When Sophie and I got to the food bank, the place was packed. In all the years I had come here, either to pick up food or to volunteer, it had never been this crowded with people.

“Hey, Sophie. Ready to sort some food?” Tony, the manager, said jovially as he high-fived us both.

“Tony, it’s insane here today. I am so glad you got some people to come and help. This is amazing.”

“Isn’t it? The Panthers’ whole team came in, and they each brought a friend or two.”

The Panthers. It took a minute to sink in that was the team Bryant played for. As if my brain conjured him up, he appeared, wearing a black Panthers hooded sweatshirt and a pair of faded jeans.

“Hey, Holly. When you told me about this place, I decided to call up a few buddies and ask them to pitch in.” As he was talking, he got down on one knee and looked Sophie in the eyes. “You must be Sophie. Your momma has nothing but good things to say about you.” Sophie presented her hand, and Bryant shook it.

“What a firm handshake you’ve got there. You ready to sort some food, Sophie?” She looked at me to make sure it was okay, and when I nodded, she grabbed Bryant's hand and off they went.

“That man sure is smitten with you,” Tony said with a chuckle. I looked at Tony, not sure what gave him such an insane idea. Sure, Bryant wanted to have sex with me, maybe even enjoyed my company, but he was definitely nothing more. At least, not on his side. I just smiled at Tony and walked off to join everyone else. Bryant Sommers wasn’t the kind of man who fell for a woman like me, and I had to be careful about my feelings for him.

Bryant

Sophie reminded me of Rachel. She was incredibly sweet and kind. She was also a little obsessive-compulsive for a kid. When Muller, the team’s left winger, packed a small tin beside a big one, she walked up to him and informed him that a job should always be done right or it wasn’t worth doing. The look on the six-foot-five giant’s face was priceless. A little six-year-old had put him in his place, something I haven’t been able to do in the last five years.

“How come she can stare you down and it works?” I asked in jest.

“If you were as adorable as she is, I would humor you too. The kid is pretty spectacular. If I could guarantee me one of those, then maybe I would settle down. By the way, you know who that hot brunette is over there? I wouldn’t mind a night or two with her.” I looked over to where he was pointing, and I saw red.

“You stay the fuck away from her, Muller, or I will plow your head through a wall.” My words were clear, slow, and lethal. Judging by Muller’s eyes, I knew he fully understood that I meant what I said.

“Whoa! That was a little intense, man. You have never been crazy like that before.”

“I tend not to like other men infringing on what is mine. She is mine. You better tell the others to stay the fuck away.”

“You’d better hurry up and tell that to Davis over there.”

Holly

“So, you do this every year?” the man asked, getting closer and closer to me. He was beginning to make me uncomfortable. I could smell a little whiskey on his breath, and the smell was both sweet and putrid. I slowly moved away, trying to get into my own space.

“Yes, we do this every year. It’s nice to give back.” I tried to focus on the box of food in front of me, hoping avoidance would make him get the hint, but it didn’t work. He kept moving closer and closer.

“Davis, stay on your side of the damn table, and leave my girl alone.” Bryant’s voice came out of nowhere. I looked up and saw him right in the other man’s face. Hands fisted, teeth clenched, he looked like a wild animal. I had seen flares of his temper but nowhere close to the rage coming off his body at that moment.

“Relax, Sommers. Me and this pretty little thing were just getting to know each other. Isn’t that right, honey?” I walked over to Bryant and put my hand on his chest, trying to get his temper under control. I could feel the violent throbbing of his heart. It felt like it was going to beat right out of his chest.

“Bryant, it’s fine. I am fine. Please don’t. Not here. Sophie is just over there, and she will get scared.” His gaze locked with mine, and I could feel my heart rate begin to slow. He then glanced up at Davis, his eyes once again cold. He gently moved me behind him and stepped right up to Davis.

“Listen here, Davis. I know what kind of drunk piece of shit you are. But this here is my woman. You stay the fuck away from her, or I will make your face uglier than it already is.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Trevor running over with a woman trailing behind him.

“Bryant, can I talk to you for a moment?”

Bryant started Davis down. “Go to Muller’s table. Now.” He snarled at Davis in a low, animalistic growl.

“What is it, Trevor?” Bryant said as he put his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

“Holly, can you excuse us for a moment?”

“You can talk in front of Holly.”

Trevor looked flustered and infuriated. I knew in the state Bryant was in right now, he wouldn’t walk away from me. I pushed myself away gently, almost having to pry his hand off my waist.

“I am going to go and see how Sophie is doing over there. Why don’t you join us when you’re done?” Bryant nodded, and as I was leaving, he grabbed my hand and brought me back to him. He clutched my head with both hands and planted one of the most passionate kisses in the world on me. It was the type of kiss you saw in movies. His hands threaded into my hair, and he pushed my lips open with his tongue to get more. This kiss was different. It wasn’t the normal sexual attraction kiss that we’d shared in the past. This kiss was filled with need, want, and passion—all-consuming passion.

I walked over to Sophie, who was organizing soup cans with Rachel. When the little girl noticed me, she ran over and threw her arms around me.

“Mommy, this is amazing. Have you met Rachel? She is Bryant’s sister. She is so cool. I was wondering, can she babysit me sometime? I know Mrs. Miller usually does, but Rachel is so awesome.” I looked at Rachel and smiled. Bryant’s sister was definitely as sweet as she was beautiful.

“I am sure Rachel has other things to do, honey.”

“Actually, Bryant told me you guys had a lot of work to do tomorrow. If you need a sitter for Sophie, I am more than available.”

“Please, Mommy. Mrs. Miller can come over. We can all have dinner. She has been with me every night. She could use a break.” I laughed at Sophie’s negotiation skills. For a six-year-old, she definitely knew how to make her case. I always pictured her being a lawyer when she was older.

“I’m sure Rachel is busy, sweetheart.”

“I would love to spend the evening hanging with this one.” Rachel squeezed Sophie to her.

“Are you sure?” I asked earnestly.

“Absolutely. Sophie and I are already great pals.”

I agreed, and we went back to work. We stayed at the food bank for two hours. With all hands on deck, we finished in record time. Tony was so grateful for all the help that he actually went around hugging everyone. The looks on the hockey players’ faces were nothing short of hilarious. Each graciously hugged him back except for Davis. He moved away as if being touched by Tony would mean he would catch on fire. He came off as a real asshole. When everyone was packing up, Bryant came up to me and was careful not to touch me suggestively around Sophie.

“That was so much fun.” Sophie chirped with excitement. It warmed my heart that she was always so happy when she could help others, but I felt Bryant and Rachel had something to do with her mood tonight.

“Well, Sophie Girl, I think it’s time for us to get home and get to bed. You want to be rested for your big day with Rachel tomorrow.”

“I am ready, Mommy.” She turned to Rachel and gave her a big five, then turned to Bryant. When he went to give her a high five, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him fiercely.

“Thank you so much, Bryant,” she whispered, then turned to me and said something that shocked me to my core.

“I like him, Mommy. He can stay.”

“Sweetheart, Bryant can’t stay here. He has his own house.”

“No, Mommy. I saw him kiss you. He can stay and be a part of our family. Like Mrs. Miller. And since he is a part of our family, that means Rachel can be too.” In that moment, I realized that as much as I wanted Bryant Sommers, I had to be careful because I still didn’t know how much he wanted me.