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"A little bit."
"Come on then," he says, holding out his hand for me.
I hesitate for a brief moment and then slip mine into his. He closes his fingers around mine. His hand is rough, but he grips me softly, like he's worried he might break me. My heart melts a little at how careful he is. I never would have expected that from him.
When he's on the ice, he's like a one-man wrecking crew. Most enforcers in the league are huge. Weston is tall and lean, but there's a reason he's an enforcer. He's protective of his teammates. No one touches them without answering to him. And he's proved that he's more than capable of holding his own against even the biggest players.
"Can I ask you a question?" I murmur as he leads me out of the equipment area.
"You can ask me anything," he says. He's so relaxed.
"You never said why you don't date, just that you don't. So why not?"
"Because there aren't many women like you in my world. I'm surrounded by gold diggers, clout chasers, and women who want a leg up," he says, his voice hard. "I've seen too many good players fall down that rabbit hole. I don't want to spend my life with someone who cares about my money more than me."
"Oh."
We walk in silence for a moment.
"You're different," he says quietly. "I don't think you give a shit about my money."
"I don't. To be honest, your way of life seems…lonely." I'm happy with the life I have. It's not perfect, especially since I lost my dad, but I have friends who care about me, a roof over my head, and a part-time job I love. This fall, I'll have school too.
"It is lonely. Going home to an empty house every night lost its appeal a while ago."
"Can I tell you something?"
"Anything."
"I felt the same way after my dad died," I confess, glancing down at my feet. "When he was first diagnosed, I decided to put off college for a year to spend time with him. I had a scholarship, but I wanted to be there, you know? After he died…I hated being there alone. It was so quiet. I packed up what I needed and moved in with Addison."
"She's the girl who was with you yesterday?"
"Yeah," I say, smiling. "She's my bestie."
"I'm glad you have her," he says, lifting my hand to his lips to press a kiss to my knuckles. "I wish I would have gone to see Alex before…."
"He understood," I hurry to assure him, hating the regret in his voice. "You made his last year something great, you know? Instead of wasting away at home, he was in the stands, watching his favorite game. I have so many good memories because of you."
"I'm glad," he murmurs, drawing to a stop. He tugs my hand, moving me until I'm right in front of him. "I wish like hell I had gone to see him though. If I had, I would have met you sooner."
"You mean our meeting yesterday wasn't good for you?" I tease him, caught off guard by the soft way he's looking at me. It makes me want to throw myself into his arms and kiss him. "Between getting hit with a puck, offering to sign my boobs, and then getting to beg me to be your Valentine in front of a live audience, I thought yesterday was your best day ever."
"Smart ass," he says, his lips twitching. "You're not wrong though. Yesterday was my best day ever. I met you. And, despite royally fucking it up, you're standing in front of me right now. That's pretty significant if you ask me."
"Weston," I whisper, warmth washing through me in a flood.
"You going to kick my ass if I kiss you again, angel?"
"Possibly. I don't ever know what I'm going to do next. I guess it'll be a surprise for both of us, won't it?" I say, staring at his lips because I can't help myself. Because Iwanthim to kiss me. Desperately.
"I'll risk it," he growls, yanking on my arm.
I crash into his chest, my breasts against his ridiculously hard pecs.
His mouth slashes down on mine.
His kiss in the car was quick and sweet. This one is not either of those things. He licks into my mouth like he's dying to get a taste of me. One big hand pushes its way into my back pocket, grabbing my ass. He plunges the other into my hair, sending my bun tumbling free. He tilts my head, deepening the kiss.
