Hockey Ring

by Kristen Echo

Tears slipped down her cheeks. “It’s all good. It’s all positive stuff. My ex’s folks sent me an email and I’m…” A sob followed and Wes waved a hand, stopping Gwen. She collected herself and wiped her eyes. “It’s really beautiful. They’re happy I’m sharing his story and warning kids to stay away from the hard stuff. If he had said no, he’d still be here. Anyways, I worried about their reaction to publishing his name, but it’s okay.”

  Despite being waved away, Gwen pulled her in for a hug. Wrapping her arms around her kid, she tried to infuse Wes with all her love. She didn’t have to handle this alone. “It’s going to be an emotional night. Would you like me to—”

  “Nope. I want to do this by myself,” she said. “We’ll talk in the morning. Goodnight.” Wes untangled her body from her mother’s grip and left the room.

  “You’ve raised an incredible young woman.”

  Gwen blinked away the moisture pooling in her eyes. “I know.” She leaned into Spencer’s embrace, drawing strength from his arms as they cocooned her. “Speaking of emotional nights. We need to talk.”

  He kissed her forehead. “We do. Wine is in order. Let’s grab a bottle or two and go sit under the stars. I do my best thinking under clear skies.”

  She agreed. He brought her to the wine cellar. The room was as large as a two-car garage. Her jaw may have hit the floor as she walked in.

  “Impressive. With so many choices, how do you ever decide?” She licked her lips, exploring the options.

  “Easily.” Spencer twirled her around and captured her attention with a kiss. “I know what I want.”

  “Is that so,” she joked.

  Her eyes locked onto his and the intensity nearly blew her over. Gwen got the sense they weren’t talking about wine. Her heart skipped a beat as he pierced her with those magnificent blue orbs. Raw, uninhibited lust tore through her. With each pulsing second she debated ripping his clothes off. She wanted him inside her. Her hand pressed against the hard muscles of his chest. She craved his hands, his lips and his body. It was more than sex. She wanted his heart too.

  He held her captive for several minutes before reaching over her shoulder and selecting a bottle. “I want desperately to know what you’re thinking when you look at me like that. You told me you didn’t want to hold back, but I can see you doing exactly that.” He pressed his forehead against hers. “Don’t tell me if it’s fleeting.”

  In spite of the humidity controls in the room, her throat was too dry to respond. She swallowed and tore her eyes from his. “What did you pick?”

  “You,” he breathed.

  “I meant the wine.” She shuffled back a step.

  “I own a vineyard on the West Coast. This batch was my favorite from last season.” He walked over to a small bistro table and opened the wine. The cork popped, and he poured a sample amount into a glass. Dark, red liquid coated the inside of the crystal as he held it to the light. He inhaled and swallowed the contents. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and Gwen’s core tightened.

  “Is it good?”

  Spencer licked his lips seductively. “The best,” he answered, filling two glasses to the brim.

  Their fingers grazed as he handed her a full glass. She held it to her nose and inhaled the cherry and blackberry notes. She was far from a wine connoisseur, but the aroma was mouthwatering. Liquid courage would help. She downed the entire glass and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

  “I’m not trying to hold back.” She shivered and rubbed her arm. It was time to let it all out. “Learning about you and my sister—”

  “Nothing happened between me and Cherie.” He ran his hand through his hair. “We went for drinks three times. I never considered them dates. We talked about old times and she kissed me when I dropped her off the last time. The night you showed up, I had gone to her place to set the record straight. You’re the only Eastman and the only woman I want.”

  “I believe you but—”

  He handed over his phone. “Call her. Never mind.” He pressed a few buttons, and the phone rang on speakerphone.

  Gwen tried to end the call, but Cherie answered on the second ring. “Hello. It’s great to hear from you.”

  “This isn’t a social call. I’m with your sister who has the impression that you and I dated and have some kind of romantic relationship. I’ve explained this is not the case, but she needs your side.”

  “Gwen knows my side,” Cherie said.

  “Which is what?” Spencer barked. A moment of silence followed. His jaw clenched as he waited for a response.

  “We’ve been enjoying each other’s company and we’ve kissed. I like you,” Cherie admitted, making Gwen’s heart ache.

  It took guts for her sister to say those things. No one deserved to be rejected. She tried to think of something that would soften the outcome. As she was about to speak, Spencer moved the phone away slightly.

  He huffed and his nostrils flared. “We never kissed. A platonic meeting of the lips would be a more accurate description. I explained it would never happen again. The only reason I agreed to cocktails was to get information about Gwen. My intentions were always crystal clear. I’m in love with your sister. Nothing and no one will come between us,” he said as he stared at Gwen.

  “Cherie, I’m sorry for bothering you,” she said. Her voice sounded like she’d ran it over sandpaper. “I didn’t ask him to call. I’m—”

  “You’re always sorry,” Cherie shot back. “I need to go. Enjoy your evening.”

  The line went dead. Gwen suspected her relationship with her sister might suffer the same fate. Her stomach twisted as he returned the phone to his pocket.

  “There’s no reason to hold back anymore.” He took a sip of his wine and set it on the table.

  “When I said I want a second chance, I meant it. I moved here to start over and mend my broken relationship with Cherie. I keep making things worse with her, but I’m ready for this. You and me getting back together. It’s crazy after all this time, right?”

  His eyebrow arched. “Not crazy at all.”

  “You have to admit things between us is a little overwhelming. We’re moving at warp speed and I’m trying to catch up.”

  “If you need to slow down, we could try,” he offered.

  She rolled her eyes. “You don’t know the meaning of slow. Besides, I like where we are. But I never expected to see you again, let alone make love to you. And I don’t know what you’re thinking or what we’re doing. I’m second guessing myself while you seem so sure of everything.” She spoke quickly and kept her eyes on the bottles behind his head. Twenty-four bottles per row.

  “Gwen, look at me.”

  Twisting the empty crystal stem in her hand, she kept her eyes averted. “We barely know each other and I’m living in your house.”

  “We dated for close to a year. You haven’t changed that much. I’m still the same man you met on the side of the road. The same guy who—”

  “That was a lifetime ago, when we were kids. We aren’t the same. I’m a single mother scraping by and you’re a billionaire. Different worlds. I don’t know how we fit.”

  “I’d say we fit perfectly. The rest is semantics.” He stepped closer until their chests touched. His fingers gripped her chin, tilting her face until their eyes connected. “I’m still the same dreamer who’s hopelessly in love with you.”

  She dropped her glass, and it shattered against the concrete floor. “Spencer, don’t say things like that. I will believe you.”

  “It’s the truth.” He challenged her with his eyes, and she stayed quiet. “I am in love with your big green eyes and the way they undress me. I am in love with your generous heart and the way you’ve devoted your life to serving people who need help. Your soul is so pure and beautiful. You’re gorgeous. Do you want me to go on?”

  “No. You should stop.” Her voice quivered as she fisted his shirt in her hands, yanking it free from his pants.

  “I loved you when we were younger, and I should have sai
d those words. From now on, you’ll always know how I feel.” He kissed her lips softly.

  A gentle brush that left her chasing his mouth. “I loved you too.” She tore open his dress shirt, sending a barrage of buttons in all directions.

  “My feelings are stronger than ever, and I want to build a life with you. Gwen, I’m not interested in a fling or some fly-by-night relationship. I’ve never done the casual thing. Ever.” He helped her remove his shirt when it got caught on his forearms. “I don’t know how to give less than one hundred percent. Nor do I plan to ever give you up again. I don’t have time for games or bullshit. My life is full and insanely busy.”

  “My life is a mess. All I do is make mistakes. I’ve been an emotional wreck every time you come into my life.” Gwen ran her hands over the hard planes of his torso, settling over his heart. “You’re too good for me, but I love you.”

  He lifted her dress over her head and tossed the garment aside. “Say it again,” he demanded as he removed her bra.

  Exposed. She had nothing to hide the blush that covered her. “I love you.”

  “Life isn’t easy for everyone. You’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

  “I’m not—”

  He silenced her protest with a kiss. The soft caress caused her knees to weaken. She clung to his broad shoulders and kissed him back. His tongue stroked the inside of her mouth. Deliberate and slow. He made love to her lips until she whimpered.

  “I’m not letting you leave. Gwen, I’ve been waiting a long time to feel this way again.” He lifted her into his arms. “Stay with me.”

  She wrapped her legs around his trim waist and her arms around his neck. “I want to, but I’m… scared I’ll take you down with me. I eventually hurt everyone I’m close to.”

  Spencer carried her away from the broken glass and pressed her against the door. “Don’t be scared. The only way you could hurt me would be to leave again. This might be coming on too strong, but I want to grow old with you. I want to wake up each day with you by my side.”

  Her eyes closed as his words delivered a swift blow. “I want to grow old with you too.” She squeezed him tighter. “All those years ago, it was too hard to accept your clear view of our future. I was so unsure about everything, but I knew I loved you. Leaving you was harder than you know. I won’t leave again.”

  “Promise.” He brushed the stray hairs away from her forehead and stared into her eyes. “My heart is yours. I own damn near everything I’ve ever wanted, except your heart. I can’t buy it. You have to give it to me freely. But know once it’s mine, I’ll never give it back.”

  Gwen nodded and held her pinkie out. He chuckled and linked fingers with her.

  “I pinkie promise we’re in this together. My heart belongs to you. It’s always been yours.” She kissed him and rubbed her lower half shamelessly against his belt. All these promises and being this close with him were making her horny. “Please make love to me.”

  He growled and set her down on the floor. His body hovered inches from her as he removed his pants. “This is your home. Our home. I need you safe and within reach because I plan to make love to you everywhere,” he said as he coated his cock with her moisture. “Often.”

  It felt so good. Her body arched to get closer, but he continued teasing her slit with his tip. She begged and moaned as he pushed his fingers inside, prepping her.

  “I’m ready,” she panted. “Take me.”

  “Not until you agree to stay here.” He flicked his thumb over her clit.

  “I promise I’ll stay in your house, but only until my first check. I want you, but I don’t want your money.”

  He stopped moving. “Not good enough. What’s the point of having money if I can’t spend it on my family?”

  Gwen lifted her hips, chasing the lost friction. “Can’t we finalize those details later. We’re dating. We’re together. Isn’t that good enough? Don’t be so demanding.”

  Spencer shoved two fingers in deep as he pressed his body onto her, letting her feel his full weight. He wasn’t light. “This negotiation is far from over. You have no idea the lengths I’ll go in order to get what I want. I didn’t get where I am today by being easy to handle.” He twisted his fingers and pulled them out.

  She shrieked with dissatisfaction. “Don’t you dare tease me.”

  “Do you want me to make love to you?” He licked his fingers.

  “Yes,” she hissed as he grated his chest against her hard nipples.

  Kissing his way down her body, he lavished her breasts with attention, drawing out the foreplay until her juices were dripping down her leg. “Move in with me. Permanently.”

  “No,” she answered, reaching for his cock and getting her hand slapped.

  He sat back, gripped his cock and teased her slit. Once it was soaked with her arousal, he stroked it and smirked. Sexy bastard. “Keep your job and your money but live here and let me spoil you.”

  “I’m keeping my job. You have no say in that. I don’t want you to spoil me unless it’s with your body.” Frustrated, knowing he wouldn’t give up, she pulled her hair.

  “My body is yours,” he said, spreading her lips open with his fingers and teasing her.

  She groaned when he stopped. “Then give me what I want.”

  “Agree to my terms first.”

  As if his sexy as sin gaze wasn’t tormenting her enough, he tapped her clit with the bulbus head of his cock. Over and over until she was writhing on the floor. Each time he struck, her entire body convulsed with need. She couldn’t keep going.

  “Fine, I’ll stay with you. Your home is my home.” She sat up and gripped the back of his neck. “Let’s spoil each other with love. Deal?”

  His smile widened larger than the Cheshire Cat’s. “You’re cheesy, but I love that you like doing things the hard way. Deal.”

  She reached between them and aligned his cock at her entrance. He wiggled his way inside and she breathed a sigh of relief. Life without a challenge was no fun. He pushed deeper until they were fully joined. Nothing had ever felt so right.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  O ften her first day at a new job was nerve-wracking, but Gwen took to this position like a fish to water. She’d swam through the paperwork and dove headfirst into the deep end. Interacting with the teenagers and young adults fighting addictions, never failed to pull at her heartstrings. These were good people. A few poor decisions wreaked havoc on their lives, but it would not define them. Gwen could relate on many levels and was glad to be doing her part to end the cycle.

  Mid-way through day one, a sweet bouquet of multi-colored roses had been delivered without a note. Followed by a landscaping company adding garden boxes in the front of the drop-in center. They would be able to grow enough vegetables to feed several families.

  Her new boss appreciated the kindness of the anonymous donor. Reba explained this wasn’t the first time someone had delivered random gifts to the center. They both knew it was Spencer though he’d denied it when she’d called. He’d even downplayed his compassion to Reba when she’d tried to thank him.

  The first week had been full of surprises. Spencer Northcote was the best boyfriend on the planet. When he said he’d spoil her, he’d meant it. The gifts continued on a daily basis. They were all completely over the top and beyond generous. If he’d showered her with presents, she would have refused them. But the way he delivered something exceptional to the group wasn’t easily dismissed. He proved that he knew her well. Rather than buy her something, each present was for the center. Instead of buying her a morning coffee, he had an extra coffee machine and a year’s supply of grounds and filters delivered. Instead of taking her to lunch, he had it catered for all the staff and enough for anyone using the facility.

  This amazing man was hers. Her heart was so full. Every night when she’d return to him, she threw herself in his arms. Peppering his strong jaw with kisses, she thanked him. He didn’t want her gratitude, but he’d earned it. T
he more time they spent together, the deeper in love she fell. How she’d ever walked away from this man baffled her. She’d never make that mistake again.

  Gwen was a lucky lady to be given a second chance. The love they shared grew stronger with the passing days. It consumed her in the best possible way. She showed her appreciation in her own way. Spencer loved her body and her mouth, and she granted him full access. All he wanted was her time and her love. She gave him both, but he deserved more. So much more.

  Trying to find a gift for a billionaire was daunting. Beyond their bedroom fun, he loved his family more than anything. Gwen decided to surprise him with the biggest birthday bash of the century. That gave her two months to plan an epic end of summer party. She enlisted the help of Caroline and Connie to pull off the impossible. Big parties were difficult for Connie, but his girls loved the idea of surprising their dad. Keeping a secret from him wouldn’t be easy, but it would be worth it.

  “What are you two whispering about?” he asked as he entered the kitchen.

  Gwen shuffled her feet and looked at the countertop. The woodgrain on the butcher-block suddenly seemed very intricate. This was the second time he’d caught them cavorting. “Nothing. Want a top up on your wine?”

  “Full glass waiting for me outside, but thanks.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “The way you’re blushing gives me the impression it’s more than nothing.”

  Caroline flipped her hair over her shoulder. Her locks cascaded down her back like a blonde waterfall. “I was telling Gwen about something that happened at my last show. It’s inappropriate for little ears,” she replied, pointing at Connie.

  The young girl sat at the island, adding olives to each deviled egg. Her attention was one hundred percent focused on the task. A herd of running elephants couldn’t distract her.

  “Oh. If it’s not suitable for your sister, maybe you shouldn’t be telling it.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Relax, Papa Bear. She’s putting the finishing touches on the hors d’oeuvres.” Caroline walked over to her sister and kissed the top of her head. “Good job. I think that’s enough. You’ve made two-dozen and there are only six of us.”