Under Your Skin

by Shannyn Schroeder

  “Thanks.”

  Kai said good-bye to his mom and drove to work. He parked in front of Ink Envy and saw Tommy leaning against the door. “Where the hell is Puck? He was supposed to open.”

  Tommy shrugged.

  “Damn it. Have any clients come by?”

  “I’ve only been here about fifteen minutes, but haven’t seen any.”

  Kai unlocked the door and pulled out his phone to text Puck. Puck got back to him immediately that his client had canceled so he didn’t see the point in opening up. Kai didn’t respond. It was a stupid argument to have over the phone. He’d wait until Puck came in.

  Tommy plopped on the couch. “You know, if I had a set of keys, I could open for you.”

  Kai stared at him.

  “What? I’ve been here for over a year. Haven’t fucked up yet.”

  He had a point, but Kai still looked at Tommy like he was a kid. Which, when he considered it, was bad because he didn’t look at Norah like a kid and she was younger.

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “Hey, how’s Norah doing?”

  Kai paused in prepping his station and schooled his face. If Norah wanted to include her brothers in their arrangement, it would be up to her. Damn. Their arrangement? He hadn’t agreed to anything. Yet. “Why ask me?”

  “You see her more than I do these days. When I see her, she seems totally normal, like not sad and shit. But then other times, I think I hear her crying.” He lifted a shoulder like it was no big deal, but Kai saw the concern on his face.

  “She’s not as weepy as she was before having the baby.” He thought about her toying with him. He’d seen no red flags. Was she that good of an actress? “She seems to be getting back to normal. Not that I know what that looks like.”

  “I can’t figure out if she’s faking everything being okay. I just thought she’d be more upset, you know?”

  “Maybe she’s not upset because she’s okay with her decision. Maybe she doesn’t have any regrets.”

  “I guess.”

  The door jingled and Kai was saved from talk of Norah. He didn’t want to worry about her feelings and whether she was faking anything because he knew when they kissed it had been all real. The chemistry between them and her proposition had nothing to do with emotions. And that was the way he liked it.

  * * *

  Norah tugged and pulled the elastic into place. She was going to look good tonight even if it killed her. And it just might because she wasn’t sure she’d be able to breathe. With the shapewear in place, she studied her closet to choose an outfit. Jeans and a sweatshirt would be fine for the hockey game, but going to a bar after dictated something sexier. A miniskirt would be too obvious.

  But a miniskirt with cute leggings underneath and her heeled boots topped off with a cami—perfection. Enough to draw the eye without actually revealing anything.

  She’d missed this so much. Being a girl, hanging out, flirting with guys.

  Blowing out a puff of air, she grabbed the clothes. This week, she was determined to make friends, starting with the girls at hockey. With the exception of Moira, they were the only people she’d had any contact with and they’d been nice to her. And right now she was desperate to make friends.

  Since it was starting to get cold out, Sean was driving a car and he said she could ride with him. Tommy was going straight from work.

  “Norah! Get a move on. I need to leave,” Sean yelled from the bottom of the steps.

  “Coming.” She swiped on some mascara and lip gloss and slipped her feet into her boots. At least they still fit her without help. Scanning herself in the mirror, she decided she was good. On her way out the door, she snagged Kai’s sweatshirt to wear. It was warm enough to not need it now, but by the end of the night she might. Plus, she’d have the added benefit of annoying Kai by wearing it.

  It had become almost a game at this point. She’d wear the sweatshirt and he’d make a comment about it, but never request she return it.

  At the bottom of the stairs, Sean whistled. “Dressed up for an amateur hockey game.”

  “I haven’t been out in ages. I want to relax and have some fun.”

  Sean chuckled. “Who are you kidding? You want to ogle the sweaty guys.”

  “Maybe a little.” She wasn’t about to reveal there was only one sweaty guy she had her eye on.

  At the rink, Sean walked her in and pointed to the stands where the players’ families sat. She walked down the aisle looking for Caitlyn. Although she might recognize some of the other people, she wouldn’t remember names. Just as she was about to give up, someone tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to see Caitlyn behind her.

  “Hi.”

  “Hey, you look great.” Caitlyn opened her arms wide and swept them over Norah.

  “Thanks.” Norah hadn’t thought about how to address the whole baby thing. These people had seen her pregnant and at some point they were going to ask about the baby. “Do you think I can sit with you?”

  “Absolutely.” She pointed to where she already had a seat. “So how’d you get out tonight? We usually don’t see girls who’ve had babies for months at least.”

  “I gave my baby up for adoption.”

  “Oh.” Caitlyn shimmied down the aisle to her seat.

  Norah followed and once they were settled, an uncomfortable silence sat heavily between them. Crap. She managed to ruin the only shot she had at making friends.

  “I feel like an ass for asking. I’m sorry,” Caitlyn said.

  The simple, unnecessary apology let Norah know there was no judgment. “Sorry for what? It was a normal question. You had no way of knowing. I don’t mind.”

  “Thank God. I have a habit of running my mouth. Chris is forever reminding me to think before I say something stupid.”

  “Nothing stupid. It was a pretty safe assumption for you to make. When we’d met before, I hadn’t decided yet, but it was ultimately the best decision for me and Ella. That’s her name.”

  “You got to name her?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Caitlyn’s eyes widened. “Shoot, I did it again.”

  Norah patted her knee. “It’s okay. I did an open adoption, so I met with the parents. I chose them. We talked about names and when they suggested Ella, I agreed. I think it’s pretty.”

  “Wow. You’re so cool about all this. I think I’d be a mess if I got pregnant right now.”

  Norah laughed. “Trust me, I spent months being a mess. Now, I’m ready to move on.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. You coming out for drinks after?”

  “You bet. I haven’t had a drink in forever.”

  The guys were on the ice warming up and Norah chatted with Caitlyn while watching. She found that now that she knew Kai a little better, he was easier to spot on the ice. Not that a guy his size was ever hard to miss.

  She still didn’t understand much about the game, but Caitlyn was nice enough to guide her through. The woman was a treasure trove of knowledge. “How do you know all this?”

  “Chris and I have been dating since high school. He’s been playing since he was five. For him, it would be a deal breaker for a girl not to understand hockey. Plus, when you’re exposed to it as much as I am, with him playing and watching every professional game imaginable, it’s bound to sink in. You’ll see.”

  “I don’t know. My brothers never cared much about whether I watched.”

  “So you’re here for Sean and Tommy?”

  “Of course.”

  One of Caitlyn’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Well, if you really want to know, I’m here for you. I haven’t lived in Chicago for ten years. I don’t have any friends.”

  “Uh-huh. And?”

  “And what? My girl crush isn’t enough for you?”

  “I don’t believe you’re wearing the cute skirt and cami for me.”

  “I’m finally starting to get my body back. I want to show it off.”

  “To who?”

  Norah released
a long breath. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Maybe not to everyone, but I see you checking out Kai. You track him on the ice, not your brothers. Not that I blame you.”

  Norah pressed her lips together and questioned if coming tonight was a good idea. If Caitlyn saw, so might Tommy and Sean. Well, Tommy at least. Tommy knew about her boyfriends in the past and had never been terribly overprotective, but then she got pregnant and it was like it flipped a switch in him.

  “So what’s the story?” Caitlyn asked as she leaned close.

  “We have this chemistry thing and he’s hesitant to act on it.”

  “Why?”

  “Not sure.”

  “Well, if that outfit doesn’t work, maybe it’s time to set your sights on someone else. Lots of guys on the team are single.”

  “Thanks. I’ll let you know if I need an introduction.”

  They watched the rest of the game and the guys won, but it had been a tough win. There had been at least three ugly fights and that didn’t count the guys slamming against the glass. Norah rode with Caitlyn to the bar since the guys needed to shower and change. She was on her second beer when the team arrived. They crashed through the doors whooping and hollering.

  Boyfriends and husbands moved straight to the women waiting for them. Norah couldn’t help but look for Kai. When she didn’t see him over the heads of his teammates, she thought maybe he went home because Jaleesa had been taking care of his mom. So much for her killer outfit.

  Regardless, she was going to stay and have fun. This was a chance to make new friends.

  She drained her beer. Sean came over and nudged her elbow. “Better slow down or you’ll be puking. You’re out of practice.”

  “Just means I have more to make up for.”

  He waved the bartender over and ordered a pitcher. While he waited, he scanned the area. “If I meet someone interesting tonight, catch a ride with Tommy.”

  “And what if Tommy finds someone interesting?”

  He smiled. “Call a cab?”

  “What kind of big brother are you?”

  “One who’s looking to get laid. Chicks dig hockey players, especially when we’re coming off a win.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  He grabbed his pitcher and said, “Stay out of trouble.”

  “Like you?”

  “Definitely not like me.”

  Even though she was closest with Tommy, Norah genuinely liked Sean. His live-and-let-live attitude was exactly what she needed.

  As Sean left to find his conquest for the night, Norah felt someone watching her. She turned to find Kai making a beeline for her position at the bar. She flashed him a smile that he didn’t return.

  “I thought you wanted to go out tonight.”

  “I am out.”

  “Crashing my party.”

  She spun on her stool so her knees brushed his thighs. “The thing is, I don’t have anyone to go out with. I tagged along with my brothers so I could hang out with Caitlyn. I like her.”

  He ordered himself a beer and one for her. His gaze traveled all over her body, warming every inch along the way. “You dressed like that for Caitlyn?”

  The bartender set two bottles in front of them. Norah laid a hand on Kai’s thigh and leaned close. “I wore this for you.” She grabbed her beer and hopped off the seat. “Or anyone else who might be interested. Thanks for the beer.” She tilted the bottle at him and walked away.

  He watched her move. His gaze burned her skin as she walked, so she threw a little extra sway in her hips.

  At the table, Caitlyn said, “Well, the outfit did something for him. I’m just not sure what.”

  Norah smiled and gulped half her beer. The alcohol was hitting her system hard. “I don’t care. Let’s go dance.”

  * * *

  Without a doubt, Norah was doing her best to torment him. Her body was completely covered, yet her skirt accentuated her curves and the boots she wore basically screamed, “Fuck me.”

  Which wasn’t an option.

  He drank his beer to cool his throat. He was only supposed to stay for one drink because Jaleesa needed to go home, but damn if he was going to leave Norah in a bar full of guys while she looked like that.

  Wasn’t his problem. Her brothers were there.

  But they were nowhere in sight as she grabbed Caitlyn’s hand and pulled her over near the jukebox. Dora followed and the three women put money in the machine and pressed buttons to select songs. As soon as the beat started, Norah’s body was moving.

  They danced and swayed and she looked happy. Every now and then, she caught him staring and winked or gave him her flirtatious smile to let him know she was aware he was watching.

  Then Craig, one of the team’s centers, moved in. Caitlyn and Dora shifted over to make room for him, but he obviously was only there for Norah. His hands grabbed her hips and Kai waited for her to shove him off. She didn’t. She continued to dance, not shifting away as Craig stepped closer still.

  Kai drained his beer and slid from the stool. As he neared her, Norah smiled.

  “Here to dance?”

  “I don’t dance.”

  “Too bad.” And with that, she shimmied a little against Craig.

  The look on Craig’s face told Kai to get lost because he thought he was getting lucky tonight.

  Kai tapped Craig’s shoulder. “Can I talk to you a minute?”

  Craig’s eyes narrowed.

  Kai stepped between Craig and Norah, forcing Craig back.

  “What’s with the cock block?”

  “That’s Tommy and Sean’s sister.”

  “Oh. Damn. I thought she was a puck bunny.”

  Kai checked the urge to pound Craig for the assumption. Looking at the way Norah was dressed would easily give a guy the impression she was a hockey groupie, someone looking to be with a hockey player more than wanting to watch the game. “She’s not on the market.”

  Craig raised his hands. “Cool.” Then he spun on his heel and left.

  Kai moved to a table near where Norah danced. The look she shot at him would’ve made smaller men shiver.

  Tommy stopped on his way past. “Thanks for watching out for Norah. I don’t think she’s ready yet to pick up a guy.”

  “Yet?”

  “In case you’ve forgotten, Norah ain’t no nun.”

  “Craig thought she was a puck bunny.”

  Tommy eyed his sister dancing. “I could see that.”

  Kai elbowed him. “That’s your sister.”

  “I’m just sayin’ I can see where he came to that conclusion. Anyway, if everyone thinks she’s here with you, she’s totally safe.”

  As much as Kai didn’t want to admit it, he liked the idea of Norah being with him. But she wasn’t safe with him either. “Isn’t it your job to watch out for her?”

  “I guess. But she gets mad at me. She won’t take it out on you. You’re her boss.”

  Kai shot him a look. “I wouldn’t count on that. I don’t think much scares Norah.”

  Tommy barked out a loud laugh. “You’re right. Thanks for the reminder. Now I’m really glad you were the one to get rid of Craig. Those icicles she’s shooting this way? Totally for you.” He slapped Kai on the back and left.

  Kai halfway watched where Tommy went. He was hitting on some girl over by the dartboard. Kai swung back to check on Norah. She was walking straight for him.

  “You owe me a beer.”

  “Why?”

  “’Cause you scared off my dance partner and you won’t dance with me.”

  Kai waved a waitress over and ordered a couple more beers. “Craig didn’t want to dance, but you know that, right?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We were dancing.”

  “He was trying to ride you fully clothed.”

  She lifted a shoulder like she thought he was full of shit. The waitress delivered their drinks and Kai squared up with her because after this, he was leaving. Correction, they were leaving
. Norah obviously already had a hell of a buzz going on and Tommy and Sean didn’t seem too worried.

  “You had your chance to dance with me.”

  “If we ever dance, it won’t be fully clothed on the dance floor.”

  Norah smirked. “Sounds almost promising.” She reached across the table and stroked a finger on his forearm, tracing the bands of the tribal tattoo. “Does that mean you’ve been thinking about our situation?”

  Hell, yes. “Hard not to think about it when you look like that.”

  “The first step to being friendly would’ve been to dance with me instead of scaring off my dance partner.”

  “I didn’t hit anyone, so I think that qualifies as friendly.”

  She took a pull of her beer with a slight shake of her head.

  “Finish your drink and your dance, and I’ll take you out for food.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “Would that be like a date?”

  “It would be a friend making sure you have food in your stomach to counteract the alcohol.”

  “Semantics.” She took another swig and left her bottle behind as she went back to dancing.

  Every move that girl made was seductive.

  He let her have a dance while he finished his beer. Then he went to where she was dancing. While no one else had approached her, many eyes were staring. He grabbed her elbow. “Time to go.”

  She didn’t jerk away. She pouted. “I don’t wanna.”

  “Don’t act like a brat or I might be tempted to give your ass a smack.”

  “Mmm . . . don’t offer what you’re not willing to give.”

  The girl talked more shit than any other woman he’d met. She acted like she’d been around the block and then some, like she could handle whatever came her way, but he saw something different in her. “I’ve been friendly. You’re drunk. Don’t push it.”

  “Sean and Tommy are here. I don’t need you to tell me what to do.”

  “Sean and Tommy are working on getting laid. They have no clue what you’re doing.”

  She allowed him to pull her away from the jukebox. “Where’s your jacket?”

  “I left your sweatshirt in Sean’s car.”

  He saw Tommy at the end of the bar. He told Norah not to move and he walked over to tell Tommy he was taking Norah. Tommy didn’t question any of it.