Page 23 of Third Strike Smitten

Tattoos run down both of his arms in illustrated sleeves as he shifts a ridiculous amount of candy balanced in his hold. M&M’s. Peanut M&M’s. Sour gummy worms. Skittles. Two king-sized Twix bars and what appears to be an alarming number of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

I blink once.

Then again.

“Did you rob a twelve-year-old after Little League?” I ask before I can stop myself.

His mouth twitches instantly, like he was already expecting me to say something smart-assed.

“Long game,” he replies, voice rough and low enough that it does absolutely nothing helpful for my blood pressure. “Needed reinforcements.”

My eyes drift back down to the gray sweatpants against my will.

Okay.

Maybe I need reinforcements.

Seriously though.

How is it even possible for a man to be as breathtakingly hot as Killian Haynes is?

“Saw you in here and knew it was late so I figured I’d check on you.” He pauses, his cheeks reddening. “I mean, surely you’re not meeting someone here at eleven o’clock at night but⁠—”

Is that his way of asking if I’m single?

“I’m not meeting anyone,” I tell him candidly. “Just didn’t feel much like peopling this evening so I skipped the team meet and greet in the hotel lobby.”

“Oh.” He nods. “Right. I get it. Everyone has off days. I can leave you alone unless you…” he shrugs, “Want company?”

I hesitate for just a moment. The last thing I need is to get more tangled up with Killian Haynes, but the thought of sitting alone with my email-induced anxiety suddenly seems less appealing than it did five minutes ago.

“Depends.” I narrow my eyes teasingly. “What’s in it for me?”

Killian’s smile grows as he glances down at the sugar haul in his arms. He lets it all fall to the table, in front of me. “Meh, it’s probably too much for one person anyway.”

“Probably?” I laugh. “Should I be worried about your blood sugar? Maybe I need to stock medically necessary sugar on the plane.”

“Nah. My body is a temple,” he assures me as he slides into the booth across from me. “These are just my post-game vitamins.”

“Right, because Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups…” I pick up one of the orange-wrapped chocolates from the table. “Have all the appropriate nutrients.”

“Duh.” He reaches for one and rips it open, pulling the pie-shaped candy from the wrapper. “Chocolate and peanut butter are the two most important food groups. What’s wrong with you for not knowing that?” He tosses an entire Reese’s Cup into his mouth, groaning at the wonderful taste that is the combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

I watch as he methodically arranges his candy collection, sorting by type like he’s planning a strategic attack on his sweet tooth. The reading glasses catch the light when he moves, and I find myself wondering when exactly I developed a thing for men in glasses.

“So, what’s got you hiding out in the hotel bar at this hour?” Killian asks, his eyes finding mine over the top of his glasses. “I mean, pardon me for saying so, but you don’t seem the type to regularly avoid people.”

I take a sip of my wine, considering how much to tell him. The email from The Step Forward Foundation sits heavy in my pocket, a constant reminder of the past I’ve been trying so hard to outrun.

“Just got some news today that’s been on my mind,” I admit, surprising myself with my honesty. “Nothing major. Just...life stuff.”

Killian nods, his expression softening. I’m grateful he doesn’t push for details. He simply opens a pack of Skittles and offers me the bag. “Want to taste the rainbow?” he asks with that crooked smile.

I take a handful, letting the sugar dissolve on my tongue. “Thanks.”

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, the hotel bar quiet enough that I can hear the soft pop music playing through hidden speakers. It’s strange how at ease I feel with him despite the chaos of my thoughts.

“How was the game?”