Page 65 of Worth the Risk

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Page 65 of Worth the Risk

“Okay, baby,” Luca murmurs contently.

I stand, pulling him through Claire’s apartment and back to the guest room. I’m suddenly nervous, though I don’t know why, so I make a big show of pulling open the dresser drawers and rifling through them. “Bathroom is through there. I think I have a spare toothbrush somewhere —”

“Hannah.”

“Hmm?” I respond, awkwardly searching through the dresser as if a toothbrush will magically appear in between my bras and underwear.

“I don’t know what got you suddenly so nervous, but I literally just want to take a nap with you,” Luca says quietly. He comes behind me and wraps his arms around me tightly. “I wasn’t lying when I said I’ve slept like shit. I only got to have you in my arms a few times, but it was clearly a life-altering experience. I don’t think I’m going to be able to go back to sleeping alone.”

I sigh as I reach up to grab his forearms. He nuzzles my neck with his nose, sending goosebumps trickling down my arms. “I can still look for that toothbrush.”

“I don’t need a toothbrush, Hannah. I just need you. Please. Get in bed, Pixie.” He slowly removes his arms and gives me a gentle nudge toward the bed as he walks into the ensuite. Still feeling nervous, I remove my boots, and sit on the side of the bed to pull off my tights. I’m not even remotely acclimated to Colorado weather, and the cold seeps through to my bones. I’ve been told by Arianna and Dominic that it isn’t even that cold yet. I laughed, thinking they were joking, and almost had a heart attack when I looked up the average low temperatures in the winter.

“You okay if I get comfortable? Again, no ulterior motive here, Han. I just typically don’t sleep fully clothed, and well, you know that, so, umm …” Luca trails off, and I realize I’m not the only one with nerves.

“I’d like to get comfortable too. It was a long day at work,” I say quietly.

“Oh, yeah. I haven’t even asked about the new job. Are you enjoying it?” Luca asks. I watch out of the corner of my eye as he reaches behind his head and whips his sweatshirt off. The smirk on his face tells me he heard my quick intake of breath. He’s just so stunning.

“I think you’re stunning too, Pixie,” he murmurs. I feel a wave of embarrassment heat my face when I realize I spoke those words aloud. “Come on, Hannah. We have no reason to be this nervous. It’s just a nap.”

“It’s not just a nap,” I whisper.

Luca walks to the bed and sits beside me. “No. It’s not just a nap. I don’t know about you, but I’m hoping it’s the beginning of a lot of naps for you and me.”

I rest my head against his shoulder for a moment before standing to walk to my closet. After removing my dress and putting on a tank top and shorts, I walk back into the bedroom and find Luca buried under the comforter. “Come here, baby.”

As soon as I slide under the covers, he yanks me toward him. Once his arms circle around me and he breathes against my hair, I relax. I’ve missed this. In such a short time, Luca became home to me.

As his breathing deepens and I can tell he is asleep, I realize why I felt so nervous. I laid my heart on the line. I told him I was in love with him.

But Luca never said anything back.

Luca

Ihad every intention of taking a quick nap, ordering some dinner, and then convincing Hannah to let me make love to her. Or at least making out a little. But once I had her in my arms, I fell into the deepest sleep I’ve had in weeks. I wasn’t exaggerating about the sleep issue. Getting three hours a night was a good night. So it shouldn’t have surprised me when I slept for sixteen hours straight.

When I woke up alone, I was incredibly bummed. Rolling over, I breathe in Hannah’s scent. I see a paper on the nightstand and grab it.

You looked too comfortable to wake up, but I had to go to work. My roommate leaves around eight each morning. Help yourself to anything you need.

-H

PS: I needed that sleep, too. I’ve missed you.

The ear-splitting grin on my face must be comical.

I can’t believe how quickly my little Pixie got under my skin and became my salvation. From this moment, everything I do is for her.

Grabbing my phone, I realize I missed morning skate. Oh well. They’ll either fine me, or scratch me for the game tonight. Boo-freaking-hoo. Could not care less. I grab a quick shower, spending way too much time sniffing all of Hannah’s products to see which one smells the most like her, before heading out. Since I’m so close to my hometown, I decide to make a surprise stop.

While Eternity Springs is about an hour from downtown Denver, depending on traffic, I don’t get home as often as I’d like. Hockey season gets pretty chaotic, and it’s difficult to manage a quick visit when I have so many obligations in Denver. Even with it being a weekday, the main street through town is bustling. When I see my brother’s friend, Stone, outside his barbershop, and an open parking spot right in front, I veer into the spot and jump out. Stone owns the only barbershop in town, aptly named Stone Cold Cuts, and my shaggy mane could use some trimming anyway.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Stone calls out. He’s been friends with my brother Alex since they were in elementary school, and I’d bet he spent more time with my family on holidays than his own. Stone’s home life wasn’t as idyllic as mine. “Can I even talk to you, or will you high stick me and get thrown in the sin bin?”

“Whatever,” I chuckle.

“You’ve been on a tear, my man,” Stone says, slapping me on the back and giving me a quick man-hug. “What’s the deal? You thinking you want to break the record for penalty minutes in a season?”




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