Scoring Off The Ice: Ice Kings, #2 Read online

  This whole thing is strange and so far I don’t have the highest opinion of this service. I’m supposed to trust someone like Leah with Angelo while I’m gone? And staying in my home while I travel?

  What if she really is the best option they have? I’m more concerned she’ll dig through my personal things or take photos of herself naked in my bed or something.

  The idea sends a cold shiver down my spine.

  No wonder why most of my teammates’ wives’ stay home once they start having families. It makes sense.

  I’m halfway to a panic attack when the door opens, and I instantly turn toward it.

  Paisley is there, hair piled on top of her head, cheeks flushed. She wears a cute skirt and peach blouse, tucked in at the waist and slightly wrinkled. The blouse is loose and flows beautifully over breasts I want my hands on.

  “Hey honey,” she says. “How’s the sweet little guy doing today?” She swishes and sways toward me, and I notice she hasn’t taken her eyes off me before she’s in front of me.

  Her hands are at my cheeks and then her lips are on mine.

  She’s kissing me, and I only have a vague recollection of Leah in my home and how much I need her to go when Paisley pulls back and winks.

  “Think that’ll do it,” she whispers and kisses me again.

  “What?”

  A strange sound comes from behind me and Paisley pops up, brushing a finger to Angelo’s cheek in my arms. She grins widely. “Hi, I’m Paisley. Mikah’s girlfriend, are you the nanny?”

  “Girlfriend?”

  I cringe at the tone in her voice. She doesn’t sound disappointed or surprised, but angry.

  “Yes, and I’m sorry, but I’ve been running late, and we have dinner plans this evening.” Paisley smiles down at me. “Have you asked all the questions?”

  “Yup.”

  “Great.” She claps her hands together and swings her arm out toward the door. “I’m sure he’ll call you later, or the service will to discuss plans to move forward. But we should get going.”

  I have to fight back a grin. I should have been able to do this myself, but I swear taking care of Angelo and losing sleep has stolen brain cells. I’ve read mom-brain is a thing. But I haven’t heard of dad-brain yet. I’m certain I have it, though.

  Perhaps I should have been ruder to Leah, but I don’t want her saying any negative about me to the service yet. Not until I give them a chance for someone else that won’t drool over me.

  Plus, this hasn’t been all bad. I now know that when Paisley is bossy, especially dressed in that tight skirt and silky blouse, she’s one hundred and ten percent sexy.

  “Mikah?” Leah asks, and her smile is no longer trying to be seductive. It’s tight and makes her face looks pinched.

  “Thank you for coming, Leah. The service will let you know what I decide.” I focus on Angelo, hoping she gets the clue I’m dismissing her.

  After Paisley says goodbye as well and the door closes, I breathe a full breath for the first time since she arrived.

  “Thank you. That shouldn’t have been so hard, but she wasn’t getting my hints.”

  “I think she’s got a head full of NHL hockey stars.” Paisley giggles.

  In my arms, Angelo pushes the bottle’s nipple out of his mouth and grunts.

  She holds out her hands. “Can I take him?”

  I love that she always seems to want her hands on him. Since I’ve been thrown up on twice today, the decision is easy.

  “He’s all yours.” I hand her a burp cloth first. Once she has it draped over her shoulder, I hand him to her.

  “And you? Do you have a head full of NHL hockey stars?”

  “No.” She kisses Angelo’s cheek and smiles at me. “But I’ve had a head full of you all afternoon.”

  “Yeah? Want to tell me about it?”

  She playfully covers one of Angelo’s ears with her hand and winks. “Maybe later.”

  “I can’t wait.” I lean in and kiss her. She tastes like mint and everything fresh and beautiful. Skønhed.

  Angelo lets out a burp that can rival any one of my teammates and Paisley pulls back, laughing.

  “I think I’ve done my job.”

  She jiggles him with a soft, gentle bounce and he burps again. Sometimes I’m still scared of how small he is. I have an appointment on Monday morning with a pediatrician I found earlier this week. Angela’s letter didn’t say anything about doctors, so I have no idea of knowing if he’s been seen and whether he’s had any shots.

  Paisley readjusts Angelo, smiling sweetly at him before turning that smile to me. It’s blinding how gorgeous she is and how much I like looking at her while she holds my son.

  “I should go,” she says. Her smile slips before she kisses Angelo’s temple and hands him over to me. “I have a few things I need to do before I was supposed to be here later.”

  “Thanks for bailing me out.”

  “Anytime. I’ll come back in a couple of hours?”

  “Yes.” I walk her to the door, kissing her one more time. I need time to get ready too. I want to cook us dinner after Angelo’s in bed so we can actually enjoy time together, just the two of us. And I might need to schedule a quick Instacart food delivery.

  She hums softly when I pull back from the kiss, licking her lips like she doesn’t want it to be over.

  I know the feeling.

  “Paisley,” I whisper, and wait for her to open her eyes. “When you come back tonight.”

  “Yes? Is there something I can bring?”

  “No. Just you… but wear the skirt.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Paisley

  * * *

  Wear the skirt.

  I fully intended to come home from work, shower and change and dress somewhat nicely for a night in with Mikah but his parting words to me from earlier have given me a much better idea.

  His intentions for the evening were clear in the way his gaze caressed me like a lover’s touch. I can still feel his hand on my hip, the warmth and fullness of his lips on my skin.

  I originally planned to come home, get some work done, shower and clean up, but all thoughts of work flew out the window with his command.

  Wear the skirt.

  Please. Like it’s the most seductive thing in my closet. Boy is he way off base.

  So now, I’ve spent hours prepping, eating a quick snack because I’m always starving after school and work, and while I wish I could take the time for a quick workout to de-stress, something tells me I’ll be having one later.

  With my hair curled, makeup freshly applied, casual and light, I’m not wearing the skirt Mikah requested.

  I’m wearing one of my favorite summer dresses. It’s a mint green color and shows off my tan. The front drapes low and loose, dipping down in the center to show off a small amount of cleavage. The waist is skintight down to my mid-thigh. It hugs my bottom half perfectly. The top is held up by two thin straps at my shoulders and where the front drapes loosely in a seductive but modest way, the back is nonexistent.

  Which means Mikah will be able to tell that not only can I not wear a bra with the dress, but there’s a very high probability I might not be able to wear underwear either.

  I am, of course, but my thong is minuscule.

  If he thought I looked good before, I can’t wait to see the way he looks at me now. Hair curled, draping low and pulled back into a loose ponytail at the nape of my neck, the rest of it drapes over one shoulder. I’ve left off accessories, only because I don’t want them getting in the way later.

  I grab my keys and purse and slide into a pair of flat gold sandals. They don’t go great with the dress but they’re comfortable and I’m only walking across the hall anyway. After double-checking to ensure I’ve locked my door, which seems silly since we’re the only two condos on this floor, I lift my hand and knock on Mikah’s.

  To my surprise, he opens immediately, and the look of shock on his face is exactly what I’ve been hoping to see when h
e catches me in my outfit.

  “I didn’t wear the skirt,” I say, jauntily. It gives me great satisfaction to watch his gaze dip and stall at my chest, and then further down.

  He slides his gaze up, still silent, but I catch the way he’s clenching his door, unmoving, frozen in place.

  I like that I’ve stunned him.

  “No. This is better. Much better.” Before I can react, he reaches out with his other hand, and his arm wraps around my waist. His hand is at my lower back, hot skin of his burning palm to my cool skin and then he’s slamming me against him. Kissing me. Hot, insistent lips on mine.

  I open for him and follow him as he steps back into his home. The door closes behind me right before the cold wood is pressed to my back and the strength of Mikah’s warm frame is at my front.

  “Oh,” I gasp into his mouth.

  The sensations are overpowering, warring with each other. My hands have minds of their own because I shove my hands to his hips, yank up the shirt he’s wearing. I don’t notice the color, just that it’s in my way.

  He takes my mouth with confidence and strength and a skill I’m surprised by given his confession at inexperience. My body seeks his, presses against him and I hitch my leg over his thigh. I’m desperate to know what other areas he’s talented in.

  My hands find his hips, the muscled strength in his lower back and I hold him against me as he presses his weight into me. I’m pinned between the door and Mikah and I’ve forgotten everything else until he groans into my throat.

  “Food. I wanted to feed you first.”

  I huff a sound as he slows the kiss, pulls back, teases my mouth, my chin, my jaw. He brushes his lips over my cheek, hands at my neck, thumbs creating a stir of sensation from the gentle swipes beneath my jaw.

  He’s grinning down at me. My body is throbbing for something that definitely isn’t food. It takes me a moment to settle myself.

  “Hey,” I say, lips lifting into a smile. I slide one hand from beneath his shirt and press it to his cheek. He has only the smallest hint of stubble and it scratches my fingers, but I like it. It will feel delicious scraping other areas when we get to that.

  I can’t wait for it.

  Behind him, a familiar and grumpy squawking sound interrupts the moment. I roll to my toes to see Angelo. He’s on the floor, on a thick mat beneath two overhead arches where toys dangle. His little legs are flopping up and down and he reaches relentlessly for a set of hanging rings. His movements are jerky and rough and every time his hand falls to the floor, he lets out an irritated sound.

  “Angelo,” I whisper, smiling at Mikah.

  He kisses my cheek. “Angelo. We’ll pick this up later. And if you missed it, I really, really love the dress you have on.”

  I step around him, feeling sassier than usual, but I’m pretty confident I know exactly where we’ll pick up later.

  Dropping my purse to a side table by the couches, I wink at Mikah. “If you like what you see, try imagining what you can’t.”

  His jaw falls right before a rough growl sound echoes in the room. Pointing a finger at me, he scowls. “That is not nice. Not nice at all when Angelo is still awake.”

  “Early bedtime tonight then?”

  “For him. Yes. You? Absolutely not.”

  A delightful shiver of anticipation rolls through me. Yippee.

  I do my best to brush it off while I sit next to Angelo on the floor. He’s so damn irresistible.

  Careful of the short dress, I fall to one hip, tucking my legs up and to the side beside me. I hold out my hand and wiggle my fingers, letting Angelo easily latch on to one with his tiny but strong fist.

  “Do you need help with dinner?”

  I look up at Mikah, only to find him watching me with an intense expression, his eyes focused on where Angelo holds my hand.

  “No.” He slides his gaze to me. “You look perfect right where you are.”

  He spins and heads toward the kitchen. I shake Angelo’s little fist still gripping me and I’m rewarded with one of his large, toothless smiles. I can’t be so close to him and not love on him, so I scoop him up and manage to get to my feet where I carry him into the kitchen.

  Mikah might like watching me with his son, but I’m pretty sure watching Mikah cook will be even better.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Mikah

  * * *

  It’s official. I’m being cock-blocked by my own infant son. He’s done so well this week, sleeping when I want him, stretching it out for longer periods of time, I was beginning to get cocky with my parenting skills.

  Now? Not so much. Which is a shame considering I really want to pick up where Paisley and I left off earlier when she was grinding up against me, and I had her pressed against the wall.

  Angelo has been crying since the middle of dinner. I bounced him on my knee while Paisley ate, and when she was done, she took over with him. We fed him, changed him, and I can’t for the life of me figure out what is making him so unhappy.

  Paisley is now in the kitchen washing the dishes, wiping off the countertops and her look of concern matches mine completely. I was hoping he would’ve been sleeping for most of the time she was over so she and I could have some time alone, but that looks like it’s not happening, delete.

  All I can think about is the feel of her body against mine earlier and the way she succumbed to my kiss like she wanted it maybe more than I wanted to give her one. She’s sexy and more beautiful than ever in the dress she’s wearing. Now all I want to do is figure out how to get the little stinker in my arms to stop fussing and lay back down so she and I can resume what we were doing before.

  My eardrum is in danger of shattering with his loud screams and even though he might only way twelve pounds, after holding him I’m concerned my arms might fall off.

  “Any ideas?” I ask Paisley. I bounce him like she usually does but he doesn’t want his pacifier and I swear he’s getting angrier by the second.

  “I can take him if you need a break.”

  A break? I need to go back to last fall and make different choices. Guilt curdles in my stomach like it does every time I have these thoughts. Normally when I realize how much Angelo’s arrival is truly changing my life. Not that I’m not starting to love the little guy screaming like a banshee in my arms, but this is not the way I ever envisioned becoming a father.

  It’s very rare I wish I had a better relationship with mine, or my mom for that matter. If I did, I would fly them in to help me get on my feet. Maybe give me a night where I can forget what my life has become.

  Yeah, I need a break. A long one, but for now I’ll take what’s offered.

  “Please.”

  She slides him out of my arms, wincing at the harsh sound of his scream. Then she grins up at me and somehow that screaming becomes a distant hum.

  “He’s going to be a loudmouth when he grows up.”

  I swipe a hand down my face and fight a yawn. It’s after nine and I was so sure he’d be sleeping, but since I’m juggling a thousand more pucks in the air than I’m used to, I’m so damn exhausted.

  “Let’s hope not. I am not used to this yet.”

  Defeat and stress knot my shoulders. I not only hate I’m feeling this way I hate more I’m letting Paisley see it.

  Her smile dims at my admission.

  “Go.” Paisley juts up her chin. “Go sit. You look like you’re dead on your feet.”

  Another yawn builds in my throat and I fight it back. More than dead on my feet, I’m frustrated tonight isn’t going how I want it to.

  “Fine.”

  “It’s okay to ask for help you know.”

  “I wanted to have a night with you, looking like you do, kissing how you do.” I’m trying to lighten the mood and it must work because Paisley blushes, shakes her head like she can’t believe I’ve said all that. I can’t either, not with Angelo still screaming in her arms.

  “We’ll have others. Go sit. I’m going to take him to his room. Maybe r
ocking him will help. Actually, have you by any chance bought a humidifier or diffuser?”

  “I have one.”

  “Okay. I’m going to take him to my place and grab something. I’ll be right back. Will you get the humidifier ready with some water?”

  “What are you doing?”

  “Grabbing lavender. I’ll be back.” She comes to me and kisses me, lips lingering on mine in a way I’ll currently do anything to help calm him down. “We’ll get him sleeping and then we can be alone.”

  “Sounds like a good plan.”

  She winks and steps back. “I have them occasionally.”

  A weird, heavy quiet descends as soon as she’s gone, and it takes me a moment to remember what I’m supposed to do. I’d blame the dress she’s wearing again, but this time I’m pretty sure it has everything to do with the fact I can barely keep my eyes open.

  Hell. What is wrong with me that I can’t stand the screaming and constant noise Angelo makes when he’s upset, but as soon as he’s gone it feels like a part of me is missing?

  They’ll be back any minute though, so I go to his closet in his room and dig out the humidifier. It’s in a box Hannah bought that first night. She said it helps with stuffy noses and cold, and the hum of the machine sometimes helps her kids sleep better.

  I toss the box in my hands gently and shake my head. “I should have thought of this. Hopefully it works.”

  The slow crescendo of Angelo’s healthy lungs returns so I rip open the flaps and put the few pieces together. His bedroom has a connected bathroom, so I fill up the basin.

  I’m trying to find a place to set it up when Paisley walks into the room.

  “Good job, Dad.”

  It takes me a second to realize she actually means me. “Thank you. You have lavender?”

  She shakes a tiny bottle in her hand. “Yep. I’ll add it to the water and then we can get everything going again. Then I want you to go sit and chill.”

  Oddly, I want to stay and watch her. She moves so confidently and easily. Not only do I like looking at her, now that Angelo’s back in the room, I want to make sure he’s okay.