Page 32 of Heart of Ice

Taking the bottle of lube we now kept nearby, I dripped some on my hand before reaching between us and taking hold of both of us before moving my hand, making Ruben gasp. He gripped my hair and pulled me in closer before resting his leg on my hip and thrusting with me. We kissed wet and dirty, our tongues exploring while my hand sped up and his hips followed.

He broke off the kiss and pulled my head back to meet my eyes. “Fuck me, Max.”

I had a condom on and his hole lubed but forced myself to give him time to adjust before I pressed into him. But then I remembered, there was something I wanted to say. “Ruben, I love you.” I’d never said those words to anyone I wasn’t related to, and I’d never had a boyfriend who’d said them to me. Hie eyes opened, and he traced his fingers along my jaw.

“I love you too.” He meant it. There was no doubting the emotion and warmth in his eyes and there was no denying the way my heart swelled knowing the man I loved, loved me right back. Everything slowed down and I lifted his leg over my hip as I pressed into him. His forehead rested against my chest as both of us fought to control our body’s reaction to the intense stimulation.

When he looked up and met my eyes, I knew I would never share the feelings I had for him with anyone else. He was my first, and possibly my only, love. I kissed him, but gone was the frantic need for release; it was replaced with wanting to prolong these feelings for as long as we could. I moved slowly in himand reached down to stroke him and palm the head of his dick hoping he could hold out too.

We were both so worked up that the change in not just motion but also emotion felt like a deep cleansing breath and focused us both more on each other, and not just our bodies. He was so handsome, and I wanted to remember the way he looked at this moment for the rest of my life. His green eyes were full of love and wonder and I hoped he saw those same things reflected back at him.

For the first time in my life, I made love, and I hoped I had shown Ruben how much that meant to me but even if I didn’t, I’d make sure to show him every time we were together. And hopefully we were together a lot. I was in it to win it, and I knew he’d be there with me.

Epilogue

Ruben

Max was in thenet guarding it with everything he could. We were playing the Blades who were hellbent on revenge since we’d beat them that first game. Their big center Leon skated around the net like a lion stalking his prey. Other members of his team were there to assist him, but he didn’t need any help. He was ruthless and would go through any of our players to score. Including Max.

A puck hit the plexiglass of the players’ box near where I stood making me flinch and duck away. I wasn’t sure I could ever get used to that sound. “It’s all good, Doc,” one of the players said who was seated nearby hoping for his chance to play, said. I nodded and went back to taping Griffin’s wrist.

“That fucker is going to pay,” he grumbled under his breath. He and Leon had already been going at it, and we were still in the first period. Which is when Leon had hacked him in the wrist with his stick. His glove had taken most of the force, but he’d still been injured.

“Try not to kill each other,” I said, and wondered how many more would be injured.

“You should be more worried about Leon and his gang of goons,” Griffin said and went back to sitting on the player bench.

It was the last game of the season, and I suppose it was poetic justice that we were playing the first team we’d played this year. Not to mention they wanted a chance at payback. I thought of how bruised Max was the first time and hoped he didn’t have that this time.

“Guys, this is supposed to be a fun game,” Coach said before focusing back on the game.

“Tell that to those assholes,” Wright said and tapped his stick on the floor. The play shifted and now the offense was out on the floor with Randall in control of the puck as he drove down the ice to their goal. Leon skated in front of him, but he dodged a player and passed the puck to Griffin and went around him before powering straight for the goal. At the last second, he faked a pass before taking the shot himself. The horn blared, signaling a goal and the end of the period.

Max skated over to the box and took a seat as Vanel took his place on the net. He glanced at me with a smirk, and I smiled back at him and squeezed his neck as I walked behind him. I was relieved he’d made it off the ice with no injuries this game, and itwasn’t that the Blades were playing any less aggressively. It was that Coach had changed the way the Titans defended the net, and it worked in more ways than one.

We had less injuries, but we also were now an impenetrable wall of bodies that most teams had a hard time scoring against. Which was also part of the reason we’d nearly made it to the playoffs. Not bad for a new team.

“Edwards,” Coach bellowed at the new goalie. He raised his head and with wide eyes looked around like he was making sure Coach meant him. “Get over here.” He hurried over to where Coach stood, looking nervous but excited. “You ready to go play?”

“Hell yes, Coach,” he said, and shoved his helmet on his head. When play switched to the other side Coach shoved him out on the ice while signaling Vanel to come back to the box. This was something else that had changed, now instead of just the starters playing, all of the players had time on the ice. Coach felt it helped them get ready for the day they’d be needed, and he didn’t want them to be unprepared.

As soon as Edwards was in the net and the puck was in play, Leon raced toward him. He passed to his wing who passed it back and Leon guided it behind the net before speeding around front. Swinging his stick high he sent the puck sailing right at Edwards, who reacted instantly and dropped into a split before reaching out his glove and catching the puck.

“Fuck!” Leon yelled while skating off to the side. Edwards dropped the puck in front of Randall who skated down to the other net. Max and Vanel both shook their sticks at Edwards who did the same to them. His face was fully covered by the mask, but it was obvious he was smiling under it.

The game ended in a tie with no injuries other than Griffin’s wrist which I was thrilled with.

“Since it’s the last game of the season I’d love for everyone to meet for dinner,” Coach said. He’d tried to keep the tradition of the team going to dinner after every home game, but the past month had been tough. “We’ll send you a text with details. It’s been a great season and I’m excited to see how we do now that we halfway know what we’re doing.” Everyone laughed before changing out of their uniforms.

“Can you believe this is sort of how we met?” Max asked as we walked up to the same restaurant we’d eaten at when he’d been injured my first week with the team.

“No, and I’m glad you’re not on crutches this time.” I squeezed his hand, and he kissed my cheek.

It was a great evening. Over the season we’d all become a team, and even the new players were truly part of the club. Everyone now knew about the two of us being together and if anyone had an issue with it, they kept it to themselves, and we kept our relationship between the two of us. Which reminded me. “I have a surprise for you,” I whispered as everyone else was busy talking.

“You do? What is it?” Max asked and leaned his elbow on the table as he turned to face me.

“I’ve booked us a little getaway.” His eyes widened in excitement.

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