Page 97 of Hockey 101

The mattress shifts as he lies down. His bed is so big we could spread out and not even touch, but Jack snuggles up right behind me, draping a heavy arm over my waist.

Do you know how mind-blowing that was? he whispers.

I giggle. There were hints.

The floorboards creak as someone walks down the hallway, and I tense. Jack strokes my hair. Don’t worry, I got a lock for the door. Nobody can walk in this time. Besides, Lloyd was the only one who would do that, and he’s gone.

Good. He wasn’t nice to you, I say.

You’re my girlfriend and my champion. I can’t see his face, but I can tell he’s smiling. I don’t know what happened to change your mind, but I’m grateful.

Maybe it’s time to share my news. Something amazing happened. I got my sports editor position back.

Jack turns me onto my back so he can see my face. Really? Wow, that’s fantastic. The team will be thrilled too. Then he adds in a colder tone, I hope Bryce will leave you alone now.

Now I’m smiling. He can’t do anything else. He’s been relieved of his duties as editor-in-chief.

That’s good news too. Then he asks, But why did that news make you change your mind about us?

How can I explain all the realizations that came to me in that meeting room—was it really only this afternoon? Well, technically yesterday, I suppose. Besides, it doesn’t feel like the moment for a big discussion, so I’ll lead with my feelings for a change.

I decided not to overanalyze things anymore. We’re good together, and we’re happy. I’m going to open myself to all the good things, even if there’s still a tiny risk of getting…left behind.

Jack looks a bit mystified since I haven’t given him very much. But he has enough emotional intelligence for both of us, so he’ll figure it out.

He kisses me on the forehead. I’m really happy that you made this choice, and I’m sure we’ll talk about this more— He yawns. But I’m starting to get sleepy, and someone in this bed hasn’t come yet.

Well, I’m all for that.

Jack moves down the bed and parts my legs. He knows my body so well now, and starts by kissing the sensitive places on my thighs. His mouth moves slowly around my centre as I writhe. He teases me, only breathing hot around the places I’m aching and needy.

Please, Jack. Lick me, I beg. Then he launches in, lapping and sucking at my clit enthusiastically. The sensations are so intense—or maybe it’s because I’ve missed him so much—that I’m on the edge of an orgasm almost immediately.

Oh god, Jack. I’m almost— I cry out as his tongue drags against me. Suddenly, he pulls away, but before I can protest, he kisses my cheek and whispers, Patience, baby. There’s a rustling noise, and then he grabs my hips and flips me onto my hands and knees. I feel Jack’s hard cock as he strokes it against my clit.

I groan at the sensation, then he pulls back and I feel his cock entering me with exquisite slowness. In, slowly. Out, slowly. It’s excruciatingly good—I’m on the edge of something intense. I push back my hips to meet his thrusts, but he grabs my ass to control our pace.

Jack, please, go faster. I need to come, I plead.

His voice is low and controlled. I’m in charge, baby. You’ll come when I let you.

I gasp. God, why does hearing him say that make me wetter? I know it’s just role-play, but I’m so into it.

Then he thrusts into me, faster this time, but not as fast as I need. I do everything I can to turn him on, wriggling, squeezing him inside me, telling him how much I love his cock. He breaks a little, and goes faster and deeper. I’m close again, and he can tell.

You ready, baby?

God, yes, I groan. It feels like all my sensations are centred in the place where we meet.

Jack leans down and whispers, I want to hear you scream my name when you come.

Now he’s on me like a maniac, thrusting hard and fast. His hands are everywhere, cupping my breasts, smacking my ass, and then finally stroking my clit. All the while, he’s fucking me like a machine, and it feels so good. I’m losing all self-control, and I can’t stop myself from crying out, babbling about how good it feels, how much I want him, what an amazing lover he is. I beg him not to stop.

When my orgasm finally comes, it’s a tsunami of sensation washing over my body. Jack, oh, god, Jack. Yes, yes, yes. I’m coming, I’m—oh, yes, Jack! I scream.

Jack comes at the same time, and collapses onto me. We lie there for a few minutes, exhausted. I hear him get up and discard the condom, then he slips into bed behind me. He smooths the hair from my face and kisses my forehead. There’s this warmth spreading through me. I’ve been pretending it’s just an afterglow, but it’s something bigger. For once, I’m hoping to hear something sweet and sentimental, because I’m ready now. Missing Jack has made me realize how much I feel for him. But all he does is pull me into him and hug me tighter. Maybe it’s my fault for discouraging him, or maybe—after a weekend hockey tournament, a long road trip, and some very acrobatic sex—the poor guy is just exhausted. I close my eyes. We can talk tomorrow.

I OPEN ONE eye and see a…blurry shark? Am I having an underwater dream? Then I feel the weight of an arm draped across my chest. I open both eyes and see Jack, face down in his pillow and completely out.

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