High Sticking (Puck Battle)

by Kristen Echo

  “He’s not more stylish than me. And what does smexy mean?” He crouched down next to his daughter.

  April tucked her blonde curls behind her ears as she pondered the answer. “I don’t know. I heard lots of girls call him that. They call you it too, but not as often. They also call him—”

  “Don’t say any more about Joe. And you shouldn’t be listening to those women.”

  His cheeks turned an endearing shade of rose and Meagan melted. A man who could blush. Wow.

  “Let’s learn more about our new friend instead.”

  “Great idea,” April added, throwing her arm over her dad’s shoulder. “Who do you think is more smexy, Dad or uncle Joe?”

  This time it was her cheeks that changed color. “I shouldn’t answer that. Your dad is my boss and it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

  “Technically, I’m not your boss.” Cameron stood and pulled out the chair across from them. “Honey, she probably doesn’t know uncle Joe. Joe Larson’s a very busy man and not everyone knows him.”

  “Actually, we’ve met a few times.” Meagan sat straighter, twisting the cup around in a circle. “He saved me and Connie a while back. I don’t know him well and he probably doesn’t remember me.”

  “Everyone says uncle Joe has the biggest—”

  “You’ve been spending way too much time around the arena.” He didn’t sit, instead he waltzed to the fridge. “Meagan, I’m sorry about this. It’s bad enough my own daughter thinks her uncle is more stylish than me. I don’t think my ego can take another hit. Let’s change the subject. What can I make you two for breakfast?”

  “Yogurt and berries!” April rocked in her seat.

  In the center of the table was a bin filled with crayons and paper. April helped herself; she was a happy-go-lucky kid. Meagan wondered what caused the nightmare last night but didn’t ask.

  He turned his face towards them and tilted his head to the side. “Yogurt and berries, what?”

  “Please and thank you, Daddy.” April batted her lashes as she spoke and Meagan laughed. The little girl turned her attention to the pages in front of her, wagging her tongue out as she concentrated on coloring inside the lines.

  “That sounds good. If you have enough, I’ll have the same. Please and thank you.” She stood up and joined Cameron by the fridge. “Can I help?”

  “I got it. I can’t cook much, but I can whip up a mean yogurt and berries. Breakfast is my specialty.” He winked and pulled out the ingredients for breakfast.

  A rush of heat shot between her legs when he did that. She rubbed her thighs together. “What’s the plan for the day? I saw nothing regarding April’s schedule. Does she have any activities like dance or music lessons?” Meagan leaned against the counter watching him prepare their meal.

  “April goes to daycare Monday through Friday. You’ll have most of the day off and work a split shift. I’ll take her today and you can come along. You don’t have a car is that right?”

  “I don’t have a car, but I have a license. Do you have a second vehicle? If not, we can take the bus once I figure out the schedule around here. We could stay here too; I don’t mind spending the day with her.”

  He added spoons to the dishes and smiled at his handy work. “I’ve got a couple of cars you can use. It’s best to let her socialize and get used to daycare. With my crazy schedule this works best for us. Getting her transitioned was hell for both of us after my mom left. I don’t want to disrupt the small victories.”

  She didn’t pry for more details. “Daycare during the day it is.”

  Cameron handed her a bowl and their fingers touched. The same visceral reaction traveled through her. What was up with that? She eyed his thick fingers and wondered what they’d feel like between her legs. She took the food and rushed back to the table to sit before she said something stupid.

  They sat around the table and discussed schedules and the approved visitor list. It was a short list. Cameron was particular about who he allowed around his daughter. His protectiveness reminded her of her father. The similarities ended there. Cameron was laid back and her father was very strict. While they talked, April fed herself, smearing the blueberries and raspberries all over the place. Her jammies and the tablecloth were covered in berries. Cameron didn’t care about the mess. Meagan offered to clean, but he informed her a cleaning lady came over often to tidy and she wouldn’t have to do any cleaning.

  She listened and learned about their routine. Every time he asked her a question, she’d ramble and say something stupid. Her stories made them both laugh, and the sound made her ears tingle with happiness. By the time they drove to the daycare center a few miles away, she’d revealed her most embarrassing stories. The time she burped into the microphone while making a speech at her high school graduation, and the time she accidentally, flashed her father’s platoon when her dress got caught in the car door.

  The laughter ended when they arrived. April didn’t want to get out of the car and it took a lot of coaxing before she finally went inside. It was difficult to watch, but there wasn’t anything she could do. Once inside, April cried again and refused to let go of his hand. Eventually, she joined her friends on the mat and started playing. She could tell the ordeal had taken its toll on Cameron, who looked deflated and worn out.

  “Is that how it always goes?” She leaned against the wall, watching the kids interact.

  He leaned next to her, their arms touching. “Sometimes better, but there are always tears. I’ve tried different techniques, but she has separation anxiety. It kills me to see her in pain, but we can’t be attached at the hip. That’s not healthy for either of us.”

  “I could stay,” she offered. Partly, to help April feel less anxious and partly because she was nervous about being alone with him. His presence did funny things to her hormones. She talked a mile a minute or tripped all over. All the above made her come across as a star struck idiot.

  “That’s sweet of you to offer, but I need to get you home. I have to leave for the rink, and we never finished the tour. You never got a chance to see the basement. Aren’t you curious what secrets are hidden in the dungeon?” He followed that up with dramatic sound effects.

  She giggled as they made their way back to his SUV. He opened her door and helped her into her seat. His touch brought her mind straight into the gutter. “Should I be worried about finding your kinky playroom? Stuffed with various torture devices and other pleasantries.” She wanted to slap herself for saying that, but he laughed and closed the door.

  Cameron got into the driver’s seat and started the SUV. “All the playrooms at my house are PG. I’m not into BDSM or anything that involves pain.” His eyes stayed on the road as they merged into the traffic. “I’m way more interested in pleasure.”

  The last word rolled off his tongue and covered her like summer sunshine. Her body felt like it was on fire. She pressed her knees together and looked out the side window.

  “Why, are you into that stuff?” Cameron asked when she said nothing.

  She shook her head. “I… was kidding. Pleasure beats pain in my book too.” She unzipped her coat. “Did it get hotter in here? Do you think we’re done with the snow?”

  His laughter filled the interior of the car. “I’m glad you came to help us out, Meagan. I think this arrangement will be good for all of us.”

  They arrived back at the house. Cam showed her the walkout basement. There were no BDSM playrooms, but there was a home theater, exercise room, pool table and a fireplace with views of the lake.

  “Feel free to use anything,” he said, trailing his hand over a set of free weights and eyeing her body.

  The suggestion wasn’t missed. He thought she was fat and needed to use the equipment. Meagan had extra pounds and more curves than your average girl, but he didn’t have to point it out. Her cheeks heated, but not from arousal for once. His eyes roamed her body, probably thinking she needed to lose weight. Her father had been harping on her to get fit and look more
like her sister. Cameron probably only dated stick figures with fake breasts or rail thin models. Beauty came in all sorts of shapes and sizes and she resented the implication.

  “I’m happy with my body, actually. I don’t think I have to use your gym to fit some unrealistic stereotype of beautiful.”

  “You… I wasn’t implying. Shit, I never…” He backpedaled himself into a corner and she was glad to see him squirm. “Please, don’t take any offense, you misunderstood.”

  “Yeah, I don’t think I did. You’re staring at my stomach, touching exercise equipment and told me to use it.”

  “Don’t use this equipment. You are beautiful exactly the way you are,” he said, closing the gap between them.

  “You don’t have to say that. I may be overly sensitive on this subject. I should go.” She touched her red cheeks, feeling the heat and seeing the embarrassment reflected in the wall of mirrors.

  “You don’t need to lose a pound. If you do, don’t let it be from your ass because it’s big and lush. Perfect, the way it is. I—” An alarm on his watch sounded. “Gotta go. I’m sorry about offending you. Please don’t quit. I’ll be back later to pick up April.”

  “I didn’t mean quit; more like leave the room. This was my fault. I… I can pick her up.”

  “No, I’ll do it,” he said, racing out the door. He didn’t trust her, but he’d called her beautiful.

  She looked at her herself and turned to get a good view of her ass. A bottom he called lush. Oh boy, she was crushing hard for him. “Really, it’s my job. You don’t have to rush back. That’s why I’m here,” she yelled after him.

  “Fine, but I won’t be long.”

  She went upstairs after she heard the door close. After grabbing her phone, she noticed several missed calls from her parents and a few from Lindy. There were three voicemail messages. As predicted, her parents didn’t want her working with Cameron and living at his house. No surprise. They didn’t approve of her decisions. She didn’t call them back. She didn’t need to be surrounded by negativity.

  Lindy’s messages were upbeat and filled with envy. Her best friend’s word choices were spot on. Smexy filled the screen, making her laugh. This new adventure was exactly what she needed in her life.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  T he hours moved quickly. Pick up from daycare had gone far better than drop off. Cameron had left Meagan his SUV and taken his Jeep to practice. The luxury automobile was fun to drive and getting April in and out of her car seat was a breeze. She’d taken the bus plenty since moving to the city three years ago, so she was glad to have the wheels. It was a windy, cold day.

  The house was wired with surround sound. Music filled the room as April turned the dial, placing her hand on a red dot near her foot. “Your turn.”

  They were on their second game of Twister. The first had ended badly for Meagan and this one fared no better. She reached over, spun and moved her foot onto the far yellow circle. Her legs were spread wide apart as she bent over, balancing on one hand. With her ass in the air, this was not the best position.

  She looked over at April and smiled. “This time make sure your spin goes all the way around.”

  “Are you saying my daughter cheats?”

  Meagan looked through her legs to find Cameron standing directly behind her. She heard the laughter in his tone even without being able to see his face. Why did he have to come home now? Seeing her in an awkward and unflattering position after their last conversation. Her cheeks were stained a permanent shade of red.

  “Hey, Daddy. I’m winning again. Can you believe it?” April took her turn and moved her left hand next to her right into a position she could stay in for hours.

  “I’m not saying she cheats, but she is very creative with her interpretation of the rules. April, do you think now that your dad is home, we should go make dinner?” Meagan didn’t want to stay like that bent over with him there. Even upside down, he looked hot. All the blood rushed to her brain, making her light headed.

  Cameron stepped closer until their feet practically touched. “She legit cheats. I call her on it all the time. Don’t let those dimples fool you.” He placed a hand on the small of her back as he laughed and leaned forward. “She’s a shark.”

  His face was next to her. His minty breath caressed her cheek, throwing her off kilter. She couldn’t catch her breath. Meagan put her free hand down to stop from falling over. April squealed with glee. “I won again! You fell. You fell. We get pizza.”

  She collapsed onto her knees as the Smith’s laughed at her. “Your dad distracted me, but you won fair and square. I’ll make your pizza.” She sat back and watched April launch herself into her father’s arms.

  Cameron swung her around and kissed the top of her head. “I’m not sure we have the ingredients to make pizza. How was your day, princess?”

  “I’m not a princess; I’m a super hero, like you.” She pointed her arms straight forward as she zoomed through the air, giggling the entire time.

  “My bad, super hero April. What villains did you defeat today? For your information, villain is another word for bad guys,” he explained, setting her back on her feet.

  “Hmm.” She tapped her chin, looking too cute as she pondered. “At daycare, I saved the Jello from the floor when Mackenzie pushed mine, and… and I don’t know what else, but super heroes eat pizza.” She flashed her dimples and batted her long lashes. A little heartbreaker in the making.

  Meagan laughed and stood up. “I went to the store and grabbed everything we need to make pita pizzas. Your diet or health regiment, as you call it, had a list of acceptable foods. I tried as much as possible to stick to the list. Is that okay? If you had something else in mind, we don’t have to have a pizza.”

  Cameron’s smile grew wider, his dimples entering their own time zone. “Sounds perfect. Thank you. Besides shopping what were you up to today?”

  They all made their way into the kitchen. A place Meagan always considered the heart of the home. She debated the best way to answer his question. Telling him she spent over an hour rubbing the ache between her legs while in the shower wasn’t a good idea. Even thinking about it, made her hot all over again. She pulled the white t-shirt from her chest to fan her face before turning around to face him. “Let me think; grabbed groceries, as I mentioned already. I also chatted with my best friend. She moved overseas for school. We don’t get to talk as often as I’d like, so when we connect it’s usually for a couple of hours.”

  “It’s rough being away from friends. My best buds are back in Sask, but I’ve made great friends since moving here.” He leaned against the counter, casually. The pose wasn’t meant to be seductive, but it turned her on.

  She opened the fridge to cool down and gather the stuff to make dinner. The cool air blasted against her skin and her nipples hardened. “Are all your friends hockey players or do you socialize outside your sport?” She removed the veggies and sauce, placing them on the counter next to Cameron.

  “I have lots of friends at daycare. If you need some, Meagan, I can share,” April offered.

  “That’s the sweetest offer ever. Thank you, April. I have lots of friends too, but I have little time to see them.”

  “Daddy says he has some, but they never come over.” She settled at the table and grabbed the coloring supplies. The book she wanted was stuck in the box so Cameron went over to help.

  “I’d rather spend all my time with you.” He planted a kiss on the tip of her nose and handed her the coloring book. The love for his daughter came shining through like the rays of sunshine, lighting the room. “Do you like hockey, Meagan?”

  “Growing up, we never watched hockey,” she answered while searching for the cutting board. “My father had little interest in sports. My parents preferred books to television. I guess that’s why I love reading. My sister was into dance and martial arts. My brother did everything. I never could decide what I liked, so I didn’t play any sports. I started watching in high school when my bo
yfriend invited me to his games. That relationship ended, but I fell in love with the game. Have you always loved it?”

  “Always,” he said, joining her at the counter again. “I love being on the ice and being part of the team. This is the first year we have the chance to go all the way. Here.” Cameron handed her a knife and pointed her towards the butcher block island.

  “All the way.” Her thighs clenched, and she swallowed hard, taking the sharp object but not moving.

  He inhaled and smiled, flashing his straight teeth. “I can smell the Stanley Cup. Only a few more games and the regular season will be wrapped up. Then it’s playoffs, baby.” He gave her ass a small tap before he moved to the island to help make dinner.

  They set up beside one another and prepped dinner. April pulled a stool over near the end and helped add the toppings to the pita crusts. They joked around a lot and Meagan was surprised how comfortable she felt around them. Less than twenty-four hours ago, they were strangers. Being around him still gave her loose lips, and she rambled on about her life. She told them about the correspondence courses she was taking while trying to discover what and who she wanted to be when she grew up. Both early childhood education and culinary arts held equal appeal. Being indecisive had landed her a job as a nanny which was only supposed to be for the summer while she decided. She couldn’t and stayed on. If she’d been born during a different era, she would have loved to be a homemaker.

  All the talk of school reminded her she was no closer to deciding for the fall registration. During dinner April revealed she wanted to be a hockey player like her dad, and Cameron admitted there’s nothing else he wanted to do. Hockey was in his blood. She loved seeing the passion in his eyes. He was seventeen when April joined the world and he was drafted the following year. In a short time, she’d learned a lot about the Smiths, except what happened to April’s mom and why she wasn’t in the picture.

  “Go wash up. And use soap, April. I will smell your hands and see if you listened.” Cameron put his arms out to help April off the stool.