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Beck punched his free fist in the air. “Yes!”
Eve laughed softly. “I take it that makes you happy?”
“Very.”
“Why do you want to be with us so badly?”
“Have you looked in the mirror lately?”
Eve drew a little bit away from him and Beck knew his answer hadn’t been the right one. There were many reasons he wanted to be around this pair. “But it’s not just about how beautiful you are,” he rushed to say. “You have a very calming, intriguing personality and Paisley is adorable and fun.”
“Sassy,” Eve said.
“That too. I’ve only recently moved to Golden and most of my friends are in Denver and most of my teammates are traveling during the off-season and my parents died three years ago so…” He cleared his throat, knowing he’d gone too far. He wished he hadn’t admitted that to her. He wanted Eve to want to be with him because he appealed to her, not because she felt sorry for him.
“You’re lonely,” she said quietly, compassion making her blue eyes even deeper.
He hadn’t realized he was lonely, that his dates lacked meaning and he was searching for the connection to family, the connection he’d lost when his parents died… until he met her. “Yes,” he admitted. “But it’s more than that. I’m drawn to you and I think Paisley is great. I’d love to spend more time with both of you.”
She tilted her head. “It’s surprising to me that you’d be lonely with all the pictures I saw of you with redheads and all the attention you get from women everywhere you go. Why choose a single mom who doesn’t care to date or flirt?”
He kind of liked that she had Googled him, but it was the first glimpse of jealousy and lack of confidence he’d seen in Eve. She was obviously reserved but she had this innate self-assurance that seemed to shine from her. It may have been from her impressive family, her faith in a higher being, or simply being beautiful and successful her entire life. Whatever it was, he wanted to restore it and quick.
“I’d choose you every time,” he said sincerely and earnestly. “Because you’re the most intriguing, smart, beautiful, and at peace woman I’ve ever met. Please let me spend more time with you and Paisley.”I don’t want to go another day of my life without seeing you, hearing you laugh, fighting for the chance of securing a touch, or in my happiest dreams a kiss.Whew, he was in deep and quick. Was this his angels in heaven pushing or simply how incredible Eve appeared to be?
Eve pursed her lips, not seeming impressed with or swayed by his compliments. Paisley ran back with a dandelion. “I picked you a pretty, Mama.”
“Thank you, love.” Eve took the flower and bent to give her daughter a kiss on the cheek. A surge of desire rushed through him. Not simply physical desire, though that was part of it. With Eve it was only part of the picture though. He desired her spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. From the little he’d seen, she was the entire package to him. He wanted to be near her and Paisley, wanted to see if he could be part of their lives. He said a quick prayer to the good Lord and his parents and grandmother.Please let her give me a chance.
They all walked to the gym doors and Beck still didn’t have an answer. No woman had made him work like this, especially not for a simple lunch date. He was about ready to ask again, make a complete simpering fool of himself, when Eve turned to him and said, “Standard lunch date. We each take a turn paying and choosing the place, or bringing a picnic. I’ll bring a picnic tomorrow.”
Beck was thrilled with her declaration but wanted to argue about the administration of it. His family may have been old fashioned but his parents had taught him to be a gentleman and he wanted to woo her with how chivalric he could be. He might need his impressive car and maybe some videos of him playing hockey to sway her to him.
He sensed now was not the time to argue so he simply nodded. “I can’t wait for my cheese stick and peanut butter and jelly.”
She actually laughed. It was light and happy and as beautiful as the rest of her. Paisley laughed as well, though she obviously didn’t know why they were laughing. “I’m glad you’re a simple man,” Eve said.
“For you, I could be just about anything,” he said in what he thought was his charming tone.
That wiped the smile from her face. “Lunch date,” she reminded him. “No empty flirtations, no one-night stands.”
Beck’s eyes widened, he wasn’t interested in a one-night stand, but he only said, “It wasn’t empty.”
She stared at him. “We’ll see.” Then she took Paisley’s hand and hurried toward the gym. “Thank you for lunch.”
“Thank you,” Paisley chirped.
“Of course, my princess,” Beck said to Paisley.
She giggled. Eve gave him one more serious, almost concerned glance and then they disappeared inside the gym. Beck was smitten. Too bad Eve didn’t seem to feel much of anything toward him. Winning her heart would take a lot of work. He walked slowly to his Bugatti, wondering if he was willing to work so hard because Eve and Paisley were so incredible, because Eve was a challenge unlike other women who rushed to be in his arms, or because his grandfather’s ultimatum was hanging over his head. He definitely didn’t want to marry an empty-headed woman like his grandfather had claimed he always dated. His grandfather and Eve had referenced him always dating redheads. He was drawn to them, but Eve’s dark hair glowed with copper highlights and he’d never been so invested in any woman. He suspected he’d already fallen head over heels for Eve. Sadly he doubted in two months that she would return the favor.
