He pushed up, easing his lower body against the torment of an erection. If only he had another hour with her. Hell, he’d take fifteen minutes. Quick and sweet would work too. “I had other plans for today. I wanted to take you to breakfast.”
“I don’t eat breakfast.”
“Then lunch.”
“Don’t worry. You don’t have to do this. I still respect you.” She winked playfully then grabbed her shorts.
It almost did him in to watch her climb into the cut offs and drag them up her lush thighs, buttoning the material that fit her slender curves like they were made specifically for her.
“I really am leaving.” She came around the side of the bed, gave him a quick kiss on the lips and she stopped at the closed door. “Oh shit!”
“Forget something?”
“Oh, just that I don’t have a ride.” She pivoted and gave him a smile.
“Does that mean you can stay?”
She gave him a shame-on-you smirk. “No, that means you’re going to be kind and sweet and give me a ride back to my car.”
Slumping his shoulders, he realized all the bitchin’ and moanin’ wouldn’t change the fact that this wasn’t going to happen. “Fine.” He climbed from bed, swiped his jeans off the floor and stuck his feet into the legs. As he dragged them up over his “problem” he squinted in pain. He looked over at Mindy who didn’t have any sympathy for his predicament. From his locker he grabbed a clean shirt and pair of socks and sat down on the bed. “How about I see you later?”
“I’m sure you will. Cooper’s Hawk is pretty small.”
“Ouch. This rejection is hurting.”
“I’ll let you keep the whiskey. It should help.”
He spotted her smile before she turned. Once he was dressed, he grabbed his keys and phone and he set the security system.
Chapter Seventeen
CREED STOOD ALONG the pockmarked rail looking out onto the ice rink as Mindy showed Livvy a move that involved turning. He had no clue what the name of it was, but Mindy looked beautiful as she performed the step that sent her body twirling in one spot.
Livvy attempted the same move.
She didn’t quite hit the target, but he liked seeing her smile at the failed attempt instead of stomping off angrily. She’d come a long way in the last three lessons. Seeing Mindy and his daughter on the ice together made Creed fully aware how much he cared for them both.
He patted his pocket where he’d shoved the velvet box that morning. He’d kept it with him for the last two days, waiting for the best possible moment when he could prove to Mindy that he wanted her and planned to never let her go—if she’d have him. The diamond ring would change their lives. For the better. Livvy liked her. He loved Mindy. And he hoped her daughter would approve too.
They came off the ice, laughing, and took a seat on the long bench to remove their skates. He joined them. Livvy looked up at him, smiling and his heart tugged.
“How’s she doing?” he asked Mindy.
“Wonderful. She’s a natural. At the rate she’s going she’ll be doing single loops in the next few months,” Mindy said. Her hair was pulled up showing off her diamond earrings and long neck. She became more beautiful each day. “Remember, Liv, it takes confidence. Fear becomes concrete in our skates.”
Creed stared. He couldn’t wait to have Mindy alone so he could kiss her again.
“Dad? Did you hear me?” Livvy laughed.
“Sorry.” He cleared his throat and dragged himself out of his musing.
“Can we pick up pizza?”
“Sure.” He turned his attention to Mindy. “You want to come along?”
“Well, I don’t know—”
“Come on, Mindy,” Livvy pleaded.
“How could I possibly say no to that?” Mindy slipped on her jacket and then her boots. “I have my car. How about I grab my things, lock up the rink, and meet you both at the farm?”
“Sounds good.” He was glad Mindy agreed. He would have hated to start pleading too. “You ready?” he asked Livvy.
She grabbed her bag, lifted it over her shoulder and nodded. “See you later, Mindy.”
Creed and Livvy walked outside together. “You like her, don’t you?” he asked.
“Yes. She’s great.”
“Yeah, I think so too,” he admitted.
“That’s obvious,” Livvy said and opened the passenger door and climbed into the truck.
He went around to the driver’s door and lifted himself in the driver’s seat. “Obvious, huh?”
“Dad, I’m not a child. I can see the way you look at her.”
“How would you feel, you know, if Mindy and I…well—”
“Dated?”
He was leaning more toward marriage. “Okay, dated.”
She gave a quick shrug. “Dad, you’re too old to be asking for permission.” She unwrapped a piece of gum and pushed the strip into her mouth.
“I’m not asking for permission.”
“You’re not?”
“I guess I am at least to some extent. I want you to be happy.”
“I think she likes you too.” Livvy dug her phone out of her bag.
“Why do you say that?” The hair on his neck lifted. He hadn’t been this excited in a long time.
“Because she talks about you a lot.”
He liked hearing that. “Are you wearing a new perfume? It smells familiar.”
She unzipped her bag and took out a small perfume bottle. “Mindy bought me this. She said she remembered what Mom wore.”
“That’s a thoughtful gift.”
With a nod, she dropped the perfume back into
