Page 75 of The Penalty Shot (Totally Pucked 5)

She nods as her lips ghost over mine. I can taste the salty tears on her skin, and I gently kiss her cheeks, her eyelids, her jaw, all of the places her tears have touched.

“I never want to see you cry again. I will do whatever it takes to take your pain and sadness away.”

For a moment, I’ve forgotten that we’re in the middle of Central Park, surrounded by people. All I can see is Auden. I reach down, smoothing my hands over the soft curve of her ass, making sure her dress is still fully covering her.

“I’d like to be honest with Alex, right away. Is that okay with you?” I ask, pushing her hair back off her face and tucking it behind her ear.

She nods and I continue, “I’d really like to have a one-on-one conversation with him. Man to man…It’s important to me, Auden. For so long, it’s just been you and him, and I want to reassure him. Have a man to man conversation. Make sure he understands that I’ll always be there for him, and that us being together doesn’t change our relationship.”

Fresh tears well in her eyes. She sniffles, dragging her hand along her eyes. “I think that Alex would appreciate that. I’d like to talk to him together first, though. I don’t want him to feel blindsided.”

I nod. “Whatever you think. It’s your decision and I respect and support whatever you choose.”

“This feels surreal. I…I’ve spent so long being ashamed and scared to have anything for myself that I never thought I could allow anyone into my heart. But you walked into my life and made me question everything. You make me feel cherished, and you make me feel safe. I’ve been falling in love with you too, but I was afraid to admit it because then it meant the reality of giving myself to someone else with the power to hurt me.” She sucks in a deep breath before the words spill out of her, “And I just… worry about how Alex and I will fit into your life… You’re a professional hockey player Asher. You’ll constantly be on the road, surrounded by beautiful women.”

Fuck, Ihatethat she feels this way.

“Auden, you and Alexaremy life. You’re my family. Together, we’ll make it work. I want you to be a part of my hockey life. To sit in the stands at my games, to wear my name on your jersey. But I also want to supportyourdreams and goals Auden. I want to cheer for you. Come home to you. You don’t have to fit around hockey, I’m going to fit hockey around you and Alex. I’m all in, baby. From this moment on, you are mine, and I will never let anything come between us. Hockey is my career, but you? You’re everything.”

Through her tears she murmurs against my lips, “We’re yours, Asher.”

And nothing has ever felt so fucking right.

Chapter Twenty Three

Auden

Even after theplane touches down in Chicago, I still feel like I’m floating above the clouds. Part of me wanted to stay longer in New York, worried that the bubble around us would burst and that reality would set in.

Asher is in love with me.

And as much as I loved hearing him whisper those words as he made love to me, so tenderly and adoringly, I’m also terrified.

Not because I think he’ll hurt me purposefully, but because after everything that I’ve been through, I’m scared that I’ll end up alone and my heart will be broken. It’s scary to give yourself to another person and not be afraid that they won’t catch you when you fall.

Especially when the only love you’ve known has been toxic and harmful.But, I want to trust Asher, and I know letting him walk away would hurt even worse. Truthfully, I don’t think I could let him.

“Killer, it’s going to be fine,” Asher whispers, his big hands cradling my cheeks tenderly as he peppers kisses all over my face. “Stop pacing and come sit down with me.”

That’s the thing about Asher; he has the ability to calm me, even when I feel like I’m standing in the middle of a storm. And, right now, I feel like a category five hurricane is barreling toward me as we prepare to tell Alex that we’re together.

This is the first time I’m introducing my son to my…boyfriend. It’s a big deal, and as badly as I’m trying to not let the past affect my future; sometimes, it’s hard to close old wounds that never healed properly.

My feet carry me to the table, and I sit in the chair opposite of Asher.

“You’re right. I’m freaking out for nothing…right?”

He nods. “Right. Breathe, Auden.”

I inhale a deep breath and blow it out. Just as I do, the front door opens, and I hear Alex’s voice.

“Mom? Asher…I’m home.”

“In here, kiddo,” Asher calls, his gaze never leaving mine. He’s reassuring me with just a look, calming me like he always does.

Alex walks through the entryway into the kitchen with a bright smile on his face, his duffle bag hitched high on his shoulder. “It was amazing, the best thing ever! Mom, I can’t wait to go back. Can I go back? I have so much to tell you, and all of my art to show you! But, I’m starving so I need a snack first.”

He bumps Asher’s fist and they do their handshake, then he sets his duffle bag down on the table and heads straight for the fridge.

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