The Bad Boy Hockey Collection: A Collection Of Single Daddy Romances

“But you have a game in Colorado. How come you’re going home?”

I find her statement a bit strange. She lives in Boston. I thought she’d follow her home team, not the opposition.

“I know, but there’s no one to look after the kids since Isobel...” I can’t even say it out loud. “Since she did what she did. I need to put those two first.” A sigh escapes my lips. “I shouldn’t have left you with them the way I did last night, Faith. I know that. And I’m sorry. I really do mean that. It was an asshole thing to do. Especially when I didn’t even thank you for looking after them during the game, seeing as Isobel couldn’t be bothered to do it herself.”

She nods her head, and I can’t read her expression. “From what I’ve been told, it seems like Isobel wanted to get with you, not look after your kids.”

“Who told you that?”

“Darcy.” She grins, as if she knows my daughter as well as I do.

“I just thought Darcy’s overactive imagination was running away with her,” I admit, sheepish.

She shakes her head. “Seems not. Guess that’s why it was so easy for Isobel to run out on them.”

A hollow laugh bubbles up in my throat. “I caught her in my bed once, but I just thought she made a mistake with the rooms in our house. I decided to sleep in her bed because of it. Shit, I’m so blind.”

Faith points to me, an eyebrow arched high. “You caught her in your bed, and you didn’t think something was wrong then?”

Now, I feel like a complete idiot. “I just didn’t—”

“Tristan, if you want help, then I can help you out.” The offer is out of her mouth quickly. “Dad can mind the concession stand. I’m sure my aunt would help him out, so I can stay with your kids until you play your next game.”

I take a step closer to her. Where the hell did you come from?

I don’t even know her, and yet she put my kids first even when I stupidly didn’t, and brought them to the hotel and stayed with them. Now, she’s standing in front of me in jeans that hug her hips in all the right places, fresh-faced and not needing a hint of makeup because of her natural beauty, offering to help me again despite how I’ve acted up till now.

Maybe I’m just emotional, but I lean forward, gently pressing my lips against hers. She gasps, and her chest heaves, but she doesn’t protest about the kiss or try to push me away. My hands find her arms at her sides, holding her there with only a featherlight touch, and I bask in the electric-like heat that emanates between us.

The chemistry between us is so strong that, one moment I’m just kissing her, feeling her lips against mine, and the next my face is crushed against hers, my tongue exploring her mouth greedily.

I can’t remember the last time I kissed a woman like this, and I worry that I’m rusty or made the wrong move. But Faith’s reaction is anything but disappointment, and she wraps her arms around my neck, letting my tongue tease her mouth desperately.

She’s kissing me back as she moans softly against my lips, letting me know she wants this just as much as I do. Then, without warning, there’s a thump on the bathroom door. It opens just as Faith pulls away from me. Darcy’s on the other side, her head peeking in at us with a suspicious eye.

The look brings me back to reality, and I grin at her. “Good news, Darcy. Faith’s going to babysit you and Ferguson for a little while.”

I steal a glance over at Faith, and she’s still trying to get over the kiss as the kids barge into the little bathroom, wrapping themselves around her hips and legs. She presses her fingers to her lips, as though she can still feel my mouth on hers, then gazes over at me and smiles.

Chapter 8

Faith

We move out into the hotel room as a collective whole, the kids still clinging to me excitedly, but I can’t take my eyes off Tristan. I can still feel my lips tingle as the kids chatter on about how excited they are for me to be their new nanny. I can’t seem to respond though, still in a trance from Tristan’s kiss.

He took me by surprise. I want to smile at the kids, pretend that it didn’t happen, and focus on the offer I just made him, but I find myself completely lost.

Why did he kiss me?

Why did he leave me weak in the knees like that?

Is this the reason that Isobel left?

Maybe he wasn’t telling the truth. Maybe he led her on. Hell, maybe he has a thing for nannies, and he isn’t as innocent in all this as he claims. But, as I look down at Darcy’s bright eyes looking up at me as if I’m Santa Claus on Christmas Day, I know it doesn’t matter what Tristan’s motives are. I can’t go back on my word.

“Is it true, Faith?” Ferguson asks, glancing up at me as he squeezes my hand tightly in his.

Tristan pulls the little boy away gently, allowing me a bit of space, and takes him in his arms. But, all eyes are on me.