Power Play (Nashville Assassins Next Generation 2)

“You do?”

“Every single one,” he said, unfolding my index finger and kissing it. “A lease commitment.” I grin as he holds up my middle finger, licking the tip before biting it softly. My breath catches as he says, “Of course, sex-with-you-only commitment.” I giggle as he pulls out my pinkie, wiggling it. “A dog or cat commitment would be nice.”

I nod. “It wouldn’t be terrible.”

He pulls out my thumb, rubbing it with his. “A baby commitment.”

I swear, my heart stops. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he agrees, slowly unbending my ring finger. “But the commitment I most want—need, really—is the forever one. That one will be easy.”

“It would be.”

“Totally.”

“Like eating marshmallows.”

He winks. “In a closet with chocolate.”

My heart soars. “I don’t have to hide you in the closet.”

“Nope. Everyone knows. I didn’t even have to order shirts.”

I take in a deep, shaky breath. “Reactions?”

He beams. “They’re happy for us, and Jakob said he always knew something was up.”

“So, we didn’t hide it well?” I ask with my face scrunched up.

“I think it’s like a fire—we just let it spread. I don’t think you can contain that.”

Tears well up in my eyes. “I love you, Boon.”

He leans in, pressing his nose to mine. “Posey Rose Adler, I can’t even tell you how I could ever have thought I was in love before you. This love we have, it’s mind-blowing. It’s you and me against the world, and it’s pretty damn obvious the only person on this earth I’m supposed to love is you.”

“I feel completely the same.”

“Good. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Nope, you’re my safe place.”

“And you’re mine,” he declares, wrapping his arm around my neck so that he’s where he belongs. So close, I breathe his air and he breathes mine. “I’ve got you forever, Adler.”

“Right back atcha, Hoenes.”

He touches my nose with his, and I gaze into his eyes, knowing I am fully in love with him. Only him and no one else. He’s right, and I feel the same. I feel like I didn’t even know what love was before him. Being in love with him is special. It’s amazing. It gives me that feeling of being on the power play and catching the puck mid-ice before rushing the goal on a breakaway.

He’s my power play goal.

* * *

My parents insisted on driving us to my apartment from the airport. The whole way, I’ve been annoyed since I know this means they’ll be coming up and fussing over me until I scream. I appreciate the love and fussing, but I just want to be alone. With Boon. It’s looking like that won’t happen.

I was so excited to get back home, but I didn’t realize that home meant they would be there too. I’m actually surprised they’re not making me go back to their house. I probably shouldn’t say that out loud; I feel like that’s giving them ammo they don’t know they have.

When we pull up, I groan inwardly as Boon and Dad get out to carry our bags. Mom helps me out, but when we come around the car, Boon meets us. He takes my hand and then swiftly picks me up in his arms. “You okay?”

I nod, even though it did hurt like mad. “Fine.”

“I would have helped her up,” Mom says, and Dad hands our bags to Boon.

“Boon has it.”

I feel my eyes widen as I whip my head to my father.

He leans in, kissing my head. “Call us if you need us.”

Mom leans in next. “Please take it easy.” She kisses me and then sets Boon with a look. “You sure you have this?”

“Very sure.”

She doesn’t want to leave me, I can see it in her eyes, but she nods. “Okay, please call.”

“We will,” Boon answers, and I smile.

“I love you, Mom. Thank you. Love you, Dad!”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m gonna go get some meds for my angina,” he calls as he gets back in the car and grins.

Mom squeezes my wrist before she turns to get in the front seat.

“Well, shit. I didn’t think that was going to work,” he says as they drive off.

“What?”

He meets my gaze. “I told him that they have to give me a chance to take care of you to prove I’m gonna be able to do it the rest of my life.”

Oh, the butterflies are going crazy in my chest. “I love you.”

He winks. “I know.”

He carries me up to my apartment with ease. He throws the bags down to unlock the door and then kicks them in before kicking the door shut. When I see the flowers on the counter, I beam at him. “More flowers?”

He walks us over to the counter. I reach for the card, and I’m surprised by who they’re from.

Posey,

I’m glad you’re all right. I know my boy would be lost without you. I look forward to our next dinner together. Best wishes on a fast recovery.