Hockey Ring

by Kristen Echo

  Folding her hands over her knees, Gwen prepared for the bad news. “Lay it on me.”

  “You’ll think I’m nuts, but I want to tell my story. I don’t want to hide from the press.”

  “Keeping your anonymity is a way to keep you safe from retaliation and—”

  “I heard you and Spencer loud and clear. But I want to make a statement. Not only about the attack, but about the events in my life leading up to it.” She twisted the large bracelet on her wrist. “It might stop someone from experimenting with drugs. If nothing else, it will set the record straight.”

  “You’re an adult. If you want to talk to the press, that’s your decision. I think you’re brave.” She smiled and unclasped her hands. “Way braver than me. But what does this have to do with your purpose in life? Do you want to be in law enforcement or something?”

  “Nothing like that.” Wes shuffled her feet, while staring at the ceiling. “Just for the first time in months, I don’t feel sad or anxious. If there’s some divine purpose for us all, then we were meant to be at the park. I was meant to stop that creep. Do I sound crazy?”

  Gwen blinked away the moisture building in her eyes and shook her head. “Far from it. I believe everything happens for a reason. Each experience, molding and shaping our future.”

  “Yeah. You say that a lot.” She looked at her mother and offered a wry smile. “It’s been tough for me to see past the pain and think about a future. But it’s a new day and a different city. I feel ready to start looking ahead.”

  She stood, closed the gap in one stride and wrapped her arms around Wes. “I love you.”

  The door opened, and Spencer walked in. His suit fit him like a glove. He looked dashing and ready to take on the world. His mouth morphed into a smile as his eyes connected with Gwen’s.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt a mother daughter moment. Our ride is waiting outside for us,” he said, lifting papers in his hands. “You’re all set. FYI, we won’t be able to avoid the press completely since they’re camped at every exit.”

  “Thank you.” Gwen inhaled his manly scent as he stepped closer.

  “About the press.” Wes straightened her posture and adjusted her favorite Altered Chords t-shirt. “I’d like to make a statement. I know you have lots of experience with this stuff. What would be best? I want them to know what really happened, and that you were helping us not the other way around. They are turning Nico and the rest of the hockey players into junkies who cheated their way to victory. It’s not right. They earned the Cup.”

  He placed his hand on the small of Gwen’s back as he looked at Wes. “You don’t have to worry about me, or them. But if you’d like, I can arrange my PR people to get on it. Is that all right with you, Gwen?”

  The heat from his touch spread like wildfire. Her pulse raced, and her stomach knotted. “Fine with me.” Her voice sounded hoarse as though she hadn’t spoken in days.

  His thumb caressed the top of her panty line. “When would you like to talk with them?”

  “Whenever is convenient? You’ve already done so much for us,” her daughter added.

  “Don’t mention it,” he said. He removed his hand, pulled his phone from his coat pocket and typed fast and furiously. A minute later, his phone returned to his pocket and his hand returned only slightly lower on her back. “My PR whiz, Daisy, will call you in a few minutes to discuss your statement. We’ll fan it across to the appropriate channels.”

  “Wow.” Westlyn’s eyes widened. “I guess I should figure out what to say.”

  “Speak from the heart. Daisy and her people will do the rest.” He turned to face Gwen. His hand moved along her arm until only the tips of their fingers were touching. “Are you ready?”

  “Where are we going?” Gwen hated having to ask, but she had no place to go.

  “Did you forget?” He tilted his head to the side. “I thought I made myself clear. You’re coming home with me. No more arguments.”

  A vague memory flashed of his lips forming a thin line as those words drifted through the room. She may have refused. She wouldn’t this time. “Sounds good.”

  He smiled. “Let’s get out of here.” He grabbed her suitcase and opened the door for them.

  “Thanks,” she breathed, stepping past him. She held Westlyn’s hand as they left the hospital room and headed through a tunnel towards a different building. Spencer told them to leave first and then the car circled back for him. The media hadn’t taken pictures of them, but as soon as he stepped out the flashes went off. Several reporters swarmed the limo. The driver went around them.

  “How do you tolerate the invasion of privacy?” Gwen asked as they drove towards his home. They sat next to each other with their legs pressed together.

  One of his hands landed on her knee as he rubbed the stubble on his jaw with his other. “It’s part of my life. Most of the time, I don’t notice. Do you think you could get used to it?”

  “I guess,” she answered.

  Why would she need to? Unless they got back together. She swallowed hard.

  “What about you, Miss Superhero? As an employee, you may not be able to evade the occasional picture in the press.”

  “Employee? What did I miss?” Gwen looked between the two.

  Westlyn bit her lip. “Doesn’t bother me. I… um… took a job as Connie’s nanny. Spencer offered the position yesterday. I meant to tell you before everything happened.”

  He squeezed her knee, sending a wave of heat between Gwen’s legs. “I’m lucky to have found such an amazing young woman to look after my little girl. I trust Wes will be an asset to my team this summer.”

  “Thank you so much for the opportunity. I’m beyond grateful.”

  Seeing her baby girl smile filled Gwen with joy. All the mistakes and wrong turns she’d made had brought them here. Things were looking up. “That’s wonderful,” she announced.

  When they arrived at the Northcote estate, Wes received a call from the head of Spencer’s PR team. She excused herself and left Gwen alone with Spencer. They made their way to the kitchen. The room was bright and filled with sunshine.

  “We should talk.” She wanted to clear the air. Rather than pretend she hadn’t had a case of verbal diarrhea, she swallowed her pride and faced him.

  He poured them each a coffee from a carafe as she fiddled with a napkin. “Have a seat. What’s on your mind?”

  She sat at the long wooden table and wrapped her hands around the steaming cup he placed in front of her. A hot beverage was the last thing she needed. Inhaling the dark roast aroma, bought her a few extra seconds to collect her thoughts. “About… I should start with… no. I mean, there’s lots,” she stuttered, trying to find the words. “Sorry. Let me start over.”

  His chair grated against the tile as he sat next to her. “You don’t have to apologize. If that’s what you’re trying to do. I rather enjoyed your honesty.”

  Gwen dropped her forehead onto the table with a thud. “If you’re after honesty, I don’t remember everything. I can’t be held accountable for my actions or my words.”

  He rubbed between her shoulder blades. “That’s too bad. I liked hearing you tell me how irresistible I am and how much you want me. No. I believe the word you used was crave.”

  Keeping her head on the table, she twisted the napkin over her lap. “You might not want an apology, but you deserve one. Many in fact. I am sorry for running away all those years ago. I’m sorry for doing it again, when you’ve been nothing but amazing to me and Wes. Pushing you away is not—”

  “Gwen, look at me.” He inched his fingers up her spine and twirled her loose hair around his fist, tugging lightly. “I want to see your eyes when you tell me what you want.”

  She lifted her head. His face was only inches from hers. Their eyes locked. Her hands shook as she warred whether to touch him. He was so close, but she held back.

  “I don’t want to hold back anymore,” she whispered.

  “What will make you happy?�
�� His grip tightened on her hair, pulling her closer.

  “I need you to forgive me for being selfish,” she answered. It didn’t matter what her sister wanted or what anyone else wanted. She had to voice her own desires.

  He shook his head as though that wasn’t enough.

  Gwen’s heart was on the verge of shattering. “Is that too much to ask?”

  He shook his head again, bringing his lips closer. His mouth hovered. She dropped the napkin and cupped his face.

  “I want a second chance,” she breathed. “I want to be with you again.”

  Their mouths connected. Spencer kissed her hard. Harder than she’d ever been kissed. Rough and demanding. She submitted, giving him everything. Her past, her present and her future belonged to him. With every lick of his tongue and nibble of his teeth, he owned her heart all over again.

  They panted as he pulled away. “You make me happy too.”

  She looked into his smiling eyes and saw the love reflected in his pools of blue. Their love had never faded. Her pulse raced, and her mind tried to catch up to her heart. This man was hers just as surely as she was his. They belonged together. The knot that had taken a permanent place in her gut relaxed.

  “Ditto,” she said. “We still have a lot to talk about.”

  “Gwen,” he rasped as Connie walked in, interrupting them. He winked, releasing her hair. “To be continued.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  A fter the kiss, she watched Spencer dote on his daughter. Each giggle he induced from the little girl echoed through the room. Their laughter was contagious. Connie dumped a puzzle on the table and asked them to work with her. His patience and the way he listened to her talk about each piece made Gwen swoon. Looking at him did the same. Her heart never stood a chance she realized.

  That wasn’t good.

  They had a lot to discuss. She had questions about his relationship with Cherie. Their involvement still bothered her. She wondered what kind of relationship he was after, considering his schedule left little time for dating. So many what ifs swirled around her mind, but she pushed them away. Those doubts and questions could wait.

  When Wes finished with Daisy, she joined the trio in the kitchen. “So, in about thirty minutes it’s going to go live. A special interest story she called it and said like all the networks are gonna run it. Not just here, but everywhere. I’m not sure if this was a good idea,” she said, leaning against the counter.

  Gwen left Spencer and Connie at the table. The puzzle had a top edge and the four corners. The other thousand pieces were scattered across the tabletop. She moved by her daughter’s side and bumped hips. “You will be fine. In a few days, this will all blow over, but those men will still be behind bars.”

  “Yup. I’m not doing this for my two seconds of fame or whatever,” she huffed.

  “Never thought you were,” Gwen countered.

  “Just wanted to make that understood. I’m tired of letting people take advantage of others. I want to tell people it’s okay to fight back. Those men and so many just like them need to be put in their place. We need to take back our streets and communities. Each person can make an impact. Like you always say, cast the pebble and watch the ripple effect. It’s time to make waves.”

  Overcome by emotions, she could do nothing but hug Wes. She wrapped her arms tight around her very mature teenager. Gwen often wondered if her ramblings fell on deaf ears, but Wes had been listening.

  “You’ll make a huge wave in our city,” Spencer said from behind them. “Daisy sent me the first draft and I think many young people will be encouraged by your actions. You’re a good role model.”

  Wes shook her head. “I’m really not. But I’m working on it.” She untangled herself from Gwen’s stronghold and joined Connie at the table.

  “Speaking of working,” said Spencer, “I have to jet. I’d love to spend the day with you lovely ladies, but it’s the NHL draft today and tomorrow.”

  Gwen swatted his arm. “Get going. You were supposed to leave last night, weren’t you?”

  “More important things came up.” He cupped her cheeks. “The General Manager can handle it. It’s not something I need to attend, but I’d like to be there. I think it’s important for my players to know who I am. That said, your safety and wellbeing matter to me as well.” He brushed a feather-light kiss against her lips.

  Her eyes shot to the kids. They hadn’t seen, and she suspected Spencer didn’t care if they had. She didn’t care either. She tugged on the lapels of his jacket, pulling his body flush against her. “When will you be back?”

  He growled. Low and deep. “Not soon enough.”

  She smiled and waggled her eyebrows. “I’ll be here waiting for you.” Gwen leaned closer to his ear. “Naked in your hot tub or in your bed. You decide,” she teased and pressed a kiss against his cheek.

  Another growl followed. “Tell me you’re serious. Does your head hurt? Do you feel okay?”

  A giggle escaped. “I know what I’m saying. My head is fine.”

  “Then I can’t wait that long,” he hissed and gripped her hand. “Kids, Gwen is taking a quick tour to the air strip with me. She’ll be back shortly.”

  “I am?”

  “Yes.” He tugged her with him to the table where he leaned down and kissed Connie on the top of her head. “I love you, and I’ll call you later. Remember that Wes is in charge. So, please listen to her. Are we good?”

  “Yup. Bye, Daddy.” Connie didn’t look up from the puzzle piece in her hand.

  “See you two in a bit,” Gwen added as she was pulled out of the kitchen.

  Once in the hall, Spencer pressed her against the wall and devoured her mouth. Their tongues dueled, and her body melted against him. His kiss rendered her boneless. As if sensing she might fall, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

  “No more running.” His palm flattened against her ass. “You’re mine. Agreed?”

  The sting sent a jolt of arousal directly to her core. “Agreed.” Firm muscles greeted her hand when she slapped and then squeezed his bottom. “And you’re mine. Only mine,” she shot back, glancing over her shoulder.

  He chuckled. “I’m yours. Always.” Spencer opened the front door and carried her outside. The limo waited at the bottom of the steps. The driver raced to open the back door, but Spencer waved him off. “I’ve got it. Partition up and take the long way there.”

  Gwen buried her face in her hands as she slid down his body. “Oh my God. I’m so embarrassed.” And wet. But she kept the last part to herself. She had a feeling he’d find out soon enough.

  “You shouldn’t tease me,” he roared, before opening the door and pushing her inside. “I only wish we had more time. When I get back, the things I’m going to do to you.” He slammed the door shut behind him.

  She crawled backwards on the bench until she met the wall. “Who said I was teasing?” She lifted the hem of her dress, revealing her black lace panties.

  He prowled after her, settling between her open legs. The scruff of his unshaved face scratched her inner knee as he kissed his way along her thighs. She mewled when he licked and teased the edges of where the lace covered her skin. He kissed around her mound, tormenting her and driving her insane with need. He rubbed his nose along her folds and inhaled.

  “Spencer,” she huffed, pulling on his hair. “Please, don’t tease me.”

  “You smell so good. Do you want my mouth here?” He licked the center of her saturated panties.

  “Yes!” Gwen tossed her head back as he tore her panties off and buried his tongue inside her.

  Her foot slipped off the bench. She ran her fingers through his silky, short hair and wrapped her leg around his neck. Each long stroke of his tongue brought her closer to the pinnacle of ecstasy. He slurped her nectar and nibbled on every part of her. His murmurs of pleasure pushed her over.

  “I’m coming,” she purred as he latched onto her clit and sucked harder. She lifted her hips, grinding against his
face. Giving him every ounce of her pleasure.

  He took it all. He swallowed her orgasm whole.

  Only after she finished shaking, he let go and sat back. “Darlin’, I could eat you alive. One taste is never enough.”

  “I want to taste you too,” she panted, lifting her dress over her head. She reached behind and undid her bra. Tossing it at him, she smiled. Her nipples puckered as the cool air greeted them. “Your turn.”

  “Damn you’re beautiful.” He cupped her breasts and kissed each nipple. “That smart mouth will have to wait. As much as I want you to suck me off, I need to feel those tight walls wrapped around my cock when I come,” he said, tearing at his clothing.

  She helped him remove his suit. Layers of discarded clothing lay scattered across the floor. Once he was naked, she straddled his legs and sank onto him. Slowly. Every thick inch stretched her, sending mini fireworks off in her soul. Being with him was explosive.

  Her knees rubbed against the smooth leather, not getting much grip. She wrapped her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes as he rooted inside her. “I’m already so close,” she panted.

  His fingers bit into her backside as he lifted her slightly and then pulled her back down. She’d thought he was fully inside before, but she’d been wrong. He filled her completely. Utterly.

  “I love being inside you,” he said, staring into her eyes. “Ride me. Take what you need. I’m all yours.”

  Gwen swiveled her hips and took what he offered. She seized the moment and rode him hard. Each rut and bump in the road brought them closer. She bounced on his cock until sweat glistened down his chest and his body stiffened.

  “Keep going. I’m almost there,” he cooed as he kissed and sucked on her breasts.

  “Oh… Yes… Oh…” She moved faster and ground her pelvis against his. The added friction hit the spot that detonated her senses. “Spencer, that’s it!” She couldn’t hold back and came with a yelp.

  “Fuck,” he roared as he pumped his hips one last time and emptied himself inside her.

  They sat connected for many miles. The vibrations from the road coaxed more tingles and pulses radiating from her core. It took a long while for her to catch her breath.