Stick Play (Boston Bucks #4)

3. Gina

3

Gina

D o you have any idea what you’re doing, Gina?

No, I really don’t. All I know is that I’m tired. Tired of being alone, of doing things alone—in and out of the bedroom—and when it comes to Ash, I don’t think I’ve been that fair to him. After that one glorious night last summer, I put distance between us. While I think he’s a good guy, he does have a reputation, and everything about him is larger than life. I once fell for a man who was admired by all, and he hurt me badly. I don’t want to get hurt again, and I have my daughter to protect. I can’t make another mistake.

While I might have brought Ash into my bed—or rather, my kitchen—I can’t bring him into my life, or my daughter’s. What if she grew attached? He’s not a man to settle down, not that I’m looking for anything like that, but still, I don’t need anything to complicate my simple life.

When it comes right down to it, I’m happy with the way things are going now. I have my daughter and my café, and I don’t want to ruin what I have by bringing a man every woman wants a piece of into it. I simply want to keep low profile, but dammit, I’m lonely. I glance at him over my shoulder as I climb the stairs, and can’t help but think we could at least be friends.

Friends with benefits…ooh.

I’m about to shut that inner voice down, only to stop because didn’t I just suggest sex where we both got something out of it? Honestly that was so out of character for me. This man, combined with my body which is aching to be touched, is clearly messing with my decision-making skills.

Go for it, Gina.

I consider that for a second. We’re both consenting adults, and if I’m only bringing him into my bed, not my life or my daughter’s life, and if we keep it a secret, maybe we can have a little fun and I can poke a hole into the bubble of loneliness engulfing me.

Poke.

I laugh. Jeez, I sound like Melanie telling the story of when Brady nearly poked her with the fireplace poker. I never would have guessed that those two would have married and had kids. But they did and are so happy. It’s not like a little fun between Ash and me will lead to happily ever after. It was different for Brady and Melanie. For as long as I’ve known them, Brady was in love with her. Ash is not in love with me, and vice versa. We simply had a hook-up. And unlike Melanie, my life is unconventional. I’m a nurse who’s running a café, and raising a little girl alone—a little girl whose needs will always come first.

Who’s taking care of your needs, Gina?

A little groan crawls out of my throat, because dammit, I want Ash to be that guy. For a little while, anyway. Or at least until I feel less lonely—and a whole lot sated. Just then, his hand lands on my hip and the heat from his big palm trickles through my body and settles deep between my legs.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Hell no, I’m not okay. If he keeps touching me like this, I might not ever be okay again.

His mouth is near my ear, and the warmth of his breath, combined with the deep tenor of his voice, sends shivers through me. I clear my throat. “Yeah, I was just thinking I haven’t been to the grocery store in a while and I don’t even have a beer to offer you. I have wine.”

“Wine is good, but I can run to the store if you need anything. I’m sure it’s hard to get anything done with three kids in the house.”

Honestly, he’s always so helpful, always going out of his way to make sure I’m okay. A girl could fall for a guy like that, and that’s something I can’t do. Nope. Not going down that road again. Not getting involved with a man who has a harem of women.

“Wait, why aren’t they in school?”

“Tate is only two and Zoe and Camryn are off for February break this week. Brighton was reluctant to leave without them this weekend, but she really needed a break so I insisted.”

“When do you get a break?” he asks.

“I started taking weekends off a bit ago. I do have to cover when we’re short-staffed like now, but I’m sure Brighton and Noah will take Zoe overnight when they get back from the Caribbean, likely more than once. Speaking of the Caribbean.” I stop at the door. “Why didn’t you go?” I turn to face him.

He gives an easy roll of his shoulder. “Not a fan of the heat,” he responds.

My mind suddenly goes back to last summer. Hell, who am I kidding. My mind is always on last summer. “Yeah, I remember you having to take your shirt off when you were helping me in the kitchen.” Warmth centers between my legs at the memory. “My place was stifling.”

“Yeah.” I wait for him to say more. He doesn’t, he just stands there looking at me with his intense blue eyes. I turn from him, and push open the door. The noise of three kids playing some board game that clicks and clacks reaches our ears and Ash stiffens, his eyes going wide like he’s about to encounter the monster under the bed. I cover my mouth to stifle a laugh. It’s insanely funny that this big defenseman is afraid of my little girl.

I put my hand on his shoulder. “They don’t bite.” When he doesn’t look convinced, I joke, “Not that hard, anyway.”

He swallows. “I don’t know much about kids.”

I step into my upstairs hallway, and close the door behind Ash when he joins me. Zoe bursts out laughing and comes running to me when she sees me. “Mom, I popped a six,” she screams. “Six is what you need to play.”

“Indoor voice, sweetie.” I glance around the corner to see my babysitter Margot watching the kids from her favorite wingback chair. Zoe loves the old-fashioned games Margot brings over and it helps limit her screen time.

“Ash, come on.” She reaches for him and when his big mitt tightens around her tiny little hand, my ovaries nearly burst. God, that has to be the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. As I watch them, my heart hurts. I know her own father wants nothing to do with her, and while she’s resilient, smart and easygoing, I have no doubt that she could use a little more male influence in her life. Am I doing her wrong by not trying to find her a father?

Ash takes a couple of steps. “I uh, don’t know how to play.”

“I’ll teach you. Come play and see if you can get a six.”

Once again, that horrified look crosses his face as Zoe, completely oblivious that he’s terrified of her, drags him into the living room. Margo, who is always willing to help me out in the winter when I can’t hire a summer student, pushes to her feet and smiles at Ash.

“My granddaughter is a big fan,” she tells him. “When she called today, I told her you were helping out in the café.” Margot glances at me when I arch a curious brow. “I saw him out front shoveling.” I nod and she looks back at Ash. “If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind signing something for her? I’m sure she’d love for you to sign her jersey with your lucky number seven on it.”

“Wow, she really is a big fan,” I mumble.

“You’ll be around at some point this weekend?” she asks.

His gaze goes to me, like he’s checking in, and I give a nod, letting him know it’s okay. “Yeah, I’ll probably be around.” Zoe drags him down to the floor, and he casts a fast glance my way as he sits cross-legged beside her.

“Great, I’ll send her over next time I see your vehicle out front.”

“Is it okay with you, Gina?”

I do love how he always seems to check in with me. Just like he did when we were having sex. Okay, mind off sex. Now is not the time for my cheeks to go red. “Of course.” I pull Margot’s coat from the hanger and help her into it, and something strange tightens in my stomach when I think about her granddaughter’s crush.

“I didn’t know Pippa was a fan.” I’ve met Pippa a few times. Like me, she was raised by her grandparents. She’s a sophomore at Boston College, and mostly keeps to herself. I wouldn’t have taken her for a hockey fan.

“Not Pippa, Callie.”

“Oh, right.” I’ve heard her talk about Callie before. She lives in California and is a senior at Berkley.

“She’s on spring break and is coming tonight to stay the week. She loves Ash.” Margot chuckles and gives me a wink. “But who doesn’t?”

Yeah, who doesn’t? All the more reason, not to get into anything more than a friends with benefits relationship with him. Then again, I’m not even sure he’s going to agree to that. Although he does seem to want to help me out with different things. I’m sure it’s because our mutual friends put him up to it. As a jack of all trades, he’s the guy they all call when they need something fixed, and he’s always there for them. That’s admirable.

“I told her you knew him and a bunch of the Bucks. She was hoping to meet him.” She leans in. “I think they’d make a cute couple and maybe he could show her around Boston this weekend. She doesn’t have friends here, and I hate to see her all alone.” She stops abruptly and hikes her purse over her shoulder. “Unless of course, you two…”

“No,” I blurt out quickly. “Friends. If even that,” I add in with a snort that seems to intrigue Margot. Her brow lifts like she knows something I don’t, and I straighten myself out. “Friend through friends type thing, you know.”

She cocks her head, a gleam in her eyes. “Yes, I think I do know.”

“Same time tomorrow?” I ask, changing the subject.

Her eyes go wide, and she puts her hand on her forehead. “Oh dear. Did I not tell you?”

My stomach cramps as worry races through me. “Tell me what?”

She shakes her head. “I don’t know what is wrong with me. I’ve been so forgetful lately.” She blinks at me. “My daughter Sarah is coming with Callie too, and you know how rarely she comes home. I thought I booked the week off from babysitting so I could spend time with her. Oh dear, I’m so sorry. You don’t mind, do you?”

I fight off a burst of panic. How could I mind? She rarely gets to see her daughter and granddaughter, as they live in California, but I have to work and I have three kids to look after. What the hell am I going to do? My mind starts racing, wondering if any of the sitters I’ve used in the past are available. Some must be home from college but they’re not going to want to babysit for the weekend.

“Maybe Ash could help out?” Margot suggests kindly.

“Help out with what?” Ash asks, stepping into the hall.

“Nothing.” I nibble my bottom lip and try to fight down the unease. “I just have to figure out…” I let my words fall off. When I offered to take Brighton and Noah’s kids for the weekend, I had no idea I’d be losing my sitter, or that my staff would all be home sick, and a huge snowstorm would hit. Talk about a triple whammy.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Gina.” Eyes full of worry, Margot puts her hand on my shoulder. “I’ll just tell Sarah and Callie I’m busy.”

I give a quick shake of my head and Ash’s curious gaze goes back and forth between Margot and me. “No, I don’t want you to do that.”

“What’s going on?” he asks.

“My daughter Sarah and granddaughter Callie are coming for a visit and I thought I’d cleared the week with Gina, but I didn’t. I thought maybe you could help out with the kids.”

“Margot,” I begin as Ash’s body stiffens. “It’s okay. I’ll figure something out.”

I open the door for Margot and a big gust of wind rushes in. I cross my arms to warm myself.

Margot peers out. “Looks like that cold front is coming through. The roads are going to be icy tonight. You be careful driving home, Ash. In fact, you might not even want to be on them.”

She turns worried grandmotherly eyes on me, and my heart squeezes tight. I love that she’s getting to spend time with her family, even though it makes me miss my grandmother and grandfather terribly. They did right by me, and by my mother, but she went spiraling down the wrong path anyway, falling for one asshole after another, and always choosing them over me.

“Thanks, Margot. You have a great week with your family. We’ll be just fine.”

“Okay, dear.” She steps onto the stoop and Ash hurries into his boots to help her down the long flight of stairs. Margot beams at him. “Such a gentleman.” She gives a little wink. “No wonder Callie is smitten.”

He walks her home and when he comes back, the cold air radiating off him, I automatically put my hands on his arms and create heat with friction. “You shouldn’t be out without a coat on.”

“Okay, Mom.”

I grin at him and realize what I’m doing. “Sorry. Once a mom. I’m sure yours would have scolded you too.”

“Wouldn’t know.” I stiffen at that and sense I hit a sore spot, so I leave it.

“I should get started on dinner.” I turn to walk to the kitchen, and he follows me. With his big body behind mine, and my gaze on the kitchen table, a hard quiver goes through me.

“I can help.”

I turn and he’s right there, his entire presence eating up the small kitchen. He dips his head and if I wanted to kiss him, all I’d have to do is go up on my toes.

“Ash, no.” I glance down, before I do just that. I can’t risk kissing this man with my daughter and my friend’s kids in the next room.

“Hey,” he whispers, his thumb under my chin, lifting my gaze to his. “I’m not going to leave you high and dry.”

Dry?

Nope not leaving me dry at all.

“Kids are smart. They can smell fear,” I joke. “I’d probably find you tied up at the end of the day getting beaten with pool noodles.” Is he serious? He’d really step up for me like this? Why, though? Why would he do this? I mean I know he’d do anything for his friends—I’ve seen it with my own eyes how he’s there for everyone, even helping me when they ask—but babysitting kids he’s afraid of goes above and beyond.

His gaze settles on my lips. “Gina…”

My heart thumps hard as he continues to move closer. “I can’t ask you to be my manny.”

“Manny?”

“Male nanny,” I explain and the corner of his mouth turns up.

“You’re not asking.” He lowers his head even more, his warm breath on my face.

“We’re not even really friends.”

“Yeah, Gina, we’re friends.” His big hand lands on my hip again. “We slept together last summer, remember? Right here on this kitchen table. I think that kind of makes us friends.”

“Friends with benefits,” I mumble, testing that out on my lips as I watch for a reaction.

“Yeah.”

There’s always something so sexy, almost devilish and mischievous in the way he says that one word, and it really gets to me. God, I really am in bad shape here. “Actually, I don’t remember us doing any sleeping on this table,” I tease as a warm front nestles between my legs. So much for a cold front going through.

“What do you remember?”

“Everything,” I blurt out, breathless and aroused and wanting. “It was…so good.”

“Yeah.” I melt a little more as his grin widens. “Just so you know, you can ask me anything you want.”

I swallow. Hard. “Yeah?”

He nods. “Is there anything you want?”

“Yes,” I say quickly. “Lots of things, but this…” I nod toward the living room as the kids giggle about something. “This, though…it’s too much.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to pay me back.”

His body brushes mine, and that’s when I feel his arousal. Oh God, he’s thick and hard and if I didn’t have a houseful of kids I’d push him down on the table and climb on board.

“I could never pay you back for something this big .”

Clever boy that he is, he grins, knowing full well I’m half talking about the favor he’s offering and half talking about his lovely erection. But who am I to tease? My nipples are so hard, they could score glass.

His grip on my hips tightens. “I’m sure we can find a way, and make it…mutually beneficial.”

“Mom…”

Damn.