Page 115 of Forecheck
“Now who is making who melt with their words?” I said, grinning. Then, seriously, I added, “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
We didn’t speak anymore as I began to move, smooth, languid strokes in and out of her body. At this point, we were beyond words. We’d stripped ourselves bare in the last few minutes, more bare than simply putting our naked bodies on display for each other. I started slow, then picked up the pace until Berkley was clawing her nails into the muscles of my back, until I was spilling inside of her as she squeezed around me in that perfect, tight Berkley way. And as we broke apart together, our gazes remained locked the entire time, our eyes and bodies saying more than our mouths ever could.
Pop Princess And Puck Boy
“Loft party, everybody!” Mitchyelled over the celebration in the locker room. “It’s mandatory!”
“For everyone?” one of the rookies asked.
“Everyone,” Mitch confirmed. “That means you, too, Coach! Don’t you dare think about sneaking away and going home without stopping by for a beer! I want everyone there. This was a big win.”
I nodded. “Agreed. But…we still have twelve more to go.”
“Live a little, Jean,” Mitch said. “We can go back to work tomorrow. Enjoy tonight with us and your girl. I bet she’s as excited as we are.”
Thanks to a goal in the final minutes of the third period—scored by yours truly—we beat the Regents for the fourth time, advancing us in the playoffs. I was flying high, and I knew Mitch was right. Tonight, we could let loose and celebrate a little harder than normal. I couldn’t wait to see Berkley, to share this excitement with my girl.
Me: Loft party! Meet me there! Bring my fam!
Berk: Even your parents?
Me: Okay maybe not my parents, but definitely Nate and Kenz.
Berk: You got it babe. See you soon.
After the fastest shower of my life, I practically ran out of the arena, hopping in my truck and peeling out toward Greektown.
My eyes landed on Berkley the second I walked through the loft door, her body drawing mine in like a homing beacon.
Her eyes lit up at my appearance, and she raced toward me. We met halfway, and I scooped her into a hug and swung her around, planting a kiss on her still-smiling mouth. All these months later, it had become our customary post-game greeting.
“You were amazing!” she breathed, exactly as she had that first time. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, baby,” I said, grinning down at her.
“I really thought you were going to lose your shit after that goal went off your skate, though.”
I groaned. “God, don’t remind me. I didn’t even see our next goal because I was too busy wallowing.”
Late in the second period, one of the Regents players had taken a slap shot from the point. I’d shifted slightly, hoping to block it. Instead, it bounced off my skate and into the open net. I’d skated to the bench, feeling like an absolute asshole, andhad missed Rat and Grey scoring on a two-on-one breakaway seconds later.
“Well, it all worked out, didn’t it?” Berkley said.
“Sure did,” I replied, bending to kiss her again, this time long, hard, and slow, both of us out of breath when we broke apart at last.
“How long do we have to stay?” she asked against my mouth, fingers curled in my shirt so I couldn’t stray too far from her side.
Not that I ever would. I’d fucking superglue myself to her if she let me.
I trailed my nose along her jaw before pressing a kiss right below her ear. “You don’t want to celebrate?”
“Oh, I want to celebrate. Just…at home. With you. Naked.”
I laughed, knowing the feeling all too well. Every second of every day, my body ached for her, craved her touch, begged to be buried inside her.
I pulled away to study her face, gauging her level of seriousness. “You mean it? You really don’t want to stay?”
