14. Braxton

Jeez, Natalie, chill out.

As if the display Hannah had put on wasn't enough, Natalie was going to scare Dakota off with talk of becoming a member of the family—found or not. She had no idea how hard I'd worked to get Dakota through the door today, and she was seconds away from ruining all the progress I'd made.

Thankfully, a yell of "Uncle Basston!" had every head turning toward the ball of energy barreling right toward us, the earlier scuffle quickly forgotten.

Knowing what was coming, I held my arms out wide, bracing for impact as Charlie didn't slow down on approach, launching herself at my chest. She might only be three, but that girl was strong, and the air was knocked from my lungs at the collision.

Crawling onto my lap, she circled her arms around my neck, and I hugged her tightly. My youngest niece was fierce. She worked hard at keeping up with the boys—Beau and Knox especially, as they were only a few years older than her. She didn't take shit from anyone, and I knew she would be responsible for Jaxon's first gray hairs.

"Charlie girl!" I pulled back, bopping her on the nose, and she giggled. It was easily my favorite sound in the world. Turning to Dakota, I explained, "This is my niece, Charlie."

A brilliant smile lit up Dakota's face, and she waved at Charlie. "Well, hi there, Charlie. My name is Dakota."

Charlie's tiny brow wrinkled, and her lips pursed in thought. Slowly, she said, "Hi, Da-pota."

It took everything in me not to chuckle and embarrass my niece, but damn if it wasn't the cutest thing that she couldn't yet say certain names right. Mine also was a casualty with the X-sound in the middle.

Grabbing my face with two hands, Charlie demanded my attention, declaring, "I wanna play hockey!"

Smiling at the determined expression on her face, I asked, "Are the boys being mean and not letting you in on their game of mini sticks?"

She frowned, shaking her head. "No. I wanna go on the ice!"

Surprised, I glanced around the room. Well, at least what I could view around the toddler front and center in my field of vision. "I'm sorry. I think I'm in the wrong house. This desperate plea for help is not something I would expect to hear from one of Jaxon Slate's kids."

Natalie sighed. "She's not handling the transition to big sister very well."

Hannah chuckled. "Can't say I blame her. Stars that shine as bright as us don't like to share the spotlight."

"Anyway," Natalie continued. "She's got it in her head that we will pay her more attention if she plays hockey, like Beau, since we're always at the practice rink for him. That, and she's always been a daddy's girl and has grown up watching Jaxon play." She sighed. "Unfortunately, there aren't enough hours in the day with the team's travel schedule and five kids." She shot a glare at my brother. It was no secret that Max hadn't been exactly planned.

"Don't you worry," Hannah cooed. "Auntie Hannah and Uncle Cal will teach that poor girl how to play."

Hugging Charlie to my chest, I protested, "No way. That right falls to her blood uncle."

Benji piped up. "I think I've proven most recently that I am the master at youth hockey training. Knox is lighting it up this season—his first season, I might add."

Jaxon groaned. "I'm so glad no one thinks I'm capable of teaching my daughter how to skate or play."

Seizing a rare opportunity to tease my older brother, I threw a jab. "Maybe she's too intimidated to have you as her instructor. She requested me, and I don't think I can say no to this sweet little face."

Dakota jumped right in, offering, "She can join us during my lessons any time."

Stunned, my head snapped to her, and a shy smile graced her perfect rosebud lips. Fuck, if we were alone, I wouldn't have been able to resist kissing them.

Bouncing Charlie, I declared, "That settles it. Charlie, you get to come on our next rink date." I winked at Dakota, and she blushed. The color creeping onto her cheeks only made her look more beautiful.

I knew if she could survive the day with this group, I would be that much closer to sealing the deal. I wanted her for my own, and I would stop at nothing until I made that happen.

Dakota was the missing piece from my life.

Was this how Jaxon felt when he first met Natalie? If it was, I felt sorry for the guy, having to sit on his hands for nearly a decade while she was married to another man, then having to battle past her demons to earn the trust of the woman he loved.

There was an all-consuming need to claim Dakota. And not just in a physical sense. I wanted exclusive access to her incredible mind, to learn what made her tick. I wanted to be the first person she thought of when she woke up every morning and the last one she pictured before falling asleep at night. God knows she was always at the forefront of my mind. I wanted her to claim me right back, to declare to the world that she was mine.

She'd had me hooked since that first night by being the girl she portrayed to the world, but the glimpses she'd shared since then were what had me obsessed with discovering who she was beneath it all. There was no doubt that when she revealed her true self, I would fall helplessly at her feet.

My heart already belonged to her, even if she hadn't accepted it yet.

It's going to feel fucking amazing when she gives in to what I already know. That she's mine.

The world faded away as we stared at each other, but the bubble surrounding us burst when thundering footsteps sounded from the kitchen.

"Yes! Uncle Braxton is here!" Beau called out from behind me.

Shifting Charlie in my arms, I turned to find Beau and Knox, side by side, mini sticks in their hands. Those two had only met briefly this past summer during Benji's summer clinic back home in Michigan but became instant friends. Now that they lived in the same city—the same housing community, no less—they were inseparable. Not only that, but they also played on the same line for their youth hockey team, just like their dads, and the chemistry between them was off the charts.

Knox was older by about a year and the fairer of the two, with dark blond hair like his mom and gray eyes like his dad. Beau, with his dark hair and brown eyes, had a slight advantage in being a hockey kid longer—not just in playing himself, but in living the life of a player's child. Their competition level knew no bounds.

I caught Dakota's smile from my peripheral vision as she remarked, "Very popular with the kids, aren't you?"

Smirking, I nodded. "Allow me to introduce who we lovingly call Double Trouble. Beau is Jaxon and Natalie's boy, and Knox belongs to Benji and Liv."

Dakota eyed their sticks. "And hockey-obsessed like their dads, no doubt?"

"Damn straight!" Benji shouted.

Leaning in close, I grazed her ear with my lips, whispering, "You know you want to come over to the dark side. Stop fighting it."

I was rewarded with the sweet vision of a shiver rolling down the length of her body. And when I pulled back, that physical reaction was paired with the stunning sight of her blue eyes darkened in lust.

Before I could blink, those beautiful blue depths sparkled with mischief, and she smirked. "Then, I guess it's time to put all those lessons to use."

"What?"

Speaking to the boys, she asked, "You got a stick for me?"

Beau fist-pumped the air. "Yes! Game on!"

Game on, indeed.

Natalie and Jaxon's basement spanned the entire length of the house, featuring walk-out access to their in-ground pool, which was currently drained and covered in preparation for winter. A healthy portion was sectioned off as an in-law suite, where Liam used to live, but now served as a guest apartment when Preston and Lucy visited from Manhattan. There was also an indoor sports court, home gym, movie theater, game room, and a large den.

The boys led the way to the sports court, where the space was split in half. One side had a basketball hoop while the other was fashioned into a mini rink, boards and all. The only thing missing was ice. It was a hockey kid's dream, and I'd witnessed my fair share of epic mini sticks battles in this room.

But none of them would be more high stakes than the one we were about to play.

Amelia and Jameson must have been in one of the other lower-level rooms, and had heard the excited chatter echoing around the sports court and leaking into the hallway because they joined us not long after. Still juggling Charlie in my arms, I introduced my raven-haired thirteen-year-old niece and blond twelve-year-old nephew to Dakota.

It was strange to think I was almost closer to their age than Jaxon's, and I hoped as they grew older, they would view me as a cool uncle they could come to when their parents gave them a hard time.

Knox handed Dakota a stick and explained the rules. "Even strength teams, on your knees. First team to five goals wins."

Glancing around, Dakota asked, "Okay, so who plays on which team?"

Beau surveyed those gathered in the room. "You challenged Uncle Braxton, so you can be one of the team captains. He can be the other. Challenger chooses their partner first."

Charlie screamed, "I wanna PLAY!!!"

Her shrill voice had me wincing, but I knew what it was like to be the much younger sibling, being left out, so I advocated for her. "Looks like it's gonna be three on three." Beau and Knox groaned, but they'd have to suck it up. Turning to Jameson, I asked, "Are you in to make it even?"

Jameson nodded. "Sure."

Dakota smiled at Amelia, noting she would be the only one left out. "Are you sure you don't want to play? We can take turns."

Amelia shook her head. "No, that's okay. Might be more entertaining to watch this round."

"Smart girl." I winked in her direction. "This might get ugly."

Widening her stance, Dakota challenged, "You're talking an awfully big game over there."

Stepping closer, I dropped my voice an octave. "Oh, Firefly, you're going down."

Determination glinted in her blue eyes, and I loved seeing her feisty personality come out to play.

Gesturing to the boys, I prompted, "Your choice first, Captain."

A corner of her lips twitched as she tried to hold back a smile, surveying her options. "I think it's only fair that if one team has a Slate captain I even up the count. Beau, you're with me."

"Good choice." I nodded my approval. Bouncing Charlie on my hip, I declared, "I choose Charlie girl." She squealed in my arms, and I ducked my head to blow raspberries into her neck.

Dakota raised an eyebrow. "You think you're that good? Taking a toddler handicap?"

I shrugged, a smile firmly planted on my face. "Don't underestimate her. She's small but mighty, and she's been playing since she could walk."

"Interesting," she mused, pursing her lips. "Bold move, but your arrogance is showing. So, I guess that leaves me no choice but to take the other half of Double Trouble. Knox, get over here."

Knox let out a whoop, and ran to join his best bud and the girl I was quickly falling for. Who knew she was hiding a competitive streak and the ability to trash talk?

"Jameson, lucky for you, you're gonna be on the winning team by default."

Moving to his place at my side, Jameson asked under his breath, "You're gonna let her win, right?"

Eyes trained on the woman standing across from me, I replied, "Not a chance." Raising my voice, I said loud enough for her to hear me, "She made her choice."

Cocking a hip, Dakota was full of sass as she shot back, "Bring it on."

Entering the mini rink, we dropped to our knees, and Amelia closed the board door behind us, holding the ball in her hand. Dakota and I lined up opposite each other at center "ice" while the rest of our team fell back into position behind us. Amelia counted to three and threw the ball into the rink. Immediately, I tackled Dakota to the ground, smacking the ball in Charlie's direction and screaming, "Go, Charlie!"

Being a toddler, she was the only one allowed to remain on her feet, and she took off like a bullet with the ball on her stick. Dakota protested beneath me, "Hey! No fair!"

Smirking down at her, I countered, "I don't remember anything in the rules that prohibits me from taking you out of the game."

"Score!" Charlie cried.

Huffing when I let her up, Dakota gave me a playful glare. "So, that's how we're gonna play it?"

"I play to win, sweetheart." I threw her a wink.

The next time the ball was tossed into the center, she was ready for me, swiping the ball to Beau before I got to her. Knox hustled to the net for the pass, and scored. "One to one!" He grinned triumphantly, high-fiving Beau.

The game went back and forth until it was four to four. The next goal would win.

Dakota was red-faced and breathing heavily but wasn't ready to give up. I had to hand it to her; she wanted the win almost as badly as I did. Almost.

"Throw the ball," she gritted out to Amelia as she kneeled, poised for a final attack.

Peeking over, I caught my niece biting back a smirk. She was old enough to realize what was going on here. It wouldn't be long before she dipped her toes into the dating pool, and I bet she'd already had a crush or two.

The count began, and I planned my next move. As soon as the ball flew in the air, I dropped my stick, lowered my shoulder, and threw Dakota over it. Holding on with one arm, I went for the boys next. Dakota beat on my lower back where she could reach, trying to get me to release her, but it was no use. Using my free arm, I wrapped it around Beau's waist, keeping him immobile. Knox was so stunned that he didn't see Jameson shooting from behind me, and the game was over.

"Team Braxton wins!" I roared, setting Dakota down.

Knox and Beau grumbled but congratulated us, as the good sports their dads had raised them to be. They then headed off, leaving their sticks behind. From the corner of my eye, I saw Amelia and Jameson lead Charlie from the room.

Dakota's panting filled the air, and I crawled closer, giving her my full attention.

"Did you really think you could beat me?" I taunted, caging her in from above.

Eyes full of fire, she spat back, "I almost did."

"Almost doesn't count." Hovering over her prone form, I dipped my head, teasing the curve of her neck with my nose. She gasped, and I bit back a groan at how incredible she smelled.

Her swallow was audible, but somehow, she managed to force out, breathless, "I'll get you next time."

Placing my lips right beside her ear, I whispered, "Is that so?"

"Uh-huh." The words flew out on a moan.

Pressing my luck, I pulled back enough to be rewarded with the sight of her, stunningly flushed, lost to the connection we shared—the one she'd fought at every turn. My hand skated up her side where her sweater had ridden up, and her bare skin was hot, searing into the flesh of my palm. Instead of drawing away as I expected, Dakota arched into my touch, seeking more contact.

My cock throbbed, hard behind the zipper of my fly, demanding action. He wouldn't get any—not here, not now—but I didn't intend to walk away from this opportunity empty-handed.

Dakota's lips were parted, silently begging me to taste them.

Don't mind if I do.

Dropping my forehead to hers, I willed my racing heart to calm down. I'd never been this nervous to kiss a girl in my life. Not even the very first time. This was special. She was special. And I knew there would be no going back once I claimed her lips with mine.

Working up the nerve, I was a breath away from stealing that first sweet taste when Natalie's voice called from a distance, "Dinner's ready!"

And just like that, the trance was broken. Dakota scrambled out from beneath me, rising on shaky legs and pressing the back of her hand to her lips, no doubt feeling the shadow of what almost was our first kiss right there.

Thanks a lot, sis.