Players are separated, the officials confer, and penalties are issued. The penalty box fills up with each member of the first line who was engaged in the fight, same with the Demons. Legend is given a penalty, but as a goalie, he can’t leave the ice, so another Vengeance player skates over to serve time for him.
Our second line takes the ice along with the new Demon players, and play resumes.
“That was intense,” Willow whispers harshly. I realize her fingernails are dug into my arm where she’d been clutching me the entire time that took to play out.
I gently pry them away and we watch the rest of the game in tense silence, although the crowd in the arena resumes the deafening roar of encouragement for their team. The next few minutes tick by agonizingly slow. The fight seems to have taken the pep out of the Demons’ step for a bit, but when they pull their goalie, they get their momentum back.
They manage to put three shots on goal while their own net remains empty. Legend is in the zone, though, deflecting two and nabbing the third.
When the buzzer goes off and we claim the victory, I almost sag against Willow in relief. We are now two games up in this series, and even closer to making the Cup finals.
I turn to face her, uncaring if any of the kids are watching. My hand goes to the back of her neck, my mouth crashing down on hers.
I’m thrilled the Vengeance has another victory and we’re now one step closer. I’m ecstatic my Miller House boys had such a phenomenal experience.
But right now, all I really want is to be with Willow. It’s getting to the point where my best feelings are coming directly from her.
CHAPTER 21
Willow
I resist the urge to open the oven door to check on dinner. Instead, I use the dishcloth in my hand to make another swipe across the countertop of Dominik’s kitchen. It’s already pristine, but I’m expending nervous energy.
Dropping the cloth in the sink, I peek through the glass door of one of the ovens to note that my potatoes are browning beautifully and will need to come out soon. Perfect timing as our guests will be here any minute.
I’m not sure what possessed me to do this.
Agree to Dominik’s request we have my family over to his home for dinner, I mean.
Actually, I do know what possessed me. It was those damn kids he’d invited from the group home he’d been raised in. That beautiful act of kindness and community had touched me. It didn’t exactly surprise me because I’ve learned Dominik is a giver. But the fact those kids have so much meaning to him and it’s important they have opportunities just made me fall for the guy a lot harder.
I just wanted to give him something back and I know inviting my parents to dinner was something he not only really wanted to do, but also something he gladly gave up because I just wasn’t ready.
I guess I want to show him I’m ready—that I can move deeper into this.
Tonight’s the night and my parents, Dax, and Regan should be here soon. The Vengeance will be on the road to Los Angeles to play the Demons the next two games in the series. We won game three, but they kept the conference finals victory from us in game four in a double-overtime win.
Just as well. That meant we could come back to Phoenix and win on home ice. That game is tomorrow, and my parents flew in this morning. My sister, Meredith, didn’t come for this one, wanting to save up any vacation days she’d have to use for the Cup finals.
I hurry over to the sink, starting to reach for the cloth, but Dominik’s voice cuts in, startling me. “Stop wiping the counter. It’s spotless.”
“What do you expect me to do?” I ask. He’s been sitting on the other side of the kitchen island, watching me be the picture of domesticity while he sips on a bottle of water.
He seems so casual and relaxed despite the fact he’s way more dressed up than I am. I’m going with jeans and a blouse while he has on a pair of dress pants and a short-sleeved polo.
He reaches across the counter—a silent demand he wants my hand.
To hold.
To reassure me.
I smile and extend mine, placing my palm against his, and his fingers curl around my hand ever so briefly.
“Jesus,” he exclaims with a grimace, snatching away from me and hastily wiping his hand on his pant leg. “Your hand is soaking wet with sweat.”
With a sheepish grin, I wipe my palms on the backside of my jeans. “Sorry… they sweat when I’m nervous.”
“That’s a medical condition you should probably figure out,” he grumbles. “And it just occurred to me that I haven’t ever been around you when you’re nervous. When I’ve held your hand at playoff games, they’ve always been cool and dry.”
“What can I say?” I quip as I pick up my own bottle of water from the counter to take a sip. “I’ve got a strong constitution.”
“Regardless,” he replies dryly, giving me a very pointed look. “Why are you so nervous? This is your family. I should be the nervous one.”
I tilt my head curiously. “Are you?”
“Of course I am. I’ve never met another woman’s family before as a means of officially announcing ourselves as a couple.”
“You’re kidding.”
Dominik chuckles. “Look, Will. I know you have issues, but you must realize… I do, too. Growing up the way I did, it’s not easy to form attachments. I’ve always been a loner by nature.”
I frown, coming around the island to stand close. With him sitting on a barstool, we’re nearly eye to eye. I take his hand, not caring if mine is damp again. “I’ve never seen you that way. You’re always so generous—so inclusive of your time and energy. You focus on people. You help people. You’re not a loner.”
Dominik’s hand engulfs mine, his fingers gently squeezing mine. His eyes are soft and understanding at my misunderstanding. “You can do all those things and still be alone. I can do all those things and not depend on others. And I do those things to give me joy, not because people expect it or it’s required of me, which comes with forming relationships. Just like you—when you aren’t committed to anyone personally, you don’t have the burden of failing expectations. So just know… this is out of my element, too.”
“That makes sense,” I’m forced to admit.
Dominik releases me only to bring his hand to the nape of my neck. He squeezes, leaning in a bit closer. “Tell me why you’re nervous? Maybe I can fix it for you.”
I can’t help but smile. One of the things that’s endeared me the most about him is how much he cares for me, and how he doesn’t like to see me ill at ease over anything. He’s the classic protector.
I inch closer, putting my hands on his shoulders. “Because this is a big step for me. My family saw how hurt I was before, and they’ve been waiting for this. For me to find someone else. Now add on how freaked out they are since they know about my job, they’re all going to come in here with the expectation I’m going to settle down. Probably live in L.A. and have lots of babies with you or something, and never step foot in another foreign land again. I don’t want to disappoint them.”
Dominik considers this before giving me a sly look. “I think as long as you don’t give them food poisoning tonight, their expectations are going to be just fine.”