Page 64 of Defend Her Heart

“Don’t they have tubs for that at the arena?”

I mirror her positioning, settling in next to her. “Yes. But the arena also has my teammates.”

She throws her head back and laughs. My attention immediately moves to the curve of her throat. How many times have my lips traced her flawless skin from chin to collarbone? I wonder if she still tastes the same.

“Right. I forgot you don’t like people. Especially after a loss.”

I can’t help but wonder what else she forgot. Because I’m pretty sure I remember everything. The way she taped her stick so methodically while bobbing along to a One Direction song, or how she dropped to one knee anytime she scored and slid her glove across the ice in celebration. But what I remember the most is the way she sounded after every game when we’d celebrate together. Alone.

God, I want to know what she sounds like after all thistime. She’s grown into such an astonishing woman, I can’t imagine what she must feel and taste like now. The thought causes my dick to grow in my pants, so I push away from her, creating some much needed distance.

“I didn’t mean you don’t like all people. I just know you like your space after a game if you lose.”

I’m focusing on anything but her, trying to get the situation in my pants under control, I don’t even hear what she says. I especially don’t hear her walk up to me. It’s not until her hand is on my shoulder do I recognize she’s behind me.

“Connor. Are you all right?”

Jumping, I turn around to see Avery looking horrified at my reaction. “I’m fine. Sorry. I know you were just joking. It’s true. I don’t like many people.”

But damn it, do I like you.

She takes a step back, and I want to reach out and apologize for my weird behavior. In an attempt to make this less awkward, I try to move this conversation along. Away from my bedroom, ideally.

“Why don’t I make us some lunch? You can relax and find a movie for us to watch?”

Avery’s eyes soften. “Sure.”

She follows me out into the kitchen and takes a seat at the island. I walk to the refrigerator and pull out some Tupperware containers. Knowing how stubborn she can be, I wasn’t sure if she would come here after her test. I made some lunch options on the off chance she agreed to come. After watching her pass out in front of me, I would’ve absolutely lost it if I couldn’t keep my eye on her this afternoon, so I’m glad she came and I’m glad I have food prepared for us.

“I was reading online that if you have a positive tilt table test they will probably suggest some lifestyle changes. One of the things I read said that carb-heavy meals might increase your heart rate, which is obviously not what we want.”

Opening the lids, I show her the options. “I made somechicken salad with shredded chicken breast, sugar-free mayo, celery, and onions. I know you love shrimp, so I threw together some Thai shrimp lettuce wraps with carrots and peppers. Or, there’s some leftover Greek salad from my dinner last night.”

When she doesn’t answer right away, I look up to see her mouth has dropped open and she’s staring at the food.

“Avery?”

She slams her mouth shut and moves her gaze up to mine. “You did all this for me?”

Right. I’m overstepping again. I just can’t find it in me to care.

“Yeah, I did. You deserve to have someone take care of you after the morning you’ve had. Hell, after the years you’ve had battling the unknown. The least I can do is make some food for you and let you relax on my couch.”

I’m afraid I’ve said too much because she’s still staring at me in disbelief. I know something that will snap her out of it.

“Besides, you’re my wife now. Doesn’t the saying go something like,Happy wife, happy life?”

That does the trick.

Avery rolls her eyes and points to the container in the middle. “I’ll have the lettuce wraps.”

I laugh and put a few wraps on a plate and push it toward her. After grabbing her travel cup, I plate some Greek salad for me and slide into the spot next to her.

We start eating and after a couple minutes of comfortable silence, Avery drops her lettuce wrap onto her plate. She lifts her wrist in front of her and taps something on her watch. Then, like nothing happened, she resumes eating again.

I attempt to keep eating but my curiosity gets the best of me. “Everything okay?”

Avery turns in her stool, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. I nod to her wrist.