I feel as though I’m the fucking king of the world. Nothing can bring me down. The first two games are over, and we’ve not only won, but owned that goddamn rink. It’s as if there’s no stopping us.

I manage to talk my way out of the big celebration with the guys. I had a beer with them in the dressing room after the game, but now there’s only one person on my mind.

Faith.

She sent me a text when she arrived at the arena with the kids, but I’d have known they were there even if she hadn’t. It’d be hard not to notice. Darcy waved and shouted so boisterously, it was impossible to miss her. I gave a wave back when I could, and tried to keep an eye on them as best I could throughout the game without being completely distracted, but it was a bit hard.

I had only one thing on my mind—win the hell out of this game and get back to Faith so I could fix the riff that I’d caused between us.

They left the arena before I did, and the moment I walk through the door of the hotel suite, there she is, sitting on the edge of my bed.

“How come you’re always waiting in my room?” I tease.

She laughs, a melodic sound that makes my muscles clench. “Congratulations. That was some game. You were on fire. Well, not just you, but the team, too.”

She’s rambling, which amuses me. I can’t take my eyes off her as she stretches out, trying to make out like she’s tired. But I can tell she’s a bundle of nerve, and very much alert, as I lower my bag to the floor. I idly wonder if it’s my stare that’s making her feel that way.

“Where are the kids?”

She smiles, unable to hide the glint in her eye. “In bed.”

“Asleep?” The door to the adjoining room is partway open, and I peer in, seeing two motionless forms in the two beds.

She chuckles. “Yeah, they were kind of exhausted. It was a late night for them.”

There’s no one in the room apart from Faith and I. Tomorrow is another day, one that’ll involve me leaving, and all I want to do is plunge inside her right now and never come up for air.

I can’t let anything get in the way of the opportunity we have right now. She could have stayed in the kids’ room. She didn’t need to wait up for me.

But, she did. Because she wants more than a kiss. Lust is written all over her pretty face. Her hair is loose, something she rarely does. It’s always pinned back, hiding its true beauty. Her cheeks are flushed, and I can visualize those full, pink lips around my cock.

Fuck, she’s so sexy.

I move closer to her. “I’m heading to San Jose tomorrow.”

Yesterday, we’d sat down and gone through my entire schedule. I’d prepared one because it’d been requested in writing by Isobel. I’d printed a copy for Faith, and we both agreed it was grueling. And yet, she wholeheartedly agreed to stay with the kids in my home so their life could have some semblance of normalcy. She knows that for the next few weeks, she’ll be responsible for the children on her own. I was wary of the idea, but she took to it immediately. I hate the idea of leaving things to her so quickly, but luckily, my housekeeper Maria frequents the house, and Mom and Dad are in the same city, so she won’t be completely alone.

I’ve explained to her that I’m not expecting her to do anything apart from running Darcy to school and back, and keeping them both happy and content. If she can make sure their needs come first, I won’t ask for anything else.

Except this. Right now. Us.

We could do the whole menial small talk thing. I could ask how the kids were. I could even question her about the play area incident.

But, I don’t. I just move closer to her.

I want more than a kiss, too. I’ve been gentle, and nice, but that’s not my style.

“Yes, I know you’re going to San Jose.” There’s a hint of sadness in her eyes, but it’s shrouded by desire.

“My parents are right around the corner if you need anything. So, you don’t have to feel like I’m just dropping you off in the deep end. If it gets to be too much for you—”

“It won’t,” she interjects, sitting up on the bed. “I told you I would handle everything. I wouldn’t say I could if it were too much. I’m not Isobel.” The corner of her mouth twists up, and I know she wants to touch me.

“You’re damn right you’re not,” I say coarsely. “You’ve been an angel, Faith. For my kids.”

And for me.

“What do you mean?”

I’m at the edge of the bed now. “I checked references like crazy. Made sure I had the right person to look after my kids. Isobel’s references were shiny and flawless. Hell, my own mom said I’d be a fool not to hire her to take care of the kids. I was there with her for weeks, making sure she was as perfect as she seemed on paper.”

She stretches her legs out in front of her on the bed. “But?”

“There was something missing, but I ignored it, thinking it was all in my head. I thought Isobel was a gift from Heaven.”

She smirks. “Rather, a gift from Hell.”

I grin, nodding. “My mom doesn’t know what Isobel did, Faith. She just thinks she quit. She doesn’t know about the whole concession stand—”

“Your secret’s safe with me.”

I lean forward, onto the bed. I’m so fucking close, I can breathe in the heat of her skin. I press my lips against hers gently, whispering, “Thank you.”

She kisses me back, saying everything I need to know.

I’m teetering on the edge of control, and I know I’m a goner.

I pull away from her, only long enough to lock the door in my room and the kids’ room, then close the door that adjoins them.

I’m going to keep Faith in my bed tonight. Because that’s exactly where I want her to be. The kids sleep hard; we won’t wake them. Besides, I have an early flight tomorrow, and I want to taste every inch of this sweet jewel before me, even if it’s just for the night.

We’re crossing a line, and I know it. But I want her. Hell, I fucking need her. So, I’m going to take her. The only think I don’t know is if it’ll douse the smoldering fire within me that burns for her, or make it burst into flames.