Definitely not the baby they were about to have.

It was time to be the man he wanted to be.

It was time to live the life he wanted.

And maybe, just maybe, he could get the love he wanted too.

Because her being the godmother to his godfather wasn’t enough.

He wanted Kacey to be his.

Liam Kelly really had dreamy eyes and a wonderful bod.

But holy crap, he was boring.

Leaning on her hand, Kacey tried to pay attention as he talked about his cat, but really? This was her life right now? Greek god of a man was a cat guy? What the ever-loving fuck was going on here, and why didn’t she see this at the barbecue? He was funny there, full of wit, and good Lord, dreamy. So of course, she jumped at the chance of a date when he asked if she wanted to get together. What she didn’t expect was for him to text her the next morning and to set something up the following night. She was cool though, she was ready. But now that she was here, she wished she would have done another group setting with him.

She just didn’t get it. Why couldn’t she find a dude that was her match? He’d seemed so cool at the barbecue, but now, now he was awkward. Was it really that hard to find someone who wanted a dog, a white picket fence, and some kids, while keeping her completely and utterly satisfied in bed and also making her laugh? That was a requirement. Of course, thinking of laughing made her think of Jordie, and then she was instantly depressed. Jordie was a hoot. He could have her crying from laughter in two seconds flat, and for the stupidest reasons too. His crude humor got her every time, and sometimes she knew that a sweet, classy girl shouldn’t find that kind of thing funny, but she sure did.

But Liam was not being funny.

Blinking to keep from falling asleep, she focused on his mouth, which was downright sinful, as he went on.

“Her name is Buttons because, when I first got her, she ate all the buttons off my shirts,” he said with a laugh and she smiled.

“How adorable.”

He smiled. “Stupid, I know. I’m kind of a boring guy. It’s hockey and my cat, that’s it.”

Which wasn’t a bad thing, Kacey! Straighten up! He was boring, which was good—bad guys had drama that broke girl’s hearts! Liam Kelly was not a heartbreaker.

“No, it’s sweet. I’m more of a dog gal though.”

“Oh yeah, I love dogs. But when I’m gone, it’s hard on a dog. Cats are easy, they don’t need as much attention,” he agreed with a nod before taking a pull of his beer. “When I find someone who wants to marry me, then I’ll get a dog.”

Kacey sat up a bit straighter. “Why aren’t you married yet, Liam? You’re how old, thirty-three?”

He nodded which was good because, for a second there, she thought she was being a bit rude. “I got married young, twenty, but when I got drafted, she started cheating on me. I tried to make it work, but she didn’t want to be with me,” he said softly with a shrug. “Really sucked, but that was eons ago. Now, it’s hard to find a woman around my age who doesn’t have kids already. I don’t want to deal with baby daddy issues.”

“True that,” she said, tipping her drink to him.

“But also a woman who wants a long-term relationship with a hockey player. It’s tough being married to someone who’s gone most of the year.”

“I’m used to it,” she commented and he smiled. Man, he really was pretty. If only he would stimulate her more than her just wanting to bang him. Because, even though he was saying everything she wanted, she was bored. He was too clean-cut. That was the problem. She wanted to reach over and mess his hair up. Paint some tattoos on him and grow him a beard. Maybe have him cuss a bit more. He was just too nice.

“Yeah, I bet, growing up with hockey all your life.”

“Yeah, it’s in my blood.”

“Which is so awesome. I watched you in the Olympics, but I didn’t know how gorgeous you were,” he said and then he blushed.

Fucking blushed.

She wanted to sigh, but instead, she asked, “Are you nervous?”

His brow came up and he asked, “A little, why?”

She smiled sweetly, hoping that she didn’t come off as too much of a bitch, but she was sure she was about to. “Because you’re being kinda boring, not like you were at the party.”

He laughed. “Yeah, I guess I’m more nervous than I thought.”

“Sorry if that’s rude,” she said quickly at his defeated look.

“No, not at all,” he said, waving her off. “It’s just…well… Karson is my friend, and I asked him if it was okay—”

“You asked my brother if you could take me out?” she deadpanned.

She should think that was sweet. She should.

“Yeah, I mean, he’s your brother, my friend, and teammate. I don’t want bad blood between me and him if I started dating you without his permission.”

His permission? What the fuck?

“It doesn’t matter what he thinks though. He doesn’t control me, or own me, for that matter,” she added and he nodded.

“Oh, I know, but I just wanted to make sure he wasn’t gonna freak out on me.”

Yup, too clean-cut for her. She wanted a man who wanted her and didn’t care about anything else.

“You’re mad,” he observed and she looked up to meet his apologetic gaze.

“No,” she lied, tucking her hands in her lap to keep from clenching them. “I’ve always been Karson’s little sister, the girl no one wants to date because they are scared of him. It gets to be annoying.”