Twin Babies for my Pucking Defenders (Chicago Icebreakers #2)

9. Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

Jade

“Yeah, I get it,” Millie says calmly. “But here’s the thing: you have to remember why you’re there. You’re a professional, Jade. You’ve worked hard to get where you are. It’s okay to have feelings, but don’t let them control your actions.”

“That’s easier said than done,” I mutter, glancing at the clock. “Especially when Axel is just…so distracting.”

“Look, if you want my advice, focus on why you’re doing what you’re doing,” Millie says. “You’re there to help him recover, right? Keep that at the forefront of your mind. And if you need to, set boundaries for yourself. No matter how hot someone is, you can’t let them mess with your head while you’re working.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me. “Yeah, I know you’re right. It’s just hard. Especially with the way he looks at me. And now Carter—”

“Carter?” Millie interrupts. “What’s going on with him?”

“Nothing much,” I lie, even though she’ll probably see through it. “Just…had a moment at work. Nothing serious.”

“Uh-huh,” Millie says, clearly skeptical. “You sure you’re not trying to downplay it?”

“Fine,” I admit, feeling a bit embarrassed. “We had a, um, moment at work. He made me um…come in my office. Fuck! ”

“Sounds hot and I’m going to need all the details when you’re no longer spiraling,” Millie says. “But don’t let it mess you up. Focus on your job, and don’t let Carter or Axel distract you. You’re the one in control of your feelings and your career.”

“I guess,” I say, feeling a bit better now that I’ve talked it out. “Thanks for the pep talk.”

“No problem,” Millie says. “Just remember, you’re strong and you’ve got this. And if you ever need to vent again, you know where to find me.”

I grip the phone tighter and press it back to my ear. “Millie, what am I even doing? I’m supposed to be a professional, and yet here I am, constantly distracted by two guys who, let’s be honest, are way out of my league.”

Millie’s voice is bright and direct. “Jade, come on. You’re a strong, independent woman. If you’re interested in any of them, go for it. Just don’t let it mess with your work, all right?”

I nod even though she can’t see me. “‘Kay, got it. Thanks.”

There’s a brief silence before she asks, “Where are you right now?”

“Just getting in the car to go pick up Shadow,” I reply, sliding behind the wheel and starting the engine.

“Oh, right, the new dog! How are you adapting to the little guy?”

“Honestly? I’m obsessed with him. He’s like my therapy.”

Millie chuckles. “I need pictures. Lots of them.”

I laugh. “I’ll send some. We can catch up more later.”

“Love you, babe. Bye.”

“Love you, too.” I hang up, feeling a bit lighter. Millie’s good at that—making me see sense without shoving her opinion down my throat.

I pull out of the driveway and head to the clinic. Ten minutes later, I’m walking through the door, and there’s Shadow, curled up in his little cage, his bright eyes staring right at me. I pick him up and coo, “Hey, little guy. Ready to go home?”

He gives a small whimper, and I chuckle, putting him in his carrier and then settling him into the back seat of the car. “You’d never stress me out, right?” I say to him, and he blinks back at me like he understands.

The drive home is mostly quiet, Shadow occasionally making soft little sounds from the back. I’m humming along to the radio when suddenly, out of nowhere, a man jogs across the street right in front of me. My foot slams on the brake, and the car lurches to a stop. “Shit!” I shout, throwing the door open and jumping out.

The man, who nearly became roadkill, stops, yanking his headphones out. It’s Carter. I’m both exasperated and a little stunned. “Carter, what the hell are you doing? Are you insane?”

He laughs, holding up his hands. “Whoa, Jade, breathe. I’m fine.”

I stare at him, still trying to process. “It’s dark out! Why are you running?”

He shrugs, grinning like this is no big deal. “Needed some exercise. Was on my way to get coffee.”

“At eight?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him. “What kind of coffee are you drinking at this time?”

“Decaf vanilla. I like the taste,” he says casually, like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

I shake my head, completely thrown off by him. “You’re a weird guy, Carter.”

He grins wider. “Tell you what, if you give me a ride, I’ll buy you one.”

There’s this tension hanging in the air now, thick and electric. I notice the way his eyes stay on mine, the slight curve of his lips, like he’s daring me.

I sigh dramatically. “Fine. But I swear, if you make a habit of almost getting run over by me, I’m charging for emotional damages.”

He chuckles, stepping closer and reaching out to cup my cheek. His hand is warm, his thumb brushing my skin. “You almost killed me, láska. You owe me.”

“Get in the damn car,” I mutter, feeling my face heat up as I glance away.

He slides into the passenger seat, and I get back behind the wheel, glancing at him. “All right, what’s the address?”

“Just drive. I’ll guide you,” he says smoothly.

Shadow barks from the back, and Carter jumps, looking over his shoulder. “What was that?”

I smirk. “That’s Shadow. My new puppy.”

His eyes light up. “Can I hold him?”

I hesitate for a second, then nod. “Yeah, sure. Just be gentle. He’s still getting used to things.”

Carter reaches back and opens the carrier, pulling Shadow out carefully. Seeing his big hands cradling the tiny black dog makes something inside me twist. Shadow barks loudly, and it’s kind of adorable. Damn him for looking so good doing that.

We drive for a bit, and I notice the way he keeps glancing at Shadow, like he’s completely enamored. Eventually, we pull up to this small, cozy-looking café, tucked away off the main street. It smells incredible as we get out, the scent of coffee and vanilla wafting through the air. Carter gets us both hot vanilla decaf coffees and hands me mine with a wink.

I take a sip, and damn, it’s good. “How do you know all these places?” I ask, leaning back against the car.

He shrugs. “I like going on runs and always wind up in random spots. You get to know a place better that way.”

“I guess you’ve moved around a lot for years,” I observe. “You have had to practice getting used to places.”

He looks a little sad for a moment, then he forces a smile onto his face. “There are pros and cons,” is all he says.

We sit in the parking lot, sipping our coffee. It’s quiet, comfortable. And then I take a longer sip, letting out this satisfied hum because it’s so damn delicious.

Carter groans, and I glance over, confused. “What?”

He sets his coffee in the holder, his eyes darkening as he looks at me. “You can’t make those noises, Jade. It reminds me of your moans.”

Heat floods my cheeks. I stare at him, the coffee suddenly forgotten. “Carter…”

He cuts me off, leaning in closer. “We can’t, what? Be friends? We already are.”

I shake my head, my heart pounding. “No, we can’t, Carter. We’re on the same team now, and I don’t…”

He moves closer, his lips just inches from mine. “We’re friends, Jade. But there’s more. You know it, I know it.”

“Carter,” I whisper, my voice catching. “This is a bad idea.”

He doesn’t listen. His hand finds my cheek with his fingers again, and then he’s tugging my lower lip between his teeth, teasing. I gasp, and he takes it as an invitation, pressing his lips to mine, slow and deliberate.

I should push him away. I know I should. But instead, I’m leaning into him, the coffee forgotten as his mouth moves against mine. It’s hot, messy, and a little desperate, like we’ve both been holding back for too damn long.

His tongue sweeps against mine, and a small moan escapes me before I can stop it. Carter deepens the kiss, his hand sliding around to the back of my neck, pulling me closer. His other hand is still holding Shadow, who’s completely content in his lap, like this is no big deal.

I break the kiss, breathless, and stare at him. “Carter…we shouldn’t…”

He smiles, a little cocky. “Why not? You want this. I want this.”

I’m torn. My mind is spinning with all the reasons this is a bad idea, but my body is screaming at me to shut up and kiss him again. “We can’t just…”

He cuts me off again, his lips finding mine, this time more demanding. My hands tangle in his hair, and before I know it, I’m straddling him in the car seat, the dog somehow still snuggled between us.

Carter pulls back, breathless, and grins up at me. “See? Told you. You can’t resist me, Jade.”

“Cocky bastard,” I mutter, but I’m smiling too.

He leans in, nipping at my bottom lip again. “You like it.”

Maybe I do.

I glance over at Carter, his fingers still on my lips, tracing them like he’s memorizing the shape. My brain’s buzzing. This is insane, right? I should pull away. I should tell him this can’t happen. Instead, I’m sitting here, my lips tingling and heat pooling low in my belly. Damn him.

“I’m not…I’m not looking for anything serious,” I mutter. The words spill out before I can stop them, and I don’t know why I’m even saying them. I mean, who says that to a guy who’s tracing your lips like he’s about to devour them?

He lifts his head a bit, eyes narrowing slightly, but that cocky smirk stays put. “Not looking for anything serious either,” he murmurs back, his thumb brushing the corner of my mouth.

“Then what are you looking for?” I ask, feeling the need to get clarity.

Carter tilts his head, a lock of dark hair falling over his forehead. “Are you seeing other people?” he asks, not moving back, just staying in my space like he owns it.

“It’s…complicated,” I manage, swallowing hard. I don’t know what I expected him to say, but this wasn’t it.

He chuckles, a low rumble that sends a shiver—not down my spine, nope—but somewhere a lot lower. “Then let’s uncomplicate it. When it’s me and you here, it’s just us. That’s all it has to be.” He pauses, his eyes locking onto mine. “You’re being safe?”

My cheeks heat up at his bluntness. “I haven’t…I haven’t slept with anyone else yet,” I admit.

His eyes flicker with something dark and possessive. “Good,” he says, nodding. “I got tested when I joined the team. I’m clean, but I can always wrap up if that makes you feel better.”

I blink, my mind doing somersaults. “That’s…considerate,” I say, my voice barely holding steady. Fucking hell, why is this turning me on so much?

“Just want you to be comfortable,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my jawline now. He’s so close, his breath hot against my skin. “But you’re getting all worked up, aren’t you?” His lips curl into a grin.

I’m burning up, and he knows it. “Carter, this’ll complicate work,” I warn, even though my body is practically screaming at me to shut up and just let him keep talking.

He chuckles, his hand sliding down my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. “I promise I won’t touch you while we’re at work. But outside of it?” His lips brush against my ear. “I can’t help myself.”

A strangled noise escapes my throat. His lips move against my skin again, saying something in Slovak that sounds dirty, but beautiful at the same time.

“What’s that mean?” I whisper, barely holding on.

He pulls back, eyes glinting. “Means you look sexy when you’re all worked up,” he says, voice low and teasing.

I shake my head, trying to clear it. “This is crazy,” I murmur.

“Maybe,” he agrees. “Or maybe we just need to fuck it out of our systems.”

My eyes widen. “Fuck it out of our systems?” I repeat, half in disbelief, half wanting to laugh at the bluntness of what he has just said.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out this little punch card for a coffee shop. “See this?” he asks, holding it up. “Got six spaces left.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.

“Six,” he says. “I think that’s enough.”

I snort. “You’re insane,” I mutter.

He leans in, tugging my bottom lip between his teeth, and my brain practically short-circuits.

“Please,” he whispers, voice rough, almost desperate. My heart skips a beat.

“Six?” I manage to ask, my voice shaky. “Six what? Orgasms?”

He laughs, that low, sexy chuckle that’s starting to drive me up a wall. “Hell no, láska. Six times. Six hookups.”

I blink at him. “And if we…if we hook up three times in one night? How do we count that?”

He grins wide, that cocky, irresistible smile of his. “Means you’re thinking about it,” he murmurs, “and I think I already like that.”

Damn him. I chew on my lip, my mind racing. “Six, right?” I ask again, feeling like I’m about to jump off a cliff.

“Just six,” he confirms, his voice a low rumble that does wicked things to my body.

And then he’s kissing me. And it’s not just a kiss. It’s a goddamn promise. My hands find their way to his hair, tugging him closer, and he growls, deep in his throat, making my whole body tremble. His tongue slides against mine, hot and demanding, and I’m lost in the sensations, completely gone.

“Okay,” I whimper against his mouth. “Okay.”

He pulls back, grinning like he’s won some game, and I guess he has. He leans over and puts Shadow back in his little cage, and I can’t help but smile when the dog gives him a look that’s both pissed off and adorable. “Sorry, little guy,” Carter mutters, “but your mom and I are having a moment.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help the laugh that escapes. “You’re a tease,” I accuse, feeling the heat still burning under my skin.

He reaches out and pinches my nipple through my shirt, making me cry out. “Damn right I am,” he says, smirking. “And I like edging.”

Holy shit. I’m so turned on I can’t even think straight. My hand slips down to his crotch, feeling the hard length of him through his sweat pants. Heat blooms in my stomach. God, I want him.

“Give me your phone,” he says suddenly.

“What?”

“Your phone, Jade. I’m putting my number in it.”

I fumble for my phone, my hands shaking a little, and hand it to him. He punches his number in, then types something. When he hands it back, I see he’s saved himself as “Carter - Fuck Buddy #1.”

I burst out laughing. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Text me,” he says, all serious now. “I mean it.”

I look at him, still holding onto my phone like it’s some lifeline. “You’re really gonna leave me all needy like this?” I challenge.

He picks up his coffee cup, his eyes never leaving mine. “Drink your coffee, láska,” he says, the Slovak endearment rolling off his tongue like honey.

I take a sip, and the warmth spreads through me, but it’s nothing compared to the heat Carter’s ignited inside of me. Six times, huh? My mind races with possibilities.

“Six,” I murmur, half to myself.

He winks, takes a sip of his own coffee, and leans back in his seat. “Think about it, Jade. Just six. I think you’ll find it’s more fun than you think.”

As he settles in, his eyes on me, I’m pretty damn sure he’s right.