by Pratt, Lulu
“How was your workout?” I asked.
“Great. They think I’m turning into a weakling now that I’m not kicking everyone’s ass.” He grinned as I let him in, telling me to lock it as he walked to the kitchen. “What did you do today?”
“Talked to Tori. Did some painting,” I replied as he pulled down plates. We filled them with food and walked to the couch with drinks to eat, sitting close.
“I have a game in two nights if you want to go. We have a week away after that, which I hate now,” he grumbled.
I frowned at him. “It’s your job. Stop it.” I took a bite of a gooey enchilada and chewed slowly. “I’ll be good. I have lots of work, and I’ll watch you on TV.”
“I know.” He bit into a taco, chewed, and then asked me, “Can I ask you about the incident?” I nodded. “They never caught him, did they?”
“No. They have evidence tucked away in case anything comes up. There wasn’t a series of similar crimes, so the police wondered if she – if we – were targeted. They watched the house for a while until Dad moved us across town into a gated community. He hated living where it happened and faded away even more once we were in the new house. Of course, he had my grandma and aunt right there.” I gazed at him. “I know you met Perry at least once. The police officer who lives next door?”
“Yeah. That made me wonder what was going on a lot.” We both smiled.
“He came to the house that night and made sure I was safe before anything else. He’s been like a dad ever since, and that meant a lot since I lost my own somewhere along the way. They all watch out for me, and it’s nice.” I blushed as I thought about the last several years, and then frowned. “They might warn you some. I haven’t dated too much.”
“Already did.”
I widened my eyes as he laughed.
“I am going to be the most protective of the bunch and might have to arrange with them for when I’m gone.”
I rolled my eyes since the entire police department covered that very well.
“You’re my girl.”
“I am?” I asked, and he nodded, moving closer to kiss me.
We finished eating and went to bed, making love so I’d get some sleep for work. My queen bed was a bit small for Ryder, but he made it work as we cuddled close in the dark. He did threaten to buy me a king as I giggled and then blushed as he told me to stay at his place all the time. That sounded a little like an offer to move in, and I wasn’t ready for that.
I got up and showered for work as he made coffee and breakfast. Ryder had a late morning skate to get to, and we kissed goodbye out front in my car. I dreamily watched as he walked to his car, noticing Perry driving by in his SUV. I waved, and he glanced between Ryder and me before waving. He could tell that I was happy, and there was no doubt they already looked into Ryder’s past.
I got into my car and drove to the store, parking out front. I walked inside and greeted Gloria before getting some coffee before my shift. “You look happy. Is there someone behind that glow?”
“Maybe,” I admitted as I looked around the shop. “I went to a hockey game this week and liked it, Gloria. I didn’t run screaming from the arena.”
“You’re making some headway, and it’s a good thing. That man is gorgeous.” She beamed at me, and I laughed.
“He held back during the game because I was there. I mean, it was a good thing, but I don’t want him to act differently because of me. He’s one of the best players on the ice, from what everyone says,” I explained, and she smiled knowingly at me.
We helped customers and kept chatting as I told her about my paintings and the clients I was working for. Gloria was over the moon about my blossoming career, and was one of my biggest supporters. I never wanted to stop working for her entirely, because I loved it here. The shop felt like home to me, and the moments I had with my family here were precious.
I was off in the afternoon and grabbed another coffee before heading to the art store to restock on paint. I walked through the aisles with a basket, choosing colors as I thought ahead to my ideas as well as a pack of canvases. I was walking to the counter when a young couple behind it gasped. It was funny. I was thinking of them as young when they must have been twenty at the very least.
“I saw your work at that gallery. It was amazing!” The girl had teal-colored hair cut into a severe bob and huge earrings that seemed as if they’d been stolen from a glass chandelier, and looked every part an artist as I thanked her. They asked what I was doing now as they rang through my purchases, and I told them I had some clients and a gallery, and the guy looked at the girl.
“We just lost a teacher for a couple of classes here. Would you be interested in taking over? You’re like a celebrity,” he gushed.
I blushed. “I–wow. Thank you.” I tried to decide if I could do that as my phone rang. I ignored the call and asked, “When are the classes?”
They handed me a schedule they marked off with classes they needed teachers for. It was a few hours each month since they were informal, and by the time I was leaving, I had the manager’s card in my hand. I got to the car and reached into my purse for my phone, calling Ryder back when I saw it was him.
“Hi.”
“Are you okay?” he asked as I melted into my seat.
“I was at the art store stocking up. They just asked me to teach some classes there. I’m calling the manager tomorrow.” It was still overwhelming, and I bit my lip nervously.
“Wow. That’s great.” He sounded happy, and I smiled, unaccustomed to having a man care for me like this. “I’m done for the night. Want to do dinner with a few of the guys? They’re going to that new steakhouse.”
“The guys?” I asked, imagining meeting all of them.
“Half the team. The others had to get home. I’d like you to meet them.”
I licked my lips and looked down at my simple outfit of jeans and a dark brown sweater.
“I can pick you up at your house, and you can stay with me if you’d like that.”
“Yeah. I’m headed home now. I’ll be ready in about fifteen minutes,” I replied as he told me that he’d see me soon. I felt nervous as I drove, wondering what this might be like. I was his girlfriend as far as I knew, and that would mean I’d meet his friends. Not just friends, but colleagues. I pressed on the gas and drove a little faster so I’d have extra time to freshen up.
I didn’t have time for a shower, but I touched up my make-up and ran some fingers through my loose waves. I changed into a pair of black leather leggings and a clingy purple sweater with boots, hoping Ryder would like it. It wasn’t so fitted that it left nothing to the imagination, but enough to tease him throughout the night if everything went well. I heard the doorbell and walked over to open it, watching as he took me in with hungry eyes.
“Fuck the steakhouse. I want to eat you,” he said with a wolfish grin.
“All in good time, Mr. Bellamy,” I scolded him as he walked into the house and closed the door. He turned me against it and pressed me into the wood before kissing me hard. I moaned against him as my body pressed against his, nearly unaware of what I was doing. He pulled away and stared at me with darkening green eyes.
“Don’t you want me to meet your friends?” I wondered if he genuinely did, and waited for his answer.
“I do. You’re going to be at the games, and it’s good for you to know everyone,” he murmured before kissing me again. He kept it up until finally pulling away to press his forehead to mine. “You’re so damn beautiful.”
We finally made our way out of the door after I fixed my lip gloss, and he walked me to his car. He opened my door and kissed my cheek as I blushed and slipped inside. Ryder drove me to the restaurant, and I watched him as he grinned, stealing a glance at me at a stoplight. “What is it, love?”
“You’re sexy when you drive. When you play hockey. I wonder if there’s anything else?” I mused as he groaned.
“You’re not sexy when you tease me, woman,” he growled at me as
joy surged through me. I wasn’t used to this feeling from a single person, particularly a man. He arrived at the steakhouse too fast, and we were entering as he took me by the hand to lead me to a private room. I swallowed the lump in my throat as we walked through the door, seeing about ten men and as many women sitting around one long table. They were talking and laughing, and I paused as Ryder looked over at me. “Baby, you’re with me. Everything is fine.”
“Okay,” I whispered and nodded before we continued forward. He introduced me to everyone, and I struggled to remember their names before he was asking what I’d like to drink. I ended up sitting beside a platinum blonde who was sporting a giant diamond ring on her left hand, smiling nervously at her.
“I’m Greta.” She offered her hand and smiled reassuringly at me. “I know how this can be from when I first met Peter.”
“How long have you been together?” I asked, and she beamed at me with perfect red lips.
“Three years married and one and a half before that. We moved pretty fast.” She giggled as she reached for her wine, and I nodded. “Bells is a great guy. The team loves him.”
“He seems like an important part of it,” I agreed and looked at him as he walked in with a beer and my glass of wine. He set mine down and called something out to one of the guys, showing me that they were a family more than a team.
We ordered dinner after some chatter and settled down at our tables. It was easy to hear everyone with the room being private, and I listened as they talked, making mental notes about everyone.
“Elyse just had an art show in town. She sold everything, and not just to me,” Ryder announced. I nearly choked on my wine and blushed as I stared at Ryder in horror.
“What is it that you do?” Greta asked, and I fought the urge to run away.
“I paint. It wasn’t a huge show,” I told her as I prayed for the attention to be away from me.
“It was a great one, love,” Ryder told me, covering my hand as I met his gaze.
“Thank you.”
I quietly told Greta about my plans with painting as well as my job at the bookstore, and she laughed as she told me that Becci raved about it. She even linked me to some of Becci’s books to read, and I thanked her. I was relieved when the conversation moved to something else, sipping my wine as I tried to calm my beating heart.
We ended the evening in a couple of hours, and the women told me that they’d see me at a game soon. The guys all said it was a pleasure to meet me and seemed to share the same look with Ryder before we walked to our cars. Some fans stopped them, and they managed to be grateful without getting stuck for too long. I tried to imagine what that must be like as we walked to the car, wondering if it would ever be me.
“You need to have some confidence in your work, Elyse. You’re amazing,” Ryder told me as he unlocked the car and pulled me into his arms.
“I do. I mean, I know I can paint and everything, but I don’t want to throw it in everybody’s face who I meet,” I argued as he stroked my hair.
“Just be proud.” His voice was soft, and I breathed him in.
“Okay.”
“My place?” he asked, and I nodded before raising my face to kiss him. I had the day off. He drove me there, and I swore that he worshiped my body more than usual. He told me that I was beautiful in every way that he could after I’d come, and finally pushed me to my knees as he fucked me hard and deep. I dropped to my side in complete exhaustion when it was over, and he left to get us some water.
“What was that?” I breathed out as he sat beside me.
“That’s how incredible I think you are,” he told me, dropping to his back after a long drink of water.
Chapter 17
RYDER
I ENJOYED WATCHING Elyse at dinner with the group, at least until she looked like she wanted to crawl under the table. What was wrong with me talking about her art? She had a show and did an excellent job of gaining interest, and in my mind, she needed to keep that up. A lot of my friends appreciated good art.
The way her cheeks reddened and her eyes widened at me sent fear through my heart. I wanted her to see her worth the way that I did. Everyone saw it that knew her, and I glanced at her as we drove to my place.
I showed her my feelings with every touch and kiss that night. Her curves were beautiful, and I kissed down her hip before spreading her legs to lick her. Elyse came with throaty moans, and I finally couldn’t stand it anymore. I pushed her to her knees and took her that way, making her scream my name.
She fell asleep soon after we finished, and I watched her, stroking her hair. She looked peaceful beside me, and a crazy thought crossed my mind. Some of the guys told me that they knew their girl was the right one the second they met, no matter how many puck bunnies there might be in the past. The right girl was different. I thought that Elyse might be my right one and moved to curl up beside her, pulling her naked body against me.
We woke up in the morning, and she moved over me, taking me in her mouth first thing. I moaned as I slipped my hands into her hair, and she rocked over me.
“Elyse, you feel so good.”
She whimpered against me, and the vibration of her voice made me come hard. Elyse swallowed every drop, and I stared down at her as she lifted her eyes to mine.
“I love you.” The words just slipped out, and she looked at me with wide eyes. It felt like I’d said it a million times to her.
“You do?” Elyse asked weakly, and I gestured for her to join me. She moved beside me, and I pulled her into my arms.
“I think that I have from the moment we met,” I admitted, kissing her hair.
“I’ve been scared of how I feel about you. I haven’t been serious about anyone before,” Elyse told me softly and let out a shaky breath. “I don’t want you to leave me.”
“No plans to, baby. I need to travel for work, but apart from that, we’ll be together. You could even come to some away games. Tori’s been talking about it,” I told her as she giggled. “Get a room, watch the game and hang out. That’s why you should paint. The shop holds you here.” She froze in my arms, and I knew I’d said something wrong.
“I love that job. Gloria is like a mom to me, and I enjoy helping her out.” Her voice was defensive, and I pulled her closer.
“I know, I know. I don’t want you to spread yourself thin, and I might be a bit selfish. I want to see you as much as possible.”
“Fair enough. I’ll do the best I can.” Elyse raised her face to mine, and I kissed her slowly before pushing her back down and taking her again.
We made coffee and toast once we were in the kitchen. She was wearing a large T-shirt of mine, and I pulled some shorts on for the trek across my house. She told me that she was coming to the game with Tori and sitting with the other girls with a shy smile on her face.
When I drove her home and she kissed me gently, Elyse giggled. “I never said anything back.”
It hit me that she was right.
“I love you, Ryder. I feel a little scared sometimes of the way it feels.” She looked into my eyes and smiled as I stroked her face. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“You will. I love you.” I watched as she hopped out of the car and watched her walk to the door, smiling. I hadn’t said those words to a woman ever, apart from my mom and my sister when I was younger. My parents had an incredible marriage, and that was what I wanted. I drove away once she was inside and went to the morning skate to get ready for the game.
I stayed with the guys for the afternoon and dressed for the game after a team dinner. I listened to the coach and felt adrenaline rush through my veins as the puck drop grew closer. We skated on the ice, and the fans went insane as I looked around, peering to the seats I gave everyone I knew. Tori and Elyse were sitting there, and she waved at me as I sent her a wink.
I made a mental note to get her a jersey with my name soon and went to shoot pucks into the net. The game started and moved fast, and we each tried to keep the puck where it didn’t need
to be.
The game ended with a one-goal lead on our part, and I celebrated with the guys down the hall. We showered and dressed before our interviews with the press, sharing their enthusiasm for the win.
I finished and went to meet Elyse, smiling as she watched me approach her. It was apparent that Tori knew what happened between us based on her approving smile at me before Justin pulled her into his arms. We decided to get dinner at a Mexican place that we liked that closed for us as a team.
I was driving an intoxicated Elyse home a few hours later. She’d enjoyed some margaritas with Tori, and who was I to stop her? I watched her closely and made sure that nobody bothered her but let her loosen up and have some fun. She was giggling when I pulled into my complex, and I smiled at her after parking. “Come on, baby. Let’s go inside.”
I made sure she was okay as we made our way to the door, locking it behind us. Elyse kicked off her shoes and walked across the floor as she stretched. Her inhibitions were gone, and I loved seeing it before she turned to face me. “You need to let go like this more often. It’s gorgeous.”
“Maybe I should drink more often.” Elyse walked to me and pushed me to the couch before straddling me. I pulled her closer over the soft denim of her jeans, and she kissed me hungrily. Elyse was needy tonight, and I gave her control as she rocked over my hard cock.
I took her to bed later once she fell asleep in my arms. I tucked her in and pulled on some shorts to get a beer in the kitchen. Elyse joked about drinking all the time, but I didn’t want that. I wanted her confident in her mind and vowed to get her there.
I joined her in bed and pulled her warm body against me. She was breathing evenly and slipped an arm around me as I kissed her hair.
I hated leaving a couple of days later. I told Elyse that I’d give her a key and she could stay at my place. It was secure with a gate around the entire complex, but she reminded me that her studio was at home. It sounded like she might get one attached to a small gallery that she’d be displaying her work in soon, but for now, it was all at home. She reminded me that the police force was always keeping an eye on her and that she wasn’t in danger.
