguish. And still had the power to make him hard.
Not ideal while running.
The house was up ahead. Feeling foolish, he picked up his pace to sprint past.
“Mr. Jake!” Emily charged down the front steps.
He slowed, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his T-shirt, and tried to look casual. “Hey, Princess. What’s up?”
“Mummy’s cooking.” She made it sound like a treat. “She’s making Bendy Eggs.”
Bendy? “Sounds good.”
“They’re yummy. You should have some.” She bounced in her bright pink sneakers.
He hesitated. Tempting, but was a cozy breakfast with Maggie’s family smart? He generally avoided anything that gave his dates ideas about commitment. Then again, he’d already spent time with Maggie and her family.
He went for the cautious play. “Thanks, but I have to get home. I’m off to Long Island later, for tomorrow’s game.”
“Are you playing?”
He nodded.
His first game back. An important milestone. The final stage of his recovery.
“Can I watch?”
“You’ll have to check with your mom.”
A determined glint lit her eyes. “I could ask while you’re having breakfast with us.”
Persistent imp.
Maggie opened the screen door. “Is your room tidy, Emily Marie? Remember, no Bendy Eggs until it is.”
“Oops.” Emily headed toward the steps. “Can Mr. Jake have breakfast with us?”
Maggie came out onto the front porch. “Good morning.”
He stood at the bottom of the steps, looking up at her and those gorgeous legs showcased in khaki shorts. “I hope I didn’t keep you out too late the other night.”
“Not at all.”
Their gazes met and held. The memory of their kiss hovered between them.
Amber fire smoldered in her dark eyes. He wondered how high he could make those flames leap if he kissed her again.
“Can he, Mummy?” Emily’s voice was like a spray of ice.
He turned slightly, hoping to mask the erection his shorts couldn’t hide.
Maggie bit her lip as if hiding a smile. Luckily, her daughter wasn’t as observant.
“Mum-my!” Emily insisted.
The smile broke free. “It’s nothing gourmet, but you’re welcome to join us.”
He basked in the warmth of her smile. Where was the harm in joining her...them...for a home-cooked breakfast?
“Sounds good.” He grimaced. “I can’t come in like this.”
“You have plenty of time to get cleaned up. Someone has a job to do.” She gave her daughter a pointed look.
Emily flew into the house, letting the screen door slam after her.
Maggie winced. “Luckily these houses were built to withstand punishment.”
“One little girl is nothing. Imagine five boys charging around.”
“Your mum and Aunt Karina were saints.”
“A fact they take great pleasure in reminding us of.” A breeze chilled his still-damp skin. “I should go. Can you give me thirty minutes?”
She nodded. “I’ll put the eggs on when you return.”
Jake sprinted home. Once inside, he stripped while taking the stairs two at a time. He showered and shaved, arriving back at Tracy’s house with a minute to spare.
The tantalizing smell of bacon wafted from the open windows. Drawing closer, he heard Emily’s excited chatter and Maggie’s laughter.
As he rang the doorbell, a cozy image popped into his head of Maggie making breakfast while he read the papers and Emily chased a cat. A chubby-cheeked baby sat in a high chair by the large kitchen table. Hand-drawn pictures and family photos battled for space with hockey magnets on the refrigerator doors.
Whoa! Where had that come from? Marriage, kids and a traditional family life was a hell of a leap from a couple of dates. He wasn’t anywhere near ready for that kind of commitment, let alone being responsible for Maggie and Emily.
Jake rolled his shoulders to ease the sudden tightness and to calm the sudden urge to run home. This was just breakfast. Eat, small talk, a few laughs and go. Nothing to get himself bent out of shape about.