Page 56 of Cabin Fever Baby

The game was a lively one and seeing Ocean get so invested in the players dissolved some of the twisted emotions I didn’t know what to do with. When the Kings scored on Calgary in the last third, she tackled me with a screech.

“You love your team.” I laughed as I caught her close.

She laughed. “I do. I get a little crazy about the game.” She sprawled over me and stacked her arms on my chest, resting her chin on top. “I thought you liked them too.”

“I do.” I brushed a kinked curl out of her face. “I think I like watching you watch them even more.”

She wrinkled her nose at me. “Charmer.”

I collapsed back on the floor. Somehow her calling me that seemed like an insult. “Sometimes. But I don’t say anything that isn’t true.”

“Even with your marketing prowess?”

I laughed and lifted my head to meet her gaze. “Who says I have prowess?”

“Just a feeling.”

I relaxed and stared at the rafters. “I’m really good at my job.”

She reached up and tapped my chin. “But?”

I rolled her over and she giggled. “You’re too perceptive.”

“It’s my job to read people.”

“Being an assistant?” I settled between her thighs, resting most of my weight on the thick quilt we’d spread out on the floor.

She automatically hooked her leg around my waist and lightly swayed her leg. It felt so damn natural to just be with her. I pushed her shirt up a bit to feel her skin.

She smiled as she propped herself up with one of the cushions from the couch we’d tossed on the floor. “Yeah. I have to figure out what they need before they do. Means I plan for every eventuality.”

“Or problem.”

“Especially the problems.” She sunk her fingers into my hair and stroked lightly. “Which is why I know you’re not telling me everything.”

“Like you’re so forthcoming?”

She sighed. “If you don’t want to share, then don’t.” She started to push me off her, but I kissed her belly.

“Sorry.”

She relaxed under me. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing either, Hudson. This is new for me too. And the only thing keeping you here is a storm.”

“It’s not the only thing.”

“You have to go to your family’s house. Be with them before you have to go back to Chicago.”

Even if Chicago was feeling like more of an uncomfortable fit every day since I met Ocean.

It was even before then, asshole.

“Tomorrow problem,” I mumbled as I settled against her. The warmth of the room as well as the food and surprisingly good wine had me drifting. She seemed content, as well, stroking my hair absently as she watched the recap of the game.

The rumble of a text sounded from her phone, reminding me vaguely that I needed to check in with my family. The idea of leaving our little nest was too much to deal with tonight.

I had no idea how long I drifted in that in-between of wake and sleep. The sports talk had been replaced with the canned laughter of an old sitcom.

I lifted my head, and she patted my cheek. “I love cuddling with you, but I have to pee so damn bad.”