Page 34 of Must Love Hockey
I’m sort of frozen near the door, unsure what to do. Now that the kissing has stopped, I don’t know my role here.
James comes closer. He puts his hands on my upper arms and gives a gentle squeeze. “Can I get you a drink?”
It’s tempting to say yes, but a drink would only prolong my nervous anxiety. We both know why I’m here. It would be silly to pretend otherwise.
Slowly, I shake my head.
“Well, all right, then.” He bends his knees and scoops an arm under my knees, picking me up off the floor.
I let out a squeak of surprise as he holds me against his body and stalks toward the bedroom. Then I go absolutely quiet as his smile begins to drop generous kisses on my neck. It seems that all I’ve got left to say is a full-body shiver.
A moment later, my back hits the mattress. James spreads his big body out over mine, and we’re at it again, with deep, dark kisses. The taste of him is already my new favorite drug.
I guess we’ll be skipping the awkward chit-chat, and I’m fine with that. I melt back against his bed and enjoy every kiss, every deep delve of his tongue into my mouth.
Andgood grief,he’s good at this. I never knew it was possible to be polite and bossy at the same time, but James is a study in contrasts. His touch is firm, yet gentle, as he unbuttons my blouse with confident fingers. Then he reaches behind my back and unhooks my bra more smoothly than I could do it myself.
He is, after all, an equipment manager. This is basically his specialty.
Lucky for me, each newly revealed patch of skin receives kisses and caresses. His mouth takes a slow, decadent tour of my breasts, while I arch and pant and generally make a fool of myself. I weave my fingers into his thick hair and marvel at the way he makes every experience brand new again.
I mean—I’ve been touched before. But I’ve never beenworshipedquite like this. His lips are taking a victory tour of my upper body, and the soft sounds of appreciation he’s making are more than I deserve.
Eventually, James pulls back. I’m disappointed until he calmly dispenses with my jeans and shoes.
Just wow.
My mind is staticky fuzz, although I’m aware that I should probably be participating more avidly. I gather the fabric of his shirt in my fingers and give a tug.
But no. James takes my hands and moves them back to the comforter, one at a time, as if to saywait here, please and thank you.
I grip the fabric, my hips twisting eagerly as the soft flannel finds more and more of my skin. James works the last of my clothing off, and then I’m completely bared to him on the bed.
My heart crashes against my ribs as he makes a low noise of appreciation. He’s staring down at my naked body, and I’d be feeling self-conscious if the heat in his gaze wasn’t burning away all my fear.
Filled with unfamiliar excitement, I lift a hand and beckon to him.
He grins, and at first, I’m not sure he’ll obey my summons. But then his thick fingers move to the buttons of his shirt, and a moment later I get my first look at his muscular chest.
Lord, he’s like a superhero, with a sixpack and a line of trimmed black hair that descends from his abdomen into his pants.
My mouth actually waters. “Let me,” I say, and it comes out breathy as I sit up. “Please?”
I reach for his fly.
ELEVEN
GOD IS A BRUISERS FAN
James
I don’t know what I did right in life that made this perfect moment possible. Somehow I must have pleased a higher power. That’s the only explanation for why Emily is unbuttoning my fly and unzipping me.
Maybe God is a Bruisers fan. That must be it.
I hold perfectly still, breathing through my arousal. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this turned on.
Emily seemed a little skittish on our way over here, and I’d never want to rush her. The truth is that I’d wait any length of time for this. For her.
