I smile weakly at Dad as he offers me a sympathetic smile.“I know. I just thought we had it. They tried to shake things up with the goalie thing, but everyone walked away. We were supposed to win.”“It was just the one goal, honey.”“One goal is a lot, Mom.”After dessert, I sit with Lola on the couch until she falls asleep curled into me. This little girl gives me so much light and I lean back with an exhausted sigh.“I am taking her to bed, and I want you to use the guest room. You’re exhausted and I’ll make breakfast for everyone tomorrow. There are clothes in there from your old room.”They turned my old room into Lola’s room since it’s big enough for furniture and her toys. The guest room is small, but all I need is a bed.“You want me to sleep at your house?”“It beats you driving this way. Calm a mom’s worried heart. Please?”“Okay. Fine. I’ll stay.”This way, I don’t have to wonder when Delilah will get home. It’s a win for me, unlike the game tonight.I sleep well considerin
SPINNINGDELILAHIworried about where Miles was all night until I pieced together via Lola that he stayed with her at his parents’ house. She told me at bedtime, but I had several hours of worry since I came home last night.Colton is fine. The night was enjoyable, but the game put a cloud over my head and he sensed it, not trying to kiss me goodnight.All I did was lie in bed and wait for Miles to come back. I didn’t expect him to fall into my arms, but I wanted to make sure he was okay after the loss and whatever happened out there on the ice.I wanted to explain Colton to him.Once Lola is asleep, I clean the kitchen from top to bottom and try to read in bed. Practice will be hell for the guys. I’ve heard about that from my brother.I wake up in the morning and look around at the sunlight coming through my window. I fell asleep.I rise and look at the monitor to see Lola sleeping and run into the kitchen to check the sink. There’s no empty plate and the covered one is still in the
“Just tired.”There’s a commotion in the arena and I look up to see the guys skating before the game.“Let’s go see Daddy.”I carry Lola to the glass, and she waves at Miles, smiling when he comes to stand in front of us. He’s achingly beautiful and I watch as he taps the glass, drawing a giggle from Lola. Our eyes meet for a moment and then he turns his head as someone calls his name.Miles places his hand over his heart, sending it towards us before he returns to his teammates.I could read so much into that, but there’s no point.We return to the seats and snacks scattered about, settling in for the game. The team plays much better today, keeping in tune with each other out on the ice. I’m sure they got an ass kicking about the last game and I watch closely with Lola in my lap.When Andrew passes the puck to Miles and he scores a goal, we all start screaming. Lola knows what it means and claps her hands as she looks at us.“They’re back.”Keith looks anxious and I smile at him.“It
TRUTHMILESI see it sink in and Delilah’s eyes flash with something. Some different emotions I can’t decipher.“He had the tickets, and I didn’t know how to tell him I didn’t want to go without making a big deal of it. I hoped the seats would be in the nosebleed section and you’d never see me there.”“Brynn saw you, too.”Her face falls, and Delilah closes her eyes.“I know. It didn’t feel like a date and any chance of it being one crashed down around me. Colton is smart. He knew and just dropped me off and I don’t think I’ll ever see him again.”“Good.”“Good? What are we going to do from here?”Delilah wrinkles her nose adorably and I take a deep breath before taking her face in my hands.“This.”The kiss is explosive, and she wraps her arms around my waist to pull me closer.Is this still wrong?Yes, for all the same reasons. I just can’t help myself.I tilt my head and deepen the kiss, feeling her fighting for dominance as our tongues meet. It’s such a turn on and the kiss seems
She whimpers and I lean over to kiss her, not caring she just had her mouth on me. Delilah kisses me back and I increase the speed of my fingers, feeling her arousal. My mouth moves to her jaw, then her neck as she rocks into me.She comes when I suck her nipple into my mouth, trying to quiet her cries. I bite down, loving how she writhes under me, out of control.I clean her up with my mouth before crawling between her legs and taking her with one hard thrust.This feels like heaven to me, and I move with her body in perfect sync. We just know each other’s bodies and I rock with her until she comes again, following a second later.“So, we’re on again?”She’s out of breath as she looks at me, settled beside her on the bed.“Yes. I think I’d still like to keep it between us for now. I’m not ashamed of you but there-““There’s Lola to think about. I get it. Not to mention my brother.”“No more dates?”“No. It wasn’t really one to begin with.”She stays in my bed for a few hours, sleepin
WAITING BY THE PHONEDELILAHI make sure Lola is asleep after cheering for Miles throughout the game, antsy for him to call me. He always calls Lola, though for a while, I didn’t even talk because I was trying to avoid Miles.The text messages we shared last night were hot as hell and I came three times in bed. Will I do that over the phone tonight, talking or on camera? It’s never something I’ve considered.I have also never had someone like Miles in my life.I change into a tank top and shorts in my room, looking towards my phone on the bed. Watching him play tonight was so exhilarating and sexy to me as we cheered him on, and seeing how happy Lola was made my heart burst. I could have taken her to his parents’ house, but sometimes I prefer things to be low key and to just tuck her in after all the excitement.My screen lights up and I jump, running over like a teenager to see Miles’s name.“Hey.”“Hey, yourself. Guess what?”He sounds so happy, and I frown as I sit down, wondering
Instant reaction. I slide my hand under the cotton, circling it with my fingers as he tells me how to touch myself. Within minutes, I’m soaked and needy as I close my eyes. Tugging on my nipples, I pull them with enough of a hint of pain to make it pleasurable.I feel myself shifting around on the bed, needing more. He has me thoroughly prepared with both nipples and I’m ready to start without him.“Take your shorts off, Delilah. I pushed mine down because I’m hard as hell and it hurts.”I do and look down at my naked body, shocked that I am about to have phone sex for the first time.“Spread your legs and touch yourself. I need to know how wet you are.”“Soaked.”I slide my fingers through my folds, knowing how fast this is going to happen for me. He instructs me how and where to touch myself in a husky voice, talking slower the further we go. I know he’s feeling this as much as I am and ask him if he’s touching himself.“Yes, Delilah. I want you so bad and can taste you on my tongue
UNSETTLEDMILESI stay busy when we’re traveling between practice and games, mixed with dinners with the team. We even win every game out there, making us all ride a wave of adrenaline.So why do I feel like I just need to get home?Traveling isn’t the novelty it once was for me as I get older. Lola has made that more apparent, but I’ve taken the proper steps and hired an incredible nanny to be there when I’m gone. My daughter is safe. My family is there for her, and a few days here and there are comfortable for me to take.Are they?I feel irritated with Andrew when he’s in the room every other night, even though he should be. This is work and he needs to be in top shape to do what we do on the ice. The night he went out, it took a long time to get to sleep when I finished my epic phone call and heard him come in. Andrew was in better shape on the ice than I was.“We killed it this week. Maybe we should travel more often.”I look at my best friend like he’s crazy as he packs to head
EPILOGUEFOUR MONTHS LATERNew LifeDelilahI am watching my husband play in the second round of the playoffs, but unfortunately, I am not in the seats at the arena. Lola is there with his family decked out in everything, but I am curled up on the couch, nursing my son. Mom is here to keep me company and Bobby Warren Adams is settled happily on my chest as I smile down at him.It was a long birth, and he wore me out, but holding him for the first time was magical. Miles cried along with the moms and aunts, and I just stared at him in disbelief. He was a beautiful baby at nine pounds and now at two months old, he has Miles’s eyes and my dark waves from what I can tell. Bobby looks a lot like his sister, and we all love that so much.Lola is an amazing big sister and wants to help with everything, but we keep that to an age-appropriate level. Her brother differs from her baby dolls, and she’ll need to learn how to handle him. I still feel like I haven’t slept some days, but Bobby is get
MY HAPPILY EVER AFTERDELILAHI close the door to the room that used to be mine after cleaning out my things that are now in Miles’s room. His closet is massive, so there’s plenty of room, especially since I’m not a shopaholic. That goes double for the bathroom, and I realize what it’s all about being with an NHL player.Miles is in the living room with Lola as I walk in, and he grins at me.“Ready for today? You should drink some more water.”“I hate water.”I take the bottle from him and sip it, knowing I need it for the ultrasound in an hour. We decide to bring Lola and everyone else is meeting us there; I’ve already demanded lunch when we finish.“Did you find out Lola was a girl before she was born?‘I look at Miles as he glances in the rearview mirror.“We did. It was a great moment, but this will be, too. I’m with the woman I love. Lola being here is going to be so special.”“You’re sweet.”I lean back as we make the drive, rubbing my belly. There’s a bump there now, and I’ve s
“She’s sleeping on the couch.”Brynn sits down on the love seat and looks at us.“You want to be there?”Delilah looks around the room.“If you’re comfortable. It’s not that invasive, honey. Just your stomach.”Mom smiles and I shoot her a grateful look.“Yeah. Sure. I mean, we still have to tell my parents if Andrew doesn’t blab and Mom might want to go. If there’s room, I want you there.”We talk for a while about our plans, and I can tell Delilah is exhausted.“Since Lola is already asleep, just leave her here. Get this mama home for some rest.”Mom smiles at me, and I realize they know everything. As uncomfortable as it was, this feeling is worth it.I walk to the car with Delilah, and she gets into the seat, leaning back.“What a fucking day. Brynn asked about the day Lola found me in your bed and then your mom guessed I was pregnant. She was kind enough to do it at the house, so there’s that.”I chuckle and shake my head.“Do you think Andrew will come around?”I know Delilah is
“She’s my baby sister, Miles. What if it were me with Brynn?”“Delilah is twenty-four, Andrew. She’s a college graduate. This couldn’t happen with anyone better than me because I’ll give all of them the world. You’ve seen it with Lola.”“I’m going to check on her.”“Tone it down in there, Andrew. My granddaughter is in the house.”My dad speaks in a rare firm tone and Andrew and I look at him before my friend rushes inside.“She’s pregnant?”“Yeah, Dad. We were going to tell you soon, but hey. Surprise.”“Do you love her?”“I do. She’s so great with Lola and with me. I can’t imagine life without Delilah in it.”“I agree with that. You have a mess to deal with in there.”“Tell me about it. This wasn’t the plan.”We walk into the house and find a scene happening in front of us. Delilah is crying as Andrew sits close to her and my mom watches as if she’s about to interrupt at any time. Lola is nowhere in sight, and I assume Brynn has her somewhere else in the house.“This is what you wan
THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAGMILESI glance over when I’m taking a break to see that Delilah is gone, along with my mom. Worry instantly fills me and I remind myself I’m in the middle of a game. If something were wrong, they’d let me know.I have been worried since I found out about the baby. Delilah is healthy and handles everything well, but she stays so busy with Lola. What if she’s not getting enough rest?Lola is still there, sitting with Brynn, and they’re both smiling. Soon, there will be another child and I love the idea.“Back out there, Adams. We need another goal.”I snap back to reality and take to the ice when I’m clear, going to the face-off. This game is taking a lot out of me, but I keep moving, trying to make opportunities happen for us.I keep looking over to see the two women absent from the seats. Where are they?We win by a one goal lead and I skate to the bench, feeling drained. Everyone else is celebrating around me and I sink down to the bench, gulping water.“Gre
I wish I believed that, and as he reaches over to stroke my nipple, it makes me forget everything.We’re at the next home game and sitting in the usual seats, waiting for the game to start. It’s been a few days since our talk and Miles wants to plan a family dinner. I’m nervous just thinking about it and get lost in thought as Lola goes to Brynn for some snacks.“Delilah?”I blink and come crashing back to earth, gazing at Miles’s sister.“Yeah?”“Were you sleeping in my brother’s room? Lola just told me she saw you there.”Shit. Lola caught me in there when Miles got up with her and she got through the door before he could close it. It wasn’t the first time she had seen me near his room, and I knew I was being careless.What can I say? I’m busted, aren’t I?“I’ve thought you seemed different lately. If you and Miles are seeing each other, I get it. He needs a woman that’s more like you with Lola and everything going on in his life. Just so you know, she’s talking a lot and better tha
Miles gets Lola settled at the table and I sit down beside Lola while Andrew takes the seat across from us. I share a look with Miles, and I know he thought something worse happened in the kitchen with his eyes. He’s a little much about making sure I’m safe.“This is so good, Del. You cook a lot like Mom.”Andrew takes another large bite of meat and vegetables as I watch Lola shove a diced carrot in her mouth.“I learned from the best. Gram taught her, after all.”It feels good to eat, though I make a small plate. I snack all day now and don’t want to gain too much weight, but everything sounds good.The guys talk shop over the meal, and I listen, eating slowly as I monitor Lola while she eats. I’m already thinking about the carrot cake in the fridge and sigh as I realize I am addicted to food.I am careful about my reactions to anything after that. I can cry in the house alone. Miles can see it. Maybe I’m paranoid, but it feels like everyone is watching me right now. I go to games wi
“Do you want a boy or a girl this time, Miles?”“I pictured a boy at the game when you brought Lola to the glass, but I don’t care. It will be great either way.”He looks at the pictures with a soft smile that melts my heart.“You imagined a boy.”I laugh, not believing what I’m hearing. I just wanted Miles to accept the baby and never expected him to be so involved.“Yeah. I saw you with an older version of Lola and this baby boy in your arms at the glass, smiling as you watched me interact with them. He looked like both of us and it was kind of perfect.”This might work. I don’t know how, but it might. We’re in his bed every night if he’s home, but life is normal aside from that. I take care of Lola as much as ever and seeing her as a big sister makes me smile all the time.I’m blessed when I feel better in the second trimester, but we’re still hiding it from everyone else. We’re at a point where it’s safe to make the announcement, but I feel so scared about it.Andrew comes by for
US?DELILAHUs? Does Miles want an us? I’ve had daydreams about it, but that’s all they were.“Do you want there to be an us, Miles?”“I’ve never felt this way about someone. A baby certainly shakes things up, but let’s take it day by day and see what happens. I’ll never stop supporting you and the baby, no matter what happens.”His eyes are so gorgeous and sincere, and I want to dive into them. My body propels me forward and I take a careful step in his direction.“Okay. Are you sure? I know you tried this with Kim, and it failed.”“I’ll never regret Lola, just like I won’t regret this new baby no matter what happens. I wasn’t meant to stay with Kim, and it worked out the way it was meant to. It’s tragic she died, but I can’t change it and I am going to make Lola’s life great because of it.”“We’re still keeping it between us?”I don’t want to see what will happen with Andrew yet, or the faces of my parents. They never imagined this for me.“It’s a good idea while we figure out docto