Ethan skated out onto the ice, focused solely on the warm-up puck currently on his stick. He would not look up into the stands, searching for the woman who refused to respond to his texts. He had a game to play, he had to prove to everyone that he deserved to be here. That he could help his team edge closer to the playoffs.

They were currently in the second wild card spot, but Edmonton, the team below them, was only two points behind the Strikers. One measly game could change the standings since Edmonton had games in hand, and they were playing tonight against a flailing Vancouver.

Cheesy skated up to him, shooting a practice puck on net, sinking it behind Gally. “How are you doing tonight?”

“Fine. Just want to get started and beat Tampa tonight. Keep Edmonton on our heels,” he said, dropping down to stretch his hips. The left side was sore from a hard hit into the boards the other night.

Cheesy sank down next to him, twisting at his waist to loosen up. “You sure?”

“Yeah. I’m good.” He couldn’t stop himself from scanning the lower bowl, looking for Penny, but the seats next to the penalty box, her favorite, were filled by someone else, and he didn’t see her pressed against the glass, book in hand. He refused to acknowledge what that did to his heart.

He bit back that thought. He had no time for it. He had a game to win. Teammates to support.

As the puck dropped twenty minutes later, Ethan easily won the face-off and focused on the game. Everything else had to be pushed aside. The game—and his love for it—was all that mattered right now. He was living his dream, so why did it feel hollow?

***

“Great first period, boys,” Cheesy said as they headed down the tunnel toward the locker room at intermission. One down, two to go. They were up one to zero thanks to a goal by Dom ten minutes in. Ethan might not have any points yet tonight, but his game was back. His focus sharp and determined. Tonight was going to be a good game, even if their lucky charm was absent.

None of the guys had said anything, and he’d stopped looking for her after his third shift. He’d really thought she’d show up tonight. It pissed him off, but he channeled his anger into his playing, and it’d paid off so far.

“I see the good luck charm is back,” Cheesy said. Ethan spun around, following the direction of Cheesy’s pointing finger.

How had he missed her? She held that damn book to her chest, a tentative smile on her face, her cheeks pink, as she nibbled on her lip. What did she have to be nervous about? She knew exactly how he felt. Him, not so much. But this had to be a good sign.

“Hi,” she said, her voice soft.

“What are you doing here?” His tone was unintentionally harsh, and she flinched. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come out that way.”

“Umm.” She dropped her gaze and tucked an errant curl behind her ear, then rolled her shoulders back and looked up at him, her gaze no longer tentative. “I came to apologize for last week. To tell you I miss you and I’m sorry.”

“I missed you, too,” he couldn’t stop himself from saying.

“For fuck’s sake,” he heard Bugsy mutter as he brushed past Ethan, “you have ten minutes, Harty. We need our good luck charm, so fix whatever shit you caused and make her happy.”

Penny’s awkward laugh rang through the tunnel. “It’s actually me who has to apologize. Ethan’s been nothing but perfect.” There was a wistful tone in her voice and a few of the guys who’d stayed to watch the show chuckled. Shit. He’d get ribbed for this for a while.

“Let’s grab an office and talk,” he said, steering her away from his teammates.

“Nope. I’m doing this right now. I love you and I’m sorry. And I should’ve said it earlier, as soon as I knew, but I was scared. Hell, maybe I fell in love with you in Italy. I definitely gave you part of my heart all those months ago, and now I want you to have the rest of it.” She rushed toward him, her voice lowering. “If you still want it.”

He pulled her into his body–she’d have to deal with the sweat–and he dropped his gloves, needing to touch her face. He cupped her cheek, and leaned down, further than usual since his skates added extra inches. “Of course I do,” he said, then sealed his lips to hers.

Her hands snaked around his waist, the sound of her book hitting the ground echoed through the hallway, mostly muffled by the sounds of clapping and a few woo-hoos.

“Get a room,” Baz called out, and the guys laughed.

He broke the kiss on a soft groan, wishing he could take her home right now, but he had fifteen minutes left before the next period.

“We’ll be right back,” he said, towing her toward an empty office, shutting out the catcalls as the door slid shut.

“Sorry, maybe there was a better place to do this, but I was late to the game, so I couldn’t get you before warm-ups, and I wanted to tell you in person, and I should’ve texted you back or called or—”

He cut her off. “No, this was perfect. God, I missed you,” he said, sinking his hands into her hair and pulling her close again. “But you can’t run again. I’m not perfect, and no relationship is easy.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. I panicked, but I trust you and love you. I’m not running again, I promise. I love you more than anyone else in my life. You brought me back to life and helped me realize what I want is you. With all my heart,” she said, and he crushed his lips to hers.

When he broke the kiss, he whispered against her lips, “I love you, too. Even if you drive me crazy.”

She huffed out a laugh. “The feeling is mutual. Do you have to get back to the locker room now?”

“Probably,” he said, straightening up. “Sorry, I got you sweaty.”

“I don’t care.”

“I see all the flags are gone,” he said, motioning toward the book she’d dropped down on the table.

“Yes, and I’m still here. I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said that,” she said, gripping his hand.

“It’s fine, Penny,” he said, squeezing her hand back. “But now what are you going to work on, if you’ve become a hockey expert?”

She pulled a small book out from the middle of the hockey book. Green flags decorated this one.

“I have a new list,” she said, showing him the cover.

Twenty-two ways to show Ethan that I love him. And it had a picture of her wearing his jersey and blowing him a kiss. He was man enough to admit what that picture did to his heart. Not to mention how freaking hot it was.

“Did you make this?”

“Yes. I’m not a total expert on showing you how much I love you, but with each task, I get to remove a flag,” she said, her cheeks bright pink. He snagged the book from her hands.

Her words warmed him down to his toes. This was what he’d always wanted. Sure, there’d been bumps he hadn’t anticipated along the way, and he hadn’t been looking for her, but now that she was truly his, he was never letting her go.

“And what exactly are these tasks?” he asked with a grin as he flipped through the pages.

Penny’s cheeks heated again as that crooked smile she loved so much grew. Yes, she’d listed a few naughty items. More like love coupons. Not actual pictures or anything, but his grin made her belly flutter.

“We can get to that later,” she said, snagging the book from his hands. “You have a game to finish.”

“I still have a few minutes,” he said, tugging her closer. She sank into his embrace, tilting her head up to meet his kiss as he surrounded her. Why had she ever doubted him? Every nerve disappeared as he consumed her mouth, his tongue tangling with hers. She dropped the book to the table, and his hands gripped her waist, lifting her.

She wrapped her legs around his hips, and he groaned against her mouth. She wished they could go home now so she could show him just how much she loved him.

A knock on the door broke them apart.

“Five minutes left, Harty,” a voice called out.

“Dammit,” Ethan grumbled, pressing a kiss to her forehead before lowering her feet back to the floor.

Her chuckle was breathless, and her heart raced.

“Meet me back here as soon as the game ends. Then we are going home,” he said, his eyes glittering with determination and lust.

Holy hell, he was hot.

“Only if you get a hat trick for me,” she teased.

“Those aren’t easy, you know,” he said.

***

A few hours later, she straddled his lap on the couch. They’d arrived home ten minutes ago. Home.

He’d pressed a key into her hand and asked her to move in as soon as they’d walked in the door. Yes, it was way too early to live together, but part of her—a large part of her—wanted to say yes. She’d moved into her townhouse a week after coming home from Italy. She hadn’t turned it into a home yet, so moving was no hardship.

“Move in, Penny,” he said between kisses. “I mean, I did get that hat trick for you tonight.”

She grinned. Yes, he had. They’d trounced Tampa five to one and she was annoyed with herself for not being prepared with a hat in case he did follow through with her ridiculous request. She’d had nothing to toss onto the ice for him.

“I’m thinking about it.” She leaned in, nibbling on his lower lip. “I mean, it would be good since I’m going to be unemployed in two weeks.”

He pulled back. “What?”

“Today’s been a big day for me. I finally told you that I love you, and I quit my job this morning.”

“Back up. What happened?”

“They promoted me, then Kevin made an ass of himself, and I knew that staying wasn’t an option. I don’t want the questions. I’ve proven myself time and again, and I wanted to start fresh. So in two weeks I’ll be unemployed.”

“That sniveling little prick. Want me to kick his ass?”

She laughed. “No. It’s not worth it.”

“Did Robert panic?”

“A little, but I hope it doesn’t make family functions weird. I mean, if I’m invited.” How was she still questioning that?

“Of course you are. And you should definitely move in. You don’t even have to work. I signed that big deal, remember? And then you could follow the team around like a good luck groupie,” he said, grinning.

“Not work? I’d be bored in an hour. And I’m not stowing away on the team plane to help you win.”

“Fine, fine. How about I send every hockey player your way? I’m sure they need your accounting skills. You’re amazing at your job. You didn’t even make me review or sign anything,” he said, and then smiled.

“I was your accountant for a split second, and tax season hadn’t ramped up yet, so you were safe. I wouldn’t say no to a client or two being sent my way, but I don’t want you to think I’m using you to start my business,” she said, keeping her tone serious. She would never take advantage of her connections. He had to know that.

“Penny, relax. I know you aren’t looking for my help, but I’m offering it anyway,” he said, gripping her hands and pressing a kiss to her lips. “Now, if you’re done talking about work, I believe there are twenty-two ways you were planning to show me how much you love me? Should we start with number one and work our way through, or jump around?”

“Obviously, we are going to start with the first one. I put them in a specific order,” she said, her voice calm while her belly fluttered with nerves and need and a love that she’d never felt before. It knocked her off balance, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.