Chapter 17

Jensen

Bailey seemed to take a long time thinking about my question.

“I guess I never thought of it that way,” she admitted. “I was in so much pain, and in the beginning, I had scars on my face too, from shattered glass. Luckily, they healed almost perfectly, but back then, every time I looked in the mirror, I saw a monster. I couldn’t bear for the press to get wind of it. There were a bunch of articles, right after the accident, and of course, since no one saw me, they speculated on how bad I looked. That my face had been sliced off, that I was no longer recognizable, stuff like that. So, I decided to disappear without letting anyone see me.”

“And you’ve never been spotted?” I asked in surprise. “Ever? In three years?”

“I never go anywhere,” she said. “To the doctor, to Manny’s house, occasionally to a restaurant like Papaya’s, but that’s it. I’m a hermit, Jensen, and that’s not going to change any time soon.”

That seemed like a horrible way to live, but it didn’t seem prudent to say that out loud. Not yet anyway.

“People can be much more forgiving than you think,” I said instead. “Yes, you have a limp, but that doesn’t make you a monster. You’re beautiful, Bailey.”

“And I love that you think so, but it’s not reality.”

“How can you say that? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I’m a thousand percent sure I’m not the only person who’ll think so. I guarantee you every single one of my unattached teammates would fall all over themselves to go out with you.”

“With me or with the old Bailey Walker? Because I’m not her, Jensen. I hope you understand that.”

I wasn’t sure how to respond to that because I didn’t know the old Bailey Walker.

“I never knew her,” I said. “So there’s nothing for me to understand.”

“Aren’t you curious?”

I shrugged. “Sure. A little. But just like I didn’t recognize Manny at the restaurant, movies have never been my thing. Sure, I know who Sylvester Stallone is. I could probably pick Julia Roberts out of a lineup, but beyond that? The only celebrities I pay attention to are athletes, because that’s my job and part of my life. As far as an actress named Bailey Walker, that’s not why I’m here.”

She leaned back, resting her head against the hollow of my shoulder. She fit me like a glove, our bodies molding together easily despite the difference in size. She’d been clear that sex was off the table for now, and I was okay with that, but I had no doubt she wanted me as much as I wanted her.

So, I’d wait until she was ready.

She had a lot of emotional baggage, which was something I normally shied away from, but it was different with Bailey.

Something about her pulled me in, and I was too old to be thinking with my little head instead of my big one.

There was a chance for this to be something special, something more, and I wouldn’t blow it by pushing for too much too soon, no matter how badly I wanted it.

“I’m tired,” she said after a while. “Want to go lie down?”

I swallowed.

I wasn’t sure what kind of invitation that was.

I was exhausted but had planned on going home.

Spending the night would be torture in its purest form, but I’d stay if she was serious.

“I’m tired too,” I admitted.

“Let’s go inside and I’ll throw your boxers in the dryer while you rinse off.”

“Bailey.” I turned her so she was looking at me. “You have to tell me what we’re doing.”

She smiled. “Sleeping? I’m assuming you’re a big boy who can control himself when sleeping next to an attractive woman.” Her lips quirked in amusement, but there was a wariness in her eyes that belied her nervousness.

“I’m way too tired for anything else,” I replied smoothly. “And tomorrow is probably going to be another bad day.”

“Then let’s try to end this one on the best note possible.”

For that to happen, we would have had to be getting naked.

But this was okay.

I got out of the hot tub and turned to offer her a hand before handing her one of the towels she’d left on the deck.

“Thank you.” She wrapped one around herself and I did the same, drying off a little before scooping up my clothes and following her into the house.

“You can shower in here,” she said, leading me through her bedroom and into the adjoining bathroom. “Hand me your boxers once you’ve taken them off and I’ll bring you a robe to wear until they’re dry.”

“Perfect. Thanks.” I went into the bathroom and closed the door most of the way. I undressed, squeezed the excess water out of my boxers, and then handed them to her through the door.

I took a quick but hot shower and pulled on my sweats when I was done.

“You can go lie down,” she said. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

She closed the door firmly behind her and I stretched out on her bed, which was surprisingly big enough for me, and closed my eyes.

The next thing I knew, it was morning.

I woke to the smell of something wonderful and my eyes popped open in alarm.

Had I overslept?

What time was it?

I sat up, looking around for my phone.

“It’s only eight,” a soft voice said. “I was just about to wake you.”

“Thank fuck.” I lay back down. “I don’t even remember falling asleep.”

“You were out cold when I got out of the shower. You obviously needed your sleep.”

She looked adorable in a pair of pink yoga pants and with a pink and white sweater over it that fell off one shoulder. Her hair was in a ponytail and her feet were bare, and for some reason, seeing her like this was incredibly hot. Of course, everything about her was hot. I thought she was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen, and I didn’t care that she had a limp or about the scars I’d felt last night but hadn’t seen up close.

When the time came for us to be intimate, I’d make sure to let her know they didn’t bother me.

“Do you like oatmeal?” she asked. “I have it in the Instapot, and it’ll be ready in five.”

“I love it,” I said. “Let me clean up and I’ll be right out.”

“Your boxers are in the bathroom, along with a new toothbrush,” she called over her shoulder as she left the room.

“Thank you!” I called back.

I got dressed and washed up quickly, both pleased and amused that she had an unopened toothbrush for me to use. Not to mention the dry boxers. I didn’t have a problem going commando under my sweats, but there was already so much intimacy between us.

She had a bowl of oatmeal waiting for me as I walked into the kitchen, along with a cup of coffee.

“You drink it black, right?” she asked.

That must have come up during our chats and I nodded, impressed she’d remembered.

“Yes, thank you.” I sank onto a stool at the island and took a bite.

The oatmeal with delicious, with nuts and berries.

“What time do you have to be at the arena?”

“Ten,” I replied. “So I’ve got to get going, but this is fantastic.” I finished it as quickly as I dared and gulped down the coffee. “I hate to eat and run…”

“You have work,” she said, smiling. “Don’t worry about me.”

“I’ll call you later.” I reached for her, pulling her to my chest. “You have plans tonight?”

“Yes.” Her eyes twinkled with amusement.

I frowned. “You do?”

“Last time I checked, I was cooking dinner for a hot hockey player. You ever heard of the Phantoms? He plays for them.”

I groaned.

I’d forgotten all about our date.

“Sorry. I’m a little stressed about practice.”

“Go. Focus on hockey. Call me later and tell me how you’re feeling. If you’re not up to dinner, we can postpone.”

“I’ll always be up for an evening with you.” I dipped my head and kissed her, stroking my tongue against hers. She tasted of coffee and berries and toothpaste, and I groaned when she pressed against me. I lifted her onto the counter, and she spread her legs so I could move between them. She wound her arms around my neck and I took possession of her mouth, tangling my tongue with hers in what I hoped was a promise of what was to come.

Her legs tightened around me and I knew she could feel my erection pressed against her core. I’d been trying to be a gentleman, but there was no holding back once I touched her. Her body was made for mine, I already knew this, and the way she was digging her fingers into my shoulder told me she was as aroused as I was.

I slid a hand beneath her sweatshirt, running my fingers along the smooth skin of her back. She felt warm and soft against my hand, and I ached to yank off the shirt to get a better view. To see and touch every inch of her. To kiss and lick her until she begged me not to stop. Until?—

Fuck.

There was no time for any of this.

I had to leave.

Right fucking now.

No matter how much I wanted to stay.

“ Jensen .” Her breath was ragged as I pulled away.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to hers. “You have no idea how much I wish I didn’t have to go. But I’ll see you tonight and we can pick up where we left off.”

“Yes.”

“I’ll call you after practice.”

I pressed one more light, sweet kiss against her pouty lips and then headed for the door.

If I didn’t get my ass in gear, I would be late, and Coach was already planning to kick our asses. He’d probably make me skate laps if I wasn’t on time, and that was the last thing I needed.

I still had to go home, and my mother would undoubtedly have two thousand questions for me, but I didn’t have what I needed for practice so there was no help for that.

As I predicted, Mom was on the couch reading, a cup of coffee in her hand when I came in. She immediately looked up.

“Well. Good morning.” Her smirk made me want to roll my eyes, but I truly didn’t have time.

“Mom, I don’t have time to talk. Coach will probably fine me if I’m late and I don’t need to piss him off.”

“Of course.” She waved a hand. “Go do your thing. You’ll just tell me about your late-night date when you get home.”

“Deal.”

Or not.

I wasn’t going to tell my mother about the night we’d shared.

Although, to be fair, it wasn’t like we’d done anything I couldn’t tell her about.

We’d talked.

She’d rubbed my shoulders.

We’d finished that bottle of wine and then gone to bed.

Together but only to sleep.

It was essentially G-rated.

I’d give Mom an overview.

Then I had to figure out what to do with her for the evening because as wonderful as she was, I didn’t want to bring her on another date with Bailey.

Especially not this one.

I’d have to think about what to do.

After practice.

Everything else had to wait.