Read The Mighty Quinns: Thom for Free Online Page A

girl?”
    “I used to be,” she said with a wistful tone. “When I lived in New York, we went out all the time. But I don’t really have a lot of friends here. Most of my old friends are married and have children.”
    “Same with me,” he said with a shrug.
    A long silence grew between them as she sipped at her coffee. “So...so what do you do about it? I mean, how do you deal when you’re...lonely? You have family, right?”
    Thom shook his head. “Sure. But we really don’t see each other that often. My brothers come to the games now and then. And we get together over the holidays at my grandmother’s place.” Thom drew a deep breath. “It’s better to be alone, I think. No complications.”
    “Sometimes complications are nice,” she said softly.
    He’d never been very comfortable expressing his deepest thoughts, and now was no exception. Thom wanted to try again, to make her understand. Somehow it seemed important that Malin knew exactly who he was. But he was afraid the more he talked, the more she’d start to think he was too damaged.
    He quickly stood, rubbing his hands together. “So, I’ve made us breakfast. I don’t know when you need to be at work, but—”
    “I don’t have to go to the office to work,” Malin said. “I can work from anywhere that has internet. But I do want to stop at home and grab a few things, like clothes and my toothbrush.”
    “And I need to get a workout in and some ice time.”
    “And we should talk about a plan of attack,” Malin added.
    “Why are you doing this for me?” he asked, meeting her gaze.
    “I thought I explained. Because the fans love you. And you belong here in Minneapolis.”
    “Your father doesn’t agree.”
    “He’s stubborn and a complete control freak. But I believe I can change his mind as long as you behave yourself.”
    “And you’re going to see that I do?”
    Malin nodded. “I’ve got a lot of ideas.”
    “And you’re sure that the only way to make this work is for you to live here? With me?”
    She paused. “Yes, that would be advisable. At least until I can...you know.”
    “Trust me to be good?”
    “Yes,” she said, tipping her chin up and meeting his gaze. “I want to help you. I think I can.”
    She stood up, her body brushing against his. Their legs were caught between the coffee table and the sofa as both of them tried to avoid contact. Instead, their legs got tangled, and Malin began to lose her balance.
    Thom grabbed her waist, but she was already falling backward onto the wide sofa. He landed on top of her, absorbing most of his weight with his arms. For a moment, neither one of them moved.
    Their bodies seemed to fit together perfectly, as if her every curve had been sculpted especially for him. Thom reached up and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. Their color in the low light of the morning was stunningly vivid, a pale blue.
    “God, you are beautiful,” he murmured.
    “I bet you say that to all the girls,” she teased.
    Thom shook his head. “If I have, I’m sure I didn’t mean it...until now.”
    It seemed the most natural thing to do next was to kiss her. He couldn’t seem to keep himself from touching her. But he also wanted her to trust him.
    “Since we’ll be living together, perhaps we should try to defuse the...tension now,” he suggested.
    “You may be right,” she breathed.
    He moved slowly, giving her every chance to refuse. Nothing in her expression displayed a negative response. “Oh, hell, why not?” he muttered as he bent over her.
    Thom brushed his lips against hers in a gentle test. She responded immediately. Her fingers slipped around his nape and a shiver raced through his body. Every nerve came alive and every sensation was magnified until he felt as if a simple touch could send him over the edge.
    The kiss spun out like a spell around them, washing away any hesitation that either of them possessed. This was what he craved, yet until this very moment, he hadn’t known