Page 45 of Slapshot
“No,” I said definitively, because who the hell fell in love this quickly.
“Whatever, man. I’m just calling it as I see it.”
“Fuck off.”
“Maybe you need to touch some grass.”
I flipped him off as the girls joined us. Apparently, they’d found the fixings I’d bought for a charcuterie board. Mia held the cheese board that had been on display when I bought the house, and along its length, cheese, sausage, olives and crackers sat in neat little rows. Blair had two sodas in her hands, and passed one to Mia as they settled across from us.
“This house is gorgeous,” she said, knocking her foot against mine as she shifted in her chair. “It’s small, but with how often we’re away, it’s enough.”
“Hmm.”
Oscar started up a conversation at that point about some flamenco dance night he and Mia were heading to, and I sat back to watch as Blair interacted with my friends. She was funny and thoughtful as she asked questions designed to keep the conversation flowing. Some of the things she asked I didn’t even know the answer to, and I’d known them for forever.
As the sun set, I excused myself and prepared dinner, returning with platters of meat and vegetables that we all picked at as conversation moved to the rest of the season and upcoming events.
“Are you going to the Thanksgiving event?” Blair asked.
“The charity? Yeah, I’m… really keen to help orphans.” Mia smiled sadly as Oscar rubbed her back. I didn’t know much about her childhood, but it hadn’t been great. Maybe she understood what those kids were going through better than any of us.
“How about you?”
Blair grinned. “I’ll be there with bells on. Especially because it means I won’t be around for my own family’s Thanksgiving dinner.”
The girls shared a knowing look and changed the subject to lighter things.
The sun was long set, the table cleared and dishes washed and put away when Oscar and Mia made their excuses and headed for the door.
“I had a really great night. It was lovely getting to know you better, Blair,” Mia said as they hugged a brief farewell.
“Me too,” Blair replied with a shy smile.
I waved goodbye to my friends, closing the door once they reached their car, then turned to my girl.
“So I know Mia gave you the tour, but did you see the bedroom?”
She pursed her lips, fighting a smile as I stepped into her space.
“Y’know, I’m not so sure. Do you think you could remind me?” she asked, backing out of arm’s reach.
“Run.”
She let out a small shriek, curls bouncing as she sprinted toward the back of my house.
I caught her at the door to the bedroom and threw her on the bed.
And introduced her to my bedroom a half dozen times.
Blair
“Are you coming to O’Malley’s?”Cian was practically vibrating out of his skin, his adrenaline high after their win against Boston, and I laughed as he backed me into a corner outside the locker room.
“Someone might see us.”
We’d spent almost every night together in the last two weeks, and with the amount of energy he was exuding, I knew we’d be burning off some steam sooner rather than later. Going to the bar seemed like an exercise in delayed gratification, but I couldn’t deny the idea of being out in public with Cian was exhilarating.
“Who cares? It’s no one’s business but ours. Come out with me. Please?” He widened his eyes, giving me a hangdog expression that was so freaking cute, he knew I couldn’t tell him no. When I held out, he dropped his head to my neck and nipped at my skin, making my nipples harden and my panties wet.
