Page 37 of Three Hockey Hotties

She seems lighter when she’s with them. She smiles easily. She lets them take her bags, seems completely fine with them resting their hands on her lower back, and she is constantly casting sweet, adorable glances in their directions. Like she can’t help but watch them while not wanting to get caught.

And the guys are clearly smitten.

Kane is obviously head over heels for this girl already. He’s always happy and easy to be around, but he’s been downright giddy since meeting Abby.

Dash is always a little harder to read, but not tonight. He’s smiling, relaxed, and the only time he has left her side for more than two minutes is when he went into her apartment to pack her suitcase.

Seeing her now curled up, subconsciously feeling comfortable with her head on Kane’s thigh and her feet resting in Dash’s lap, makes my chest feel less tight. She’s here, safe, and she knows it.

Dash has his head resting against the back of the couch, his mouth open, snoring softly. His hand is wrapped around one of her ankles, his big paw, covering nearly her entire foot.

Kane has propped himself up in the corner of the couch, also asleep. His fingers are tangled in her hair, and I swear he’s smiling, even in his sleep.

The three of them look right together. Like they’ve been sitting on that couch, falling asleep to movies together for years.

I rub my hand over my sternum, actually feeling a physical ache there.

Can we keep her?

I know the guys will say yes. And they’ll do anything to make that happen. But will Abby let that happen? Would she want that? Would she want all three of us?

Because that’s the bottom line. It’s all three of us or nothing at the end of the day.

We’ve never done that before. Never even discussed it. But it seems crystal clear now that we’ve met her. The three of us together would be exactly what Abby needs.

The movie credits begin to roll, and I look at the three of them, debating my next move. I need to put them to bed.

While I would very much like to herd everyone up to the same bedroom, it is way too soon for that. If I leave the guys here, eventually, they’ll wake up and find their way to their rooms. But somehow Abby needs to get to bed.

And I suddenly very much want to be the one who does that. I could wake either of the other guys, and they would happily scoop her up and take her upstairs. But they’ve been attending to her all night.

It’s my turn.

I push up from the chair and turn off the television and all the lights except the one lamp on the side table. I lean over the couch and carefully detangle her hair from Kane’s fingers, and then slowly unwrap Dash’s hand from around her dainty ankle.

Both men are deeply asleep, making only little snorting noises and a groan as they reposition on the couch. I’m able to slip Abby off their laps by scooping my hands underneath her knees and behind her shoulders.

To my delight and surprise, she doesn’t awaken as I lift her and cradle her against my chest. Instead, she curls into me, nuzzling her cheek against my shoulder.

Her sweet strawberry scent floats up to me, stronger now that she’s in my arms, and I breathe deeply, feeling heat and need and affection course through me.

It doesn’t make sense, but I’m about to give up trying to figure it out. She is a fact now.

I start for the stairs, determined to lay her on the bed, cover her up, and leave her alone.

She’s dressed in soft sweatpants and a sweatshirt that will work just fine as pajamas for the night.

Dash has already taken her belongings up to the bedroom, and Kane gave her a tour of the house, so when she does awaken, she’ll know where she is, and she’ll have everything she needs.

But halfway up the stairs, she stirs in my arms. I pause on the steps and look down into her gorgeous blue eyes.

“Hi,” I say softly, giving her a chance to recognize who’s holding her.

She gives me a sweet smile that makes me want to kiss her.

Well, it makes me want to kiss her more than I already did.

“Hi.”