by Grey, S. R.
Leaning down, I murmur to Sal, “Your new daddy’s home, little bud. I sure hope he ends up loving you as much as I already do.”
A Welcome Surprise
As I come into my house, after a stint of road games, I swear I hear Noelle talking to someone in the living room.
Huh, interesting.
She definitely is saying something to someone.
But who could she be talking to?
It’s pretty late, so I can’t imagine Cara is visiting. Plus, I didn’t see any cars other than Noelle’s in the driveway.
Stumped and mildly curious, I drop my bag in the hall and head to the living room.
“Hey, babe,” I call out along the way to give her fair warning that I’m home.
“I’m in here, Blake,” she replies, like I can’t tell.
She’s so cute.
“Yeah, I know.” I chuckle as I round the corner. “I thought I heard you talking to someone and—oh!”
I stop in my tracks.
To my complete and utter surprise, there’s an orange-brown cat sleeping on Noelle’s lap. She’s seated on a chair by the sofa, and I swear she looks like the cat that ate the canary—no pun intended.
“Whoa, where did that little fellow come from?” I ask.
Sheepishly, she replies, “He, uh, may have come from the local animal shelter.”
Aha, I think I see what’s going on. Noelle saw me with the cats down in Key West, and I recall mentioning something about someday getting a pet.
She has clearly adopted this cat for me.
I think about how I feel about that.
After a beat, I determine I’m cool with it.
Noelle is at my house all the time when I’m out of town, so my earlier concerns about not being around to take care of a pet are allayed.
Still, she did make a pretty big decision without my input.
I have to have a little fun with her over that.
Raising a brow, I say, “Hmm, looks like someone was busy while I was away.”
Biting her lip, Noelle cringes. “Oh, crap. Are you mad, Blake? Please tell me you’re not.”
Hell no.
I actually don’t want her thinking that. So I drop the facade. Maybe this isn’t the situation in which to joke around.
Feeling bad, I rush over and drop to my knees in front of Noelle.
I then come clean. “No, babe, I’m not mad. I was only kidding around.”
She blows out a breath. “Phew. You had me worried there for a sec. I thought maybe you were super pissed.”
“No,” I assure her. “I’m actually on board with having a cat.” I peer down at the ball of fur curled up in her lap and add, “So tell me. What’s his name?”
Noelle is beaming as she says, “His name is Sal.”
“Huh.” I rock back on my heels and look him over. “You know what? I think that name totally fits him.”
“I thought so too,” Noelle agrees excitedly.
Sal finally wakes from his lazy slumber and blinks up at me with big green eyes.
Shit, he really is adorable.
Noelle, seeing me smile, asks if I’d like to hold him.
Nodding, I say, “Sure.”
Scooping him up from her lap, I take a seat on the edge of the sofa next to the chair she’s in. I then start to get to know my new pet. I can tell right away Sal is a gentle soul. He’s so laid-back simply hanging out in my lap.
Once I dole out a few scratches and a head rub, I even detect a light purr.
Smiling over at Noelle, I tell her, “You made a great choice. Sal is awesome.”
She blows out a breath. “I’m so glad you like him. But I had a backup plan, just in case you weren’t cool with this whole new pet idea.”
“Oh, yeah?” I raise a brow. “What was your backup plan?”
I love how she’s always prepared.
“Well,” she begins, “I completed paperwork at the shelter that contractually bound me to give Sal a home if you didn’t want him. I definitely would have too.”
“Are you kidding me?” I look down at the cute fellow who’s already stolen my heart. “That won’t be necessary. Sal has his forever home right here.”
Noelle joins me on the sofa, smiling.
I love that she’s so happy.
Placing her head on my shoulder, she says, “I love you so much, Blake. And I missed you like crazy.”
“Aw, babe, I missed you too. And ditto on the love part.”
I’m teasing around, but it’s true. I really do love this sweet, beautiful, thoughtful woman so much.
Now it’s time I showed her.
Unfinished Business
With Sal fast asleep in a pile of clothes Blake and I discarded the second we stepped into his bedroom, I find myself straddling my gloriously naked man, riding him hard.
Blake cups my breasts and squeezes lightly, and I go even faster.
Slick with my juices, his cock feels amazing.
So hard, so long, so thick…unh!
“Fuck, I’m going to come,” I cry out.
“Yes, come for me, my beautiful Noelle.” Blake licks his fingers and reaches down to my clit.
It doesn’t take long then.
A few masterful strokes and I’m coming hard, screaming, “Yes, yes, yes!”
Blake joins me in release, and since I’m finally on birth control and we no longer need condoms, he fills me with his love.
Satiated and exhausted, I collapse on top of him. He caresses my back gently, sighing contentedly as he lies beneath me.
Brushing my hair back, I turn my head, my lips finding Blake’s stubbled cheek, where I place a soft kiss.
Quietly, I ask, “What are you thinking about?”
Touching my cheek, he says, “I’m thinking about how fucking fabulous that just was.”
I snicker. “Good choice of words.” We both laugh at that, and then I add, “It was particularly hot tonight, huh?”
Blake nods. “It’s always fantastic with us, but I noticed it’s even hotter whenever I return from away games.”
“That’s because I miss you so much,” I share with him.
Softly, he kisses my lips.
I kiss him back, and we get caught up in making out for a few minutes.
But then I pull back.
“Why’d you stop?” Blake asks, hand on my ass. Squeezing, he adds seductively, “I’m ready for round two, if you’re game.”
Am I?
Hell yes.
First, though, I need to bring up something—my brother.
I mention his name, and Blake coughs. “Thank you very much, Noelle. There goes my erection.”
“Oh, stop.” I smack his chest. “We can pick up where we left off after we discuss this.”
“Discuss what, exactly?” he asks.
Sighing, I roll off of Blake and say, “Telling Noel.”
Groaning, he murmurs, “I feel a serious talk coming on.”
“Not that serious.” I sit up, adjusting the sheet around me. “It’s just that we need to tell my brother about us. I think it’s been long enough. No more waiting, okay?”
“I didn’t know it was suddenly such an emergency,” Blake quips.
I’m not fooling around, not anymore.
“It is an emergency,” I say. “We’re four weeks into the season and we still haven’t said one word about us to Noel. I agreed to stay quiet a while longer because I also hate the idea of messing with the team’s chemistry. But, Blake, we don’t even know how Noel will react. And it’s not like we’re just fucking around here. We truly care for each other. We’re in love, damn it.”
I expect Blake to fight me on this, but he doesn’t.
In fact, he sighs and concedes, “We are in love, sweetheart. That’s true. So let’s do it. Let’s finally tell Noel.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. In fact, let’s tell him after tomorrow night’s game.”
The Wolves play the Colorado Avalanche at hom
e, so it is a perfect opportunity.
Nodding, I reply excitedly, “Okay, great. But here’s how I think it should go down. I’ll call Noel tomorrow early in the day to see if he wants to go out and eat after the game. We haven’t done much lately, so I think he’ll be up for it. In fact, I’m certain he will. He mentioned last time we talked that Maisie’s out of town this weekend visiting her mom in California. I guess she and her mother are trying to work things out. Anyway, if I know my brother, and I do, he’ll jump at the chance to not have to go home to an empty house.”
“Perfect, babe,” Blake agrees. “But I want to be with you when you actually tell him about us. We should do it together.”
I release a breath and adjust the sheet around me. “I agree, but I think I should go alone with Noel to the restaurant. Are you okay with just meeting us there?”
“Sure. I’m more than cool with that. This way you can soften him up a little bit before I get there.”
I laugh but agree, “That’s not a bad idea.”
With our plan to finally come clean to my brother in place, I lie back and relax into Blake’s arms.
Reaching down under the sheet, I find him once again more than ready.
Softly, I murmur, “Looks like we still have a little unfinished business here.”
Smiling slyly, he says, “You think so, huh?”
I grasp him firmly and start stroking.
“Oh, yes,” I purr. “And your dick agrees.”
Without warning, Blake flips me onto my back, where he slowly lowers his body down to mine.
Softly, he rasps, “He’s not the only one who agrees.”
I raise a brow. “Is that so?”
“It is, beautiful.”
Yeesh, I freaking love this man.
Arching up, making him groan, I murmur, “So show me, Blake.”
He does.
He so very adeptly does.
The Lead-Up
Since we have a game tonight, there’s no practice in the morning. Coach is cool like that sometimes, giving us time off when we’re playing really well.
Noelle has no classes to attend since it’s Saturday, so we get to spend the entire morning in bed.
Ah, I could live like this every day.
I roll over, spooning Noelle.
That, of course, makes me hard.
I hear her breathing pick up, meaning she’s awake and aware.
But we’re interrupted by a small creature.
“Meow, meow, meowwww!”
Sal jumps up on the bed, protesting loudly.
“Damn,” I murmur. “That cat sure is vocal.”
“Aw, he’s probably just hungry,” Noelle replies.
“Yeah, probably.”
Sighing and throwing back the sheet, she says, “I’ll go feed him some breakfast.”
Noelle is so damn sexy when she stands. I love her naked. She’s so statuesque and stunning.
I want so badly to drag her back into bed, where I can do a hundred sinful things to her.
But alas, Sal has other ideas.
Mewling as he jumps down from the bed, he starts pacing the room, clearly more than ready to head downstairs to have his kitty breakfast.
That reminds me. “I’m actually a little hungry too.”
Noelle is slipping on a short, sexy blue robe and beckons for me to join her.
“Come on down with us. We can all eat breakfast together.”
I laugh. “Just like a real family, huh?”
Ours eyes meet, and I know she’s thinking the same thing—maybe someday.
I see a long future with Noelle. I love her like crazy. That’s why I feel completely fine now with telling her brother about us.
He really does need to know.
It’s long overdue.
I mean, shit, he could be my brother-in-law someday.
So yeah, let’s get this done.
A short while later, as we’re all eating breakfast together—toast and juice for me and Noelle as we sit at the kitchen island, and kitty kibble for Sal on the floor—I remind her to call her brother to get the dinner set up.
“Mmm…” She raises her hand, waving it around as she finishes a bite of toast. “Hand me my phone. I’ll text him right now.”
I do as she asks, and Noelle shoots off a quick text to Noel.
“What’d you write to him?” I ask, pivoting on my stool to face her.
“I texted pretty much what we discussed. That since Maisie is out of town, it’d be a perfect opportunity for us to grab a bite to eat after the game. I said we could get caught up.”
I have to chuckle at that.
“‘Get caught up’ is the understatement of the year. Noel is going to be floored when he finds out we’re together.”
Looking a little worried all of a sudden, Noelle murmurs, “I just hope he’s not too angry.”
“How could he be?” I ask. “Like you said, this isn’t some fling. I love you, Noelle. And you love me. This is as real as it gets.”
Placing her hand on my forearm, she says, “I know that. And I don’t think our being together will be the problem for Noel, not anymore. But I think the fact that we waited so long might leave him feeling a little hurt. Ugh, Blake…”
When she trails off, I stand so I can put my arms around her. “Hey, it’s going to be all right. You’ll see.”
“I hope so,” she murmurs sadly.
Shit, I too hope I’m right.
Otherwise, it’s going to suck for everyone involved—me, Noelle, the team.
Hell, even Sal will probably be sad.
Plans Are Made
Noel replies to my text within minutes. He’s up for going out to dinner with me after the game.
Yes, this is perfect.
We message back and forth about where to go and finally decide on an Italian restaurant that opened just recently.
I hear the Chicken Parm there is to die for, I text to Noel.
He types back, As long as I can add a big fat steak to my order, that works for me. Games always leave me famished.
With our plans confirmed, I send a wrap-up text and turn the phone so Blake can see our conversation.
He’s on the stool beside me and leans in a little closer so he can read.
When he chuckles, I ask, “What’s so funny?”
“It’s just that Noel is so not kidding about how playing hard leaves you fucking starving. Once I get to the restaurant, I’ll probably be ordering the same damn thing as him.”
Pushing Blake away playfully, I tease, “You hockey players, I swear. When you’re all retired, you’re going to all get so freaking fat.” Poking him in the chest, I add, “Including you, bud.”
“Hey!” Blake protests, moving my hand aside and lifting his shirt. “I’ll never let that happen. Just look at these abs, babe. Rock hard, I tell you, rock hard.”
I touch Blake’s taut stomach above the band of his boxers and wistfully reply, “Yeah, it is hard to imagine you turning all flabby.”
“That’s right,” he assures me, lowering his tee. “That’ll never be me. Plus…” Reaching over, he runs his hand up under my robe and along my thigh. “I’ll be working off all those extra calories with you.”
Hmm, I like that he sees a long future for us.
“Promises, promises,” I sing-song, teasing.
“Promises I plan to keep,” Blake replies, completely serious.
“I don’t doubt you one bit,” I assure him.
We then finally get down to discussing specifics for our big plan to come clean with my brother.
“I’ll drive myself to the arena,” I say. “That way I can leave with Noel after he’s cleaned up. Or he can just follow me if he wants.”
Blake nods. “Sounds good, but what about Cara? You guys usually drive to the arena together. Won’t she wonder what’s up if you don’t stay on the same routine?”
I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. I’ll just be honest with her. She already knows about us.�
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Blake’s brows shoot up. “Oh, she does, does she?”
Oops, I forgot to tell him that little fact.
“Er, um, yeah. I thought I mentioned it to you, but I guess not. Anyway, I told Cara about us the first game of the season.”
“What?” he bellows. “You told her all the way back then! That was, like, weeks ago.”
“Not to worry,” I say soothingly. “She’s kept it a secret all this time, right? Besides, you know Cara’s not one to run her mouth.”
“Ah, yes,” he replies, calming down. “I forgot that Cara kept her hockey blog a secret from Jaxon. That girl really can keep things to herself.”
Laughing, I agree, “Yes, she definitely can. And she has for us.”
Getting back to the plan, we decide Blake will head to the restaurant a short while after Noel and I leave the arena. He’ll park in the lot and wait for me to text so that he knows when to come in.
Once he’s with us in the restaurant, he and I will break the news to Noel that we’re together.
Eek, this is really happening.
I hope it all goes well tomorrow night.
A Hockey Curveball
The game against Colorado is a near blowout. We’re up on the Aves 6-1 by the third period.
Just like since the start of the season, the Wolves are firing on all cylinders. And the crowd loves it.
That makes us even more fired up.
“This is fucking amazing, man,” Jaxon Holland chirps to me when we return to the bench after an extra-long shift where we just scored. Amid roars of celebration, he yells over the noise, “I’m not even tired from so much ice time. I’m ready to get back on.”
“Yeah, man,” I agree. “I feel the same way.”
It’s true.
With fan support like this, I could go all night.
Though, really, if I’m honest about it, it’s the support of the woman up in the stands that truly motivates me. If I could move mountains for Noelle, I would.
That’s why I think things will go smoothly later tonight when we reveal to Noel that we’re a couple. He’ll see that I care deeply for his sister.
Still, I worry.
