Page 73 of The Chase

He reached a hand across the table and grabbed my smaller one in his. He rubbed his thumb across the back of my hand in a soothing gesture. “I know, but I’m proud that you’re taking the steps. I hate seeing you like that. I want to keep you safe and happy.”

I grinned at him. “You do!”

He grinned back. “Thank you for making me dinner. That was nice.”

“I enjoy doing that. I like taking care of you.”

I cleared our plates but gasped when I felt his hands wrap around my waist from behind and his lips on the nape of my neck. He pushed my hair off my shoulder and kissed up to my ear, forcing a shiver to go down my spine.

“I hate that I have to fly out tomorrow,” he whispered in my ear.

I let the plates soak in the sink and washed my hands. I shook them out, which elicited a ‘hey’ from TJ as I flicked water droplets onto him. I turned in his arms and grinned at him. “Sorry, baby.”

He caressed my cheek with his hand and rubbed his calloused thumb across my skin. I shamelessly leaned into his hand. Our relationship was akin to a long-distance one, so I learned to take advantage of the precious time we had together. Rox warned me how hard it could be with our men away all the time. I didn’t realize how much until I started dating her brother.

“I’m sorry my job keeps me away from you,” he offered.

“I would never ask you to change your job. You love playing hockey. It sucks, but I get it.”

“You’re the best. How did I get so lucky with you?”

I shrugged but snaked my hands around his neck. “Lucky? You chased me. After I went home with you, I never imagined you would become my boyfriend.”

He bent his head, slanting his lips against mine in a quick kiss. His eyes twinkled in delight when he pulled away from me. I could stare into those swirls of greens and browns forever.

“Yeah, I guess I kind of did,” he said. “I’m still not sure if I’m a good boyfriend. I feel like we’re in a constant state of stealing moments together.”

“S’okay, baby. I understand hockey’s your life, and your job’s important to you. You love what you do, and I love watching you excel at it,” I reassured him.

We pulled away when we heard the clomping of Keiana’s high heels on the steps. TJ peered out of the kitchen doorway, and I did the same. She laughed at our twin expressions. Keiana was wearing her typical slinky black date dress with stilettos. She looked gorgeous, as always.

She walked into the kitchen with a smile. “Too much?” she asked and did a little spin.

“Perfect!” I hyped her up.

“Looking hot, Kei!” TJ said.

She pinned me with an amused stare. “You better watch your man, Max. I might steal him.”

TJ put his arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. “Nah, she has me wrapped around her little finger.”

“You two are so cute! I can’t stand it!” Keiana squealed.

“Hey, did you want to eat? There’s leftover lasagna,” I said.

Keiana and TJ rolled their eyes together. “Max, you’re such a mom!”

I laughed. “I can’t help it! I like taking care of people.”

I pretended I didn’t see TJ mouth ‘mother hen’ to my best friend. They were only teasing because they both loved it. I didn’t think it was a bad thing.

Keiana went into the kitchen and made herself a plate from the leftover lasagna. It honestly surprised me there were any leftovers with how much TJ could eat. She moaned as she ate it over the kitchen island.

“Max, this is so good,” she said.

“Oh, not my creation. I got the recipe from Dinah.”

“Really?” TJ asked with a raised eyebrow. “D doesn’t cook much.”