Playmaker

by L. P. Dover

  She snickered. “Oh, I know, but what better way than to make the night better?” Holding out her hand, I took it and she dragged me to her car. “You could always ride with Maddox.”

  I shook my head. “Too many people around.”

  “If you’re pregnant, you’ll have to tell people. Might as well start figuring out how you’re going to handle the publicity, because it’s going to be crazy.”

  We got into her car and I watched as Maddox pulled out behind us. “I know. We’ll be ready for it.”

  * * *

  —

  Even with a black eye, Maddox was still as sexy as ever. I couldn’t stop looking at him. “Why are you staring at me like that?” he asked, grinning slyly. Instead of staying at the pool house, Callie had dropped me off at his house. I’d finally gotten to see my new car.

  “Because I can,” I answered, flipping the pancakes. Breakfast for dinner was the best. Nothing else sounded good to me at the moment. Maddox finished cooking the scrambled eggs and put them on a plate along with the sausage. “You actually look pretty hot with the black eye.”

  He chuckled. “I’m glad you think so.”

  “What are you going to do about practice tomorrow? Do you think the guys will put two and two together when they see you and Braeden?”

  We sat at the table and I scooped some eggs onto my plate. Maddox did the same and bit down on a piece of sausage. “Kellan will keep us apart. My focus is on the game this weekend.” Then he winked. “And you, of course.”

  I ate my eggs and half of my pancake. My nerves were all over the place. “Speaking of me. There’s something I wanted to tell you earlier before we got distracted.” His brows lifted and I smiled. Taking a deep breath, I walked over to my purse and pulled out the pregnancy test, hiding it behind my back. “Whatever happens, I know we’ll be ready for it. Or at least, I hope we will be.”

  Maddox stood. “What are you talking about?”

  As soon as I pulled out the pregnancy test, his eyes widened. He stared at it and then at me, over and over. “Is that what I think it is?”

  A nervous chuckle escaped my lips. “It is. I think I might be pregnant. I didn’t want to take it without you.”

  Silence filled the room, but then he shouted so loud I had to cover my ears. “Holy shit, this is so fucking awesome!” Lifting me in his arms, he whistled and laughed as he spun me around. “What are you waiting for? Go piss on the damn thing.”

  He carried me to the bathroom and I laughed and cried the whole way there. “Are you sure we’re ready for this?”

  Setting me down, he cupped my face in his hands, his eyes staring deep into mine. “We’re more than ready. Now go.” He shut the door and I stood in the bathroom, my heart about to pound out of my chest. Once I took the test, I set it on the counter and smiled when I heard Maddox’s pacing footsteps just outside the door. I walked out and he hurried over. “Anything yet?”

  I shook my head. “I want us to look together.” Taking his hand, I pulled him into the bathroom. “On three?” I asked.

  His smile was so bright it made my heart melt. “On three.” He kissed me and wiped away my tears. “One. Two…three.” We looked down at the test and there was no mistaking the two purple lines staring back at us.

  “I’m pregnant,” I whispered.

  Maddox turned me to face him. “And I’m going to be a dad.”

  “How do you feel about that?”

  He pulled me closer, crushing his lips to mine. “I feel like the luckiest man in the world.” Taking my hand, he led me down the hallway.

  “Where are we going?”

  His eyes flashed raw with need. “I can’t wait another second to make love to you.” I couldn’t wait, either. His body fit perfectly against mine. It wasn’t just the physical stuff that attracted me to him. The way we talked together was unlike anything I ever had with anyone else. For the first time in years, it felt like my heart was healed. When we got into the bedroom, he pulled me into his arms, his tongue pushing past my lips as he kissed me. “Stay with me tonight.”

  “Where else would I be?” I breathed as his lips trailed down my neck. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  We fell onto the bed and he gripped the waist of my pants. “Your clothes need to come off, now.”

  His piercing gaze had me frozen on the bed, but I kept my eyes on his as he slowly unbuttoned my jeans and slid them down. Gently he glided his hands up and down my arms, skimming my breasts as he took off my shirt and bra.

  “You are so beautiful, sunshine,” he whispered before locking his lips around one of my sensitive nipples.

  I gasped as he sucked it into his mouth, swirling his tongue around my heated flesh. I used to love it when he called me sunshine. Instantly growing wet at his torture, I arched my back off the bed to move closer to his lips. He moaned and cupped my other breast, massaging it feverishly with his rough hands. Ever so slowly, he moved down my body, trailing kisses over my bare stomach as he removed my underwear.

  He spread my legs apart and rubbed my inner thighs, making me jump in response. His warm breath caressed my opening as he spread me further. A deep growl rumbled in his chest as he pushed a finger inside me. Tilting my head back, I hissed and bit my lip as I savored what his fingers were doing to my body.

  “I’m going to make you come this way,” he growled huskily. His tongue flicked across my swollen clit and desire shot like flames through my body. “I love the way you taste.”

  As soon as he said that, he pushed another finger inside me and lowered his tongue to my clit, swirling it around and making me groan in pleasure. His fingers pumped inside as he licked and sucked. I was so close to losing control. My orgasm rapidly approached, and when I tried to pull back, he held me down.

  “Oh my God…” I moaned. My hands fisted in his hair and I tugged him closer as the orgasm rocked through my body. He watched me the entire time I rode the waves of ecstasy; his heated gaze pinned on mine while he tasted my desire.

  Breathing heavily, he slid off the bed and licked his lips. He put his fingers in his mouth and sucked them slowly, never taking his eyes off me. “I will never get enough of this.”

  My eyes traveled down to where his cock pressed against his jeans. He followed my gaze and smirked.

  “You want more?” When I nodded, he unbuttoned his jeans and bent over to slide them off. I couldn’t wait any longer. I took his cock in my hands and squeezed, pumping him up and down.

  “Fuck, that feels good,” he groaned, pushing himself into my palm. “Don’t stop.”

  Harder and faster, I stroked his length, enjoying the satisfied rumble in his chest. Growling low, he covered me with his body and spread my legs wide with his knees. He kissed me gently at first, then harder as he pushed his fingers inside me. Gasping from the sensations, I opened wider for him, loving the sound of his satisfied moans.

  “Harder, Maddox,” I begged, rolling my hips with his movements.

  Moving his fingers faster and harder, I tightened around them. He bit down on my lip and sucked as I cried out in pleasure, riding the waves of my orgasm. Slowly, he rubbed my sensitive clit with his thumb and swirled his fingers in the wetness between my legs. Keeping his gaze on mine, he traced my nipples, leaving wet trails in his wake. Then he bent down and sucked them both greedily. I could feel his arousal pressing closer to my opening, and as soon as he pushed the tip in, I gasped.

  “I love the noises you make. It’s so fucking hot,” he growled, pushing all the way inside of me…hard.

  Not only did I gasp, but I cried out so loud I could barely recognize the sound of my own voice. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I rocked my hips along with his and held on tight, crying out with each thrust. The muscles in his back tightened and flexed as he worked his body in and out of mine. I raked my nails down his back, all the way down to his ass. Grabbing on, I loved the way it hardened with each thrust.

  I was so close to losing it again, my body clenching tight around his
cock. Breaths coming out as pants, I felt the ache between my legs get stronger, and I got wilder. We were both so close, and the moment I tipped over the edge, I dug my nails into his back just as he plunged in as deep as he could, filling me with his release. Breathing hard, he took my face in his hands.

  “I love you,” he murmured against my lips.

  Tears fell down my cheeks. “I love you, too.”

  Chapter 25

  Maddox

  The buzzer echoed through the arena and I huffed. Philadelphia had put up a major fight in the first two periods. The officials were not on our side tonight. Philadelphia had gotten away with too much shit. I wasn’t about to let them get away with it any longer. There was no way in hell I was going to let them win.

  “Twenty minutes left. We can do this,” Kellan shouted. “Now go!”

  Dallas took the ice, followed by Braeden. Justin snickered behind me. “I wish I could’ve been there to see you two fight.”

  We skated onto the ice. “You didn’t miss much.”

  He chuckled again. “Yeah, right. Both of you look like shit.”

  I hit him with my stick. “Shut the fuck up and get into position,” I said, laughing. I looked up into the crowd and saw Lacey with Callie. She was so beautiful tonight with her long blond hair around her shoulders, wearing a Striker’s jersey with her brother’s name and number. I’d give anything to see her wear mine. Soon she would be, her stomach swollen with our baby.

  The twenty minutes ticked by and the score was tied with only three minutes left to go. The tension had skyrocketed on the ice. We were so close to losing. Justin skated over to me, his face red with rage. He had been targeted all night and there was nothing I could do about it…yet.

  “It’s up to you. Get the fucker in the goal.”

  A sly grin spread across my face. “You can count on me.”

  Once the puck hit the ice, Justin passed it to me. Two guys headed straight toward me so I passed it back to Justin, dodging the blows. Justin passed the puck to Cliff and then over to me. I was on a breakaway toward the goal. Nothing was going to stop me.

  Everything around me ceased to exist except for the goal. Sweat dripped down the back of my neck and all I could hear was the sound of my breath. The goaltender was ready for me. I pulled my stick back, and instead of hitting the puck, I psyched him out. He lunged at nothing. A loud chuckle escaped my lips as I hit the puck right into the goal.

  The crowd went crazy. Lifting my hands in the air, I soaked it all in. It felt so fucking good to win the game. I looked over at Lacey and she was on her feet, clapping excitedly.

  “Dude, we have to celebrate tonight,” Justin hollered. We waved to the crowd as we skated off the ice. “The party’s at Cliff’s house tonight.”

  I slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll see.”

  Cameras flashed as we exited the ice and all I heard was reporters calling my name. For the first time, they wanted me and not the dynamic trio: Kellan, Dallas, and Braeden. Hopefully my father was watching wherever the hell he was. Once in the locker room, the guys shouted my name, their fists banging on the lockers.

  I bowed. “Thank you, everyone.”

  Kellan shook my hand. “Good game, Ledger. You did great out there.”

  “Thanks. I had a good night last night. It helped energize me today.”

  Cliff walked up and fist bumped me. “You saved us, man. I got a bottle of expensive whiskey waiting for you at the house.”

  “Sounds good, brother.”

  Justin threw his arms up. “Hey, where’s mine? I scored, too.”

  Cliff shook his head and laughed. “Sorry, dude. If you get your hot fiancée to invite some of her friends to the party, I might reconsider.”

  Justin snorted. “Forget it. The longer I can stay away from her, the better.”

  The guys loved to give Justin hell about Miranda. We all knew how much of a pain in the ass she was. The guy couldn’t fucking breathe. However, she had an endless parade of women to supply to the guys. That was the only reason the team tolerated her.

  I took a quick shower and got dressed. “You gonna meet me at the party?” Justin asked.

  The high from the game felt so damn good, but I really wasn’t in the mood to party without Lacey. I slung my bag over my shoulder. “We’ll see. Do you know if Wallace is going?”

  Justin’s lips pursed. “I’m not sure, he’s still in the shower. Callie and Lacey are just outside the locker room if you want to talk to them.” He winked and my pulse raced.

  I slammed my locker. “That’s my cue to go.” When I walked out of the room, I expected to see both Callie and Lacey, but to my surprise, it was only Lacey.

  “Hey,” I said as I walked toward her. She tried to contain her smile and failed. It was becoming harder and harder not to show our true feelings in public.

  She bit her lip. “Hey. I heard there’s a party tonight. You going?”

  Grinning widely, I leaned my shoulder against the wall. “Only if you are.”

  She smiled once and then it disappeared. “Not tonight, but don’t let it stop you from going. That stomach bug I had hasn’t gone away yet. Still pretty nauseous.” She winked.

  “How far along do you think you are?” I whispered.

  She shrugged and lowered her voice. “Not sure. We have had a lot of sex.”

  “And we’re going to have plenty more tonight.” I bit my lip and she trembled.

  “Maddox!”

  The sound of Laura’s voice grated on my ears. She raced over to us along with Miranda. “Hello, ladies,” I said.

  Laura wrapped her arm around mine. “You’re going to the party tonight, right?”

  Lacey’s jaw tensed and she glared at Laura, and at the hand she had wrapped around my arm. I slid out of Laura’s grasp, clearing showing her I wasn’t interested. “Not tonight,” I said. “I have plans with someone else.”

  Laura clutched my arm again and it took all I had to not to tell her to get the fuck off me. I didn’t want to draw attention to the situation. There were camera crews just down the hall. “Next time then,” she replied, her voice low and seductive. Once she and Miranda walked off, I moved closer to Lacey. She sucked in a breath and stiffened.

  “You have nothing to worry about.”

  “Easy for you to say,” she growled.

  “Once we tell the world we’re together, it’ll be a lot better.”

  “Good. I think it’s about time we do it anyway. I made a doctor’s appointment for the baby on Monday. I want you to go with me. Just wear a hat and I’ll sneak you through the hospital.”

  It killed me not being able to touch her. Too many people were around. “I’ll be there.”

  Braeden walked out of the locker room and she looked at him, sighing. “I’m going to tell Braeden the good news. As soon as I’m done, I’ll head over to your house.”

  “Do you want me to go with you?”

  She shook her head. “It’s probably best you don’t. It won’t take me long. Besides, I have a plan that might help him out. It’s something I wanted to do a long time ago. I’m just not going to tell him yet.”

  Chapter 26

  Lacey

  Maddox walked off, leaving me with Braeden. “What was that all about?” he asked.

  I glanced around and cleared my throat. “We need to talk. Can I come over to your house before you go to the party?”

  He nodded toward the door. “Let’s go.” When we got out to the parking lot, he watched me get into my new car. “When did you get that?”

  “Maddox bought it for me.” It sounded crazy saying it. I’d never in my life would’ve let a man buy me a car, but Maddox wasn’t just any man. It was still strange thinking of him as my husband. Every day we grew closer and closer.

  Braeden snorted. “Of course he did.” He got into his truck and I followed him to his house.

  When we arrived, he got out of his truck and leaned against the door. The night air was cool and breezy. It felt
amazing. “Are you upset with me?” I asked as I approached him.

  His head slowly lifted and his green gaze bored into mine. “No. I just worry about you. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “There’s something I have to tell you. I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

  Braeden’s eyes widened, but then he looked away. “I’m starting to think I don’t want to know.”

  I looked down at my clasped hands. “I’m pregnant. We found out last night.” There was no sound, no intake of breath or anything. When I glanced up at him, his eyes were on the driveway.

  “Say something,” I whispered.

  He shrugged. “What do you want me to say?”

  “I don’t know…congratulations, maybe?”

  His eyes met mine. “Congratulations. I’m assuming you’ll go public now?”

  “Pretty much,” I replied.

  His unhappiness showed all over his face. “Once you and Maddox go public, we won’t be the same anymore, will we?”

  “We can still be friends. You just can’t get in the middle anymore. It’s time for you to move on. There’s so many women who’d love to be with you.” There was one woman in particular who I knew was interested. My plan was to get her down here.

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “Not gonna lie, but I honestly thought you and I would end up together.

  “Braeden,” I whispered.

  He held up a hand. “It’s okay. You’re the closest friend I have besides your brother. I care about you, Lacey. I’ll always be here for you, even if we’re just friends. The last thing I want is Maddox forbidding me to see you.”

  Tears fell down my cheeks. “That’s not going to happen, not as long as you back off.”

  “For you, I will.” He turned and walked toward his front door, then stopped, glancing at me over his shoulder. “I wish you the best, Lacey. Just be careful.”

  “I will.”

  He took a deep breath and I could see the pain in his eyes. “That’s all I ask.”