by Layla Hagen
Declan unlocked his trunk, and Tyler took out his bag.
"Want me to drive you two home?” Declan offered. “It's just a block."
Tyler looked at me. "Kendra, you want him to drive us? We can Uber or walk, but you're wearing heels."
I melted a little at the fact that even though he was mad, he was still considerate enough to ask about my shoes. "Let’s walk. Some fresh air will do me good."
"Okay, then, I'm going back inside with the group,” Declan said. “Actually, wait a second. I’ll be the only dude hanging out at a girls’ evening. What does that make me?"
Tyler patted his shoulder. "Girls' night crasher? I'll let you work out that conundrum for yourself."
We walked away, hand in hand, and Tyler didn't speak one word. I felt a bit tense. He was silent even after we entered his condo. I was expecting him to say something, but he looked lost in thought, as if he was trying to figure something out.
"Tyler?" I asked tentatively.
He put his bag to one side, squaring his shoulders and looking me straight in the eye. Coming closer, he cupped my face.
"Kendra, I meant every word, babe. You're important to me. Yes, hockey's been my whole life, but that was before I met you. I don't want you to keep anything from me no matter what is going on in my life. You are a priority. You are my priority. Do you understand that?"
I nodded but didn't say anything because I had a huge and heavy knot in my throat.
"You don't think I’ll stick around? Is that why you didn't tell me?"
I put my hands over his, shaking my head frantically. "No, that's not it." Then I sighed because it dawned on me that he might be right. “Not consciously. Okay, maybe it was just a little bit.”
More silence followed. He was looking straight at me. Was I unconsciously fearing people might bolt because Mom’s boyfriends did?
"Kendra, I want the privilege to do that. To come through for you every single time and be by your side, know when you're down and lift you back up, be your man no matter what."
My heart seemed to increase in size with every second. Pushing myself up on my tiptoes, I brought my mouth to his and kissed him. I needed him so much. I needed to feel close to him.
Kissing him gently at first, I feathered my mouth over his upper lip and then the lower one. Then I ran my tongue over the lower one, just with the tip. I felt his arms tense around me.
"I love you," I whispered.
Tyler was the one who kissed me now, claiming my mouth and burying a hand in my hair. "I love you too, babe. Fuck, how I love you."
“It's the first time I’ve ever said it," I whispered.
"It's the same for me."
I felt my eyes widen.
"I've never felt like this about anyone else. I love you, Kendra. Do you understand me?"
I nodded, completely overwhelmed by his declaration.
"Now, come on,” he urged. “Tell me everything in detail, okay? Don't leave anything out."
Taking my hand, he led me deeper inside the condo, and we sat on the couch.
"There isn’t much to the story, just what I said before. Up until last year, I worked at a diner as a waitress during weekends, and, well, I wasn't on good terms with the boss when I left there, and then he just kept ‘forgetting’ to pay my last two paychecks. I didn't ask him for it because I was too proud. But anyway, now with the house payments, I do need it."
"Babe, why didn't you tell me you needed money? I can always help."
“No, please don't do that, okay? Emma keeps offering too. I'm a grown woman, and I can sort out my shit... mostly. Anyway, the diner isn’t in a great area. It's in Hegewisch."
"That’s where you went the evening you were mugged?"
"Almost mugged," I corrected. "And yes. I honestly don't want to go there by myself again, so I was wondering if you could come with me."
"Of course I can, babe. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me."
"You had a lot on your mind with the games."
"Kendra, I will always have games. That doesn't mean you can’t share everything that goes on in your life."
"I don't want to distract you," I said quietly.
"You're part of my life, not a distraction." He pulled me into his lap, caressing my jaw. "I don’t have a game tomorrow, just training. Let's go pick up your checks."
"Okay. That sounds good. So, you love me, huh?" I asked, shimmying in his lap.
He clasped my thigh, moving his hand upward on my waist, pressing his fingers into my sweater possessively. "Yes I fucking do.”
I smiled from ear to ear, lacing my hands around his neck. “I love hearing it. Just a hint: you can say it all night long, and I won’t tire of it.”
“Good. That was my plan.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Kendra
When I woke up the next morning, Tyler wasn't next to me, so I went in search of him throughout the condo. I was an early riser, but Tyler even more so. He wasn’t anywhere.
Going back to the bedroom, I checked my phone, and, indeed, he'd messaged me.
Tyler: Morning, beautiful. I'm at the gym on the top floor. I'll be back at 8:00 with breakfast.
Kendra: Okay. I just woke up.
I showered quickly, dressed, and made a coffee. I didn't have my laptop with me, but I did have my iPad in my purse as usual, so I could work on some emails. I didn't have any phone calls scheduled today, but I did have a hell of a list of to-dos.
I got so lost in answering emails that I didn't even realize when the hour went by, and I was startled when Tyler came in.
"Morning, Kendra," he said with that sexy voice of his, holding up a take-out bag.
"What's in there?"
"Breakfast."
I snatched the bag away from him, taking out donuts and cinnamon rolls. "Oh, look. You even have my favorite cinnamon roll. How did you manage that?"
"As I said, I have my ways."
He looked gorgeous, and he seemed to have already showered at the gym. He was wearing a black T-shirt with short sleeves, and it molded to his muscles in an absolutely delicious way.
"I don't know what's more tempting, you or breakfast," I said.
He laughed, cocking a brow. "I'm competing with breakfast?"
"Oh yeah."
I took a bite of the donut, not even bothering to put it on a plate, and moaned. "Oh my God. This is delicious. And just so you know, you're losing. I love you, but you’re losing this competition."
The next second, I felt him behind me, kissing my neck. "No I'm not," he said, almost in a growl.
Having him so near overwhelmed my senses. His abs were pressing against my back, and his skin was still humid from the shower. The smell of his shower gel filled the air: the forest and a cold winter day. He drew the tip of his nose up my neck. Usually it would turn me on, but right then, it tickled the hell out of me. I tried to fight it, but I broke out in laughter when he reached my jaw.
"Oh my God. I'm so sorry. I couldn't hold it in anymore."
He straightened up, turning me around. "I tickle you now?"
I grinned. "Hey, I can't focus on two things at once if one of those things is a donut. My other senses are kind of confused."
"Right. Okay," he said and, to my astonishment, didn't add anything else.
So, of course, I finished the donut and then ate half the cinnamon roll. He was still watching me, but I didn't question it, at least not until I had my portion of sugar and carbs and I was in seventh heaven.
"Okay. So, what's happening? What are you waiting for?"
"For you to finish," he said.
“I’m done.”
He sealed his mouth over mine the next second. Holy smokes! It was so damn hot, his tongue pressing against mine, his fingers wrapped in my hair. My sexy goalie kissed me until my knees were completely weak.
"Now that was a kiss," I murmured when we pulled apart.
He was looking at me intently.
I narrowed my eyes. "You want me t
o tell you if you win the competition against breakfast, don't you?"
"Absolutely," he said with a straight face.
"You're such a guy," I whispered.
He laughed, kissing my forehead. "Are you ready to go to the diner?" he asked.
"Aren't you eating?"
"No, I'm not hungry. I'll probably eat with the guys at training later."
"Okay, then, let’s go."
We drove in his car, which absolutely didn’t belong in Hegewisch. Since it was so early, we found a parking spot right in front of the diner. It was run-down even when I worked here, but now it seemed even worse. It was a car repair shop that had been converted into a diner, and it looked exactly like that. The smell of fried food was pungent the second we stepped in, mixed with alcohol. Oh goodness, the clientele seemed just as bad as before. It was ten o'clock in the morning, yet there were already people drinking beers.
Tyler put on a cap to shield himself from everyone's view. This was the type of place where no one really cared to look at each other too closely. Steeling myself and rolling my shoulders, I headed straight to the back. I recognized Clarissa at the bar; she'd worked here last year too.
"Hey, babe," she greeted with a genuine smile. Her curly hair was now cropped short.
"Hi, Clarissa. It’s good to see you. I'm here to see Jared."
"Are you looking for work again?" she asked.
"No, it's about an old thing."
"Okay, well, come on in. He's in there. And you know how he is."
"Yeah I do," I said.
She glanced at Tyler but didn’t say anything, so we just passed her. I knocked three times at the back door before Jared said, “Come in.”
I opened the door.
He stood up the second I came in. His eyes zeroed in on Tyler.
"What are you doing here?" he asked me. He had thinning hairline and a huge belly.
"You said I had to pick up my checks, so I came to do that."
He gave me a sly grin I didn't like. "And you brought a bodyguard?"
"I'm her boyfriend," Tyler said, looking straight at him.
Jared's eyes widened. "You're dating Tyler Maxwell? Well, at least you're good at something, I guess."
"Shut up, Jared. You’re a piece of shit. You treat your staff like garbage. You don’t get to lecture me. You owe me money, and I’m not leaving without my paychecks.”
Jared opened his mouth, but Tyler interrupted him. "Give her the checks right now. You know my last name, it seems, so stop being a pain in the ass.”
“This hellhole you call a diner wouldn't pass an inspection, and you know that," I said.
"No need to threaten me," Jared said, holding up his hands, looking with his slimy eyes from me to Tyler.
"Paychecks. Now," I said, tapping my foot and holding out my hand.
He opened his checkbook and filled out two sheets.
"Here. That's it."
I took them, looking at the numbers.
"Are they correct?" Tyler asked.
"Yes they are. We’re done here."
I rolled my shoulders, looking at Jared. And honestly, I felt pity. He was still trying to make a living from this hole-in-the-wall and being miserable every day.
On the way out, I said bye to Clarissa, but we didn't linger because I knew just how much the smell of fried fish could cling to you.
Once we were outside, we headed straight to the car.
"It's good we came in daylight," I said. "I don't know why I came at night last time. And I didn't find a parking spot in front either."
"He's a moron," Tyler said. He seemed visibly mad.
"Oh, that's just Jared. Don't mind him. I don't."
"Was he always such a douchebag?"
"Yes."
"I was so damn proud of you in there, babe."
"Come on. Let's go, sexy goalie. Your training will start soon."
We drove straight to the arena.
"Are you sure you don't want to take the car back to the city?" he asked when we arrived.
"No, it wouldn’t make sense. I'm just going to be cooped up in my office all day. And the parking situation is a bit impossible around there. I'll Uber," I said when we both stepped out of the car. "Now, you focus on practicing and forget about Jared, okay? You’ve got a huge game tomorrow."
They were playing against the Seattle Bulldogs, and guess who was attending? That’s right, me.
He was looking straight at me with those gorgeous eyes of his. Rising on my tiptoes, I kissed him just the way he’d done this morning, tongue and all, needing the contact. I only stopped when a groan reverberated through his body. I felt it deep in every cell and pulled back.
"Oops," I said.
"You kiss me like that and want me to think about training?" he asked in a teasing tone.
"Mmm, that was a blip in my control. But since I’m on a slippery slope anyway... Just one more, and then I'll be on my best behavior for the rest of the day. I won’t send you any distracting messages. Not even one," I said with a grin.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kendra
On the morning of the game, I woke up super early. I had a plan. I wanted to spoil my sexy guy before he started one of the most important days of the year. My mom always said it was important to start a day right, so I got to work as quietly as possible. I wanted to bake a fresh pecan pie. I'd spoken with his mom, asking about her recipe, and I was adding my own touch to it, so I was confident he'd love it.
I put in earbuds while I worked in the kitchen. This was my happy place. I hummed to the music, careful not to be too loud. After I put it in the oven, I cleaned the kitchen until it looked pristine. Then I peeked at the oven. I’d put tin foil on it, so I couldn’t see much, but thirty minutes had passed, so now it was time to remove it, which I did quickly. Now it only had to stay in for another twenty minutes. I went to take a quick shower in the guest bathroom so I could be fresh for my man when he woke up.
I was so happy that I couldn't even believe it. I loved Tyler with my whole heart, and I never thought a love like this was possible. I knew, of course, that once upon a time, my parents had loved each other. But as I grew older and, well, more of a cynic, I'd started to wonder if perhaps I'd idealized their relationship. But even if I did, it didn't matter.
I was smiling widely as I danced under the spray, applying Tyler's shower gel and loving the smell of the ocean and winter fragrance. I was so proud that I'd gotten up early and was sure I had some time until Tyler would wake up. But to my astonishment, he was already in the kitchen when I returned.
"Hey. What are you doing up so early?" I asked.
"I woke up, and you weren't next to me.”
“What are you doing?" I sounded alarmed, but he was right in front of the oven.
"Looking at the oven." Grabbing the handle, he made to open it, but I ran toward him.
“No, no, no. Don't do that. Don't let the heat out."
Laughing, he let it go, holding his hands up in defense. "Okay, not touching it.” He narrowed his eyes. “I can touch you, though."
Instantly, his hands were on my hips, and he pressed me against him.
"Good morning," he said. His eyes were still a bit hazy with sleep. He wasn't wearing a shirt.
Oh, why are you tempting me like this first thing in the morning?
I placed my hands on his chest, near his shoulders, but within a few seconds, they somehow glided down to his abs.
He laughed, tilting his head toward the oven. “What’s with that?”
"Your mom mentioned you like pecan pie when we were at their place, and I thought I'd surprise you with one today. I asked for her recipe but also added some secret ingredients."
He looked at me incredulously before his mouth curled in a huge smile. "You woke up extra early to bake me a pie? Fuck, you're cute."
"I wanted to do something to bring you good luck."
He pressed his palms more firmly on my hips. "You bring me good luck, Kendra."
"I can’t wait to cheer for you. I'll be your loudest fan. "
He brought a hand to my face, touching my jaw with his thumb and forefinger. "You do that, and then I'll bring you home and make you scream in other ways."
I blushed. "You can't keep your mind out of the gutter, even before the game, huh?"
"I can always be shameless," he confirmed.
"Of course you can." I turned around, looking at the oven. "Okay, let me take this out. Don't distract me."
"What counts as a distraction? This?" He put a hand on my right ass cheek.
"It could," I said in a teasing tone. "I'm not sure."
"How about this?" He pushed my hair to one side, kissing the back of my neck. The skin on my arms turned to goose bumps.
"Tyler," I whispered, rocking back and forth on my feet.
"Okay, so we have our verdict. That's distracting you for sure."
He kissed the side of my neck as I checked on the pie. It was ready. I took it out, putting it on the granite counter,
“It’s supposed to cool for thirty minutes and then stay in the fridge for at least two hours before serving.”
“Babe, we can’t wait for two hours.”
“I know. But let it cool at least for a bit.” I turned around, looking him in the eyes. "Are you ready for today?"
"Yes. Completely.” He interlaced our fingers, holding my right arm up and raining kisses from my wrist to my elbow and then all the way up to my shoulder. I wiggled my ass, enjoying the feeling of his lips on my skin. “I'm completely ready. I love that you're coming to watch the game."
"I couldn't miss an opportunity to show you how big a fan of yours I am. And right now, it's ‘spoiling Tyler’ time."
“Then let’s eat the pie. I don’t care if it’s hot.”
“Okay.”
I put one slice on a plate and two little forks on it, holding it between us. He started eating from one end, and I started at the other. I watched his reaction as he shoved the forkful into his mouth and was pleased with the look of obvious pleasure on his face. I ate a bite and shimmied my hips in happiness because it was delicious.