by Anna Sugden
He’d even helped her work out a plan for when Peanut was due. Because the Cats had several road trips during February and March, they’d agreed it would be better for Sapphie to be Issy’s birthing partner. J.B. had seemed genuinely disappointed that he might miss out on the main event.
And yet...
“I can’t believe it’ll work out the way I want it to,” Issy admitted.
“Don’t borrow trouble. How could he fail to want you and Peanut?”
“He hasn’t told his family about us.” She wasn’t surprised, given what he’d told her about his relationship with them, but it was unsettling nonetheless. “He says it’ll be easier to present them with a done deal.”
“That he believes there will be a ‘done deal’ has to be a good sign.”
“I suppose so.” She wanted—needed—the confirmation.
“You haven’t told your parents,” Sapphie said gently. “With good reason. Don’t read anything into it.”
This was the first year that Issy and Sapphie hadn’t gone home for the holiday. It had never been a trip they’d looked forward to, because it immersed them in the past they’d left behind. Every year, they questioned why they put themselves through the heartache. As nice as it was to spend time with Rosa and Tinka, and Sapphie’s sister, Emerald—and they missed seeing them—it also reinforced that their parents would never change.
Next year, the two friends planned to start a new tradition and ask their siblings to come to Jersey for the holiday.
“You’re right.” Issy sipped her tea. “I should stop worrying about the future.”
“Nice try.” Sapphie laughed. “But you like everything planned and organised. You need to accept that you can’t account for every variable.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Ike calling for the men to head to the kitchen for the traditional all-male cleanup. The women were directed to make themselves comfortable in either the living room, where a Hallmark movie was playing, the family room, where they could watch the latest blockbuster, or the den, where football would reign.
Issy and Sapphie opted to stay where they were.
“I could get used to spending holidays like this.” Sapphie sighed happily. “I’m looking forward to your Christmas Day lunch. Are you sure you and J.B. want me there?”
“Of course. Taylor will be there, as will a bunch of other single Ice Cats.” Issy had been pleased when J.B. had accepted her suggestion that they host a Christmas meal for his teammates who couldn’t get home for the holidays.
“Joint entertaining is a nice sign of togetherness, isn’t it?”
“True.” Issy curled her legs under her. “Though I’ll be doing all the cooking.”
“I’ll help. How come the guys are skipping their share of the work? The NHL is dark from Christmas Eve to the twenty-sixth.”
“Jake’s hired the practice rink for a voluntary training session on the twenty-fourth, as well as the day after Christmas. The team can’t do anything officially but, as captain, he can arrange a skate and everyone will take part. Hence, the bulk of the prep work will fall to me.”
“I hope you insist on the same cleanup roster as today.”
“You bet. I’m learning fast.” Issy grinned.
“Aren’t we lucky to be part of this?”
Issy wondered how long she’d be included if J.B. decided he didn’t want to continue their relationship once Peanut was born.
J.B. walked out of the kitchen with a damp dish towel around his neck. He dropped onto the arm of the sofa beside Issy.
“How are you holding up? Can I get you anything?” He’d been hovering around her all day.
Issy wasn’t complaining; she enjoyed being pampered. “I’m fine. I couldn’t eat another bite. This has been amazing. It’s so kind of everyone to include us.”
“Yeah. They’re a pretty cool bunch. It’s a shame Tru and Jenny can’t be here. You’d love Jenny. Hopefully, you’ll get a chance to meet them over Christmas. They’re supposed to fly out, with the twins.”
Issy had heard of the former puck bunny who’d married the second oldest Jelinek brother. She wasn’t sure what they’d have in common.
“We’re almost done in the kitchen. Can you hold out until the end of the Cowboys’ game and I’ll take you home then?”
“No problem. The movie is about to start.”
J.B. pressed a quick, hard kiss to her mouth. “Try to miss me a little while I’m gone.”
Issy batted her eyelashes. “I’ll be desolate. I’ll pine pitifully until you return.” She put the back of her hand against her forehead and feigned a swoon.
He snapped her with the dish towel. “Remember, payback’s a bitch.”
“Ooh, I’m so scared.”
“I don’t get any respect around here,” J.B. said mournfully.
Issy held up her hands. “What can I say? You’re a big softie.”
He arched an eyebrow. “I’ll remind of you that comment later.”
Her pulse jolted at the promise in his dark eyes. “Yes, please.”
As he strolled back to the kitchen, Sapphie fanned herself. “That man is H-O-T for you.”
“That’s one area I don’t have any worries about,” Issy said honestly.
Even if they hadn’t slept together yet. She’d checked with the doctor to make sure she wouldn’t harm the baby—she was reassured she wouldn’t.
A heated debate broke out between the two moms about which movie they should watch, Miracle on 34th Street or It’s a Wonderful Life.
The argument was settled when Tracy put Christmas in Connecticut into the DVD player.
Once the movie and the football game were over, J.B. and Issy departed, laden with enough food to keep them going until Christmas.
“I know I’m supposed to be eating for two, but I’ll end up looking like I’m having triplets if I eat all this,” Issy said as they drove off.
“Think of all the nights you won’t have to cook.” J.B. flicked his indicator. “Leftovers are way better than TV dinners.”
“Amen to that. Besides, I could eat Karina’s stew every night and not get bored.”
“You know the moms have adopted you and Sapphie as two more chicks.”
“They’re a hoot. I adore them.” Issy smiled, suppressing a yawn unsuccessfully.
“You’re exhausted. You should have said—we could have left sooner.” He pushed a button and her seat reclined. “Take a nap. I’ll get you home and into bed in no time.”
“Promises, promi—” Issy yawned. “I’ll rest my eyes for a few minutes.”
She awoke when J.B. pulled into the parking spot in front of her apartment and turned off the ignition.
Once inside, J.B. set the bags on the counter. “Take a load off while I put this stuff away. You’ve been on your feet too much today.”
“My swollen ankles thank you.” Issy grimaced as she toed off her shoes. “Put everything in the refrigerator for now. Be warned, I’m changing into my pajamas.”
“Penguins or cats?”
“Penguins, in honor of the season.”
“Perfect.” He winked.
Relieved to take off her dress and remove the hated hose, which had become constricting as the day had worn on, Issy slipped into her soft flannel pajamas.
“This is so unsexy.” She grimaced at her reflection before walking out of her bedroom.
At least she wasn’t waddling yet. That was something to look forward to.
She eased onto the sofa and put her feet up with a heavy sigh.
“Sounds like you need a foot massage.” J.B. joined her and lifted her feet onto his lap. “Luckily, I’m an expert.”
“Feel free to ply your talents on me. I’m in your hands.”
His wicked laugh sent need arcing through her. Her tiredness vanished. Beneath her flannel top, her braless nipples tightened.
As he kneaded the knots in her right foot, she moaned with pleasure. “That feels so good, I may not let you stop ever
.”
His fingers worked on her toes, one by one, moved on to her arch, then her ankle.
She willed him to go higher. She wanted to feel his touch moving over her calf, her knee, her thigh and higher still.
Even as she had the thought, he switched to the other foot.
Issy bit back her frustration.
J.B. chuckled. “Patience. I don’t want to miss a bit.”
Her skin tingled. Her pulse points throbbed.
She dropped her head back against the cushions and closed her eyes, savoring the sensations whirling through her.
His fingers slipped beneath the soft fabric to dance over her shin. This time, he made it as far as the tender skin at the back of her knee before stopping.
She swallowed a plea for him to continue. She shifted restlessly, trying to tell him without words what she wanted. Needed.
In one swift move he lay beside her and covered her mouth with his.
Their kisses quickly deepened. Their caresses grew more urgent. Somehow his shirt vanished, along with her pajama top. His hands, then his mouth, worshipped her breasts. Her hands, then her mouth worshipped his chest.
She fumbled with his belt buckle and the zipper of his pants as he slid his hands beneath her pajama bottoms. Then they were naked.
Issy barely had time to wonder if this was another time they’d pull back when he murmured, “Is it safe to continue?”
She smiled brightly and nodded.
“Hallelujah!”
* * *
RELATIONSHIPS WERE A piece of cake.
Why had J.B. been against one for so long? So far his life hadn’t changed, except for the better. He wasn’t restricted or constrained or bored. It hadn’t interfered with his hockey and he did pretty much everything he’d done when he was single, except for the partying and the women. And he was okay with that because he had Issy.
He looked at her, seated to his right at his dining table, which was decorated for Christmas, heavily laden with food and surrounded by some of his best friends.
Beautiful. Pregnancy had brought a soft glow to her face and her festive, red sweater dress emphasized the healthy color in her cheeks. Her eyes sparkled as she laughed at something Kenny said.
J.B. recalled his first impression of her and smiled to himself. Uptight. Now it was one of the many things he found charming about her. Her tendency to worry and be a stickler for the right. She calmed him. She made him think twice.
Yeah. She was one special lady.
Special enough that they were hosting Christmas lunch together, at his place. They’d even exchanged gifts this morning. He’d never have done that with another woman; he’d have been worried about sending the wrong message. With Issy, it wasn’t an issue. More importantly, it felt good.
For sure, things were changing for him.
He pushed aside the niggling concern that this was the calm before the storm. He knew things were easy in part because their baby hadn’t been born yet. He knew Peanut would definitely be a game changer. He’d seen enough of his brothers and their families to know that his life would never be the same again. But that was still a few months off and J.B. intended to enjoy this for as long as he could.
That was the beauty of his relationship with Issy. He didn’t have to worry about expectations and demands. They both knew where they stood. Even though there were still questions about the future, the options were clear and she didn’t hassle him constantly about what his decision would be.
It probably helped, too, that the Cats were riding high in the standings; clear leaders in their division and the Eastern Conference. J.B. had managed to keep up his average of a goal a game and was up there with the leaders in the league for top scorers. He was also a lock to represent the Cats at the All-Star Game at the end of January.
Yeah, life was good.
“I never thought I’d see the day that Jean-Baptiste Larocque was tamed.” Ice Man toasted Issy. “You are a queen among women.”
“Bite me, Kasanski,” J.B. said mildly.
“How do you know it isn’t the other way around? That he hasn’t tamed me?”
Issy’s sexy grin instantly made J.B. rock-hard. Damn it. She’d probably given every man at the table an erection. From the way the guys looked adoringly at her, he figured there wasn’t a man there who didn’t envy him.
As long as they did it from afar.
The thought stopped him in his tracks. He’d never been a jealous man before. But then, he’d never cared as much for a woman before. It made him uneasy.
“I don’t know about you guys,” Issy said, “but my back’s sore. How about we adjourn to the more comfortable seats in the living room for dessert?”
A chorus of approval met her suggestion.
“Since I’ve helped you peel, slice and chop for what feels like twenty-four hours, I’m putting my feet up, too. The men can take over.” Sapphie stood, taking her glass and a half-empty champagne bottle. “Grab your ginger ale and come with me.”
“We’ll handle the cleanup after dessert.” J.B. held Issy’s chair as she rose. “You and Sapphie can relax and watch something on TV.”
“What about organizing the leftovers?” Issy asked.
“Later. You’ve worked hard enough creating this fantastic feast.”
The guys tapped their knives against their glasses; the dinner-table version of a stick tap. Then, Mad Dog and Kenny offered to clear the table while Ice Man and Blade volunteered to play waiter, serving dessert. Paddy took charge of refreshing the drinks.
“Which leaves me the onerous task of escorting you two and seeing that you’re comfortable,” J.B. said.
Taylor shook his head as he began stacking and scraping plates. “He always ends up with the girls, while we do the real work.”
“Them’s the breaks.” J.B. grinned at his friend.
“Aw. If you’re a good boy and do the dishes, I’ll cheer you up later.” Sapphie smiled, leaving no doubt as to how she intended to do that.
Was it J.B.’s imagination or did his friend hesitate before saying, “Sounds good.”
“Why does everyone always feel sorry for Mad Dog?” Kenny grumbled. “What do I get for helping with the cleanup?”
“An extralarge serving of trifle,” Issy offered. “I made it to Maggie’s recipe.”
“What a woman.” Kenny clutched his heart. “If you ever wise up and ditch pretty boy over there, I’m yours.”
“Don’t hold your breath, Kennedy.” J.B. flipped off his friend. “Get your ass in gear and do your duty.” He stuck his arms on his hips, elbows out. “Ladies.”
They stuck their arms through his, then walked through to the living room.
The men were surprisingly efficient at clearing the table and were soon sprawled in sofas and chairs around the living room, tucking into dessert.
“Man, a New Year’s Eve game in Philly sucks.” Paddy waved his spoon to punctuate his complaint.
“Not as bad as a flight to Columbus right after the game.” Kenny grimaced. “By the time we get there, they’ll have rolled up the sidewalks.”
“Not true,” Ice Man said without looking up from his thick slab of yule log. “When I was with the Avalanche, we did the same thing and the city was rocking on New Year’s Eve. Parties in the big hotels and at the casino. There were some half-decent bars and clubs, too.”
“Of course, our resident father-to-be will be tucked up in bed at the witching hour,” Blade said, grinning.
“No he won’t.” Kenny shook his head. “It’ll be his last chance for a blow-out night with us before the baby arrives.”
The razzing was getting a little old, but J.B. dealt with it with a few choice, colorful words.
“Junior doesn’t arrive until March. Larocque’s got a few more nights out in him yet,” Mad Dog said. “All-Star week, for one. I’m sure Raleigh has some decent clubs where he can strut his stuff.”
Issy laughed along with everyone else. She didn’t seem to resent the time h
is career took or his occasional nights out with the guys. It was nice to think that his wings weren’t clipped. Besides, he preferred spending his spare time with Issy.
He couldn’t get enough of her. Ever since Thanksgiving they’d spent most nights together. Usually in her apartment. Even when he’d had a game the next day and he’d only slept with her in the literal sense—he had a strict no-sex-before-a-game rule—he’d enjoyed curling around her soft, warm body and waking with her in his arms.
He thought of the most recent scan in his wallet, which had brought him as much luck as its predecessor. Peanut looked like a proper baby now. Instead of dreading the kid’s arrival, J.B. was kind of looking forward to it.
He no longer even considered walking away from the baby. He didn’t want joint custody—the thought gave him hives—but he would be part of his child’s life. The kid would know J.B. was Dad, and in return J.B. would get visitation rights. Hell, who else would teach the kid to skate?
That kernel of concern resurfaced. “Cleanup time, guys. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we can chill.”
Despite the good-natured grumbling, his buds did a great job and the place was shipshape in no time.
“We’re heading into the city for a few hours.” Kenny shrugged into a jacket. “Our favorite club is open and you get free beers if you turn up in a Santa hat. You coming?”
J.B. was tempted—it was always a good night—but he looked at Issy and lost all interest in loud music. He shook his head. “I’ll stay here and relax.”
“Getting old, man,” Ice Man said before hugging Issy. “Thanks again. Awesome meal.”
“Yeah, yeah,” J.B. replied. “But I’m still not as old or as ugly as you, Kasanski.”
Sapphie grabbed her coat. “I’ll head out with you guys, if you think you can keep up with this party gal.”
Naturally his pals thought they could. They hugged and thanked Issy, dissed him some more then cleared out, taking Sapphie with them.
Once they’d gone, J.B. and Issy turned off the lights, leaving only the twinkling Christmas tree, returned to the sofa and cuddled while Christmas music played in the background. He tested himself to see if he was bothered by missing out on a lively evening with his friends. Nope. He felt pretty damn good right where he was.
