Player on Ice (Boys of Winter Book 5)

by S. R. Grey

  I jump up, spilling my popcorn. “Oops. I’ll clean that up later.”

  Good thing I don’t leave the room to grab a whisk broom and pan, because the Aves take a stupid penalty and the Wolves go on a power play.

  I bite my lip. Shit, Jaxon’s unit is up first.

  “Go, baby, go,” I murmur, brushing popcorn off my lap.

  I swear my breath catches in my throat every time the puck touches Jaxon’s stick. I’m sending him so many positive vibes it’s not even funny.

  It’s not necessary, though. Jaxon and the whole team look more than ready for the regular season. This is only the first preseason matchup and they’re already cycling the puck like old pros, dominating in all areas of play like they’re well into the regular season.

  Jaxon doesn’t score on that power play, but he does on another one a short while later.

  “Yes!”

  More popcorn is spilled. But who cares? His goal is a beauty. And so are the others that come, even if they are from other players.

  The Wolves win in the end with a final score of 5-1.

  Yay!

  Writing the blog post is actually fun.

  I start by recapping the game, giving all the players lots of credit for their hard work and success. Of course, I can’t help but lay it on thick for Jaxon, remarking on how he obviously worked extremely hard in the offseason.

  I giggle to myself, thinking how I contributed some to those workouts. I mean, surely all the sex we had all over the beach house played a small part in keeping his cardiovascular endurance up.

  I keep that tidbit to myself, though.

  But it sure makes me smile.

  Damn, I miss that man.

  After I publish the blog post, I head to the bedroom to start packing for the spa trip. I’m meeting up with Noelle tomorrow, but not at check-in. We were supposed to drive up together, but she texted me earlier to tell me she’ll be running late. She gave no explanation as to why.

  Weird.

  Ah, well. I can only assume it has something to do with her classes. Grad school started back up for her recently.

  Anyway, she insisted someone has to be at the spa at three sharp in order to officially check us in. Otherwise, the staff could think we bailed and give away our free room.

  I don’t know. I suspect they’d hold our reservation till midnight, but whatever.

  After I toss what I think I might need into an overnight bag, I get ready for bed.

  A few minutes later, I’m resting my head on the pillow. But then I notice it’s after midnight.

  “Happy Birthday,” I whisper to myself. “Make a wish.”

  I sigh. Too bad it’s not Jaxon whispering those words to me. During the summer, I thought it would be. Until it all fell apart.

  So here I am all alone.

  Choking back a sob at that realization, I finally get around to making a wish. It’s an easy one—I wish Jaxon and I could work things out and get back together.

  If only birthday wishes really did come true.

  The Switch

  After the mini practice with Dylan, I get to work on my covert plan for Cara’s birthday.

  First, I contact Noel.

  “Hey, uh, I hate to bother you,” I begin. “But I have kind of a weird request and it really can’t wait.”

  Always amiable, Noel replies, “Hey, that’s cool. You’re not bothering me, anyway. Whatever you need, Jaxon, just name it. I’ll do what I can.”

  Wow, that was easy. He’s such a cool dude.

  “Great,” I exclaim. “I need your sister’s number.”

  “Uh…”

  Okay, maybe not so easy after all. Noel’s such a laid-back guy, but not so much when it comes to his twin.

  Sure enough, bristling, he says, “Look, Holland, I know you’re hurting right now. But I’m not about to facilitate you hooking up with Noelle.”

  Rolling my eyes, I try not to laugh. “Don’t worry. I don’t want to hook up with your sister. I just need her number so I can ask her something, okay?”

  Still sounding suspicious, he says, “What do you want to ask her?”

  “I have a question about that spa trip she’s going on with Cara.”

  “Ah, I see. How do you know about that trip, anyway, Holland?”

  Oh, jeez. “Dylan told me.”

  “Aha.”

  I figure now’s as good a time as any to just lay it on the line. I don’t have time to go around in circles. Plus, Noel is going to continue to think I’m after his sister if I don’t come clean.

  Blowing out a breath, I say, “Let me just ask you something, okay? I think it’ll clear things up.”

  “Sure, Jaxon, go ahead.”

  “Do you think your sister would be up for swapping places with me on that spa trip? I’d love to be there and surprise Cara.”

  He snickers, clearly relieved.

  “Hell, yeah,” he says. “I’m pretty sure Noelle will be all over that. She’s a huge romantic.”

  Knowing his sister is safe from evil-me, he finally gives me Noelle’s number, and I call her as soon as he and I disconnect.

  She seems a little weirded out that I’m contacting her, until I explain the situation.

  “Oh my God, I am so sorry I was snippy at first,” she says.

  “Not a worry,” I reply.

  You sure can tell she and Noel are twins.

  But he was right about her.

  Excited, she exclaims, “And, Jaxon, I love your idea. Cara’s absolutely going to die when she sees you at the spa instead of me.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief. “You don’t think she’ll punch me in the junk and kick me to the curb?”

  “No way! I think she likes your junk way too much.”

  I preen a little. “She does, eh?”

  “Hey, don’t be getting all cocky on me. I didn’t say she wouldn’t kick you to the curb. I just said your manhood will likely remain intact.”

  “Thanks,” I deadpan. “That’s like good news, bad news.”

  “Eh, it is what it is,” Noelle sighs. “You created this situation by needing extra time.”

  “I know, I did,” I sigh. “And it went a little longer than I expected it to. But I’m all in now. I’ve fully forgiven Cara.”

  “Well, that’s good, Jaxon. But you still better do right by her. If I hear one word about you being a dick, I will do what Cara never would. I’ll kick you in the junk.”

  “Ouch,” I murmur, covering said junk even though Noelle isn’t here.

  “Just be good to her, Jaxon.”

  “Okay, okay, I will. I plan to be, all right?”

  “Hmm…” she murmurs, still not sounding completely convinced.

  Jesus, Noel’s sister is tough. Of course I’ll be nothing but good to Cara. I freaking love her.

  “So,” I breathe out, “you sure you’re okay with me going to the spa in your place? I’ll pay for you to go another time if you want.”

  “That’s nice of you, Jaxon. But don’t worry about it. I’m definitely fine with you going in my place. Just make Cara happy.”

  “That’s the plan,” I assure her. And then I check, “You won’t let anything slip about this, right?”

  “Of course not,” she laughs. “My lips are sealed.”

  We plot out the details then, so neither of us fucks this up. We spitball a ton of options, but decide on something that’ll ensure that Cara drives up to the spa alone. If she bails, I’m toast.

  “I can’t tell her I’m not coming,” Noelle says. “She definitely won’t go then.”

  “True. And that would totally suck.”

  “It would, Jaxon. So look, I think I should text her that I’m going to be running a little late tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ll be vague. But I’ll stress the need for her to arrive by three to check us in.”

  “What time is the check-in for real?” I ask.

  “It’s at two.”

  “Perfect! I’ll arrive early and I’ll check us in ahead o
f time. That’ll give me an opportunity to set up things in the room. I’ll also explain to the front desk that it’s a birthday surprise for my girlfriend, and for them not to mention that I’m already there when Cara ‘checks in’ later.”

  “Does that mean she’s your girlfriend again, Jaxon?”

  “Well, that’s up to her,” I reply honestly. “I told you that I’m all in. So the ball’s in her court now. But I think if all goes well this weekend, she will be my girlfriend again.”

  Surprise!

  I arrive at the spa at three on the nose. It’s a really gorgeous property with gardens and fountains everywhere. When I check in at the front desk, the employees are all giggles and smiles. It’s like they’re in on some secret that everyone knows about but me.

  But that can’t be right.

  Okaaay, now you’re imagining things, Cara.

  Great, for my twenty-third birthday, I’m losing my mind.

  Sighing, I proceed to the elevator to make my way up to our assigned room, #247.

  Once I reach the second floor and step out of the elevator and into the hall, I send Noelle a quick text to let her know I’m at the spa.

  Strangely, she doesn’t reply back.

  That’s odd, as I haven’t heard from her all day. I guess she’s tied up with whatever prevented her from coming up on time in the first place. Still, you’d think she’d be on the road by now. At this rate, I’ll be hanging in the room alone for the next couple of hours.

  At the door to the room, I fumble with the key card. The straps of my overnight bag and my purse keep falling down my shoulder. Damn. It takes six tries to finally get my butt, and my bag and purse, in the room.

  “Ugh, I should’ve just stayed home,” I lament as I struggle when the door keeps falling back on me.

  My mood is quickly lightened, though, once I’m inside the spacious room.

  Wow, the whole place smells wonderful. And no wonder. There are pretty bouquets of colorful flowers in vases all around. Like I mean they’re everywhere—on the dresser, on the nightstand, on the counter in the bathroom. There are even pink and red rose petals scattered across the big heart-shaped bed. A few lit candles dot the room as well, adding to the ambience.

  I sigh. This room is ideal for romance. Too bad it’ll just be me and Noelle. This space, clearly set up for love, will sadly be wasted.

  Ah, what can you do?

  When I toss my bag and purse onto the bed, I notice there’s an outdoor balcony just off to the right. I can’t see the view, however, as the drapes are drawn.

  Again with the romantic touch.

  Well, I’m not here for that.

  Huffing, I stomp over to the balcony door and gingerly yank the string to open the drapes all the way.

  “What the hell!” I cry out. “There’s a naked man out on my balcony!”

  But, hmm, he’s not bad looking. At least, his back view is good.

  Lucky for him this part of the resort is located in the back of the property, where there’s nothing but desert and mountains. Not that I’m checking out those. No, that’s purely background. I’m too busy zoomed in on this dude’s broad shoulders, muscular legs, and the firmest, most perfect ass.

  I realize then that I’m not freaked out because I know that ass.

  But, wait, what’s he doing here?

  Mildly pleased but unsure of what this could mean, I slide open the door and murmur a tentative, “Jaxon?”

  He turns around, and that face. Damn, I’ve missed him so much.

  “Surprise!” he says with a big ole grin.

  I’m speechless. This is the best freaking surprise ever, especially on my birthday. Too bad I’m too stunned to share that with him.

  Naturally, my silence has Jaxon worried that we’re about to reenact our first meeting. You know the one, where I caught him with his hand on a certain part of his body and I promptly hurled a planter at him.

  Covering his head—and not the one at the top of his body, mind you—he says worriedly, “You don’t have any of those glass flower vases hidden behind your back, do you?”

  I can’t help but laugh. “No, I swear that I don’t.”

  I hold my hands out in front of me to prove I’m not armed with dangerous projectiles.

  He breathes a sigh of relief and drops his hands away from his junk.

  Wowza!

  I forgot that, even when not hard, Jaxon possesses a very impressive cock. My lady bits didn’t forget, though. They twinge at the memory of what he can do with that thing.

  “Oh, Jaxon…” Confusion and wanton lust war within me. “What are you doing here?”

  He winks. “Let’s just say Noelle and I worked out a plan that involved us switching places for this trip.”

  Well, this is news. “You mean she’s not coming?”

  “No.” He raises a questioning brow. “Are you disappointed?”

  I shake my head. “Of course not, but what does this mean exactly?”

  “It means that I want you back in my life. If you’ll have me, that is. I miss you, Cara, and I love you. Not to mention that I want you back in my bed.”

  Another twinge, and then I nod to where he’s semi-hard. “Um, I can see that last part is true.”

  “It’s all true, babe.”

  I’m tentatively hopeful as I ask, “Really, Jaxon?”

  “Yes.”

  I realize then that he’s still out on the balcony, naked and professing his love. It’s so funny that I have to laugh.

  That, of course, makes him laugh too.

  God, I’ve missed that, us laughing together.

  That’s when my heart skips a beat.

  Could we really be working things out?

  Could my birthday wish be coming true?

  He’s saying all the right things, but is he still angry over Mr. Hockeypants? I have to know.

  So I ask, “You’re not mad at me anymore for not coming clean about the blog and knowing all about hockey from the start?”

  “No,” he says, his voice becoming raw and rough.

  My breathing quickens. I want him, and it’s clear that he wants me. Play time is over, shit’s about to get serious.

  I back up into the room and he follows, sliding the door closed behind him.

  I keep moving backward. But I don’t go too far. I stop a few feet from the bed, and that’s when I notice it’s so, so quiet. There’s no more noise from the outdoors, like how it was with the door open. However slight those sounds may have been—birds chirping, the wind kicking up, traffic in the distance—they buffered us.

  Now it’s just me and Jaxon, about to bare our souls.

  “Do you want me back, Cara?” Jaxon asks. “Will you take me back?”

  I’m not making the same mistake as last time, going straight to the physical and then discovering he’s not ready for more than just that.

  Raising a brow, I query, “I thought you needed time?”

  “I had time. And fuck needing any more of it. I finally realized that time is too precious to waste. The only ‘time’ I need now is more time spent with you.”

  “Okay, then.” I nod, taking that all in.

  He then asks again, “Do you still want me? Like, in your life?”

  Is he kidding?

  “God, yes,” I breathe out. “I want you in every way, Jaxon. In my life, inside me—”

  “Then fuck this shit.”

  He descends on me then, kissing me with unleashed urgency as he slowly walks us back to the bed. His hands are busy, as are mine. Between the two of us, the shorts and flowy blouse I was wearing end up on the floor. Panties and bra are next. And soon I’m naked and bare just like Jaxon.

  Softly, I murmur, “I love you so much. And I’ve missed you like crazy too.”

  He groans as he lowers his warm mouth to my breast, where he flicks my nipple with his tongue. He sucks and nibbles, then moves to the other breast to do the same thing. It’s like he’s relearning the taste of me. And I gasp in pleasure a
s he rediscovers.

  But I want so much more.

  “Touch me while you do that,” I demand.

  Yep, this is me, asking for what I want.

  And Jaxon gives it to me.

  His hand skims down my abdomen where he plies my clit in tandem with the movements of his tongue on my breast.

  I soon feel a release building. It’s been so long. Too long.

  But before I reach the apex, he changes things up.

  “Damn, I love your spontaneity,” I murmur, “even if it does frustrate the hell out of me. I was so close, Jaxon.”

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart,” he replies with a twinkle in his eyes as he peers up at me from where he’s now kissing his way lower and lower. “You’re going to really love this next part.”

  “Oh, no,” I rasp, teasing. “What ever are you doing?”

  “Oh, yes,” he volleys back. “You’re about to find out.”

  His mouth then closes over where I ache for him the most, and I cry out, “That feels so amazing, Jaxon.”

  “I told you it would,” he murmurs, taking a breath.

  And then he gets back to making things even more amazing. A few skillful moves of his tongue, and I fall over the edge.

  But before I can catch my breath, I’m tossed onto the bed. The hunger in Jaxon’s eyes as he crawls up over me is unmistakable. He’s about to devour me.

  And I can’t wait.

  “Don’t go easy on me, Jaxon,” I purr.

  “I wasn’t planning on it,” he growls.

  Fuck, he’s so delirious for me I can feel it in the air. It’s like electricity. I play into it, amping him up even more as I lie back and spread my legs. The soft, silky petals stick to my back and my ass, making everything feel decadent.

  Jaxon hovers over me, and I place my hands on his ass, urging him to lower his body down to mine. I just want him so badly.

  “Take me, Jaxon,” I plead. “Make me yours again.”

  “Cara…”

  Lowering himself, our skin touching in all the right places, he thrusts into me roughly.

  “Yes!”

  It’s raw at first, on both our parts. He thrusts and pistons into me as hard as he can. And I love it. I need this. I need him. I lift up so I can take more of him since I can’t get enough of this man.