Page 19 of Hard Ruck
I pulled out the purple pyjamas that were indeed decorated with tiny footballs. The socks matched. “They’re adorable.”
“Try them on,” he said.
I’d never been shy about being naked, not even in front of him, so I dropped the towel to the floor and pulled on the pyjamas. They were warm and snug. Just what I needed after a long, hard night. The socks were soft and also fit perfectly.
“They make you look sixteen again,” he remarked.
I cut him a look before returning my gaze down to my feet. “This is very thoughtful, thank you.” I stepped over to kiss his cheek.
“You’re welcome.” He kissed mine in return. “Do we need to talk about who left the cuts and bruises on you?”
“If it keeps you from accidentally killing them,” I said. I grabbed the coffee and sat down on the couch, my feet tucked up close to me. I told him briefly about Storm, Frost, Dallas and Atlas.
“It sounds like you’re dating the Marvel Universe,” he teased.
I smiled but flipped him off. “I think you mean the DC Universe, but Frost’s first name is Daniel, not Killer.”
“I’ve always thought Killer Ice sounded better than Killer Frost,” Ice said. “Actual frost is not much more than an inconvenience. But ice, ice will kill you.”
“Then your nickname is appropriate,” I said.
“It’s scarier than the Amazing Pyjama Giving Man,” he agreed.
I giggled. “No one would ever be scared of him. He’s way too silly.”
“That’s what he wants you to think,” Ice winked. “He lures unsuspecting people with gifts of cute sleepwear, then he pounces.” He mimed pouncing in my direction, like a cat.
“When you put it that way, he sounds terrifying,” I said, still smiling. “Is that why you brought me pyjamas? So I’ll let down my guard and bring more people like Belinda?”
He cocked his head. “I did it because I wanted to, but I guess it’s kind of a thank you. She was fun. While she lasted. I wouldn’t mind if you brought me more people like her. If those guys of yours piss you off, you know where to find me.”
“I’m sure it won’t come to that,” I assured him. Or maybe I was assuring myself. “Besides, it might be difficult to make professional rugby players disappear without anyone noticing.”
He placed his empty mug on the table and steepled his fingers before pressing them to his lips. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I know a guy who managed to make some high-profile people disappear during the world tour of a famous rock band. With a bit of help from the Brantley twins.”
“Don’t take that as a challenge,” I warned him. “We want the rugby players alive, okay?” I looked at him firmly. I’d be cranky if he killed any of my boyfriends. And so would they. I saw how quickly Storm and Frost were getting close to each other while at the same time, getting closer to me. If anything happened to either of them, the other would be devastated. As would I.
“As long as they behave themselves, they have nothing to worry about,” he assured me.
“Funny, I told them the same thing an hour or two ago,” I said. “Dating any of them is walking a line with the team as it is. I don’t want our relationship to get in the way of my job, or theirs. I care about them, but I need to secure my position with the Smashers first.”
“You could go back to working at Flirts if you have to,” he said. “Or better yet, I could give you money if you need any.”
I gaped at him, disbelieving. “How did you know I worked there?” My face was suddenly hot. I thought I’d done a good job keeping that a secret from him and our parents.
“I keep track of my baby sister.” He didn’t look even slightly apologetic. “Wherever you work and whatever you do there, I like to know about it.”
At least he didn’t say ‘whoever you do there.’ That might have been followed by me throwing my coffee cup at his head.
“You don’t look upset about it,” I said.
“You have a beautiful body.” He gestured towards me. “If you want to dance and show it off to people, why would I be upset about it?”
“It strikes me as something a guy wouldn’t want his baby sister to do,” I said. “Especially one as overprotective as you are.” I wasn’t sure if I pulled off the dark look I tried to give him. He was usually immune to my annoyance.
“I was slightly uncomfortable with it at first,” he admitted. “But then I thought about it and went to watch you one time and?—”
My jaw dropped like the hinges on each side broke. “You watched me?” How did I not notice him in the crowd?
