Page 31 of Rust
But Isabelle didn’t seem to think it sounded as pathetic as I did.
“Aw! Thanks! I wish guys my age would try to clean up once in a while. You’d be shocked at how the average college boy lives. They’re vile.”
I snickered. “I can imagine. I’ve got a few young guys as teammates. They’re pretty bad.”
“I could handle ‘bad.’ But bad’s just the start of it. If I had to describe the dorm room smell of every guy who ever tried to date me, it’d be stale beer, old pizza, gym socks, and a lizard tank.”
She made me laugh. And gag, too.
“The good news is, wedoget better with age,” I said.
“I’ve noticed,” she said quietly.
Huh?
In the living room, Isabelle immediately spotted the chewed-up couch. “Ahh, this is it, hm? The couch that brought us all together?” she wondered whimsically. “You really ate this couch up, huh, sweetie?”
Minka grumbled and drew her ears back, earning a laugh and some pets from Isabelle. “Aw, it’s okay, hun. You were just feeling lonely, weren’t you?”
My heart warmed at the way those two interacted. “I can tell she’s going to be in good hands,” I said.
We made a brief stop in the basement, where Isabelle was tickled by my man cave and all my hockey memorabilia. Then we went upstairs, where I showed her the bedrooms. The guest bedroom and its attached bathroom were all hers.
“But there’s a hot tub in the master bathroom. Feel free to use it if you want.”
“Oooh, a hot tub? I’m definitely into it.” Her eyes brightened. “That must be a nice way to relax after the game, huh?”
I grinned. “The best. I wish I’d gotten one years ago. Might’ve added a few more years to my career.” I motioned for downstairs. “Mind if I take you out back and show you my pool?”
“Please do!”
Minka stayed in the air conditioning while I took Isabelle into the backyard to see my saltwater pool.
“Oh. Hell. Yes,” Isabelle said, pumping her fist. She sat on a poolside lounger, and I claimed the one next to her. “I am going to getsotan.”
“Just make sure to wear plenty of sunscreen so you don’t burn.”
“I’m Italian, Rust. I don’t burn, I tan.”
I remembered being fueled by the same kind of youthful bravado when I was her age. Hell, the feeling that nothing could touch me, that I was invincible, was a big part of the cocky bastard attitude that took me to the NHL.
“Yeah, but your skin’s so nice,” I said as I gently brushed my knuckles against her silky-smooth arm. “You should keep it that way.”
She playfully rolled her eyes. “Okay, fine. I’ll consider it.”
I cracked a grin. “No, you won’t. I can tell.”
Her little snicker told me I was right. “How do you already know me so well, Rust?”
“Because I remember being your age. It wasn’t all that long ago, believe it or not. I know how kids your age think.”
“Oh, really? Is that right?” She rolled onto her side and gave me her eyes. “Then tell me, Rust, what am I thinking right now?”
“Hm. You’re thinking …”
I leaned closer and stared deeper into her ice blue eyes, until I started to fall under their spell, and they lured me closer, closer, closer. I don’t know whatshewas thinking, but all I was thinking was how bad I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to taste her glossy pink lips on mine more than anything in the world.
But no matter how badly I wanted her mouth, I just couldn’t make myself forget about Johnny.