“O’Fallon. It’s in Southern Illinois.”
“Any siblings besides Paige?”
I shake my head. “Just us. We were really close growing up.”
He looks away. “That’s good. And your parents?”
“My dad’s an electrician and my mom works for an insurance agent in town. They both grew up in O’Fallon, so they were pretty surprised when Paige and I wanted to move to Chicago. My mom was sure we’d be mugged weekly.”
I think family is a bad subject for him, but I’m curious about him. I tread lightly, figuring he can shut me down if he wants to.
“Where did you grow up?” I ask him.
“Minneapolis.”
“Do you have brothers and sisters?”
His expression hardens. “Not anymore.”
“Because…they’re out of your life like your mom or…?”
“No.” He sighs deeply and runs a hand over his face. “I had a younger brother, Dustin, but he died four years ago.”
“I’m so sorry, Jake,” I say softly.
“Thanks.”
The pain is still fresh for him—it’s etched all over his face. I don’t want to push a difficult subject on him, so I move to something else.
“So how long have you been playing hockey?”
“Started when I was four.”
“Wow. I switched sports every year when I was a kid. Did you ever get tired of hockey?”
His expression is relaxed now, and there’s even a hint of a smile there. “Never. My dad coached Dustin and me. I was always happiest on the ice with them.”
“How old were you when you went to the NHL?”
“I was drafted right out of college.”
“To Chicago?”
He nods. “It’s a good fit for me. The coach and owner have high standards. They’re in it to win.”
“You’re competitive.”
“You have to be when you’re playing at this level.”
“Do you still have all your teeth?”
He grins. “Want me to take out my dentures?”
My look of horror makes him laugh.
“I’m kidding. I broke a tooth in a high school game, but the dentist fixed it up. I wear my mouth guard religiously so I can keep my teeth.”
Our food comes, and it’s amazing. He insists we share some tiramisu for dessert and I’m very full by the time we leave. But it was good. Relaxing. We both let our guards down and I liked that.
During the drive home, I admit to myself that if Jake asks me to come back to his room for sex, I’ll say yes. If he wants to come in when we get to my place, hoping to have sex there, I’ll be up for that, too. I want him so badly, especially after that panty-wetting kiss.
Hell, if he wants to pull over on the side of the road for a backseat quickie, I’ll take it. The beggar that is my libido knows it can’t be choosy.
But I end up getting none of the above. Jake doesn’t even accept my invite inside when we get back to my place. He gives me a few kisses in front of my door, his hands on my waist making me burn hotter for him than ever. My bed is only about twenty short steps away.
“Can I see you again soon?” he asks.
“You’ll see me when I come clean your room,” I remind him.
He arches his brows, looking amused. “Another date, Miranda.”
“I’ll have to check my schedule.”
His hands grip my waist a little tighter and it’s all I can do not to moan.
“How can I persuade you? Do I need to kiss that spot beneath your earlobe again?” he asks playfully.
Hell yes. There are lots of spots he needs to kiss. I am completely without chill tonight, and I force myself to get it together.
“Yes, we can go out again soon.”
“Thursday night?”
“I have class.”
He considers. “Sunday night?”
“I think so. Unless I get below a ninety on my Economics exam, then I have to study.”
He kisses me again. “Let me know. I had a great time.”
“So did I.”
I unlock my door and go in, giving him a final smile before I close the door behind me and lean up against it. And then, I smile even wider. I can’t believe I just had an amazing date with Jake Birch, president of the Jake Birch Fan Club. And I can’t wait for the next one.
Chapter 13
Jake
I tap my foot on the floor beneath the booth at the deli and sigh heavily. Everything’s off. Game days aren’t supposed to be this way.
Our plane to Nashville for a game tonight leaves at one P.M., and I already feel edgy from not being in my game-day zone. I don’t even have the energy to be a level ten asshole to Hailey as Cal suggested the other day. I just want to get this bullshit lunch date over as quickly as possible.
Hailey walks in wearing a short dress and a huge smile.
“Hi, baby,” she gushes, standing at the end of the booth.
“Hey, have a seat.”
“I want a kiss first.”
I cringe inwardly. When I stand up and give her a quick peck, she wrinkles her nose at me.
“Where’s the Jake Birch I made out with at that bar?”
I force a laugh. “This is a deli and it’s eleven in the morning, Hailey.”
She slides into her side of the booth, pouting. I ask myself for the five hundredth time why my stupid ass got drunk and made out with her that night. Why did she have to be Hampton’s daughter?