The Bad Boy Hockey Collection: A Collection Of Single Daddy Romances

by Cass Kincaid

  “Samantha...” Defeat coated his tone, something I’d never heard from him before. His fatigued voice didn’t match the cool, confident, tailored suit he donned. “Samantha,” he said again, stronger this time. “I’m sorry.”

  “For which part?” I asked quickly.

  “For the fact that I never apologized for any of this before. For what I did. To you. To Levi. To us.”

  I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. A weight I hadn’t known I’d been carrying. Jesus, had I really gotten through to him? “I’m sorry for that, too,” I offered. “But you chose to move on, Ethan, and now I am as well.”

  He seemed to mull that over. From the corner of my eye, I could tell Cooper hadn’t moved a muscle, and his gaze was set firmly on me.

  “I’ll do better,” Ethan said finally. “For Levi.”

  “Like I said, I’ll never keep your son from you,” I promised. “But I can’t keep you from keeping yourself from him.”

  He blinked rapidly. It was like a punch to the gut once I realized he was trying desperately to keep his emotions in check. In silence, he nodded at me, then did something I never thought I would witness.

  Ethan held his hand out toward Cooper, waiting.

  Cooper obviously hadn’t expected the gesture, either, but after a moment’s hesitation he reached out and shook the man’s hand.

  Then, Ethan left us both standing in a room filled with silence, with only the soft click of the door closing to announce his departure.

  “You didn’t have to defend me, Samantha.”

  Cooper’s voice met my ears just as I wiped the first tear from my cheek. “Yes, I did.” I turned to him, my glistening eyes finding him amidst my blurred vision. I felt more for the man before me now than I ever thought possible.

  Cooper stood before me, looking sheepish and disappointed in himself. “I shouldn’t have roughed him up. I’m sorry I got so angry. It’s just that—”

  A lot of emotions washed through me at that moment, but despite my muted outward reaction, I had to admit, disappointment wasn’t one of them. “You have nothing to apologize for. You defended me, too.”

  His mouth twitched slightly at that, but he didn’t smile. “Of course I did. I’ll never stand by and let someone speak to you or about you like that, Samantha.”

  He spoke with such conviction, it made my throat tighten.

  Then, his gaze sharpened. “Why did you defend me?” he added, as though it was the most convoluted idea in the world.

  “Because it’s about time I defend the right man, the one who’s beside me, instead of pushing him away.”

  He curled his arms around me, pulling me into him. “You haven’t been pushing me away.”

  “Believe me, my head’s been telling me I should be,” I admitted wryly against his chest. “But my heart had other plans.” I tilted my head upward. “And you’re damn persistent, I must say.”

  A cocky but adorable grin crossed his face. “Is that the politically correct way of telling me I’m a pain in the ass, but you love me, anyway?”

  His use of that word didn’t shake me the way it once might have, and I laughed softly. “And you said you didn’t do political correctness very well,” I joked.

  “I don’t, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand the concept,” he said, still grinning. “You’re avoiding my question.”

  “You want to know if I think you’re a pain in the ass?” Laughter bubbled within me when he squeezed me tighter, dramatically tucking me between the wall and him, tilting my chin upward so I’d meet his gaze.

  “I know the answer to that already.” His voice was soft, and suddenly more serious. “What I want to know is that you love me, the way I already love you.”

  I stretched up, kissing his lips tenderly at first, then with more passion than I should’ve allowed with my son only the length of a hallway away. When I pulled back, his eyes were dark and glistening. “I think you already know the answer to that, too,” I whispered.

  His mouth twitched, his eyes searching mine. He must’ve found what he was looking for in them because he lowered his mouth to mine again, gentler this time. “I love you, too, Samantha.”

  Epilogue

  Cooper

  There are many things I’ve not done right in life, but this, being with Samantha and Levi and doing everything in my power to prove to them I’ll never hurt them or let them down—I know that’s one thing for certain I have done right.

  I was glad Ethan and I were finally able to meet. He needed and deserved to be aware of my presence in his son’s life. I should’ve probably felt guilty for the way I spoke to him, and for almost knocking his ass out if he’d so much as said one more disrespectful thing about Samantha, but I didn’t. I couldn’t feel guilty for standing up for her and protecting her; that was my duty, and no one would ever get away with disrespecting her while I’m around, no matter how trivial.

  Rolling over in bed, I soaked in all the natural beauty that surrounded me. The warmth of Samantha’s body lying next to me, her hair in a tangled mess, her stunning bare face with her sweet mouth curved in a faint subconscious grin, and her soft porcelain skin illuminated by the sunrise. I savored it all before reluctantly sneaking out of bed. I quietly left the room and grabbed the first piece of paper I could find. On it, I wrote a note.

  Samantha,

  I didn’t want to wake you. You deserve to sleep in. I have a few errands to run this morning, and I’ve got to pick up Tommy. We’ll see you and Little Man Levi later.

  I love you, beautiful!

  XO,

  Cooper

  Sneaking back into her bedroom, I placed the note on the side of the bed I’d slept on and planted a soft kiss on her temple. The vanilla scent of her shampoo invaded my senses just before pulling away.

  This is the woman I want for the rest of my life. I’ll never grow tired of kissing her. Or loving her.

  ***

  Thanks for letting me sleep in today. I love you, too!

  Her name lighting up my phone’s display screen was enough to cause my insides to warm and tingle, but reading the words I love you added in at the end of her message—that may as well have set me on fire.

  The woman could have had any man in the world, and she chose me. She loves me. It was an honor, a privilege, and something I never wanted to lose.

  I texted her back almost immediately.

  Anything for you, you know that.

  Her reply comes just as quickly.

  Come over when you can, I have something here for you. ;)

  I knew Levi was still home, so the innuendo was possibly something I was just reading too much into. And it wasn’t my birthday. I checked the date on my phone to make sure, but it wasn’t a holiday, either.

  “What could she have for me, buddy?” I cast a glance over to Tommy, perched in his carrier, his big blue eyes still heavy from the nap he’d just awaked from. Unfortunately, he just stared back, so I guessed he didn’t know the answer, either.

  I finished putting the last of the groceries away in my fridge before texting back and heading back toward her apartment.

  I’m coming, pretty lady. Two could play at the sexual innuendo game.

  I sent the text practically standing outside her door. I had every intention of knocking first, but she opened it before my knuckles even made contact with the wooden panel. She pulled it open and greeted me, her auburn hair styled in loose curls that fell over her shoulders. A soft hint of makeup accentuated her natural beauty.

  “Hey, neighbor.” She gave me a small smirk and moved from the doorway, letting Tommy and I enter. Her eyes lowered to the infant in the carrier. “And hey, little neighbor.”

  “Cooper!” Levi bolted from his room, beelining in my direction with his arms spread wide. A contagious smile stretched across his small features.

  “Little Man!” I gasped, mocking his enthusiasm but in a much more muted voice, bending to scoop him into my arms the second after I set Tommy’s seat dow
n.

  “We have a surprise for you!” A small giggle escaped Levi’s lips.

  Samantha’s face blushed a pale pink, but she was grinning, nonetheless.

  “Oh, is that so? I have a surprise for you, too. Is that cool?” I arched my brow playfully at him in question.

  “Yeah! What is it?” Levi asked.

  But judging by the inquisitive way his gaze kept flitting to Tommy beside me, he already knew. “Levi, this is Tommy,” I introduced him. “My son. I wanted you to meet him.”

  I could’ve been wrong, but I swore I saw a flash of nervousness in Levi’s eyes. But, in true Levi fashion, he bit down on his lip and crouched down in front of Tommy’s seat, reaching out to touch my son’s little hand gently. “Hi, Tommy,” he said in a hushed voice. “I’m Little Man Levi. That makes you Little Little Man Tommy.” He looked up at me. “’Cuz he’s still a baby,” he explained to me seriously.

  I had to press my lips together to suppress my amusement. “He is a pretty little guy compared to you, you’re right.” I stole a quick glance up at Samantha, but she had her hand covering her smile, too. I turned back to Levi. “You think you can teach him all about Spider-Man someday, Little Man?”

  “Abso-freaking-lutely,” Levi said, nodding.

  I burst out laughing, I couldn’t help it. I knew exactly where he got that phrase from.

  “What?” Levi asked, confused. “I said it like you do.”

  “Yeah, buddy, you did.” I shrugged at Samantha. “I’m going to get myself in so much trouble if I don’t start watching what I say, huh?”

  “Seems that way,” she agreed, shaking her head. When she finally composed herself, she asked Levi, “You want to give Cooper his surprise now?”

  My gaze shot to Samantha, but I couldn’t read anything in her eyes save for the amusement she let bubble just below the surface. I could feel my stomach constricting—something was definitely up. But she crouched down to the floor and focused her gaze on Tommy, purposely not giving anything else away.

  Surprises weren’t exactly my favorite. I tended to have a distaste for the unknown, and I preferred to be prepared for any situation that might arise. But, when it boiled down to it, Samantha and Levi had been a surprise, too, and they were the best damn thing to ever happen to me.

  “Will you spend the night with us forever?” Levi’s eyes sparkled, filled with joy and excitement. “Tommy can, too, right, Mommy?” He sent a glance toward his mother, seeking out confirmation.

  “Of course, sweetheart. Tommy, too.” She beamed.

  Looking between him and Samantha, I waited for her to say something more, some kind of explanation.

  Instead, it was Levi who spoke again. “Well...will you or not?” He was directly in front of me, patting my shoulders as though to make sure I was paying attention to him.

  Oh, he had my attention, all right. I just wasn’t sure what exactly the boy was really trying to ask me.

  “I think Cooper might be a little confused, buddy.” Samantha snuck up behind him and took his arm, placing something into his small fist. “There. Now show him that, and then ask him again.”

  Levi held up his hand, revealing a shiny silver key. Samantha stepped over to my other side, and I felt her arm snake around my back. Her head rested on my shoulder as she stared up at me, watching and waiting.

  “You want me to spend the night with you guys forever?” I repeated the question, as though having the words on my own tongue might somehow solidify their true meaning.

  “Yep!” Levi hollered. “Mommy says you and Tommy can stay here! With us!”

  I shifted in my crouched position, chuckling. He made it sound like he’d been granted permission to keep a stray dog.

  But I didn’t care how it sounded. I only knew what the words really meant, and one glance over at Samantha confirmed I was right. I wrapped my free arm around her, pulling the three of us together for a tight embrace.

  “Tommy and I would love to spend the night with you two forever.” I kissed the top of Levi’s head, then Samantha’s.

  “Are you sure?” she asked, tears glistening in the corners of her sapphire eyes.

  “Am I sure?” I laughed. “I feel like I should be asking you that.” I tilted her chin upward and pressed my lips against hers, much to Levi’s exaggerated disgust. I heard him make a dramatic gagging noise, and it was probably the only time I didn’t turn to him despite his obvious desire for attention.

  Samantha let out a soft chuckle. “Yes, I’m positive. I...we...can’t imagine a life without you in it, Cooper. We’d love for you to move in with us.” Her chest heaved with the weight of her words. “You and Tommy. The four of us.”

  Elation filled every bone and vein within me. “Anything you guys want, you got it. You know that. Especially this.” My gaze flitted between the three most precious people in my life. “All of this.”

  “So, you’re gonna stay over tonight?” Levi wrapped his arms around my leg, squeezing it like he never planned to let go, looking up at me with his bottom lip puckered out.

  “Of course I am. If that’s okay with your mom, then I’d love to.” I glanced down at Samantha, my eyebrow arched. “I think Tommy would love to, too.”

  She offered a warm smile, nodding. “Let’s do this, then. We’ll get you two moved in already.” She winked at me, then kissed my cheek. Her lips burned against my skin, branding me with all the promises and dreams the gesture held for the future.

  Our future.

  I clapped my hands together, knowing if I didn’t do something and step away from this beautiful woman who owned me, heart and soul, I’d wind up coming undone completely. I felt so much, loved so much—I was sure I would combust at any moment.

  There was no way the hold she and Levi had over me would ever fade.

  “How about I go over and grab a few of the things I bought at the grocery store, then we can put together a big dinner tonight, watch a movie—Levi, you can choose—and have a campout in the living room? Then, tomorrow, we can start moving stuff over.”

  “Yay!” Levi cheered. You’d think I just suggested an unlimited shopping spree at Toys ‘R’ Us.

  “Yay,” Samantha grinned mischievously, leaning into me. I knew exactly what that meant. She knew as well as I did that the campout in the living room would come to an abrupt ending the moment the kids drifted off to sleep. After that, we’d slip into her bedroom—our bedroom—and have a little sleepover of our own.

  I kissed Samantha again, managing to hold myself back as much as I could. I shook my head at her. She knew damn well what I was thinking, and she knew what her mere presence was doing to me. And she was enjoying every minute of it. “I love you,” I whispered, dangerously close to her face.

  “I know you do,” she replied cheekily. “And I love you, too.”

  Finally.

  “Leave Tommy with me,” she added softly. “We can get acquainted while you grab the groceries from next door.”

  I’d never left Tommy with anyone other than Zoey and my own mother before, but it didn’t scare me nearly as much as I thought it would to hug the three of them and walk out of that apartment, leaving him with Samantha and disappearing into my own apartment. She was the woman I loved, my partner in crime from now on, and I trusted her, wholeheartedly.

  With my son, and with my heart.

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  OTHER BOOKS BY CASS KINCAID:

  His & Hers Complete Duet Box Set

  Single Daddy.Com

  Unexpected Daddy

  Puck Daddy

  Corrupting His Good Girl (His And Hers, Book 1)

  Taming Her Bad Boy (His And Hers, Book 2)

  Made For Sin

  Screwed I
n Sin City

  Rough Ride

  The Bad Boy’s Promise

  Sneak Peek of: The His & Hers Complete Box Set

  This box set contains both books in the His & Hers Duet. The first is Corrupting His Good Girl, followed by the sexy sequel, Taming Her Bad Boy.

  Vienna

  “This engagement has turned into a disaster. An overcrowded, fancy, over-the-top disaster.” I’m pacing back and forth, the rhythmic clicking of my heels making a consistent sound that is somehow soothing to my nerves.

  “Not the engagement itself,” Cohen reminds me, straightening his tie. “Just the engagement party. I told you this would happen the moment my mother got her talons into the preparations.”

  I roll my eyes. “I told you so isn’t helping me right now.” It’s only been a mere two weeks since Cohen placed the gorgeous diamond ring on my finger, but his mother has somehow managed to pull off a grossly exaggerated version of the little engagement celebration that admittedly would’ve taken me ages to plan.

  He offers me a rigid grin, stepping closer to pull me against him. “Hey, easy, all right? I didn’t mean anything by it other than the truth—Mom has blown this whole thing out of proportion.”

  “She took a thirty-person guest list and managed to invite the entire dang town.”

  I’m whining, and I know it. But damn it, Cohen’s right; his mother did blow this whole thing out of proportion—epic proportion. I’m not exaggerating when I say the whole town was invited. Hell, we had to rent the community hall instead of just having a backyard barbeque at Cohen’s house like we’d initially planned. “I’m sorry, but I don’t even feel like this party is ours anymore, if that makes sense.”

  “I know exactly what you mean,” he says soothingly, tugging me closer. I can feel his fingertips tracing small circles on the small of my back, and I sigh from the alleviating effects of his touch. “This is bigger than I expected, too, but there isn’t much we can do, Vi.” His hand comes up to caress the edge of my cheekbone. “We need to make the best of it. So, I’ll make you a deal.”