Page 125 of Lucky Shot
Ruby bursts out laughing when we’re closed into the truck cab again. She collapses into me, burying her head in my chest. I join in and it’s several seconds before either of us stops. Ruby looks at me and we start in again. Despite it all, my chest is light and my face hurts from smiling.
“I can’t believe your dad just caught us making out. I kept waiting for him to send you to your room and threaten to call my parents.”
“Not his style.”
She chuckles again and then her expression goes serious. “Wait. Did your dad just go to find earplugs so he wouldn’t hear us having sex?”
“Yeah,” I cringe inwardly.
She covers her face with both hands. “Oh god. I’m never going to be able to face him again.”
I pry her fingers away. “You don’t need to be embarrassed. He’s thrilled. This is exactly what he wanted when you showed up.”
Ruby slowly lets me uncover her face. “I am a catch.”
She is. No denying that.
“Are you okay?” She glances down at my crotch. “I am so sorry.”
“I’ll survive.” I think. I hold back a groan as I shift again. The music finally cuts out, leaving the cab in silence. “Want to stay at my place tonight, Red?”
29
RUBY
“Yes! Eat ice, Galaxy!” With my hands raised over my head, I yell as the puck hits the back of the net.
Nick smirks as he watches me do my victory pose.
“Hell yeah, Ruby Doo!” Travis skates over to me, wrapping me in a big bear hug. I’m in full padding but I still wince as he squeezes me. This is the third time we’ve celebrated this way and I’m starting to feel like his personal rag doll.
“We’re unstoppable.” He shakes me a few times, rattling my bones, as Nick comes to a stop in front of us.
We’re playing two on two, me and Travis versus Nick and Conrad.
“Okay. Okay. My turn,” Nick says.
Travis continues to hold on to me but shifts so he can look at his friend. “Go hug your teammate.”
Nick gives Travis a dry, unyielding scowl.
“Fine, but only because I feel bad. We’re killing you.” Trav squeezes me around the shoulders one last time before releasing me.
I wobble and sway until Nick skates forward to steady me.
“He’s freakishly strong,” I say as my bones settle back into place.
Nick chuckles as he wraps his arm around me looser than his friend had but much more possessively. I think his hands are on my butt, though it’s hard to tell through all the layers.
“Congrats on your goal, Red. It’s hard to get past Penn.”
I glance over at the big goalie. I’m certain he let me score on him, but I still feel proud. He blocks so much of the goal just by standing in it; it’s no small feat to get the puck around him.
“I’d kiss you, but someone insisted I wear this gaudy helmet.” It’s one with a cage like kids wear.
His lips twitch with the promise of a smile and he buries his head in the crook of my neck, kissing me on the sliver of skin not covered by padding. A thrill rushes through me.
We have done a lot of kissing and groping over the past week. We’ve alternated between staying at the cabin and his house. I wake up every morning to coffee and kisses—the perfect combination. During the days, I go with him to the rink where he works out and skates, and I brainstorm new book ideas, stealing more kisses during his breaks – also a great combination. Nights, we take the boat out or walk along the lake. And yes, there are more kisses, and it is also…yep, perfect.
