Chapter 28 – Breaking the Ice Novel (Easton & Caroline) Free Online

“You can bake for me anytime.”

Caro stepped forward. I saw the battle in her eyes. She didn’t like how I’d handled this situation, not asking her first, but she sighed resignedly. I held out my arms for a hug, and she shook her head.

“Thank you, Easton. You’ve been very kind.” Her words were stiff and formal. I fought hard not to laugh. A few hours ago, we’d been on the verge of going at it on her bed while the kids and Junie were one wall away. At least in this condo, there’d be more room, and I knew from experience—thank you, Kaden—the rooms were well soundproofed.

“You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure.”

I met her gaze and held it. Despite all my protests to the contrary, I couldn’t come up with one good reason not to have a sexual relationship with the mother of my children, at least not one I wouldn’t throw out the window given half a chance. We were hot for each other. We weren’t seeing anyone else. There was nothing to stop us. We were both old enough to know the difference between sex and love, even if we hadn’t as teenagers.

If both of us understood the mutual benefits of hooking up without emotional strings, what would be the harm?

Yeah, what would be the harm?

I’d been a kid and thought I’d loved her once. I’d broken into a million pieces when I’d walked away from her, yet I’d done it not just for my career but hers. She’d wanted to go to nursing school. Following a hockey player around from team to team didn’t make such an education feasible.

I’d done the right thing by leaving her. Should I do the right thing by leaving her alone?

Maybe, but I couldn’t.

Ever since she’d come back into my life, that emptiness had faded. I felt purpose, I felt happy, and I felt something I hadn’t felt in years. Yeah, I was a new father, but those kids weren’t the entire reason my life had turned around.

Right now I had everything I’d ever wanted, and I was fucking hanging on to it with all the determination and grit I possessed.

I wasn’t talking about a long-term relationship or even love, just a great sexual relationship without all the emotional encumbrances, drama, and heartache I associated with a full-blown relationship.

A few days ago, I’d sworn to keep my hands off Caro. Today, I was plotting how to get those hands all over her hot little body.

If I didn’t know better, I’d say I was a hot mess like Kaden, but I wasn’t. I was in control, not being controlled by a woman.

Or I was fucking delusional.

Caroline point of view

I had to admit the truth.

I looked forward living in the spiffy new condo for the next several months. And if I was really honest with myself, being across the hall from Easton wasn’t so bad either—primarily so the kids would have easy access to their father, of course. Nothing to do with me.

Junie and I packed up the hotel room first, which didn’t take too long. Then we headed to the storage unit and began the arduous task of separating out what stayed in storage and what moved to the condo. The kids sat in the car, read on their tablets, and took naps. I had everything ready by the time the first truck pulled up next to the unit.

As truck after truck arrived, I stood in awe at the sheer manpower filing into the small space. Boxes were lifted and hauled out with incredible efficiency. These guys were used to working together on the ice, and that teamwork spread to packing out boxes, too.

I did my share. I never believed in being one of those women who stood by and watched the men do the heavy lifting. I held my own. Easton attempted to relieve my load multiple times, but I’d hear nothing of it.

Within a few hours, everything that needed to be moved was loaded.

Having a professional hockey player as the father of my children did have its advantages.

The procession of trucks pulled up outside Easton’s building, and we did the entire thing all over again. This time I didn’t carry in boxes but directed where each item should go as per the careful notes I’d placed on each box.

Easton had pizza delivered, and his roommate Kaden lugged in a few cases of beer. The living room burst at the seams with lounging hockey players, the aroma of pizza, and boisterous laughter. Junie and I had been introduced to the half-dozen guys who’d shown up, but I didn’t recall all the names. Many of them lived in this building since it was close to the practice facility and the team owner gave them a good deal on long-term leases. Ethan Parker had bought the property and built the condos with the intention of housing his hockey players here, especially the single ones. Most of the married players opted for large homes with yards.

Junie flirted shamelessly with the guys while I observed her amusing performance. She had these guys eating out of her hand, and I suspected she’d been propositioned by more than a few of them.

Steele and the kids were playing a board game at the dining room table. Every once in a while, Steele would groan, and the kids would giggle. They were handing Steele his ass on a platter, or so it sounded.

Easton stuck close to me while participating in the banter going back and forth. He’d told them about the twins, and no one thought it was odd he was paying so much attention to me. No one but me, that is.

For a brief moment, I allowed myself to be transported back to a time when we were teenagers and had our entire future ahead of us. It’d been a time of hope and happiness. Being with Easton opened up an entirely different life than I’d had in the past. He was from a good family with two great brothers and a loving mother. I’d met them a few times when they’d come to watch him play. His mother was a gem, and Easton talked fondly of his father.

I’d been drawn to Easton because he was self-confident, easygoing, and rarely flustered. He enjoyed life and didn’t worry much about his future. I was the opposite. I’d vowed to make something of myself. I’d show my parents. They told me I’d never be anything but a failure and would end up barefoot and pregnant by the time I was eighteen. How prophetic.

I had ended up pregnant and neither parent had been the least bit supportive. My father told me to get an abortion, and my mother booted me out of the house. She didn’t want any screaming brats underfoot. I was on my own, except for Mark. He stepped up and married me, rescuing me from a fate I’d sworn never to succumb to.

Mark loved the kids, probably more than me. He didn’t bat an eye when we found out I was having twins. The prospect excited him. His parents were hugely supportive, unlike mine, who to this day had never shown any interest in meeting their grandchildren.

Those early days had been wonderful. I’d loved Mark, not with the white-hot passion I’d had with Easton, but with an easy, secure love. We’d been happy together. I adored his parents. They’d been supportive and loving toward the twins. I saw them as role models of good parenting.

The last couple years hadn’t been bad, but looking back, I’d been complacent and in a rut. I gave up my dreams and busted my ass trying to be the good little wife and measuring up to my own high expectations. I was a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. That alone was a huge strike against me in my opinion, not that Mark or his parents cared one damn bit, but I did. Being that girl had always defined me and driven me to be the best, whether it was student, mother, or wife.

“Hey, penny for your thoughts?”

I blinked a few times, focusing on Easton. He held out a copper penny. I shrugged. No way in hell was I discussing my innermost secrets with him.

“You were so deep in thought, you didn’t hear a thing I said.”

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“Let’s see how things go for the next few months, then we’ll decide on a permanent agreement.”

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