Forbidden on Ice - SR Grey

by Grey, S. R.

  In the parking lot, my girl stops at her car and says, “Wow. That went way better than I ever expected it to.”

  I blow out a breath. “It certainly did. And more importantly, Noel is going to be fine.”

  “Yes.” She steps forward, wrapping her arms around me. “He is.”

  “So what do you say we do now?” I murmur into her hair.

  “Let’s go to bed, Blake.”

  “Yeah, I bet you’re exhausted, huh?”

  Leaning back and looking up at me, mischief in her bright blue eyes, Noelle says, “I didn’t mean to sleep, Cavaletti.”

  “Ahhh… Now you’re talking.”

  Before we get into our cars to race back to my house, and racing is what we will do, we stand in the hospital parking lot and kiss for a good ten minutes.

  We can, and we do.

  Because there’s no more need to hide our love, now or ever again.

  Salvation

  Back at Blake’s house, the love flows freely. And that means for everyone.

  After making a big fuss over Sal, who clearly missed us based on how he keeps winding between our legs, Blake and I head upstairs to make an even bigger fuss over each other.

  I like that a lot, especially when we ditch our clothes.

  I’m feeling so good, elated that my brother has accepted my relationship with Blake. Maybe I should’ve told him sooner, I don’t know. But it all worked out okay, so who am I to second-guess our decisions?

  Blake and I have so much to celebrate—Noel’s good prognosis, our secret being out and accepted by the person I care the most for other than Blake, and the fact that Blake and I love each other just so damn much.

  Yeah, life is good.

  I can’t say it hasn’t been a roller coaster to get to this point, though. That’s why I have a lot of pent-up energy, energy I’m about to expend on Blake.

  Wait, there’s no about to about it—I’m doing it.

  Mmm, yes.

  Trust me, he’s not complaining.

  Nope, there’s not been one word of dissent as I trail hot kisses down his solid chest and over his hard abs. When I reach my destination, I take him in my mouth.

  Blake fully relinquishes all power, letting me pleasure him the way I want.

  He clearly likes what I’m doing, and groans, “Fuuuck, yeah.”

  Good.

  Blake takes control so often, and I love when he does, but tonight is my night to be in charge. He’s at my mercy. And I’m not even close to being done with him.

  After I bring him almost to the brink, like he always does to me, I crawl up his body, my lips tracing a path along his abs, over his chest, and with a quick detour to savor each hard bicep.

  I then move up, up, up to his beautiful lips.

  “My favorite part,” I murmur. “I could kiss you all day and all freaking night, Cavaletti.”

  Smiling beneath me, he touches his tongue to mine.

  We kiss some more, only now it’s deeper and more meaningful.

  When Blake raises his hips, his hard length teasing at my core, I murmur his name.

  My words are a prayer, his cock my salvation.

  When I lower myself onto him, sheathing him deeply inside me, I swear he touches my soul.

  “I love you so much,” I whisper.

  He says it back.

  And then I rock, and he rolls.

  Sweat drips from my forehead onto Blake’s lips.

  He licks it away.

  “Salty,” he says, smiling and arching up into me.

  “Ooh, and sweet,” I reply, gasping, referring to him and how he makes me feel.

  There are no more words exchanged, only our love expressed.

  And, of course, an inner peace in knowing that this love is out there and accepted.

  Outcomes

  It’s said that the truth will set you free, and in this case, it is absolutely does.

  Our secret is out, and it’s like a burden has been lifted from our shoulders.

  Everything is brighter and fresher, and so much easier now.

  There’s no more hiding, no more games.

  And there never will be ever again.

  This is beyond fantastic.

  And not just Noel is happy for us.

  Everyone is!

  My teammates welcome the news. A lot of them inform me that they already knew, or at least suspected.

  Brent Oliver is one of the guys in the I-knew camp.

  “It was so fucking obvious,” he says to me in the locker room after a pretty intense practice. “But I didn’t really see it till Aubrey called it.”

  Wiping sweat from my brow, I ask, “How did she know?”

  Brent shrugs. “Ah, hell, I have no idea. That woman sniffs those kinds of things out all the time. She said she saw the way you two were looking at each other at the barbeque, and she just knew.”

  “Huh.” I ponder that, wondering what other intuitions Aubrey has had. Curious, I ask, “Did she sense any other things about us?”

  “She may have.” Brent laughs. “But it’s not my place to tell you. I mean, shit, it could influence the outcome of things. That’s what Aubrey always tells me. She says to just let things happen.”

  Nolan Solvenson, who’s been listening in on our conversation, jumps in then.

  “Brent, my man,” he says, “that totally sounds like something Lainey would say too.”

  Lainey is Nolan’s wife and Aubrey’s sister, so it makes sense.

  “I’m not surprised, Nolan,” Brent replies. “I’m sure they totally agree on everything regarding Blake and Noelle. I know they’ve definitely discussed them.”

  “They have?” I say.

  Now I have to know what they think.

  I’m freaking all ears, so, cocking a brow, I say, “What did they said?”

  Brent chortles. “Man, you do not want to know.”

  “Yes, Brent, I really do.”

  “Okay.” He drags his hand down his face. “Here goes. Both Aubrey and Lainey see only one outcome for you two, and they think it’ll happen fast.”

  Nolan nods, grinning.

  Shit, even he knows.

  “Okay, guys, you have to tell me now,” I demand.

  Brent finally blurts out, “The girls say they see a wedding in your future.”

  “Man, you’re in for it now,” Nolan mutters.

  I don’t know if he means me or Brent, and I’m too stunned to care.

  My eyes widen as I stop everything I’m doing, including taking off my gear.

  Carefully, I ask, “Did they really say that?”

  “Yep,” Brent confirms. “Aubrey for sure, but she said Lainey agrees with her.”

  Nolan, shaking his head, says, “Brent, you did it now, bro. You’ve totally influenced the outcome.”

  I brush him off, telling them they’re both full of shit.

  But truthfully, the idea is in my head now.

  But, really, it’s not a bad one.

  I like it.

  It’s just…right.

  That’s why on my way home, I pull into the parking lot of a jewelry store.

  And it’s also why when I walk in, I ask to see the prettiest, most sparkly two-carat diamond engagement rings that they have.

  Guess this outcome has been influenced.

  But I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  No matter what anyone saw, or think they saw, it really is what’s in my heart.

  I Sure Didn’t See That One Coming

  My routine these days is to head straight over to Blake’s after my classes end for the day.

  It’s easier this way, as he and I spend all our free time together anyway.

  Plus, I get to see Sal.

  Yay!

  He’s especially happy to see me today, mewling and snaking around my ankles the minute I walk into the house.

  “Whoa, someone’s in need of a little extra attention today,” I remark, laughing as I lean down to pet my furry—and clearly needy—f
riend.

  Taking a break from fussing over Sal, I quickly check the time on my phone.

  Hmm, usually Blake is back from practice by now.

  But he isn’t here yet.

  It’s too quiet in the house.

  Plus, Sal wouldn’t be this attention-starved if Blake were home.

  That man freaking spoils the cat.

  I think about where he could be while I fuss over Sal a little more, petting and rubbing his head.

  There’s no game tonight, so Blake wouldn’t be upstairs taking a nap.

  To be sure, though, I yell up, “Hey, babe, are you up there?”

  No answer.

  I say to Sal, who’s still at my heels, “Damn, where could your daddy be?”

  It’s after three, meaning Blake should definitely be home. Not to mention, if he’s going to be late, he always texts me.

  I take my phone out again to see if I maybe missed any alerts, but there’s nothing.

  “Huh, that’s weird,” I muse, tapping the phone to my chin.

  I decide then to send Blake a text.

  Me: Hey, what’s up? I just walked into an empty house. Well, besides a needy Sal here in the hall. Anyway, I’m just checking in. Is everything okay?

  He replies immediately, easing my concern.

  Blake: Hey, babe, everything is fine. I’m glad you’re home. I bet Sal is too—ha ha. Don’t go anywhere. I have something important to ask you once I get in, which should be real soon.

  Hmm, this is interesting.

  I text back, What do you want to ask me?

  I figure he can just tell me whatever it is right now via text.

  But Blake ignores my request.

  Instead, he writes, Hope you’re hungry. I just left that restaurant you love. I’m bringing home your favorite takeout.

  Me: Ooh, deep-dish pizza and garlic breadsticks?

  Blake: Yep. I’m starting out in a sec. So I should be home in about fifteen minutes.

  Me: Awesome. And by the way, you’re lucky I’m such a simple woman to please.

  Blake: I actually am very lucky. But for many more reasons than that.

  Me: Aw, babe.

  Blake: ♥

  My man is clearly feeling romantic tonight.

  I wonder why?

  Since I have a few minutes before Blake gets home, I head upstairs so I can change into jean shorts and a powder blue tank top.

  When I return downstairs, I go to the kitchen so I can fetch Sal a can of kitty food. That makes him happy.

  Since Blake is now due any minute, I hurriedly set the table in the kitchen and grab two diet sodas from the fridge.

  By the time I’m done filling two cups with ice cubes, I hear Blake coming in.

  Great timing!

  “I’m in the kitchen,” I call out.

  Blake walks in a beat later, holding the pizza aloft and grinning like a damn Cheshire cat.

  He looks especially pumped today, and I don’t mean his upbeat attitude. His biceps bulge enticingly under his snug black tee, and his legs look massive in his jeans.

  “Hey, babe,” he says, smirking.

  “What are you up to?” I ask.

  “Who, me?” He feigns innocence as he sets the pizza box and a bag of breadsticks down on the counter. “I’m not up to anything.”

  As I’m walking over, I reply, “Yeah, right. I know you, and I can tell when you’re up to something. Not to mention, you already tipped me off when you said you wanted to ask me something.”

  Blake’s not giving up anything, though, so I sigh and flip open the box.

  Holy hell!

  I’m almost blinded by a freaking big-ass, shiny diamond solitaire engagement ring!

  It’s in the middle of the pizza, lying atop one of those little table-looking things that keep the cheese from sticking to the top of the box.

  “Ah, whaaa…”

  I sure didn’t see this one coming.

  As I stand there, stunned, Blake drops to one knee.

  Reaching up to the counter, he snatches the ring, then twists back to where I’m standing.

  I’m still in total shock and can’t find any words.

  But Blake sure has some.

  Taking my left hand in his, he says softly, “Noelle Sandlund, you have rocked my world. From the moment I first saw you, I knew, I just fucking knew. Maybe I didn’t see it right away, but it didn’t take me too long to figure out. Our connection grew from day one, and we ultimately fell in love. I can’t imagine life without you, babe. So will you, Noelle, do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  I’m speechless.

  I’m floored.

  I am so many things at once.

  But most of all, I’m ecstatic.

  “Yes!” I shout.

  Teasing, Blake cups his ear. “What was that? I don’t think I heard you.”

  “Oh, stop.” I start laughing, and maybe I’m crying a little too, but for all the best reasons.

  In a loud, firm tone, I say once again, “Yes. I can’t wait to be your wife, Blake Cavaletti.”

  Looking happier than I think I’ve ever seen him, he slips the ring onto my finger.

  He then rises to his feet, telling me, “Noelle, I am going to make you so damn happy. I swear, I—”

  I place a finger over his lips, silencing him. And then I tell him, “You already have.”

  Moments Found

  If there’s one thing Coach preaches, it’s to finish strong. Not just in the game of hockey, but in the game of life.

  That’s why I proposed to Noelle.

  Doing so is the perfect culmination of our having fallen in love.

  And really, why wait?

  When you know, you just know.

  And I know—Noelle is it for me.

  It also fits with my motto, my philosophy, in life—don’t squander your opportunities and chances, because things can change in an instant.

  That’s why I’m not taking any chances with Noelle.

  I asked her to marry me, and she said yes.

  In keeping with my don’t-wait philosophy, I tell her later that night that I don’t want to put things off.

  She’s completely in agreement.

  “Let’s do it soon,” she says. “Let’s get married.”

  We’re in the living room, watching TV, and I mute the sound.

  This is serious stuff, and I want to get it right.

  “Are you sure?” I ask.

  “Absolutely, Blake, I am. I don’t want to wait, either.”

  It’s on from there.

  Over the next several days, we think about having a big wedding. We even go so far as to meet with a wedding planner, who tells us she could organize one by Christmas.

  On the way back from the meeting, I ask Noelle, who’s being rather quiet, “What are you thinking? Is a big wedding really what you want?”

  She shrugs. “I don’t know, Blake. Does it feel like ‘us’ to do it that way, having a big to-do?”

  Being honest, I reply, “Nah. Not really.”

  “I agree. And I think we should do it our way.”

  We decide then and there to have something more intimate to celebrate our nuptials.

  “I want to invite just family and a few close friends,” Noelle says.

  I nod, agreeing, “That sounds good to me.”

  “Then it’s decided,” she replies.

  And it is.

  Since we live in Las Vegas, wedding capital of the world, planning exactly what we want is pretty easy.

  Noelle finds a beautiful ballgown wedding dress at a shop near downtown. I’m not allowed to see it, of course, but that’s fine with me. I know she’ll look amazing in it, and I’ll see it soon enough.

  We also decide we want Noel and Cara to be our best man and maid of honor.

  When we ask them, they are overjoyed and immediately say yes.

  A couple of weeks later, we find ourselves walking down the aisle of a cute little white church out in the desert to becom
e husband and wife.

  Our closest friends and our families are there, and when we kiss to seal the deal, they all cheer.

  Afterward, we have a small reception in the gardens at Noel and Maisie’s house. When Noelle throws her bouquet, Maisie catches it.

  I tease Noel that he’s next, and he says, “Dude, don’t say anything, but I’m already on it. I’m planning to ask Maisie to marry me this Christmas.”

  I pat him on the back, congratulating him.

  I love that he’s not waiting. Noel has finally fully embraced my philosophy of seizing the moment.

  That’s fantastic, but one thing in my thinking has changed. I’ve discovered that for every moment lost, there are new moments found.

  Like how I thought the night I met Noelle that I missed my chance with her.

  Remember the porn star seventies dude?

  I sure do.

  When he left, I got a second chance.

  I took it, and look where we are today.

  Also, for so long, Noelle and I thought when her brother found out that she and I had snuck around behind his back, that he’d be furious. Or, worse yet, truly upset.

  But he was neither.

  Noel understood.

  He saw that what Noelle and I have is real.

  I think that’s because he’s found true love too.

  I guess we should’ve seen that all along.

  But it doesn’t matter, the moments that were lost have since been found.

  Yeah, have they ever.

  But beyond all that, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I’m not just me anymore, I’m me with Noelle.

  And even with Sal.

  And that all makes me better.

  We’ve become a tiny little family, a family I’m sure will grow as time goes by.

  And that, my friend, promises to be the best moments found.

  Coming up next in the Boys of Winter hockey romance series is Landen’s story, Bet on Ice, due out in December.

  In the Men of Fall football romance series, Eligible Receiver, Lars’s story, releases in early September.

  Wait!

  It’s not over yet.

  Read the first chapter of Forward Progress, the first novel in the bestselling Men of Fall series, where football meets romance.