Forgiveness would take time, and time may be the one thing she didn’t have. If her gig with the Sockeyes didn’t work out, then what? Would a nearby facility take a chance on her, letting her teach beginners? She’d start at the bottom. She wasn’t too proud to take on anything they asked of her. All she needed was a break. The Sockeyes had given her that break.
This was her ice time, not time to be fretting about the future. Things would work out. She had to believe in herself. Clearing her mind, she ran through her routine, the one she’d been working on for a few months and choreographed herself. As she came to the end of the program, she prepared herself for another triple and pushed off. She had the height and the rotation, but on landing, her skate went one way and her ass another. She slammed to ice and slowly picked herself back up.
That one had hurt.
She heard clapping and turned, not surprised to see Drew sitting in the bottom row of bleachers. He was grinning. She skated over to him, hands on hips, breathing hard.
“Nice job,” he said.
She couldn’t tell if he was sincere or pulling her leg.
“Especially the ass landing,” she said.
“Especially that. Once you’ve perfected it, maybe they’ll name it after you. The Marina Ass-First Landing.”
“Maybe they will, or maybe they’ll call it the Dead Man’s Landing.”
“Dead Man’s Landing? Why?”
“Because that’s what’s going to happen to anyone who laughs at me when I stick that particular landing.”
“Oh.” He sobered for a moment, but he couldn’t stop the grin from reappearing.
She stopped at the boards and leaned on them. “Good to see you smiling. That was an unfortunate shot at the end of the game.”
“I wouldn’t quite call it unfortunate, more like piss-poor, fucking stupid, total crap. Yeah, something like that.”
“Drew, missing an easy shot happens to everyone. I bet it’s happened to your dad.”
“Not that he’ll admit.” Drew’s face was set in a determined expression Marina had never seen before. She sat down on the bench and unlaced her skates. He didn’t move, just sat on the bleachers and waited, for what she didn’t know.
Finally, she looked up. “Is something wrong?”
“Besides losing the game for the team tonight and letting everyone down?”
“Besides that.”
“I want to ask you something.”
“Ask away.”
He scooted next to her and watched her unlace her skates. When she straightened, he blew out a long breath and squared his shoulders. Marina waited, intrigued.
“Don’t you ever get tired of doing the right thing?” he asked.
“Yeah, but the one time I didn’t, it ended in disaster.” She sighed, having a good idea where this conversation was leading and not sure she would be able to say no.
“Would you go out with me?”
She squinted at him, certain she’d misunderstood him. “What?”
“Would you go out with me? To dinner?” he repeated.
“Dinner? We’ve been to dinner before.”
“This is different. I need you tonight. I can’t put it into words, but you’re the only person I want to be with. This is something I want to do with you.” His gaze was mesmerizing in its intensity, and she struggled between what she should do and wanted to do.
“Like on a date?”
He nodded. His serious gaze held hers, while he clenched his hands in his lap.
“Drew, we’ve had this discussion. You know I can’t date you.”
“Yeah, but maybe just for tonight we could pretend nothing else matters and enjoy each other’s company. How about dinner, maybe dancing?”
“Dancing? In public? I don’t think it would be appropriate.”
“Oh, fuck appropriate.” He slammed the palm of one hand on the bench and made her jump.
“Drew.”
“Sorry,” he muttered. “I’m fucking sick and tired of people telling me what I can’t have and what I should want. For once, I’m going with my gut, and it’s telling me that we could be special together.”
“We already are,” Marina muttered.
“Yeah, we are, but we could be more.” The hope in his voice was so endearing her heart ached. She couldn’t turn him down, and right or wrong the romantic in her insisted she go for it.
“Just tonight? One night? After that we go back to being work colleagues?”
“Whatever you want.” He grinned like a kid on Christmas morning.
“This isn’t a good idea.” They could never go back. The farther they traveled down this road, the harder it got.
“It’s the best one I have. You’re driving me crazy. I can’t stop thinking of you, and it’s affecting my game. Maybe I need one night of normal.”
She opened her mouth to say no and then run like hell, only the words caught in her throat, and she was nodding. “I could use a night of normal, too.”
“Then you’ll do it?”
She chewed on her lower lip, unable to answer. He put a finger on her chin and raised her head. His hazel green eyes searched hers.
“I’m tired of doing what everyone else thinks is right. I want to do what I feel is right. Maybe I’ve been so miserable for so long because I wasn’t listening to me, but my parents, my coaches, my teammates.” He stopped and shrugged. Placing his hands on either side of her face, he lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her, a soft kiss full or promise, tentative in its sweetness, yet powerful and confusing. Marina slid her arms around his waist and kissed him back. He pulled away too quickly.
“Will you?”
She nodded. “It’s such a bad idea.” Yeah, it was such a bad idea she was seriously considering it.
“It is, probably, but will that stop us?”
“What if Coach found out? And what if your parents found out?”
“I didn’t ask them to dinner. Just you.” His hundred-watt smile was contagious, and she gave him a quick hug. He hugged her back, nuzzling her neck, but not going any further.
Drew struck her as a man who took his time, thought things out, didn’t make rash decisions. Marina, the queen of rash decisions and poor choices, appreciated those qualities, even though she’d made another bad decision. She was going to do this, as stupid and irresponsible as it was.
She couldn’t be seen out with Drew. They’d have to go somewhere no one would recognize either one of them and damned if she knew where.
None of her internal arguments were heard over the voice in her head screaming for her to spend an evening with Drew.
She wanted to do normal.
Just one night.
Chapter 12—Body Check
They ate dinner at a small Asian restaurant. Family owned, and the owners weren’t hockey fans. Drew had been there a few times before, and they never recognized him as a sports star, just a returning patron. This late at night, they had the place to themselves.
They lingered over a glass of dessert wine, leaning on their elbows and staring into each other’s eyes like the lovesick fools they both were. Or, at the least, he was. To the casual observer, they looked like a couple in love. Drew wasn’t sure what they were, but Marina made him feel good about himself. When he was with her, his life seemed brighter and more hopeful. She warmed him from the inside out. Just gazing into her eyes made him feel like a superhero, and he wanted to be her superhero, her prince, her go-to guy, whatever she’d let him be.
He had to get through the playoffs before he made any life-changing decisions. One thing at a time, as hard as it was.
Tonight they were in a bubble, and bubbles easily burst. He wasn’t ready for reality just yet. He wanted so much more. They’d be good in bed together. He was certain, and he wanted to test his theory, even though there’d be no going back once they crossed that line. The way she was looking at him gave him confidence. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. He saw it in the way she glanced at his lips and licke
d her own, the way he body responded to his by leaning closer, the way her eyes glowed with expectation. Yeah, she wanted him.
“Come home with me,” he blurted, giving voice to his thoughts.
Marina’s large eyes grew larger. “Come home with you?”
He nodded, his expression pensive but hopeful. “Yeah.”
“Are we talking about for a cup of coffee or more?”
“More.” He held her gaze, not wavering, letting her see the intensity and passion flaring in his eyes.
“Maybe I don’t sleep with guys on the first date?” She teased in an attempt to deflect his suggestion, but he was dead serious.
“Maybe it’s not our first date. Since this entire night is about being normal, we’ve probably had six dates before tonight. That’s plenty of time to get to know each other before we—you know—do it.”
She giggled. “Do it?”
“OK, fuck, screw, get vertical. Whatever.”
Marina sobered, and her bright eyes said more than her words. They burned with the same desire currently raging through his body like a wildfire in a dry grass field. “This is a bad idea.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. No one needs to know. Ever. Just one time so we know if the sparks arcing between us are worth pursuing despite all the obstacles.”
She lowered her gaze, as if thinking about his proposition.
“They are,” she whispered and lifted her head. Her answer was in her eyes, and his body sang hallelujah.
Drew nodded and signaled for the bill. In a few minutes, they were in the car and on their way. He resisted the urge to speed through the quiet Seattle streets. Getting a ticket would only prolong the wait, and he had little patience. The longer he took getting her naked, the better chance she’d have second thoughts.
He pulled into his garage and quickly helped her out of the car. On a whim, he picked her up and carried her into the house, kicking the door shut behind him and carrying her to his bedroom. Laying her on the bed, he gazed down at her. A slight smile rested on her face, encouraging him.
He lowered his body beside her and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. Within seconds, they were all over each other in a tangle of limbs, sweet heat rising from their bodies. Drew kissed his way down her neck while she buried her fingers in his hair. He unbuttoned the blouse she wore, pushing it open to reveal soft skin and a blue lace bra. Just above her left breast was a small tattoo of a broken heart and the words forever in my heart.
“Your parents?” he whispered. His heart ached for her loss, even as his body pushed him to get on with it, but he couldn’t. Not yet. She meant more to him than a quick lay. Because she mattered, he couldn’t blow off the relevance of this moment.
She nodded, sad for a moment, her eyes filled with unshed tears and painful memories. “I don’t want to think about sad things right now.”
“I’m here if and when you do. I’ll always be here for you, Marina.” He meant every word he said. Imagining his life without her filled him with profound sorrow. How she’d managed to get under his usually strong defenses in such a short time, he’d never know.
Marina tugged on his shirt collar and smiled through the tears. “Make me forget if only for a little while. Make me feel only good things.”
“I can do that.” He smiled back, vowing with all his heart to make good memories with her.
Her nipples drew his attention as they peaked under the fabric. Holy fuck, she was perfect in every way imaginable. He hadn’t a clue how he’d gotten so lucky to know a strong, kind woman like her. He pushed the bra upward to expose two pink, taut nipples. He sucked in a deep breath. She was every bit as lovely as he’d imagined. Her breasts were small but perfect. Her nipples begged for his mouth, and he lowered his head and ran his tongue over first one then the other. She gasped and dug her fingers into his scalp.
“Drew,” Marina whispered, “I need—” She didn’t finish the sentence, as if she forgot what she was going to say when he sucked a nipple into his mouth.
Marina slid her hands down his body and under the waistband of his jeans, cupping his ass, and Drew bucked against the sensation of her hot little hands on his bare butt. He slid downward, positioning himself so she couldn’t reach him. As much as he loved her touching him, he couldn’t take much more or he’d lose it before he ever unzipped his fly. The sex had to be as good for her as burying himself inside her was going to be for him.
Sex?
He hated to think of what they were doing as sex or fucking or screwing or whatever. His feelings were deeper than that. Perhaps they were making love.
Hell if he knew.
He unzipped her skinny jeans and tugged on the waistband, peeling them off her, along with her shoes. Pity, he would’ve been good with her keeping those heels on, but maybe another time; he already knew there’d be other times.
Next, he hooked his index fingers on both sides of her minuscule lacy panties and slid them off. They joined the jeans on the floor.
Placing his hands on the inside of her thighs, he parted them, spreading her wide and pausing to gaze upon her with reverence. She was giving herself to him without regard for the future consequences, and he would do everything in his power to minimize, even better, prevent those consequences.
She was swollen and wet, so ready for him, needing him like he needed her. His dick twitched in response, begging him to end this torture, but it would have to wait. Marina came first. He’d see to it.
Drew lowered his head and ran his tongue along her slit. She tasted incredible, like a woman with the man she was born to be with. Her breathing was shallow and fast. She lay her head back on the pillow and writhed with anticipation. He closed his eyes, savoring everything about this moment, the taste of her, the smell of her arousal, the heat of their two bodies.
He pushed his tongue inside her, and she whimpered. He added a finger, curling it so it rubbed against her and used his thumb on her clit. She tossed her head more vigorously on the pillow. Her moans increased, encouraging him to give her more pleasure. He gripped her thighs to hold her still. Even so, she bucked against him, hot for her release.
“Drew, don’t make me wait,” she gasped. Her hot gaze begged him to take her over the edge, and he would when he was ready, and she was close to falling apart before his eyes. Another finger joined the first. Several more thrusts with his tongue and hand. He pressed harder with his thumb. She whimpered, begged, pleaded, squirmed, and then he felt the beginnings of her orgasm build through her luscious body.
“Drew. Oh, Drew.” She kept repeating his name, and he loved it. Her body shuddered repeatedly. Only when she relaxed and became quiet did he remove his fingers and his mouth.
Hearing her shout his name, he vowed his would be the only name she’d ever shout during an orgasm. Anything else would kill him.
* * * *
Marina woke from a blissful stupor with no idea of how much time had passed, nor did she care. Drew had just given her the best orgasm known to woman, and she didn’t want the feeling to end.
As she floated back down on a soft pillow of ecstasy, she turned her head toward Drew. He was standing at the side of the bed, stripping off his clothes. She smiled at the sight of his generously sized dick and salivated. He wasn’t lacking in the penis department, and she wasn’t lacking in the enthusiasm department.
“You are making me hot all over again.” She winked at him as she lounged on the bed, legs splayed apart, grinning.
He slid a condom down his cock and glanced over his shoulder at her. “You’ve been making me hot for fucking weeks.”
“Good to know. Now get your gorgeous ass over here and make me even hotter.”
“I will, but take off the rest of your clothes first.”
Marina gladly complied. Shrugging out of her blouse and unhooking her bra, she tossed them to the floor. She ran her gaze over his ass and thighs. Hockey players had incredible lower bodies, and she wasn’t just referring to dick, but the whole package. Hockey r
equired muscular thighs and well-developed butts to power those blades. Drew was all hard muscle and raw strength.
He crawled onto the foot of his large bed, walking on his hands and knees until his knees were between her legs. His eyes glowed with desire, as he ran his gaze down her body, stopping at the small patch of dark hair.
She reached up and stroked the Sockeyes tattoo on his upper arm. The Space Needle was hooked in the fish’s mouth and Mount Rainier loomed in the background. “Nice tat.”
“Every guy on the original Sockeyes team got one to show our support of the new owner and the move to Seattle.”
“I noticed a lot of guys had them. That’s cool.” She touched the fish, and he smiled down at her. Over his heart was another tattoo of two hockey sticks, one broken, one not, and the words David with the year his brother died. She met his gaze, and he shrugged but said nothing. There wasn’t anything to say. The meaning was obvious, just like hers was.
“You only have two tattoos?”
“Yeah. To me, having more would diminish the importance of the two I have.”
“I feel the same way.” She adored this complex man with all his deeply hidden feelings, and she’d show him how much as best she knew how. She’d never been good with expressing her emotions off the ice.
He leaned forward and kissed her tattoo, and Marina sighed happily. Forget that they shouldn’t be doing this. Forget she could lose her job. Forget he’d be in deep shit with his parents. None of the consequences mattered. This man and their mutual pleasure were the only two things that mattered tonight.
“God, I want you,” he groaned, his lips pressed against her neck. She wrapped her arms around his waist and arched upward, rubbing her belly across his rock-hard cock. He sucked in a breath and lowered his hips, grinding against her.
“I fucking want you, too.” She rarely said the “F” word, but when she did, she meant it with all her heart. The word carried more power when used sparingly.
She spread her legs wider, and he didn’t hesitate to lower his hips and position himself at her entrance. The tip of his erection tickled her, and she moaned in gratitude. She grabbed his ass and squeezed tightly trying to force him down on her, but he was too strong, and she couldn’t budge him.
Shot on Goal Page 13
