Juicy Rebound (IceCats Book 1)

by Toni Aleo

  “You forgot your bag,” Nico calls, but Chandler’s mouth is busy with mine. “Okay, call me when you want to come pick it up.”

  Chandler makes sure Sadie is in the house before he shuts the door and sets me on my feet. Our eyes meet, his dark and hooded, as he presses me into the door, grinding his thick, magnificent body against mine. Our lips meet, the kiss long and drawn-out as I push his jacket off his arms, letting it hit the floor.

  We part for only two seconds to pull his shirt up and over his head before I run my nails down his defined chest. His fingers go to work on the buttons of the shirt I’m wearing as I undo his pants, pushing them and his underwear down his hips, allowing his hard cock to spring up at me. My shirt hits the floor, my bare breasts making him moan loudly. My mouth waters at the sight of him as his fingers caress my taut nipples.

  I take him by his hips as I drop to my knees. I watch him as he presses his palms into the door and I take his cock in my hand. I lick the tip first, and his eyes fall shut as my name rolls ever so softly off his lips. I run my tongue up his shaft slowly, dangerously, as his cock throbs against my mouth.

  “I can’t handle you.”

  A kittenish grin overtakes my lips as I draw him into my mouth, sucking him deep into my throat. I gag a bit when he hits the back, but I refuse to stop. I hold the base of him as I move up and down his cock. His groans are music to my ears—the only sounds I’ve wanted to hear since the last time I saw him. If I’m honest, they’re all I want to hear.

  “Nope, nope, nope,” he chants before he pulls me off his cock. Laughter bubbles out of me as he shakes his head. “If I come, I’ll be worthless. And I have been dreaming of that sweet pussy of yours. I want it in my mouth.”

  I look up at him, my lips curving. “Take it.”

  Something flashes in his eyes before he takes my face in his hands. “You’re so beautiful.”

  A full grin covers my lips before he reaches down, picking me up with ease. My legs wrap around his waist as he kicks his pants all the way off. Our mouths join while he carries me to the bedroom, kicking the door shut so that Sadie can’t get in. After he lays me on the bed, he kisses down my chest as he unbuttons my jeans. His lips move along both my breasts before he licks down my ribs. He pulls at my jeans and then groans loudly.

  “Why you don’t wear a bra but then pour yourself into these tight-ass pants that you know take forever to get off is beyond me.”

  I giggle as he sits up, yanking at my jeans. “I wanted to make you work for it.”

  “So rude.”

  “I knew you’d be so hot seeing my boobs, it would drive you crazy that you can’t get my jeans off.”

  He growls. “Torturous woman.” He yanks my jeans down my legs with such force, it makes me wetter. When he sees my bare center, his eyes narrow as they darken. “And no panties?”

  “Figured after all the work, I’d reward you.”

  He licks his lips as he takes my hips in his hands, his mouth coming down on my wanton center. My toes curl into his comforter as he probes his tongue inside me. I cry out, my body tensing up when he finds my clit.

  But then I’m moving.

  He rolls us over until he’s on his back and I’m sitting on his mouth. My knees land on either side of his head as I look down at him wide-eyed.

  “I want to watch you come against my mouth,” he murmurs against my clit, and the vibrations make me jerk against him. When he begins to open-mouth kiss my pussy, I can’t help it, I have to ride his devilish mouth. He holds me by my hips as I grind my pussy against his mouth, his teeth raking against me he licks me. His fingers dig into my hips as he sucks my clit into his mouth. I jerk against him, my release building fast and hard. I feel it in the pit of my stomach as heat creeps up my belly, my breasts, and my neck. My body starts to seize up as I cry out—so loud, I’m sure the neighbors hear me. I fall forward, which opens me up more so that Chandler can suck my clit farther into his mouth. Sadie is whining outside the door, but I’m so far gone, I can’t even care.

  He kisses my thighs then places a soft kiss to the center of my pussy before I roll off him. He covers my body in the next breath before he pushes into me. His cock completes me as he takes me by the back of my knees, pressing them into the bed as he joins our mouths together. I squeeze my eyes shut, needing his weight and the feel of him. He rises to his knees and starts to pound into me in the most satisfying way. When I open my eyes, he’s watching me as he disappears into me before pulling out and doing it over and over again. His eyes are hooded, dark, but also so beautiful. Something is swirling in them that hits me square in the chest.

  I feel him about to come, so I squeeze him, wanting him to lose himself inside me. He arches up into me, his head falling back as his release fills me. A guttural noise leaves his swollen mouth, and my heart swells in my chest. God, he’s so beautiful. When he falls to my side, he takes me with him, wrapping his arms around me so tight, I can’t breathe. I snake my arms around his neck and hook my leg over his hip as he slides his nose along mine. We’re both breathing so hard, but our mouths are still connected. I’ve missed him so much that if I died right now trying to kiss him, I’d be okay with that.

  Because at least I died doing something I love.

  “Stay.”

  “I wasn’t leaving anyway,” I inform him, and he grins against my lips. “You’re stuck with me.”

  He moves his hands up my body, trapping my face as he kisses my nose. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

  My heart can’t take him as his thumb moves along my jaw, and I arch into him, our lips pressed together. We hold each other, our kisses sweet as our breathing returns to normal. I can’t even remember the last time I just lay with a man and enjoyed his kisses. I don’t know if it’s because we just went at it like rabbits or if it is the intimacy that Chandler provides me. I’m pretty sure it’s the latter. There wasn’t an intimacy with Drew. We went at it because we were young and stupid, and then when we were married, it was because I felt I had to. I thought it was my duty, but I never truly enjoyed it or wanted to lie with him afterward. With Chandler, I could lie here all day and be completely content.

  I tighten my arms around him, needing to be closer. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “Me too,” he says against my lips. “I missed you.”

  “I missed you,” I say softly, kissing his top lip. “I don’t want you to leave ever again.”

  He smiles against my lips. “Part of the job, baby, but I’ll always come home.”

  “Fine. I guess I’ll wait for you,” I say offhandedly, and he squeezes my butt cheek in his hand.

  “You’d better.”

  I grin and he does the same, our eyes locked in a heated but sweet embrace. My chest fills with such happiness, such perfection just from being under his gaze. He moves my hair out of my face before resting his hand against my cheek.

  “Hey.”

  “Yeah?” I say with a grin, and I can feel his heart pounding against my chest. Is he nervous? “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Absolutely nothing,” he assures me, his thumb gliding along my bottom lip. “I’ve never felt so damn good in my life.”

  My heart skips a beat. “Neither have I.”

  He sighs audibly before he wets his lips. “Amelia…”

  “Yes, Chandler?” I say, a grin pulling at my lips, but he looks terrified.

  “I love you.”

  Everything stops, and my eyes widen as my body goes still. “You do?”

  “I do. So fucking much, it hurts,” he says, his voice rough.

  “But—”

  “No but, Amelia. I love you, and nothing you can say will change that,” he insists, his eyes burning into mine. “I have loved you since the moment we danced outside the truck. I held you in my arms and I looked down into your eyes, and I knew no woman would ever be able to make me feel what you make me feel.”

  I’m sure I look like a deer in headlights. “I’m not good en—”<
br />
  “You are, and I can’t get enough of you.”

  I believe him. Wholeheartedly. I do. Holy shit. Tears spring to my eyes as I gaze into his. He opens his mouth again. “It’s okay if you don’t—”

  “I love you,” I say on my next breath. “I love you too, Chandler.”

  He looks almost shocked, but then a slow grin spreads across his beautiful lips. “You do?”

  “I do,” I say with a grin. “I really do.”

  Our mouths join immediately, and everything just seems right.

  Perfect.

  So this is what love really feels like.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Amelia

  I haven’t been to a hockey game in years. Pretty sure the last one I went to was the one before Drew was sent back down to Philly’s farm team. I stopped going mainly because of what happened afterward. I thought maybe the reason I haven’t wanted to go to a hockey game since was because it reminded me of Drew, but sitting here, watching as Chandler warms up, I don’t care one bit about Drew.

  Only Chandler.

  He looks so big on the ice. He’s a massive guy, but in his gear, he looks bigger, if that’s even possible. The home jersey for the IceCats is a steely shade of silver that has red accents on the shoulders and wrists. It’s laced up to the neck, and on the front is a huge cat slashing through the word IceCats. I have no clue if it’s a kitty cat or a lion or something, but it’s a cat nonetheless.

  “Is that, like, a house cat on the front?”

  Shelli gives me the driest, most disappointed look ever. “It’s a cougar.”

  “Oh,” I say slowly. “I thought it was a tiger or something.”

  She’s still staring at me like I’m an idiot. “Loser,” she mutters, and I giggle.

  I’m on the edge of my seat as I watch Chandler skate around, throwing pucks against Nico’s pads. I’m wearing the jersey Chandler got me with his number on the back. I feel silly since I’m drowning in it, but at the same time, I feel special. Shelli sits beside me in an Assassins jersey with her daddy’s number on the back. I asked if she wanted to get something at the pro shop, but she told me she is only an Assassins fan. I find that hard to believe since she knows every stat for every team and is also in love with someone on the Rangers and sleeping with someone on the IceCats.

  Damn, my cousin is busy.

  “Are you seeing Nico after this?”

  She shrugs noncommittally. “I don’t know. I haven’t asked, and neither has he.”

  “Are you two not talking anymore?”

  “We are,” she says simply. “When are you flying home for Christmas and the wedding?”

  So, apparently, we can’t talk about Nico. “We talked about it last night, and I think I’m gonna fly in with his parents, and Chandler will meet us there from New Jersey.”

  “Flying in with his parents?” She waggles her brows at me, and I shrug since it’s not a big deal. Though, I think she’s trying to make it one.

  “Yeah, they’re going to the wedding too. So they’re going to take me since they want to be there early to set up the tree.”

  “They still have a house there?”

  I nod. “Yeah, they have houses everywhere. It’s weird. Chandler says it’s because they want to be comfortable wherever they go.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “I thought so,” I say, taking a sip of my twenty-four-dollar wine. Ridiculous arena prices.

  “So, are you staying with your mom or Chandler?”

  I bite my lip. “I haven’t decided yet. If I stay with Chandler, I have to tell my mom about him…and Ryan. Ryan is probably going to freak.”

  “Probably.”

  “But with Chandler being gone so much, I don’t want to miss any time with him. But then, I haven’t spent much time with my mom either. Ugh. I don’t know.”

  “Have Chandler stay with you, then.”

  I make a face. “Then I’d really have to tell my mom and Ryan about him.”

  Shelli grins. “Well, once they see y’all together, they’re gonna know. Even if you aren’t touching, they’ll know. He’s always got this dreamy look on his face when you’re around, and you look at him like he’s the Stanley Cup.”

  My face breaks into a grin as I look over at her. “Not a good example since the Stanley Cup means nothing to me.”

  “Blasphemy,” she groans, rolling her eyes.

  I’m still grinning as I shyly admit, “He told me he loved me last night.”

  Shelli rolls her eyes again. “About time.”

  I giggle softly.

  “He’s been in love with you for, like, ever. About time he grew some balls and told you. How’d he take it when you didn’t say it back?”

  I bite the inside of my cheek. “I did say it back.”

  Her eyes widen as she smacks me, causing my wine to slosh around. I try to keep it from spilling on my jersey as she cries out, “No way! I mean, I always thought you did, but I never thought you’d tell him! Oh, Amelia, you’re finally okay.”

  I give her an exasperated look. “I’ve been okay.”

  “No. Like truly back to amazing, wonderful Amelia. Not fake Amelia. Aww, you love him.” When she wraps her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly, I just blink. I’m not sure what to say, but maybe she is right. Maybe I am finally back to me.

  And it’s all because of Chandler.

  “I’m so proud of you,” she whispers by my ear, and I smile as I lean into her.

  “It’s not a big deal.”

  She scoffs. “Amelia, this is awesome.”

  I shrug. “I haven’t told him about Drew, though. So I’m worried he’ll unlove me when I do.”

  She pulls back, giving me a dark look. “He won’t. He loves all of you, even the chipped-away parts you’ve done a great job rebuilding. Don’t worry about it.”

  “I sort of don’t want to tell him. He always reminds me that the past is the past, but I don’t know. I feel like since he shared his shit with Lana, I should share the clusterfuck that is Drew.”

  She tilts her head in a nod. “Yeah. I mean, I think you should tell him just to make yourself feel better. To get it off your chest.”

  I look out toward the rink. I somehow missed Chandler leaving the ice, and now there is a little pregame show going on. The crowd is into it, and everyone is having a great time. On the other hand, I am wondering how I could even attempt to relive what Drew did to me.

  Especially to the man that I love.

  “Do you think I’m dumb for falling for Chandler? Wasn’t he supposed to be my rebound?” I yell in Shelli’s ear over the noise from the rink.

  Shelli grins knowingly. “Yeah, but sometimes a rebound turns into a goal.”

  I blink. “You’re going to make some hockey-loving dude a real happy guy.”

  Her grin widens. “It gets Nico so hard when I spit off stats.”

  I roll my eyes, knowing I could have lived without that little tidbit. “I don’t know, Shelli. Chandler’s just amazing, and I feel good with him.”

  “Am, you don’t have to convince me. He’s great, and y’all are happy. That’s all that matters.”

  I bite my lip. “What will the family say?”

  She makes a face. “Who cares? I know they’ll be glad it’s not Drew.”

  She is not wrong, and when she waggles her brows at me, we dissolve into laughter as the boys hit the ice to heavy metal rock and the announcer introducing them.

  “And defensemen, number twenty-three, Chandler Mooooooooooooonnnnnnn.”

  When the whole crowd says his name along with the announcer, I grin. “That’s cute.”

  “It is,” she agrees. When the announcer introduces Nico and the crowd loses its shit, she grins over at me. “I hit that.”

  Nerd. But then, I feel the same about Chandler.

  Once the game starts, I’m completely engrossed in it. It’s so fast-paced, and I forgot how much I loved this. I spent most my life either in the gym or at the rin
k for Ryan. I was a constant presence in my uncle’s box at the Assassins games, and then I moved on to watch Drew play. I lost my love for the sport then, but watching Chandler move with ease up the ice, smack dudes into walls, and shoot like a sniper, I feel my love coming back.

  “This is awesome,” I giggle, but Shelli’s eyes are huge, almost as if she’s seen a ghost. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Shitty calls,” she says quickly, and then she’s on her phone.

  I’m not sure what is wrong with her, but when I look back at the ice, Chandler has the puck. He moves it up the ice, and when he hits the center, he passes it up to one of his forwards, who takes it in. He goes to the blue line right as it’s passed to him, but he redirects it to his partner, who shoots. He misses, though. The puck goes up the side to one of the Wild’s players, who goes to pass it up, but Chandler is there, cutting him off. He shoots, but the goalie bats it away. Another IceCat grabs it, passing it back. It’s passed to another player at the blue line, while Chandler stands in front of the goalie with his massive self.

  The player shoots, and somehow Chandler redirects it into the back of the net.

  “Ah! He scored!” I scream, standing up and cheering.

  But Shelli doesn’t stand.

  I ignore her as I cheer and dance. After the goal song stops, I sit down beside her, adrenaline coursing through my body in excitement for Chandler. I glance over at her and bump my shoulder into hers. “Shell, what’s wrong?”

  She shakes her head. “Nothing. Just had to answer an email. Chandler scored. That’s awesome. Woo-hoo! Go Moon!”

  She’s lying to me. I don’t know why, but she is. For the rest of the game, Shelli sits quietly beside me. It’s so unlike her. She is always the loudest and craziest at games. She takes after my aunt Elli. Shelli’s subdued behavior makes me uneasy, but I figure she’ll tell me later. It’s obvious she doesn’t want to ruin my immense enjoyment of the game.

  The IceCats win 3-1 with an empty-netter as the game winner. As we walk through the crowd toward the elevators where Chandler told me to go, I glance over at Shelli, who looks as if she wants to leave. “Are you okay?”