Page 110 of Play Maker

“You’re afraid I’m going to change my mind and deny everything,” he stated, his body rigid. “That’s what you’re really worried about.”

The thought made me feel sick, but yes, the fear was there. That Axel was going to wake up tomorrow and say fuck this, I don’t need you.

“Going out with a woman would be a lot easier,” I said quietly.

“Right back at you,” he bit out as his grip on me tightened. “If I wanted easy, I wouldn’t play hockey. Or sit through class or figure out a means to get away from my screwed-up family. Easy is bullshit. I’m not walking away from you.”

Every word hit me deep in my chest and warmed me like his touch.

“Jace, I’m not walking away,” he repeated, his dark blues imploring.

“I’m not either,” I whispered and leaned in to seal our promise with a kiss.

I didn’t know what tomorrow would bring. But, win or lose, I always played my heart out.

“Who I date is my business, mine, and I protect what’s mine,” Axel insisted.

“We’re dating?” I quipped, hoping to lighten the mood.

He pinched my ass, and I squeaked.

“Fucking right we’re dating,” Axel grumbled, and I couldn’t resist kissing his pout. “And don’t try and distract me with your sexy kisses.”

I smiled against his lips.

“So, as my official boyfriend, what kind of dates are you planning?” I asked.

His hands slid down my back to cup my ass. “Well, prior to the first date, I’m going to buy a jersey with my name and number on it so you can wear it every day. That way there’s no question about who you belong to.”

“Every day?”

Axel leaned forward, and playfully nipped my lips. “Every. Single. Day.”

“And?”

“I’ll pick you up next Friday evening and we’ll walk across campus holding hands. There will be dinner and a movie, or maybe we’ll go skating at the outdoor rink. After that, we’ll go to Ethan’s frat party and make out where everyone can see us.”

“So, if the jersey doesn’t tell everyone what’s what, our lips will,” I added.

“Exactly,” he growled and kissed me, longer, deeper. “You’re mine and that’s final.”

“And then?”

“Then we’ll go back to my room and fuck until we break the bed.”

I chuckled at his matter-of-fact tone. “That sounds like quite a date.”

“It’s romantic as hell,” Axel insisted. “Or, as romantic as a hockey player can get.”

“As long as I can touch your stick, I’ll be happy.”

“You and me both, Honey.”

We woke up at six the next morning, an hour earlier than we had to, so we could have morning sex and then shower before meeting the rest of the team for breakfast. Axel snuck out of my room first, and I followed a good ten minutes after him just in case.

Thankfully, I’d packed a turtleneck sweater to hide my hickeys.

But, apparently, there was no hiding my sex-drunk expression from Dane. My friend took one look at me in the hotel dining room and said, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

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