The mention of the rookie made him smile.
Using her hold on his hands, she pulled him closer and into her embrace. "You are amazing. I know circumstances weren't ideal for you to come to this team, but I'm so happy you're here."
Leo wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you."
The murmur tickled her ear. She shivered and held him tight. The dog continued to jump on their legs. After a few moments, Leo crouched and picked up the dog and let Icing burrow into his chest. He stroked the dog's fur, laughing as she butted her head against his chin.
Smiling at the picture they made—the strong, imposing man and the tiny, fluffy pup—Kelsey hung up her coat. She tugged off her boots and set her purse on the small table by the door. "I'm going to get you some ice."
Leo followed her into the kitchen. Icing trotted in behind him and darted to her water bowl. "You don't have to worry about the ice. I'm fine."
She dug around her freezer until she unearthed an oblong ice pack. "Humor me anyway."
He sat at the kitchen table and allowed her to lay the pack across his hands. "Just for a few minutes."
"We'll aim for ten." Twenty would be better, but she wouldn't push him. She rounded his chair and set her hands on his strong shoulders. The tension stored there grew even tighter under her hands. She dug into his muscles, massaging small circles over the expanse of his back. As the minutes ticked by the muscles slowly melted under her hands.
He dropped his head forward and moaned. "That's really nice."
She bent and pressed a kiss to his neck. "I'm glad I'm doing okay."
"Your hands are amazing."
"Then you'll like this next part even more." She couldn't have him continuing to worry about Dylan. More than anything, she needed to show him how much she appreciated him. How important he was becoming to her. They might not have done anything more than kiss and hold each other close that night in Philly, but now she was ready for more.
So much more.
He lifted his head. His eyes were heavy-lidded, darkened with desire. "What's next?"
She tossed the ice pack into the sink. "Why don't you come with me and see?"
He pushed to his feet, cupped her face in his hands, and touched his lips to hers. "I'd follow you anywhere."
The words touched her heart. She laced their fingers together and led him to the bedroom. He switched on the overhead light. "I want to see you."
Nerves shot through her stomach, mingling with the bolt of desire at his words. She wanted to see him—all of him—just as badly. With a seductive smile, she gripped the hem of her sweater and slowly raised it. Leo's gaze latched onto the skin she revealed inch by inch. He strode toward her but waited until she'd tossed the garment onto the floor.
"Purple. I should have guessed." His finger traced the edge of her bra, following the curve from one side to the other until she shivered and goosebumps dotted her skin.
She trailed her fingertips over his torso. Leo groaned and yanked his shirt over his head. He clamped his hands on her hips and drew her closer. "I've dreamed of feeling your hands on my skin."
"That's one dream I can make come true." She retraced her path along his golden skin. The defined muscles of his abdomen and chest, the strength in his arms. She paused at the large tattoo of a Celtic lion's head on his upper arm. "Sometimes, you remind me of a lion."
"How so?" His hands roamed over her, large and hot, scrambling her concentration.
"You're so strong and fierce. Protective." Kelsey slipped her hands along his back, tracing the ridges of muscles. Her core weakened at the feel of his arousal, hard against her hip.
Her bra loosened and he pulled back enough to slip it off her arms. "We're still wearing too many clothes."
She shifted her hands to the waistband of his jeans at the same time he reached for hers. Laughing at their colliding hands, she let him ease open her button and zipper and then returned the favor. He kicked free of his jeans and watched with interest as she slipped hers down and stepped out of them.
Eying the way his black boxer-briefs conformed to his body, she sauntered closer. Close enough to touch. Leo beat her to it, grazing his hands over the dip of her waist and the curve of her hips until they stroked the purple and gray stripped bikini briefs. The touch was enough to make her melt.
She captured his hands and drew him to the bed. "Let's get more comfortable."
The purple fleece blanket was so soft against her skin. She lay down, crooking her finger. With the flash of a smile, Leo joined her. He shifted his body, lying on his side, and stroked his hand along her arm. "Your skin is as soft as the blanket."
She shifted one hand to his hair, curled her fingers into the strands and pulled him toward her seeking lips. His firm mouth closed over hers and his tongue delved deep, thrusting against hers in a battle for control.
The pull was magnetic. Their bodies were in sync. They moved together, striving to get closer.
He was hard everywhere. She slipped her hand inside his boxers, stroking him in time with the licks of her tongue. Groaning, he rocked into her grip. And then his hands were a blur, possessive and branding as they streaked over her skin to play with her breasts. Each touch brought an answering tug to her core. Desperate for more, she pressed one of his hands down. It slid to her underwear, stroking over and then under the silken fabric. She gasped into the kiss and wrapped her leg over his hip in an effort to get him
