One Night with my Best Friend’s Dad (Forbidden Kisses #1)

10. Kelly

Chapter 10

Kelly

It’s the last period of the hockey game and when I settle in my seat next to Piper, my eyes are instantly drawn to the ice where Mac is pacing back and forth, barking instructions to his players.

I love the way his brow furrows in concentration, the intensity in his gaze. It all sends a thrill through me.

Piper elbows me playfully. “Quit ogling my dad, will you?” she teases as the whistle blows and the players roar around the ice.

My cheeks flush, and I know I’m as red as a beetroot right now. “I can’t help it,” I murmur. “He just looks so—”

“Handsome?” Piper supplies with a grin.

I nod sheepishly. “And sexy.”

“Yuk!” Piper laughs and turns her attention back to the game, her eyes narrowing as one of the opposing players slams Connor into the boards. She jumps to her feet, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“Hey, ref! That was a blatant penalty! Call it!” she yells over the noise of the stadium.

I can’t help but chuckle at her vehement protectiveness. But then, Piper has always been a fierce advocate for the people she loves.

My gaze drifts back to Mac, and I can’t help but marvel at the way he commands the attention of the entire arena. There’s an undeniable magnetism about him. He has such power and confidence as he commands his players, leaving me smiling at him in awe.

He turns and our eyes meet. Time slows around us as a small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth.

When he turns back to the ice, my heart pounds in my chest.

Piper’s voice cuts through the haze. “Oh, come on! That’s another penalty! Can’t you see he’s bleeding?”

I tear my eyes away from Mac, my attention now drawn to the commotion on the ice. Connor is sporting a nasty gash on his forehead, blood trickling down his face.

Piper’s hands clench into fists, her knuckles turning white. “I swear, if that guy isn’t banished from the game, I’m going to march down there and—”

The sharp blast of the ref’s whistle halts her tirade, followed by the player’s swift departure to the box.

And only minutes later, the arena erupts as a puck slams into the back of Seattle’s net.

Sticks clash with sticks.

Players clash harder again.

“Yes, go for it!” Piper yells.

The crowd jumps onto their feet, waiting...

Oliver and Nate are passing to each other. Oscar slides around the back of the net. Connor slips between Oliver and Nate, stopping their defender from making a move.

I lean forward in my seat, my heart pounding with excitement as the New York Stars near the net as Oliver flicks the puck back to Nate, and I’m sure my world turns into slow motion as his stick slides backward on the ice, and suddenly everything quickens and the puck is in the back of the net.

The Stars score what must be the winning goal and the arena erupts in thunderous cheers, the deafening roar washing over me.

Piper jumps to her feet, pumping her fists in the air. “Yes! That’s what I’m talking about!” she shouts, her eyes shining with pride at Connor celebrating the goal.

I glance over at Mac, my breath catching in my throat as I see the pure joy and relief on his face. He’s completely immersed in the moment. All of his focus is now on his team to hold the win as the jumbotron counts down the last seconds of the game.

Time ticks away as the players skate devilishly, wasting time as they try to maintain their lead.

The opposing team makes a desperate push, but the Stars’ defense holds strong.

Finally, the buzzer sounds, signaling the end of the game, and the arena erupts once more.

Piper throws her arms around me, my laughter mingling with hers.

As we pull apart, I catch Mac’s eye. He’s making his way towards us, a wide smile on his face. My heart flutters as he approaches.

“That was an incredible game,” I say, my voice tinged with awe.

“Thanks,” he replies, the deep timbre of his voice sending a shiver down my spine. “The team really pulled it together in the end.”

Piper nods enthusiastically. “Dad, I’m so proud of you!”

Mac chuckles, pulling Piper into a tight hug. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Freckles,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

I watch the tender exchange, my heart swelling with affection. It’s clear how much Mac and Piper love each other, and I never want to come between them.

As Mac releases Piper, his gaze shifts to me. My breath hitches in my throat. There’s an intensity in his eyes that sends a shiver down my spine. His hand reaches out and gently tips my chin up before his thumb caresses my cheek as leans closer and kisses me on the lips for the world to see.

And that world seems to fade away. All I can focus on is the heat of his touch, on his love for me.

The sound of the ref’s whistle shatters the moment, and we both jump, our heads snapping towards the ice. The players from both teams are skating around congratulating each other as they make their way to form a line.

“I need to go.” Mac rushes to the bench, his eyes finding mine when he gets there. He gestures for me to come down to the ice. My heart skips a beat.

“Piper, I—”

“Go,” she says with a knowing smile.

I don’t need to be told twice. Quickly making my way down to the ice where I find Mac waiting for me with a wicked glint in his eye.

Confusion must cover my face. “What’s going on?” I whisper in his ear over the noise of the arena.

Mac’s eyes sparkle with roguery as he leans in close. “Just trust me,” he murmurs, his warm breath caressing my cheek.

“I trust you.”

“Do you love me?”

“With all my heart.”

“And I love you.”

Before I can respond, his lips are on mine, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume me whole. I melt into his embrace as the arena erupts once again, but everyone fades away when I’m with Mac. It’s only him in this world right now.

When we finally break apart, breathless and flushed, Mac turns my face towards the ice. “Look,” he whispers, his voice choked with emotion.

I follow his gaze, and my breath catches in my throat. The players are skating around the ice, each one holding a letter. As they come together, the letters spell out a message that makes my heart swell.

“I love you, Kelly. Marry me,” I read, my voice trembling with emotion.

Tears spring to my eyes as I turn to face Mac, who is watching me with a hopeful, nervous expression. “Mac, I—”

He silences me with a gentle finger to my lips. “I know it is early in our relationship. I know there’s a lot we need to figure out,” he says softly. “But Kelly, you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. With our baby.” He reaches down and tenderly caresses the slight curve on my stomach. "Lots of babies."

My heart is overflowing with a million emotions, but I’m rendered speechless for a change. So, I simply nod, a massive smile spreading across my face.

Mac’s face lights up as he pulls me close, holding my body against his.

The arena erupts in cheers and applause. But as I look into his eyes, it’s just the two of us, lost in the magic of this moment.

When we finally part, Mac’s smile is wide and his eyes are shining with unshed tears. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes,” I whisper as tears spill down my cheeks. “Absolutely!”

Mac holds my waist and sweeps me off my feet, spinning me around. I wrap my arms around his neck, clinging to him, laughing.

He sets my feet back down on the ground, but his gaze turns serious. “I promise I’ll be there for you, for both of you, every step of the way.”

My heart swells. “I know,” I whisper. “And that’s all I ask for.”