mistaking the desire reflected in her eyes, but she took a step back. “Sorry. Old habits. I want you, and I do see that happening. Just probably shouldn’t be tonight.”
She was right. His brain knew that, but it was having a little trouble getting a word in when all blood flow was directed south at the moment. He wanted her like he’d never wanted anyone in his life. Waiting would make it all the more intense. Hadn’t he promised her a night of good, clean fun? Shower sex came to mind, but that was a loose interpretation, and even his hormone-riddled mind comprehended that. “In that case, I think we need a distraction. I believe someone threatened to beat me in pool.”
“Wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.” Her smile was as sweet as her perfume.
“Then let’s go.”
• • •
After five games, he’d bowed deeply and admitted defeat, but Saralynn had a sneaking suspicion he’d let her win the last two. Normally she’d object, but it didn’t feel like he was patronizing her. More like he enjoyed watching her victory dance. That was fair because she enjoyed watching him bend over to line up a shot. Plus, how many guys could put away their own egos, throw a game, and not rub it in all because they wanted their date to have fun? Not many, in her experience.
She hung her stick on the rack. “So what’s next? A movie in the living room? That was the cavern to the left of the foyer, right? Wish we’d left a trail of breadcrumbs from the kitchen to find our way back.”
“Movie yes, living room no.” His light eyes had that mischievous glint that made her toes curl.
“I hope you’re not suggesting we watch it in your bedroom. I have willpower, but I’m not made of steel.”
He grinned and held out a hand. “Come with me.”
Should I or shouldn’t I
repeated in her head for all of two seconds before she slid her palm into his and followed along. It wasn’t poor impulse control. If that had been the case, they’d have sealed the deal Wednesday night. Or an hour ago in the kitchen. This was delayed gratification. This was … not what she expected.
Instead of going upstairs, he tugged her into a dark room that had to be enormous judging from the acoustics of the echo when he closed the door. When he flipped the lights, she gasped. There was a giant movie screen that had to be just short of IMAX, with stadium seating. Granted, not as big as an actual theater, but this was
in his house.
“I wish I could take credit, but this was all my dad.”
“This is where we’re watching the movie? I can see why Cole loves it here. Not that your five-star personality isn’t enough on its own.”
“Hah, thanks.” He winked at her and moved to turn on the projector and game system.
She went up a few steps, chose the middle of a row, and eased into the most comfortable theater seat she’d ever experienced. “Did you have auditions for a roommate? How’d Cole get the gig?”
“Are you saying you’d like to kick him out and take his place?” Madden vaulted the steps in one jump and sat beside her.
“Ah … ” He wasn’t serious, right? In a place this big, she’d feel like another ornament, but living in a giant playground did hold a certain appeal. So did the thought of sharing a bed with Madden.
“Relax, I was just kidding. I don’t think your shoe collection would fit in here.”
She jabbed his arm with her elbow, and he laughed.
“I wasn’t looking for a roommate. Even when Jace lived here, we hardly saw each other, so it wasn’t much different when she got married and moved in with Carter. Cole had been bunking with a guy who got traded. Not that he couldn’t afford his own place. The kid could buy a small island in the South Pacific. But it’s a big city, and he’s kind of shy. Still only hangs out with guys on the team and Tricia when he’s not at the arena. We were talking one day, and I could tell he was nervous about being on his own, so I made the offer. Turns out it is
She was right. His brain knew that, but it was having a little trouble getting a word in when all blood flow was directed south at the moment. He wanted her like he’d never wanted anyone in his life. Waiting would make it all the more intense. Hadn’t he promised her a night of good, clean fun? Shower sex came to mind, but that was a loose interpretation, and even his hormone-riddled mind comprehended that. “In that case, I think we need a distraction. I believe someone threatened to beat me in pool.”
“Wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.” Her smile was as sweet as her perfume.
“Then let’s go.”
• • •
After five games, he’d bowed deeply and admitted defeat, but Saralynn had a sneaking suspicion he’d let her win the last two. Normally she’d object, but it didn’t feel like he was patronizing her. More like he enjoyed watching her victory dance. That was fair because she enjoyed watching him bend over to line up a shot. Plus, how many guys could put away their own egos, throw a game, and not rub it in all because they wanted their date to have fun? Not many, in her experience.
She hung her stick on the rack. “So what’s next? A movie in the living room? That was the cavern to the left of the foyer, right? Wish we’d left a trail of breadcrumbs from the kitchen to find our way back.”
“Movie yes, living room no.” His light eyes had that mischievous glint that made her toes curl.
“I hope you’re not suggesting we watch it in your bedroom. I have willpower, but I’m not made of steel.”
He grinned and held out a hand. “Come with me.”
Should I or shouldn’t I
repeated in her head for all of two seconds before she slid her palm into his and followed along. It wasn’t poor impulse control. If that had been the case, they’d have sealed the deal Wednesday night. Or an hour ago in the kitchen. This was delayed gratification. This was … not what she expected.
Instead of going upstairs, he tugged her into a dark room that had to be enormous judging from the acoustics of the echo when he closed the door. When he flipped the lights, she gasped. There was a giant movie screen that had to be just short of IMAX, with stadium seating. Granted, not as big as an actual theater, but this was
in his house.
“I wish I could take credit, but this was all my dad.”
“This is where we’re watching the movie? I can see why Cole loves it here. Not that your five-star personality isn’t enough on its own.”
“Hah, thanks.” He winked at her and moved to turn on the projector and game system.
She went up a few steps, chose the middle of a row, and eased into the most comfortable theater seat she’d ever experienced. “Did you have auditions for a roommate? How’d Cole get the gig?”
“Are you saying you’d like to kick him out and take his place?” Madden vaulted the steps in one jump and sat beside her.
“Ah … ” He wasn’t serious, right? In a place this big, she’d feel like another ornament, but living in a giant playground did hold a certain appeal. So did the thought of sharing a bed with Madden.
“Relax, I was just kidding. I don’t think your shoe collection would fit in here.”
She jabbed his arm with her elbow, and he laughed.
“I wasn’t looking for a roommate. Even when Jace lived here, we hardly saw each other, so it wasn’t much different when she got married and moved in with Carter. Cole had been bunking with a guy who got traded. Not that he couldn’t afford his own place. The kid could buy a small island in the South Pacific. But it’s a big city, and he’s kind of shy. Still only hangs out with guys on the team and Tricia when he’s not at the arena. We were talking one day, and I could tell he was nervous about being on his own, so I made the offer. Turns out it is
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