Page 8 of One Kind Goal

“What steam?” Morgan slid her hands up his chest and pushed his coat off his shoulders, letting it drop to their feet.

Sawyer backed up a step—making Morgan pout—then pulled his phone from the pocket of his jeans. While he tapped the screen, she removed her short leather coat and purse, depositing them both on a table by the door.

When Sawyer held up his phone, an adorable little girl with jet black curls and big green eyes stared back at Morgan.

“This is my daughter, Nia,” he said.

Morgan took the phone, aware that Sawyer held his breath as he waited for her to respond in some way. What was the right response? He had a kid. She hadn’t known he had a kid. Of course they’d only shared one night of sex and they hadn’t done a great deal of talking that night. Their mouths had been otherwise employed for most of that time.

And Morgan definitely wanted more of that, but if Sawyer had a daughter, should she be doing what they’d done at these cottages a few months ago? Or should she be marching back to Isabel at the front desk and asking for her own cottage?

That idea sucks.

Morgan had to admit she wanted Sawyer. Now that she’d seen him again, live and in person, not touching him made her want to revolt.

“She’s beautiful.” She figured complimenting the child he made was probably the safest course of action. Curiosity about who he’d made the kid with, however, ran rampant inside Morgan’s head.

A sweet smile turned up Sawyer’s lips. “She really is. Smart too. Nia is four and already knows her colors and shapes and can count to twenty.”

Morgan had no idea what a four-year old should be able to do, but it all sounded impressive. The daddy pride coming off Sawyer was enough to make her believe his daughter was a freaking genius.

That daddy pride was also uber adorable.

“I’m trying to see more of her.” Sawyer looked at the photo himself, his eyes soft and . . . fatherly. “Her mother, Carina, doesn’t let me see her much.”

That made something fiercely protective bubble up unexpectedly in Morgan. “Why not?” If the way he spoke about the girl and gazed at her picture were any indications, Sawyer clearly loved Nia.

He raked his hand through this dark hair, the black strands staying back for only a moment before sliding into place again. “Carina grew up with a famous dad—a rock star—and she hated every moment of it.”

“And you’re famous.” Morgan got it. When Austin hit it big on the Hollywood scene, the fame had been a bit much for Morgan and her sisters to handle at first. When money they had so desperately needed since both of their parents had died in a car accident started pumping in, however, they all quickly got on board with being rich and famous.

Though fame and wealth hadn’t turned out so well for Morgan’s youngest sister, Summer. She’d started a music career and had experienced success until she’d died from a drug overdose less than a year ago. A life in the public eye affected people in different ways, and Morgan could understand Carina’s concerns.

But to keep a kid from her father?

“I’ve tried telling Carina that I can keep Nia separate from hockey, but she’s not convinced.” Sawyer blew out a breath. “Yet. She’s not convinced yet. I’m working on it though.” He shoved his phone back into his pocket. “But that’s the steam I had to blow off I guess. I get frustrated when I don’t get any closer to seeing more of Nia.”

“That’s understandable,” Morgan said. “My parents died when I was young. Growing up without them had its challenges.” She patted her chest. “And of course there’s this hole here that can’t ever be filled.”

“I’m sorry about your parents.” Sawyer closed his eyes for a minute. “I never knew my dad. I don’t want that for Nia.”

Morgan wanted to reach out for him, but she had to ask a question first. “What’s the status of your relationship with Nia’s mom?”

“We were together for a year,” he said. “Things were beginning to unravel then she got pregnant. Neither of us wanted to be together, which was fine, but I figured she’d let me be more involved with our child. Carina let me come around, but she’d never let me take my daughter anywhere on my own. I foolishly told myself she’d get over it, but the more my hockey career grew—”

“And the more time you spent on camera . . .” Morgan interrupted.

“The more she kept Nia away from me.” Sawyer rubbed his whiskered jaw. “I should get a lawyer, but I keep thinking I’ll be able to persuade Carina on my own. I don’t want to cause more trouble, you know? I also can understand where Carina is coming from.” He inhaled a deep breath and sifted it out slowly, waving his hand. “Whatever. I’ll figure it out. Sorry I dumped the kid bomb on you, but you asked about the steam I had to blow off.”

“I did.” She stepped closer to him. “And I’m glad you told me about Nia. You learned that my sisters and I are triplets tonight, so it’s fair I learned something about your family too.”

“Or the family I wish I had anyway.” His eyes were sad and Morgan had this desperate need to change that.

“You’ll make it happen.” She traced a path up his arm then hooked her hand on his shoulder. “Now let me help you blow off that steam you mentioned.”

Rising to her tiptoes, she captured Sawyer’s mouth. The kiss instantly heated up like oil in a frying pan and Morgan was halfway to sautéed before he slid his tongue past her lips.

Yes. This. It was exactly how she’d imagined each time she’d fantasized about Sawyer after watching him in a game on TV. His lips were full and demanding on hers. His hands were warm and solid on her back. His erection was . . . definitely ready and seeking refuge.