Page 55 of Racking Up Penalties
Leaning down, I press my lips to his abs, tasting him, cleaning him with slow, deliberate licks. It feels intimate as I savor the salty tang of him, the way his muscles twitch under the soft drag of my tongue.
“Jesus, Tess,” he breathes out, fingers running through my hair in a gentle rhythm that soothes the frenzy that had overtaken us moments before.
We’re quiet now, the urgency replaced by a comfortable silence that wraps around us like a blanket. I rest my cheek against his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heart.
Tristan’s breath is a warm whisper against my ear, his words sending a shiver down my spine. “I love the way you make me feel, Tess,” he murmurs, his voice low and laced with sincerity. “Taking it slow… it’s been incredible, but I can’t lie. I want more. I want all of you next time.”
I lift my gaze to meet his, finding oceans of blue filled with longing. I’ve always admired how Tristan can express so much with just a look, and right now, every inch of me responds to that silent plea.
“Next time,” I echo, my own voice threaded with eagerness. The prospect of being one with Tristan in the most intimate of ways sends a thrill through me. “Yes, I want that too.”
The buzz of my phone cuts through the quiet moment. Reluctantly, I untangle myself from Tristan’s embrace and reach for the device on the nightstand.
“Sorry, I should check this,” I say, swiping the screen to life. Two new messages are waiting for me—one from Liam and another from Ethan.
Liam’s message is simple.
All good here, talk tomorrow.
And then there’s Ethan.
Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. Miss you.
It doesn’t sound like everything is okay but maybe they need a night to themselves.
“All good?” Tristan asks, his eyes searching mine for signs of trouble.
“Everything’s fine,” I assure him.
“Good,” Tristan replies, his gaze tender.
The warmth of Tristan’s chest presses against my back, his heartbeat a steady lullaby against the silence of the room. I wiggle just a fraction closer, feeling the solid strength of his arm as it wraps around me.
His breath is soft and even against the nape of my neck, calming the whirlwind thoughts that threaten to spiral out of control.
“Comfortable?” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me.
“Very,” I whisper back, my eyelids growing heavy with the contentment that seems to seep into my very bones.
“Sleep well, Tess,” he whispers, and I can hear the smile in his voice, the affection that weaves through his words.
I fall asleep, spooned tightly against Tristan, the steady rhythm of his heart the last thing I hear before everything fades.
Chapter 25
The chill of the ice rink seeps through my jacket as I push open the heavy door, sneakers smacking against the concrete. At our last practice, Coach told us we need to stop racking up penalties and be the players we are meant to be.
I’ve been thinking about it a lot and after the hockey game last night, it’s something that needs to be told to Liam and Ethan.
They need to be the men Tessa deserves or leave her alone.
I’m willing to share the girl of my dreams if it makes her happy but absolutely not if it upsets her.
I scan the area, spotting Liam and Ethan on opposite ends of a bench, their profiles etched with tension.
Alec did what I asked and kept the rest of the team behind after practice. I only have twenty minutes before I have to be at the stadium for the game today and trying to wrangle them out of here would take too long.
Ethan’s dark hair is matted to his forehead.
