Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(80)

 

"No. But Kevin's in town."

 

She smiled. "Good. I'm going to make you coffee and breakfast and we're going to hang out here this afternoon together and watch the coverage on TV. And we're going to deal with whatever happens … together."

 

She leaned in and brushed her mouth over his, then rose off the bed. He stared after her, admiring the curves of her ass in those tight jeans even as he tried to make sense of why she was here. He heard the TV in the living room come on, then noises from the kitchen.

 

He gave his head a shake, threw back the covers, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He strode to the bathroom, where he splashed his face with cold water, cleaned his teeth, and ran a brush through his hair. Then he grabbed a pair of sweatpants draped over a chair and stepped into them.

 

He found Katelyn in the kitchen, whisking something in a bowl. Shopping bags and food covered the island. A cup of coffee brewed in the Keurig.

 

"Watching trade deadline coverage on TV is boring as hell," he said.

 

She looked up at him and paused her whisking. Her lips parted as her gaze tracked down over his chest and abs appreciatively, lingering where his sweats hung low on his hips. His lips twitched.

 

Then she smiled. "Whatever."

 

"What are you making?"

 

"Omelets. I got ham and some of that amazing mozzarella cheese. Crusty bread. Can you put a couple of slices in the toaster?" She nodded at the loaf on the counter.

 

He did as she asked and switched out the coffee cup in the Keurig to make one for himself.

 

"I'm confused," he said. "I didn't expect this."

 

She smiled at him and poured eggs into a skillet she'd found. "I know. Because you don't believe that people will stick around. But I'm going to prove you wrong. I'm going to be the one, Tanner. The one who sticks with you no matter what. Like you deserve."  

 

He gazed at her, his chest filled with a burning, fizzing sensation. His throat worked and he opened his mouth to say something … except he didn't know what. "Katelyn," he finally croaked. He opened his arms.

 

She shoved the pan off the hot element and flew into his arms. He wrapped them around her, crushing her, lifting her up against him, and their mouths crashed together in a long, hard kiss.

 

She threw her arms around his neck and held on. Something hot and huge swelled up inside him, thickening his throat. Relief. Gratitude. Pride. Love.

 

He kissed her again and again-hot, urgent kisses to her mouth, her cheeks, her eyelids. "Katelyn. Katelyn. God, I thought I'd lost you. Again. Forever. I was so fucking stupid."

 

"Yes," she agreed between kisses, and he smiled against her lips. "But I forgive you. I understand, Tanner." She ran her hands through his short, thick hair. "I know how you felt when you were a kid. Every time your parents went through another divorce."

 

His body tightened and his arms flexed around her. Emotion vibrated through his body.

 

"You'd have a new step-mother or step-father. You'd think you had a new family. Then they'd leave. I know how scary it is for you to care about people." She drew away, her fingers curved around the back of his neck, soft and delicate but strong. "But you do care about people. You care about your teammates, even though you know they or you could be traded at the click of a ballpoint pen."

 

His lips lifted into a smile, but he kept his gaze focused steadily on her.

 

"You care about your teammates enough to fight for them even if you don't like them. You care about Jaivon. You watch TV shows about dogs finding forever homes. I know you want that, Tanner. I know you want love and a home and a family, even though you deny it." She paused, and her insides quivered. "You care about me."

 

"I do," he said hoarsely, his eyes bright. "I do, Katelyn. I love you."

 

"I love you too."

 

Their mouths met again, this time gentler, a kiss full of longing and love.

 

"I'm not going to let you down like I did last time," she whispered. He bent to touch his forehead to hers. "Like everyone else always did. I love you and I'm going to be with you no matter what."

 

"What if-"

 

"We'll figure things out."

 

"Christ."

 

"I'd leave Chicago for you, Tanner." She cupped his face in her hands and held his gaze steadily. "I'd give up my business and start over somewhere else. Last time I chose my dad. I had to. This time I choose you."

 

His heart leaped into his throat, damn near choking him. "You're an amazing woman, Katie. So goddamn strong, you leave me in awe. You never let shit get you down. You just keep going." His eyes closed and he hugged her tight again. "God, I love you. I don't deserve you."