Baby Under the Christmas Tree

by Teresa Carpenter

  “Mom’s not here.” She squeezed a little harder.

  “Okay, okay. Stop.” He went still, no longer fighting the grip. “You cleaned house.”

  “I showed her to the door.” Elle released him. “And don’t you forget it.”

  “Respect.” He grabbed her in a hug, squeezed hard. “You’re sure you weren’t hurt? It’s a good thing Max isn’t here. I’d have to talk to him about how he’s handling his women.”

  She wiggled free, glared up at him. “I’m not one of his women.”

  “Good— Hey, it’s Jaden and Hank from the Thunders.” He headed toward the new arrivals. “Guess Max is off the hook since he sent reinforcements.”

  Slowly following, listening to the squeals of the kids as they caught sight of the professional players, Elle acknowledged it was a good save. And she really hated to give Max any credit while still angry with him.

  “Hey, Elle.” Hank swept her off her feet in an enthusiastic bear hug. “Max said to tell you he was sorry he couldn’t make it.”

  “I bet.” She blew out a breath of relief when her feet hit the floor, and then greeted Jaden. “Slacker,” she said of Max. “I appreciate you guys coming out.”

  “Don’t be too hard on him. He wanted to be here,” Hank assured her. “But Coach made him interim team captain and Max had to hang back to sit in on some meetings.”

  So he’d taken on the job. “I’m glad. You sound happy with the decision.”

  “We are,” Hank confirmed. “Max is going to make a stellar captain. The man has more ice smarts than anyone I know.”

  “And two hat tricks already this season,” Jaden added grudgingly.

  “I know what a hat trick is,” Walter spoke up from where the boys were all lined up against the rink fence gawking at the players. “It’s when you get three goals in the same game.”

  “That’s right.” Hank stood with his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. “How many hat tricks do you have?”

  Walter’s smile turned into a frown. “None. I’m the goalie.” Then he perked up. “Maybe you can show me a goalie trick?”

  Hank grinned. “Maybe I can.”

  Jaden reached into his pocket, pulled out an envelope. “Max sent tickets for the team and your family for tomorrow night’s game.”

  Adam snapped those up. “Great. It’s really good of you guys to come out. The boys have been excited to meet ‘real’ hockey players.”

  “Hey, these kids are the real deal,” Hank said. “This is where it all starts.”

  The men wandered around the rink to the opening, the boys trailing them on the ice.

  Elle chewed the inside of her cheek in frustration. And disappointment. She’d really hoped to see Max. To tell him “message received loud and clear.” He didn’t need to worry about her clinging to him.

  She just wanted her underwear back. Because he didn’t deserve to have any part of her. Definitely not something as intimate as her panties.

  And she wanted to tell him, for Troy’s sake, not to be a fool but to take the team’s help in dealing with Amber.

  Team captain. She’d encouraged him to take the job. And she was happy for him. Only because it benefited the team, of course. It couldn’t come at a better time. It would show the team’s support of him, their faith in him.

  Unfortunately it might all turn sour if Amber continued to play dirty.

  Elle’s phone signaled a text. From Max:

  Couldn’t make it to the practice.

  Sent Hank and Jaden.

  That was it. Nothing personal. She snapped her phone shut. Because that’s how it was between them, nothing personal. Spinning on her heels she left the rink.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ELLE SAT FORWARD in her seat, her eyes glued to the action on the ice, aware of time ticking down. The team needed this win. And it had nothing to do with the fact it was Max’s first game as captain.

  Hank deflected a shot. Max was there to pick it up and he sent it flying down to Jaden.

  “Yeah!” Walter and Adam jumped to their feet along with half the arena.

  “Come on, come on,” she chanted under her breath, hoping for a clean, hard shot right into the net. Instead it went behind the net. The audience drew in one huge gasp. But Max caught the puck and sent it right back. The goalie was fast. Jaden was faster and the puck sailed into the net setting off the buzzer.

  “And the Thunders win!”

  The crowd went crazy. Walter’s team went wild. Adam and Walter high-fived each other then turned to her. She slapped palms, happy the kids had seen a good game, happy for the team.

  And she couldn’t help herself, happy for Max. Seemed love didn’t just shut off because you willed it to. Which only added frustration to the anger, betrayal, confusion and pain.

  “Great game, baby.” Hard arms wrapped around her as Dad swooped her into a bear hug. “Be sure to give Max our thanks.”

  “I will.” He liked notes, perfect.

  “Love you.” Mom gave Elle a sympathetic look and a squeeze before beginning to shepherd the kids toward the door.

  Elle lingered until after the last person left, finally pushing her brother Quinn and his date out the door. Quinn probably wanted to make use of the room. Elle sent him on his way with a scolding shake of her finger.

  He grinned, hooked his arm around Valerie’s waist and waved goodbye.

  Alone, Elle made a sweep around the room, checking to be sure nothing had been left behind. She gathered up a ball cap, a comic book and a pair of sunglasses.

  And then she had no reason to stay any longer and she had to admit to herself she’d been hoping Max would come by to say hello to the team.

  Stop it, she scolded herself. She was so not a clinger. And she didn’t want to be that woman. She refused to be another Amber.

  Resolute, she collected her purse, flipped out the lights and went home. Her condo was dark and cold and seemed cramped compared to Max’s sprawling home.

  She couldn’t believe how much she missed Troy.

  But she had to put him from her mind.

  Her job now was to focus on the Gala, which was just a week away. Refusing to let Max ruin another Christmas and needing to get into the holiday mood, she decided to dig out her Christmas decorations. Thanks to Max and Troy she was way behind in her holiday preparations.

  The box she wanted was at the top of the hall closet just out of her reach. She headed for the kitchen for a chair to give her the height she needed, but backtracked when a knock sounded at the door. Probably one of her brothers in search of his sunglasses.

  Max stood there, handsome in jeans, a T-shirt and motorcycle jacket. A five-o’clock shadow gave him a sexy air. The bandage on his forehead just added to his rakishness.

  Too bad he wasn’t hers to unwrap this Christmas. Just looking at him made her ache. He made it so hard to be strong, but she wouldn’t be his yo-yo girl.

  “Go away, Max. You shouldn’t be here.” She closed the door but a size-twelve boot stopped her. Then his big body crowded hers in the doorway and she stepped back in sheer self-defense, feeling no shame for the strategic retreat. A girl could only take so much temptation before she melted into a hormonal puddle.

  “I made sure no one was around.” He followed her step for step until she hard-armed him and he came to a stop. “I needed to see you.”

  “Why?” As far as she was concerned he’d made it pretty clear he didn’t want to s
ee her at all.

  He tried to sidestep her restraining hand, but she kept it planted in the middle of his chest. His heartbeat sped up under her palm. Huh. Maybe he wasn’t as nonchalant as he appeared.

  “How are you?” His hand lifted to her cheek, his fingers a soft caress over the hidden bruise. “I’m sorry you were hurt. I don’t think I said that the other night.”

  “Ray passed on your message.”

  He cleared his throat. “You have to know it was for the best.”

  “Do I?”

  He scowled. “Amber isn’t done making trouble. She’s vindictive and now she has you in her sights, too.”

  “I’m not afraid of Amber.”

  “Tough cookie.” He ran his thumb down the dent of her chin, amused approval in his midnight-blue eyes. “Nothing scares you.”

  He scared her. Maybe never finding what she felt for him again scared her. But she wouldn’t let fear rule her. She was stronger than that.

  Yes, she’d been looking for him to get him to tell her to her face that making love to her had meant nothing to him, to get that measure of respect. But she’d come to her senses. No need to hear the words when his actions spoke so loudly.

  So no, he wasn’t getting to her again. Crossing her arms in front of herself, she closed herself off from him.

  “It’s time for you to go.”

  “I’ve missed you,” he said softly, almost reluctantly. “Troy misses you.”

  “Why are you here, Max?”

  “I shouldn’t be. Being with me can only hurt you.” He shoved his hands in his pockets as if to contain himself from touching her. “But I couldn’t stay away.”

  “Don’t say things you don’t mean.” Angry, she stomped around him toward the door, determined to send him on his way. “My job is on the line here. Ray instructed me to stay away from you.”

  He stopped her, taking her hand in his and raising it to his mouth, where he pressed a kiss into her palm. The gesture, his touch, the heat of him down the length of her body, was an intoxicating combination. And oh, how it tempted her, weakened her resolve.

  “I hate goodbyes,” he whispered against her hair.

  He’d told her that before. She remembered feeling sad for him. Now she wondered why he felt compelled to drag this one out.

  They were right in front of the open closet door. She caught sight of the box she’d struggled with earlier. Desperate to change the mood, she twisted away from him and pointed up.

  “Before you leave, can you get that box down for me?”

  He blinked, obviously thrown off stride by the request.

  Good, just as she’d planned—divert his attention and then push him out the door.

  He easily palmed the box and drew it down. “Christmas decorations.” He sighed as he looked at her. “I should probably think about getting a tree for Troy.”

  “I’m sure he’d like that.” But don’t look to her. She was officially done helping him and Troy. And she lied to herself that it was relief she felt, not regret.

  Another plan—lie about her feelings until the lie became truth.

  She took the box from him, held it between the two of them.

  “Deb is with him now. She moved in today.”

  “Good. That’s good.” And it was. Both Troy and Max would benefit from her presence in the home.

  “Listen, the team is leaving tomorrow for a week of away games. Can you check on Deb while I’m away?”

  “Of course.” At last, the reason for his visit. Good, now maybe he’d leave. Plus he’d be gone, so she had no problem helping Deb. “Tell her to call me if she needs anything.”

  “Thanks.”

  “You’ll be back Sunday night, right?”

  “No, we had to reschedule a game earlier in the season because of a weather delay flying back from the East Coast. An extra game was added to this series, so we won’t be back until Monday.”

  That’s right. She’d intended setting up some additional sponsor visits for the players because they’d be in L.A. on a weekday, but she’d been so wrapped up in Max’s business, she hadn’t had time.

  It was unlike her to let the job suffer. Not that Ray would notice; this was something extra she’d planned to do. But she liked going the extra mile. Taking advantage of opportunities to show sponsor appreciation led to happy sponsors. And happy sponsors made her look good to the owner. She needed to look sharp in order to get the promotion she wanted.

  Yeah, she liked that. When she was the PR director, she’d be able to delegate these nuisance personal assignments off to the deputy.

  “Congratulations on the win.” She changed the subject as she began walking backward toward the door, ignoring the sense that he stalked her. “You guys played great together.”

  “I took your advice about the captaincy.”

  “I heard.” She bumped into the wooden surface of the door and realized her mistake as he trapped her in place. Only the box prevented him from touching her. “You’re already making a difference.”

  He shook his head. “I liked the way we played tonight, but the win was mostly luck.”

  “Don’t discount your influence.”

  “I love your optimism.”

  She froze; his words were too close to the ones she longed to hear. The words she’d never hear from the man who mattered most.

  It was too much. Too hard to bear. Ten days ago she’d been strong, heart-whole, career-focused. Here and now that woman was a stranger.

  She felt as though she might shatter with her next breath.

  “You need to leave.”

  He nodded but didn’t move. “I don’t know what this is—was. I wish circumstances were different. I think I’m just broken when it comes to love.”

  “Nobody said anything about love.”

  “Babe, your family reeks of it. You deserve the kind of connection your parents have. I’m struggling just to be a good dad.”

  “You don’t have to do it alone.”

  “I kind of do. You were attacked in my home. Amber is dangerous, and I can’t stand the thought of you getting hurt again. It’s for your own good.”

  “Don’t tell me that.” Pain turning to fury she shoved at him with the box. “Don’t make a decision based on your insecurities and tell me it’s for my own good. I have two parents and four older brothers I don’t let get away with that.”

  “This is different.”

  “It’s disrespectful, cowardly. I can make my own decisions. And I think I’ve shown I can take care of myself. If you felt anything for me, you wouldn’t let her win.”

  “You know how I earned the name The Beast?” he asked. “It’s because I showed no fear on the ice. I took risks. I fought players bigger and better than me and won because nothing scared me. I lived on the streets, learned to fight where winning meant the difference between life and death. A little squabble over a puck—that was just fun.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “The point is, I had nothing to lose then. But that was before Troy, before you. I can’t risk it. I can’t risk you. I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry?” Please.

  “Yes. For hurting you. Now, and last year.”

  She gritted her teeth. This was going from bad to worse. She told herself to let it go, not to let the past drag her in, but she couldn’t help herself.

  “You mean at the Gala? When you came on strong and then walked away with someone else? That’s what you’re sorry for? Or
maybe you’re sorry for the part where you pretended nothing happened between us?”

  “For all of it. I regret anything that hurt you.” He met her gaze with complete honesty, making no move to evade her scrutiny. “That night was a fantasy for me. You looked like an angel standing in that doorway. I saw you kiss the others, and I couldn’t walk away without a kiss, too.”

  “It went further than that,” she pointed out.

  “Yes.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “You tasted so sweet, I just wanted more. The feel of you in my arms brought me alive. I didn’t want to give you up. But you had to go back to work, and it was for the best because I came with someone else.”

  “So you’re saying you were playing the gentleman by leaving with the girl you came with?”

  He shrugged. “It felt like the right thing to do. I wasn’t with her, if that’s what you think. You ruined me for other women for months.”

  “Is that why you pretended it never happened?” That’s what had really hurt. Being ignored as if the time they spent together meant less than nothing.

  He shook his head, his expression fatalistic.

  “We had no future. I’d seen you in the stands with your family, knew you’d want more from a relationship than I could give. You were out of my league, and I knew it.”

  “You are so full of it.” Except it fitted with his unexpected humility.

  “And the team frowned on players dating staff. You would be the one hurt by that rule, not me. It seemed best to let it end where we left it. It’s a memory I cherish.”

  Even then he’d made decisions for her. And she’d let him. By staying silent, by denying her feelings. Not anymore. All the seething emotions roiling inside her burst out in a raw confession.

  “I love you, Max. You’re what’s best for me. You and Troy. We could have so much more together.”

  An answering sentiment flared in his eyes, but he quickly shut it down. “The risk to you is too high.”