by Layla Hagen
“With a bunch of others.”
“We’re going to sneak in some alone time. You should expect a lot of flirting,” I said.
“And you should expect the same in return. A word of warning. You might not be able to handle it.”
I grinned at the thought. “Game on.”
Chapter Nine
Tyler
"This place is like a time capsule," I said. I was at The Happy Place, Gran’s bookstore, ready to pick up my cousins, Kimberly and Reese. We would meet my brothers at the bar on top of their building, where they all had offices, except for Sam and me, obviously. We were the odd ducks in the family who chose not to go into our own businesses.
“I know, right. I'm happy Gran preserves it this way," Reese said. When my family sold the bookstore business, Gran insisted on keeping this one because it was the first one she opened with our grandfather.
"Okay, you ladies ready to go?" I asked.
"Yes we are."
“How is the jet lag, Kimberly?”
“Not too bad. I’m just generally tired because we’ve had a few intense months.”
“You could take it easier,” I suggested. “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, you know.”
She worked in Paris for a travel agency and literally traveled everywhere to scout out the best spots for her clients. She worked hard and barely had time to visit us. I asked her once about it, and she said she didn’t want to live off her trust fund. She wanted to do something.
“Look who’s talking,” she said with a wink. “Mr. Superstar Goalie, remind me, who was training overtime as soon as you started on the team? Just to prove to your teammates that the Blades didn’t take you just because you’re a Maxwell?”
I scoffed. “I didn’t do it just because of that. I like being at the top of my game.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yes I do,” I admitted. We all had that need inside us to prove to ourselves that we were more than heirs to the Maxwell fortune. Kimberly even took it a step further and moved to France, where no one knew us. She could have gone to London, where we had a billion cousins from Mom’s side, but she chose Paris instead.
“Anyway, I don’t want to be a travel agent forever, but I like it for now. Besides, it gives me a chance to pop over to London to meet our dearest cousins... and Dad.”
Reese smiled sadly. “How is Dad?”
The two of them never had a very close relationship to my uncle—Dad’s brother. After their mom passed away when they were kids, he spiraled out, burying himself in work. Kimberly and Reese were at our house most of the time.
“Oh, you know. Just... Dad. He’s happy when I visit, though.”
"How long are you here for?" I asked Kimberly.
" Just a week, and then it's back on the other side of the pond for me."
"You do like it there, huh?"
"Yeah, it's a different experience, and I love it.”
Reese winked. “I can tell. You’re starting to dress French.”
I had no idea what Reese was talking about.
“Awww, thanks, sis. I do miss all of you, though.”
"Oh good, I was waiting for you to say that," I said, feigning being wounded.
She grinned, taking my arm and leading me out of the shop.
“I have a feeling that Operation Cheer Up Tyler isn’t necessary anymore,” Kimberly said.
Reese tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. “Yeah, I think he’s got the worst behind him. Seems back to his old self.”
“And so are you—sort of.” Kimberly was looking at her sister. “You can always come to stay with me for a while, and we’ll find you a Frenchman. Or two.”
Reese burst out laughing. “Oh, Kimberly. I’m tempted to take you up on it, but I promised Gran I’d look after The Happy Place. The manager is going on maternity leave soon, so I can’t take off.”
Twenty minutes later, we stepped inside the office building on LaSalle Street. We took the elevators directly to the top floor and headed straight to the bar.
Travis, Declan, and Luke were already sitting at one of the tables. No one had drinks.
"This feels so surreal," I said, "being able to hang out with you guys spontaneously during the season."
Reese laughed. "The perks of being benched."
"Ouch, that still hurts."
"Yep. Sorry. No more joking about that."
But this did give me a view of how my life would look once I was done with the ice. Most hockey players retired when they reached thirty. I knew I had one or two seasons left before retiring, but I sure as hell wasn't ready to say goodbye right now.
I took advantage of the fact that Luke was next to me and Reese was out of earshot to check how things were going with our cousin.
"Did she tell you anything about why she’s feeling off?" I asked. On the way here, she kept asking about Travis and me, avoiding talking about herself.
"It's been a few days. I need more time. I'm not a miracle worker."
I cocked a brow. "What are you talking about? No one was subtle with me when you all intervened."
He patted my shoulder twice. "Brother, you need the balls-to-the-wall approach. Reese needs subtlety."
That sounded like bullshit, but what did I know? He was the people whisperer of the family.
“Okay, good, you're all here," Travis said when I sat down. "I was just waiting for everyone to arrive. I'm having a party, and you're all invited."
I whistled appreciatively. "You're on a roll, man. Count me in."
Declan cocked a brow. "You're kind of starting to like parties." He was using his older brother serious tone.
Travis shrugged. "I never had a wild phase in college. I have some catching up to do."
"That's exactly my concern," Declan said.
Travis turned to me. "He needs that stick out of his ass. You're excellent at that. Can you take over from here?"
I brought my hand to my temple in a mock military salute. "Yes, sir. You can count on me. I'm going to make sure that one doesn't sulk at your party. When is it?"
"On Saturday."
"This Saturday?" I questioned.
"Yeah."
"Then no can do, man. I'm going on a trip from Friday to Sunday." I felt all eyes on me.
"What trip? You didn't say anything," Reese asked.
"I have an overnight trip with the kids I'm coaching. We’re going to the Apple River Canyon State Park.”
Reese smiled at me. "Oh, that's so nice of you.”
"Yeah. I’m looking forward to it. And Kendra—" I was about to say more and thought better of it.
"Oh, Kendra is going?" Kimberly asked. "I’m starting to put two and two together."
"How do you even know about her?" I asked, knowing one of the family blabbed.
"Hello? I have a phone, and we have a WhatsApp group, and I like to be on top of my gossip, even if I'm far away from the action."
"Of course you do," Declan said. "So Kendra's coming too?" he asked me.
"Yeah. She's the program coordinator."
"Yeah, obviously," Reese said in a mocking voice. She was barely holding back laughter.
Travis grinned. Even Declan was laughing.
"Gran called it," Declan exclaimed.
I raised a brow. "Called what?"
Travis leaned down a bit toward me. "Said you looked whipped when you talked about Kendra."
I jerked my head back. "Gran doesn't say whipped."
"No, my bad. I was paraphrasing. She said starry-eyed." He looked at the table. "Right?" He got a few nods of confirmation, and he looked back at me. "Is that better?"
"Not one bit."
***
Kendra
I loved seminars. I liked learning new skills and gathering information based on the latest practices. The only thing I wasn't totally on board with was that it set me back at work.
After lunch on Wednesday, I waited with my fellow workshop attendees to be let back into the conference
room. To give me something to do, I took out my phone. Tyler had texted me!
Tyler: Can you talk?
Kendra: Lunch break is over, and we’re going into the conference room.
Tyler: When do you get a break?
Kendra: Why?
Tyler: For flirting.
Kendra: We need a flirting break? I can pay attention to both things at once.
Tyler: No, I want all your attention.
I giggled, checking the line in front of me.
Kendra: Okay, I think we might still have a few minutes until we go inside the room. We can talk.
He called me right away. "Hey, Kendra."
My God, that voice was so sexy! It was almost husky. Is he having dirty thoughts? Maybe I was overanalyzing.
"Hey, you.”
“How's your day so far?" he asked.
"Oh, it's good. I like it. It's informative. What are you doing?"
"I just finished laps in the pool."
"How often do you swim?"
"Three times a week. It's part of the physical therapy."
"Oh yeah. Swimming is probably good for your shoulder."
“Yes. It's a risk-free way to strengthen the area. I can't stop thinking about you in that wet white dress."
Ha! No overanalyzing here. He did have sexy things on his mind.
I looked around and took a few steps away from the group. Hopefully no one heard him.
"Tyler," I admonished, "I'm in public."
"That doesn't mean I can't tell you all the things I wanted to do that day."
My breath caught. "Like what?" I whispered.
"I wanted to peel it off you and then do the same thing with your bra and panties."
Usually when I blushed, I felt it creeping slowly. My face would warm up gradually, but now I suddenly felt on fire, like I was emanating heat. I rolled my shoulders, pulling myself taller, which was a bit ridiculous. It wasn't as if he was here to see me, but this was my extra-confident pose.
"And I fantasized about tracing all those muscles with my fingers and possibly with my tongue."
A guttural sound came through the phone, filling me with pride. "Jesus, woman!"
"Hey, you started it with the sexy talk. This is not a one-way street, you know.” I heard footsteps heading my way and looked up. “Wait, a colleague is coming. Don't say anything," I warned as my friend Sylvie came up to me.
"Kendra, are you okay?" she asked, frowning.
"Yeah, why?"
"You're so red in the face. I thought maybe you have high blood pressure or ate some hot chilies or something."
Oh my God. I laughed nervously. "I'm fine. It happens to me sometimes."
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine." I just have a sinfully hot hockey player whispering naughty things in my ear in broad daylight.
"Okay. I'll leave you to your conversation. This line isn't budging anyway. They’ve yet to open the door.”
I focused on my call again as she stepped back in line. Tyler was laughing, and not just decent laughter but with guffaws.
"See what you do?" I tried to admonish him, but I was grinning from ear to ear.
"This is hilarious. What I wouldn't give to see your blush now."
"Okay, that's it. New rule: no sexy talk on the phone."
"Is that a whole day rule, or does it just apply to daytime or seminar time?"
He was incorrigible!
"Why don't you just pencil in a phone call tonight, so you can make sure no one will bother you?" he continued.
"My sister warned me about you, and she was right."
"What did she say?"
"That you’re a bad boy."
"That's not how I’d describe myself."
"How would you, then?"
"A gentleman with a very dirty mouth."
Holy shit. And now I was fantasizing about that dirty mouth, because clearly he was holding back.
“Okay, let’s move on from this dangerous topic. What else are you doing today?” I asked.
“I'm on family duty."
"How so?"
"Travis is planning a party, and Gran wants to hang out, which could be code for anything. Either she wants to cheer me up or she needs me to cheer her up. I'll see."
"Busy day, mister. No time for flirting breaks, then, huh?"
"I can always make time for flirting," he said seriously.
"The line is moving. We’re going back into the conference room. I have to go." I told him as we shuffled along.
"Wait, before I forget why I called—”
"Oh, you mean besides making me blush furiously?"
"Yes, though that was a primary reason.”
“Obviously.”
“My cousin Kimberly is going to send you some pictures of a cabin she found in the canyon area that look good."
"But the school already has cabins lined up."
He snorted. "Yeah, I saw pictures. It looked like someplace where you send kids when you want to punish them and scar them for life."
I burst out laughing. Sometimes I forgot Tyler was a Maxwell. Those cabins had been modest indeed, but they weren’t that bad. It was certainly better than the apartment we moved into after Dad passed away.
"Oh, Tyler!"
"You'll like this one, trust me."
I was sure I would, and so would the kids.
“Okay, I’ve got to hang up. Everyone’s going in, and I want a good spot.”
“Have fun, Kendra.”
I sighed as I hung up.
Sylvie was still looking at me intently as we approached the room. “Hey, all good?”
“Yes, thanks.”
“You look back to normal now. I just thought maybe, I don't know, you got bad news on the phone or something.”
I cleared my throat, pressing my lips together before saying assuredly, "Oh no. Not at all."
As soon as we sat down, I put my phone on mute, but I noticed an email. It was indeed from Kimberly. My eyes bulged when I looked at the pictures of the cabin. It was huge and luxurious, with eleven bedrooms. At closer inspection, I realized it was actually a B&B. Kimberly wrote that the owners were able to rent the whole place out to us. It even had a jacuzzi. It was a glorious space, and I couldn't believe Tyler wanted it for the kids. This man was simply something else.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I’d always been careful. But with Tyler, all I wanted was to let go. Was it smart, though? I didn’t even know him that well. What if he was a heartbreaker? What if I regretted this later?
He was a hockey star, and I was sure a million women wanted him. Did I want to involve myself in all that?
Slow your roll, Kendra. It’s not like you’re going to marry the guy.
I had a gazillion flutters in my belly, and I knew it wasn’t because of his flirting skills. Even though they were something to write home—or to my sister—about.
Chapter Ten
Kendra
My workshop ended on Friday morning, and I made arrangements to travel directly to the state park from the airport. I didn’t have time to go home, so Emma met me at Arrivals to give me an extra bag with warmer clothing. We also used the time until my train left to have another spill-it session. We drank pumpkin spice lattes at the coffee shop in the airport. I loved November and the whole spooky season because I could find pumpkin lattes and pies everywhere.
“What do you think will happen on the trip?” she asked after she finished telling me about her latest dating fiasco. My sister was a brave one.
I sipped my latte, considering my next words. “I’m not sure.”
She wiggled her eyebrows. “What do you want to happen?”
I grinned, taking yet another sip to buy myself time. “Lots and lots of naughty things. But not during the trip. And anyway, I’m not sure that’s the smart thing to do.”
“You deserve good things in your life, Kendra. Live a little.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Some
times I’m not sure about that,” Emma pushed.
“What do you mean?”
“That you’re used to having shitty luck.”
I shrugged, realizing that might be true. I was overly cautious. “Hey, luck is always changing. I mean, I did buy the house of my dreams.”
“I can’t wait to see it. Did you find a construction crew?”
“None I can afford. I’m going to figure out how to do some of the stuff myself.”
Her eyes bulged. “But you’re terrible at it. And I’m worse. But I’ll help you in any way I can.”
“Thanks.”
“Did you manage to get ahold of Jared? There has to be a way to legally force him to deposit your paychecks in your bank account.”
“I’m looking into getting a lawyer to send him a letter. That asshole thinks he can push me around.”
“Or I could loan you some money until—”
“That’s a firm no.” Emma was always there for me, as I was for her, but this was my problem to deal with.
“You only took the job at Jared’s to help me with my college loans. So it’s only fair—”
“You don’t owe me anything, Emma. You’re my little sister, and I wanted to help out any way I could. Let’s change the subject.”
“Okay. Tyler. Tell me about him.” She grinned.
“He’s sexy and amazing, and I haven’t met anyone who can melt my defenses faster than him. And that’s so scary.”
“Good scary, right?”
“I think so. I hope so.” I finished the last sip of my latte, pondering my next words. “I know so little about him.”
But despite knowing so little, he made me feel so much. When he showed up at my apartment after I was almost mugged, he genuinely wanted to be there for me. His sincerity and protectiveness were something I’d longed for... probably most of my life. But I cautioned myself to be careful. This was probably just a fleeting moment with a wonderful man, and then it would be over. Could I handle that?
Emma pointed at me. “Awww, sis. Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re smitten. Or at the very least on your merry way to being smitten with Tyler Maxwell.”
“Shush. Don’t say that out loud. You’re putting all sorts of ideas in my mind.”
“What are little sisters for?”
I laughed, stealing her cup of coffee from the table and taking a sip.