Game Winner (The Penalty Kill Trilogy #3)

by Lindsay Paige

  He pulls me close to him. “Wait,” I put my hand up to his lips, “let me freshen up.”

  “I think you’re gorgeous.” He kisses my neck.

  “Five minutes.” I push away from him and go into the bathroom.

  I sit my purse on the counter. My nerves, for some reason, are getting the best of me. I hold myself up on the counter. My legs are shaking. I think about my day today. I’m moving to Pittsburgh. I’m really doing it. I look in the mirror. My thick, red hair hangs past my shoulder. My light brown eyes staring back at me shows that I’m confident.

  “Smarty, you okay?” Levi opens the door.

  “I’m fine.” I watch him through the mirror, coming up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  He brushes my hair away from my neck and then I watch him kiss the crook of my neck. I lay my head back on him.

  “You’re so beautiful.” Our eyes connect through the mirror.

  “I love you, Levi.” I smile at him. Seeing him here, I know that he’s my world.

  “Do you?” He smirks. His hand starts creeping down to the top of my jeans. “How much, Smarty?” I feel him pop the button on my jeans, and he pulls the zipper down. I can feel his heart beating fast against my back. I’m staring at him, and I instinctively lick my lips.

  “Can I tell you something?” His hot breath is against my ear.

  I nod, unable to speak.

  “That night we had car sex, I never had sex without a condom with anyone.” Levi gently sucks on my earlobe.

  My knees weaken. “I’ve never done it either,” I breathe out. His fingertips dance on the top of my thong.

  “Have you missed any pills since then?” Levi’s hand travel further down my jeans to rub the top of my underwear.

  “No, Levi. You know I take it every morning.” I watch my chest rise and fall as his touch drives me further into a sexual fog.

  “So, we can try it again?” He stops moving his hand, looking at the mirror.

  I think about it for a second. It was very enjoyable, but we need to be careful too. “Just this time, Levi,” I instruct.

  His smirk deepens at me. He jerks my jeans down and trails his fingers lightly back up my leg. “Step out of the jeans, Smarty.”

  I do, biting down on my lip. “Are we going to the bed?”

  “I wasn’t planning on it.” He kisses my neck again. “I was planning on fucking you right here.” He smiles.

  “Under one condition,” I say confidently. I know that he will agree if I ask.

  He looks at me, confused. “Okay?”

  “I want Angry Levi.” I grin.

  “You do?” He removes his hands from me, turns me around, and steps back. “Are you sure?”

  “Oh, if you don’t want to…you know we don’t,” I stammer.

  “You’re mistaken, Smarty.” He pushes me back against the counter, pressing his hips into me. “I do want to. It’s been a while since I’ve made you really scream.” His eyes slightly narrow. It’s similar to his look when he’s on the ice. He kisses me hard, and I wrap my legs around him. “No, Presley,” he says with a serious tone. I unwrap my legs, and he jerks on my arm, spinning me around. We connect our eyes through the mirror.

  “Don’t move,” he commands. My hand are splayed out in front of me as I watch him remove his shirt. His picture perfect abs glare at me, making my body ache for him more. He yanks on his belt and pulls his pants off.

  Never have I had a sexual experience in a bathroom, outside of the shower. It’s just something about being with Levi that brings it out in me. Watching his moves in the mirror is making me more turned on then I’ve been before. He positions himself behind me.

  “Take off your shirt.” I do, quickly, knowing what is coming next. Levi gathers both of my wrists in one of his hands, pinning me to the counter. I gasp slightly. My sweet, gentle Levi whispers in my ear. “Whenever you want to stop, just say the word. Okay, Smarty?”

  I nod.

  “Do you want to stop?” He asks kissing my cheek.

  I shake my head.

  “Good.” And with that one word, Levi pulls my thong to the side and slams into me.

  I’m momentarily stunned, but the shock quickly goes away with the pleasure of my Levi inside me. He pulls out a little each time, but each time he does, he pushes harder into me. My panting is matched by each thrust. I can’t help but look in the mirror. I have watched Levi having sex with me, but it’s something more erotic seeing him like this.

  I push back on him as he picks up speed. His other hand has been on my hip, but I feel his burning touch come around and touch me in the one spot that aches the most for me.

  “Levi,” I scream out his name as my toes curl and the pleasure is building up from the pit of my stomach.

  “Fuck, Smarty.” He leans down to me.

  “Bite me, Levi,” I yell out to him.

  “Not yet,” he huffs in my hair.

  I feel the sweat around my brow as Levi doesn’t break rhythm. His fingers work me harder as I beg for him to trigger my explosion.

  “Look at me, Smarty,” he commands. His stunning blue eyes turn me on more as I see all his lust and love for me. “Come for me.”

  “Bite me,” I pant.

  “Come for me.” The jerk actually smirks at me.

  “Levi.” I’m closer to my release. “Please,” I beg him.

  He keeps slamming into me, and I can’t stop myself. I let go of all the tension that was building, yelling his name. With another hard thrust, I feel him release inside of me. The only sound in the room is our hard breathing.

  “You didn’t bite me?” I question him, trying to catch my breath.

  “Nope.” He kisses my shoulder. He steps back, pulls out of me, and lets go of my wrist. Levi grabs a towel, covering himself.

  “Why?” I moan as I stand up, feeling the soreness between my legs.

  “Are you okay?” Levi asks with concern.

  “I’m fine.” I turn and kiss him. “Sometimes Angry Levi is stubborn.”

  He grins. “Come lay with me for a little while.”

  I adjust my clothing as he cleans himself up. When he is done, I freshen up, and he takes me to the bed. Levi lifts the covers, and I crawl under them. He pulls me to his side, and I lay on his chest. We listen to the silence in the room, and the beating of his heart almost puts me to sleep.

  “Levi, why did you come tonight?” I ask quietly.

  “Did you not want me to?”

  I giggle, repositioning myself to look at him. “No, I’m curious.”

  He takes a deep breath. “It’s because of your call. I could hear that you were really upset, and I wanted to be here for you.” He plays with a strand of my hair.

  “Levi, may I ask you a question?” I ask more softly.

  “Another one?” He smiles down at me.

  “Yes, please. It’s a serious one.” I pinch his side, making him chuckle.

  “What is it, Smarty?” He kisses the top of my head.

  I take a deep breath. I’m not sure if I should even ask it, but I want to know. “Do you think about marriage and us?”

  “I think about a lot of things with us, including the future.” I can hear the honesty in his voice.

  “I’m still scared a little, Levi.” I sit up, running my hands through my hair. “Moving, law school, and us. I guess I wanted Angry Levi to take my mind off of it.”

  “What’s there to be scared of, besides the fact that it’s something new? Presley, why are you worried about us? Have I missed something?” Levi sits up next to me and rubs my back.

  “I’m not really worried, per se. I just,” I shake my head, “shit, Levi, I don’t know.” I throw my hands up. “I guess, it’s because I’ve never truly done anything on my own. When Trevor left, Marley was there, and then I ended up going to the same college with my brother. On top of that, my dad pays for everything, and my mom is constantly worried about me.” I turn my body to look at him. “Then you and I moved in
together, and now,” I look down at my hands, “now, I’m alone.”

  “You are not alone, Presley.” He places his fingers under my chin, forcing our eyes to connect. “Okay, technically, you’ll be here by yourself, but I’m only a few hours away and everyone else is a phone call away. If you don’t want your dad to pay for everything, then maybe get a part time job. You’ll make some new friends here too, you know. But no matter what, you are not alone.”

  “Oh, Levi, I know this going to make me sound like a spoiled brat, but I love my new apartment, and I couldn’t afford it without my dad.” I smile sadly at him. I couldn’t make it without his money, and I know that makes me look bad. “And you’re right about everything else. I guess I’m just nervous. I know that you’ll be nearby, you know, when you’re not traveling all over the US and Canada, playing hockey with the greats. So, I have one more question.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “Why didn’t you bite me? Since the very first time we had sex, we’ve always done that. Why not tonight?” I begged him to do it, and he still wouldn’t.

  “Just wanted to see what it would be like with you without the biting.” He shrugs. “What’s your verdict?”

  “The next time, I suggest you bite.” I point my finger right in his face.

  “God Levi isn’t the same without it, huh?” He smiles.

  I throw my head back and laugh. “Exactly.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Levi

  Presley settles in next to me as I sit with my back leaning against the headboard with her head resting on my shoulder. I semi-avoided her question about marriage, but it was for good reason. I wanted to know where her mind was first. McCarthy buying an engagement ring definitely has both of us thinking about our future. I didn’t want to talk about our future yet because we wouldn’t have gotten to what was really bothering her. Maybe, now that we’ve got that out of the way, it’s time for us to discuss our future. There’s been a lot going on, especially lately, and I don’t want Presley to think that we’re not ever going to go anywhere.

  “Smarty?”

  “Yeah?” She questions without looking.

  “Tell me what you want in life. What do you see for yourself, for us? I’m here and now seems like a good time to talk.”

  Presley scoots to sit up like I am, turning her body to face me. “I want to graduate law school, become a lawyer, and be with you.”

  I chuckle. “That’s it, huh? You only want three things?”

  “Well, if I get those, then everything thing else will fall into place. At least, I hope so.” She gives me a small smile. “What about you?”

  “My dreams have always been obvious, haven’t they?”

  Smarty narrows her eyes. “Are you avoiding the question?”

  I quickly kiss her. “No, I’m not. I want to play in the NHL, eventually finish my degree, and be with you,” I repeat her final words. “But-” Pausing, I realize what my main fear is.

  “What is it, Levi?” Presley presses when I take too long to continue.

  “I know we want to stay together, but I’m trying to go after what I’ve always wanted. It’s been hard on us both and we don’t know if I’ll ever make it in the NHL. Even then, I would be on the road a lot. Presley, I love you, okay? I was going to ask if you’re sure you want that part of my life in yours.”

  Her lips lift a little in a smile. “‘I’d do anything, give everything, and lose it all if it meant having you in my life.’ That’s what you told me, remember?” I nod. “That’s how I feel about you too. I’m not going to give up on us.”

  “Good. I wasn’t planning on letting you get away that easily anyway.”

  She laughs. “You couldn’t get rid of me even if you wanted.”

  I reach over to take her hand and hold it in mine. “So you want to get married one day?” I ask softly.

  Presley nods. “One day.”

  Gulping, I look down at our hands. “And kids? You want kids, Smarty? Way, way, way down the line.”

  She laughs, oblivious to my inner turmoil. “Yes, eventually. I would like two at least, so they can have a sibling like I did.”

  Her words are like a punch in the gut. Not that I’ve thought about this kind of thing before, but I’ve never envisioned myself as a father. Just the thought that one day I might be, makes me want to say, “Poor kid.” I don’t see myself in that scary role. Not now or further down the road. It isn’t that I wouldn’t want them one day, but I’m not sure that I would be any good at raising a child.

  “What do you want, Levi?” Presley asks, squeezing my hand as I bring my gaze back to her.

  “Honestly?” She nods, so I tell her the surest, most honest thing I’ve ever said. “I want whatever you want to the very last detail. That’s what will make me happy.”

  Presley smiles before moving to snuggle against me. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, Smarty.”

  We fall asleep in the most perfect way, with Presley in my arms.

  ~

  It’s taken some time, but the day is finally here. I’ve been working myself up to playing again and haven’t had any problems, thank God. Tonight, I’m back on the ice for a game. Jayson and Landon have been relentless with their jokes. I’m just glad none of them mention my injury directly. There’s no way I can handle a joke about that. Nerves are twisting and turning in my stomach. I’m almost pissed off about this.

  But it’s my first game since “playing” with the Penguins, and I’m nervous. Presley nor Pops is here tonight, which is fine. In a way, I’m grateful. The locker room is buzzing with pre-game anticipation, and I quickly grab my phone, dialing the number I know by heart.

  “Levi?” She answers after four rings. “Is everything okay? The game is about to start, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, in a few minutes. I wanted to talk to you for a minute.”

  Presley is quiet for a second before she says, “Go play hockey, Levi. Don’t worry about anything else.”

  She’s right. I need to play and not worry about anything other than that. “Thanks, Smarty. I should get going.”

  “Call me later. Love you.”

  “I love you too,” I tell her and then hang up.

  “Aw, Levi needed a pep talk from his girl,” Jayson mocks from behind me, and I hear Landon chuckling.

  “Shut the hell up.” I even laugh too because now, I’m ready to play.

  I feel good during warm ups. Skating onto the ice before the game feels like coming home. The cool air and my skates slicing into the ice makes my blood pump faster, filling me with adrenaline. Time seems to be in slow motion as I stretch, warm up, and then wait for the minutes to countdown for the game. I can practically hear the ticking as the seconds pass until the puck drops.

  The first hit I took didn’t phase me much, but I would be lying if a worried thought didn’t cross my mind. One thing is for sure. I’m not invincible. I keep pace with the game, focusing on my task, and that is to finish this with a win. After about halfway through the first period, my mind has surrendered itself to hockey completely, keeping tabs on where guys are and where the puck is. Jayson battles for the puck in the corner before passing it to Landon, who passes it to me. I slap it hard and it fumbles its way through the goalie’s five hole.

  Score!

  My grin is huge as my teammates slap me on the back. Presley can probably see it from back home. We’ve been doing great so far this season as it is and we’re up 2-0 at the end of the first. I’m energized and pumped. God, it’s fucking awesome to be back.

  Early in the second, I score again and within a few minutes, so does the other team. 3-1. But it’s like a scoring frenzy zone for a while because soon after their goal, I have another. Fuck yes! A hat trick, baby! 4-1. I’m rolling even higher than cloud nine. When I prepare for a faceoff, I sneer at the opposing player. Might as well mess with his head a little.

  We hold our own throughout the rest of the second and through the third as well.
Our goalie doesn’t let another puck move past him either. My goal is met when the buzzer sounds loudly, allowing us to walk away with a 4-1 win. This is better than what I was hoping for, by a long shot. The guys want to go celebrate and I’m in a celebrating mood, so I don’t say no. We’re on our way to a bar when my phone starts to vibrate in my pocket.

  I pull it out and see that it’s Pops.

  “That was a fantastic game, son,” he says as soon as I answer.

  “Thanks, Pops.”

  “Are you going out?”

  “Yeah, the guys and I are heading out right now,” I answer.

  “Okay. Well, have fun, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

  We exchange goodbyes and just as I go to put my phone back, Presley is calling. With a grin, I repeat some of what my father said, “Let me guess? That was a fantastic game?”

  She laughs. “Yes, it was! I had to call and tell you.”

  “Thanks, Smarty. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? We’re all going to a bar and we just got here.”

  “Oh, okay. Don’t overdo it or anything,” she orders with concern, but I can’t help but laugh. “What?”

  “Pops told me to have fun, and you’re cautioning me. It’s funny.”

  She giggles. “Bye, Levi.”

  I chuckle at her avoiding to comment on what I said. “Bye, Presley.”

  Thanks to her calling, I’m the last to get out of the car. Almost everyone came tonight, so we easily fill this place up. I’m starved, so I order something to eat. Landon grabs my shoulder and shakes it a little.

  “Honestly, Levi, you played like shit,” he laughs.

  I smile. “And that’s still better than you.”

  “Hey,” Jayson interrupts, dragging his eyes away from a pair of girls across the bar. “Don’t be an ass. Look at what we did for you.” He reaches his hands into his big jacket pocket and tosses three pucks on the table.

  “Thanks, guys.”

  “One for you, one for your old man, and one for your girl,” Landon adds.

  “They’ll love that. Thanks,” I repeat, really meaning it.

  “We figured you deserved something for your first hat trick ever,” Jayson laughs.