by G. K. Brady
Her eyes dropped to his mouth. “Now do I get my kiss?”
Without another word, he kissed her, relishing how perfectly she fit him—her lips, her body, her heart. She returned the kiss as though releasing the pent-up emotion of these last months. The rest of the world fell away. He lost himself in her warm, pliant mouth, her floral fragrance, her soft curves—until clapping erupted from the front porch, where the contractors stood cheering and whistling. Norm mopped an eye.
“We have an audience.” A grin twitching his lips, Beckett jerked his head at the group.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and parked her chin on his chest. “My inner goddess suggests you take me home before they really get an eyeful.”
His eyebrows crawled up his forehead as the grin crept up his cheeks. “Oh yeah? Makeup time?” No disguising the hope or joy in his voice.
“Damn straight, Mr. All-Nighter. We’ve got a lot of making up to do.”
“Looks like we have our work cut out for us, pixie.”
“Mm-hmm. At least a couple days’ worth.”
He raised her chin with a knuckle. “And after that, a lifetime. We’re in for one hell of a ride, pixie, and I can’t wait to get started.”
EPILOGUE
Twenty Years Later
Paige peered in the mirror, tugging the sweater in place.
“Mom, stop! I’ll be late for Spencer’s game.”
Seventeen-year-old Elayne rolled her light green eyes as Paige admired her daughter’s reflection. She smoothed Elayne’s shoulders, higher than her own, and kissed her cheek.
“All right, Layne. Hurry then, but let me know when you get there.” She stroked Elayne’s golden brown hair and stepped away. “Your hair is the same color as your father’s.”
“As his was, you mean,” Elayne laughed.
“And you and your sisters gave me every gray hair on my head,” rumbled a voice from the doorway.
Elayne’s face lit up. It always did when she saw her dad. “Daddy! You’re home early.”
Tall and broad, he pushed himself from the frame with ease and sauntered into the bedroom, his eyes flicking over his oldest daughter. “And a good thing too.” He kissed her cheek and absently dropped his arm around Paige’s shoulders, drawing her in for a kiss on top of her head. Elayne looked jittery as he scrutinized her.
“Maybe you should throw on another shirt,” he suggested.
“But, Daddy,” she protested, “it’ll cover the sweater.”
“Exactly,” he replied. “And Layne, if that boyfriend of yours lays one fing—”
“She knows you’ll tear him limb from limb if he touches her, you big growly bear.” Suppressing her amusement, Paige patted his hard chest.
He harrumphed. “Can’t be too careful with those da—darn hockey players. I know exactly what goes through their brains—assuming they have any.”
“Daddy, I really have to go!” Elayne yelped before vaulting at his cheek with a kiss. “I love you!”
When she was gone, he pulled Paige to him and propped his chin on her head. “God, the girls are growing up so fast, Andie. Layne’ll be playing hockey at Michigan in less than a year, and Audrey’s not far behind. Soon I’ll be walking them down the aisle.”
She pressed her cheek against his chest, savoring the steady thrum of his heart. “You have a few years yet, Beck. Layne won’t let anything get in the way of her scholarship—she’s worked too hard for it. Audrey will follow her older sister, and you have the twins so scared of boys, they’ll need therapy before they even consider dating.”
“Good!”
“So what brings you home early? Not that I’m complaining.”
“I let everyone knock off early. I’ve run those kids hard this week and figured they earned a break.”
“So, Coach, are they ready to take on the Bulldogs Friday night?”
“We’ll find out. You’re coming to the game, right?” He pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose.
“Seriously? Have I missed one yet? Go DU! Go Coach Miller! And don’t forget drinks with Gwenn and Henry afterward. They head back to Seattle first thing the next morning.”
“I remember. How’d you do on your electrical inspection today?”
“Passed! On all eight row houses. It’s amazing how much more cooperative the inspectors are when it’s affordable housing.”
“It’s because you’re Denver’s favorite builder.” He hugged her to him. “This calls for a celebration. So what do we do with our night off, pixie?”
“Well, Layne’s sleeping at Ashley’s after Spencer’s hockey game, the twins are on their overnight with their class, and Audrey’s working the fundraiser for the Wildlife Sanctuary. We have the house to ourselves, Mr. Miller.”
His eyebrows flew to his hairline, and a mischievous grin spread over his chiseled face. “Jesus, when was the last time that happened?”
“Before the twins were born, I think.” She laughed and wrapped her arms around his still-trim waist. “But I can’t come up with a single thing for us to do, can you?” She rested her chin on his chest and batted her eyelashes at him.
“I can. Something we haven’t done in a long time.”
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” She broke out in her own mischievous grin.
He nodded slowly, splaying his hands across her back. “Yep. Watching a movie that doesn’t have a princess in it or the latest heartthrob. Something we want to watch for a change.”
“How about Casablanca? We haven’t watched it in forever.”
“Perfect.”
“I’ll get the popcorn.”
He cradled her face and looked at her tenderly. “Pixie, marrying you was the smartest thing I’ve ever done.”
“Must’ve been the glasses.”
“Have I told you how damn glad I am you said yes all those years ago?”
She smiled up at him. “Only about a million times. You’re falling behind.”
“I love you,” he whispered, stealing her breath away.
“Beck, my sweet tiger, I love you too.” Her hands traveled up his muscled back as his lips descended on hers. He kissed her slowly, thoroughly, curling her toes.
“Change of plans,” she gasped. “You get the popcorn, and I’ll slip into something slinky.”
“Yes!” He pumped his fist, chanting, “Uh-huh, uh-huh.”
“Ew!” came a cry from the hallway.
Audrey stood in the doorway, looking as though she’d popped a dozen sour balls in her mouth at once. She shook her head and narrowed her icy-blue eyes at them, her soft auburn curls bouncing around her face.
“You guys are fumbling disgusting.”
Pinning Paige to his side with one arm, Beckett planted his fist on his other hip. “Yeah? Well, you wouldn’t fumbling be here if we weren’t so fumbling disgusting. Besides, what’s wrong with me being hot for your mom?”
Audrey stuck her tongue out and pointed her finger down her throat.
“What are you doing here, sweetie?” Paige asked evenly, trying to tamp down the tingling Beckett had just shot through her body.
“I forgot my Wildlife Sanctuary sweatshirt.”
Beckett released Paige and winked. “I’m not done with you, pixie.”
“You better not be!” she fired over her shoulder as she helped Audrey paw through the closet.
He looked her over, his bottom lip caught between his teeth, and covered his heart with his hand. His eyes, the color of an Alaskan glacier, twinkled.
“I’ll never be done with you. Not for the rest of our lives.”
THE END
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It takes more than an author stringing together words to craft a story. It takes an array of people who support that author with honesty, faith, and encouragement. I had that in spades, for which I am immeasurably grateful.
The Marbles and Janet R., my amazing critiquers. Thank you for making this a better story. I couldn’t have done it without you.
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br /> Jenny Q., my wonderful editor. At times, you were a collaborator, and I have learned so much from you. Your calm, guiding voice gave me the steel to pull this off.
Persnickety, my favorite hoofed friend. You lived up to your name brilliantly.
Laura M., my first beta reader and cheerleader. Your support was invaluable.
Liz S.J., your generosity and patience for my unending questions are beyond compare. I will pay it forward.
Stephanie H., my web designer extraordinaire. Your enthusiasm, knowledge, and creativity blew me away.
The best for last: My husband, Tim, and our three sons, Kyle, Matt, and Ryan—my wonderful family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting up with my hermit-like habits, my incomprehensible mutterings, and for your unwavering belief in me … and for playing hockey! Who knew all those practices and games would wind up in books? Beckett may be a fictional character, but his most endearing qualities are not: I pulled them from each of you.
COMING SOON
Please consider leaving a review for Taming Beckett on Amazon. I’d truly appreciate even just a few words.
The link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VQTTR9Q
What people are saying about Taming Beckett:
“I have NEVER left a 5 star before in reviewing any book. Taming Beckett absolutely deserves it. From the beginning it caught my attention.”
“Taming Beckett is a super sweet, hot and sexy hockey romance! There's drama and adventure, and you are sure to fall in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other.”
“Omg. Best book ever. Characters were well written and the plot was exciting. Was on the edge of my seat while reading wondering what would happen next. Definitely recommend this book.”
Did you enjoy Beckett and Paige’s story? Want more of The Playmakers Series? Then check out Book Two, Third Man In.
Find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082BJYPPT
Also, coming Spring of 2020: Book Three in The Playmakers Series, Gauging the Player, is Gage Nelson’s story. If you’re interested in reading an ARC, or want to receive updates about its release, sign up for my mailing list here: https://www.griffin-brady.com/contact/ or email me at [email protected]
Are there characters you’d like to see get their own story? Email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear your ideas!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
G.K. Brady was born in Japan and grew up in Vietnam and Singapore—and many would argue she has yet to grow up.
Since childhood, all sorts of stories and characters have lived in her imagination, elbowing one another for attention, so she’s finally giving them their voice.
A writer of contemporary romance, she loves telling tales of the less-than-perfect hero or heroine who transforms with each turn of a page.
G.K. is a real estate professional and the proud mom of three grown sons. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband. You can reach G.K. Brady by visiting any of these sites:
Website: www.griffin-brady.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorG.K.Brady/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/griffbrady1588
E-mail: [email protected]
Is there a character you’d like to see get their own story? Email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you!