Page 200 of Power Play

His thumb moved slowly against my spine. “Charm.”

I pushed myself up enough to rest my chin on his chest. “I know hockey is your job, and I know this is what the season looks like. I’m not trying to make you feel guilty.”

“You’re allowed to hate it.”

“I do.”

“Good.”

That made me smile despite myself. “Good?”

“It means you want me here.”

“I think last night made that reasonably clear.”

His eyebrow lifted.

“Don’t start.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were about to.”

“I was thinking it.”

“Apparently that counts now.”

“It does when I can read you.”

I rolled my eyes and settled against him again, but the ache didn’t leave. It had been easier before I understood what missing Ryan actually felt like. Before Chicago, before six days of texts and FaceTime calls, and before we spent all that time circling the same argument, I could still tell myself whatever existed between us had boundaries.

Last night had destroyed those boundaries.

Ryan went quiet for a moment, his fingers drawing absent patterns against my skin before he spoke again.

“If I only ever get one day between hockey, I’ll come to you.”

I lifted my head and found him watching me. “One day?”

“One fucking day.”

“That’s a lot of driving.”

“I know how cars work.”

“Ryan.”

“I’m serious.” He caught a strand of my hair and moved it away from my face. “If I’ve got enough time to get back here and see you, I’m coming.”

My throat tightened. “What happens when you can’t?”

“You’ll be busy.”

“I’ll still miss you.”

His hand settled at the back of my neck. “Then call me. Text, FaceTime, or use whatever else you need. I might not answer the second you call if I’m on the ice or in film, but I’ll answer when I can.”

Something about the certainty in his voice made my heart squeeze. “You make it sound simple.”