Rhett
I’m getting my gym bag ready for practice and smiling about seeing Winnie later today. Two weeks ago I kissed her and told her I wanted to be together. We’ve spent almost every night together since. I’m looking around my bathroom at various hair scrunchies and clips, smiling. I love having little things of hers here, in my space. I know it’s only been two weeks but she still hasn’t told her brother and I’m starting to feel guilty about hiding it from him. I had to make up an excuse last week when he asked to go rafting because I had already made plans with Winnie. I would bring it up to her later and see where her head was at. I want this out in the open. I want to kiss her in the middle of town and hold her hand walking into my parents house.
Getting onto the ice is feeling better since my first skate a few weeks ago. My knee is still bothering me, but it’s much more manageable. I’m here a little early to warm up. We have our first game in a month and we’re looking good. I’m really proud of this team.
“Hey, Coach!” I look up from our schedule to see my goalie walking in.
“Bruner. How’s it going?” His answering smile is so cocky it makes me start shaking my head already.
“I’m me, coach.” Both his hands point at his chest. “It’s always good when you’re me.” I should probably put him in his place but he needs this attitude in the long run. A goalies ego needs to be huge if they’re going to keep that puck out of the net.
“Let’s get you out on the ice then and see if your answer changes.”
“You got it, coach!” My other players start making their way into the arena then. I’m excited to get them all out here and see how our progress is coming along. There’s been a little pressure put on me, coming off a professional hockey career. There’s been plenty of support, too. This town is just itching for a win and I want to make sure they get it.
We have about 10 minutes left of a decently grueling drill I’m having them work through when one of my wingers lets out a low whistle. I give him a look, follow his line of sight and then blow my whistle.
“You all can hit the showers! I’ll see you next week, we have five more practices until our first game, let’s make sure we’re giving them all we’ve got.”
“Yes, coach!” They say as a group. When I turn back around she’s leaning against the half wall smiling at me.
“Hey, coach,” she calls in a voice that can only be described as seductive. I grin. I think she knows how much I like that. I skate over to her full tilt, sending ice flying when I stop.
“Ms.Parker, it’s always a pleasant surprise to see you, but what are you doing here?”
“I was dropping off some pastries and coffee for the teachers and thought I would come see your coaching abilities in action. It did not disappoint, Coach Holloway. You’re pretty good at this.” My chest warms at her compliment.
“Thank you. High praise coming from you.” She tilts her head and looks innocent.
“Is that something you’re into?” This woman is gonna give me a heart attack.
“I’m into pretty much anything if it involves you, darlin’.” She smiles widely and leans further over the wall.
“I can’t wait to hear more.”
“I’m all too willing to spill the details.” I say as I wrap my arms around her waist and lift her up. She lets out a surprised laugh and then settles her legs around my waist.
“Do not drop me, Rhett.”
“Never, darlin’.” She kisses my cheek and I skate us to the other end of the rink and sit her on the edge of the bench so I can take my skates off.
“Let me change really quick and we can get out of here.”
“Sounds good, coach.” I shoot her a look that hopefully conveys the depth of my feeling.
“Knock it off or we’re only going to make it to my office.” She blushes but then her sweet honey eyes take on a very flirty glint then sighs.
“Whatever you say….coach.”
“Alright that’s it.” I get my last skate off and grab her by the backs of her thighs and put her over my shoulder, giving her a smack as she giggles and kicks.
“I’m sorry. Put me down before one of us gets hurt. You know I’m uncoordinated enough to take us both out.” Laughter barks out of me at that.
“Winnie, do you really think I would let anything happen to you?”
“It wouldn’t be your fault.” I clear the door to my office then and sit her down on the middle of my empty desk, turn and lock the door. I put my back against before speaking to her.
“Now, do you wanna try that again?” She’s still pink cheeked and flustered. “Don’t get shy on me now, darlin’.” Her back straightens and her eyes harden at the challenge as I walk over and place my hands on either side of her on the desk and kiss her neck below her ear.
“I’m not sure what you mean, co—” She doesn’t get the full word out before I bring her mouth to mine and kiss her, unrestrained. She moans into my mouth and I bring my hands up to her face, one tangling in the hair at the nape of her neck. Our kissing quickly turns heated and her hands are exploring my torso under my shirt, I’m dizzy. I pick her up to switch positions, now I have her straddling me on my desk and I don’t think I’ve ever wanted anything more in this moment. The sounds she’s making and the way she’s moving against me are enough to drive me insane. I pull my mouth back from hers just for a minute.
“Winnie…” She’s kissing down my neck and reaching lower between us so I grip her wrist to stop the advance. I need to think straight.
“Winnie…” She looks at me then.
“What? What’s wrong?” Wrong? This situation is something. Wrong is definitely not the word I would use.
“If we keep going like this, I’m going to end up taking you here and now in the coaches office.”
“I’m aware, Rhett.” She’s killing me.
“I want you. So badly, but after all this time. I want you in my bed first. Not here when someone could come knocking. I want to take my time with you.” She smiles.
“Okay.” She goes to climb off me laughing but I wrap my arm around her back.
“Just give me a minute darlin’.” She giggles and snuggles her face into the spot between my neck and shoulder and I hug her close. I laugh with her.
“It’s good to know that even if other things have changed, these feelings haven’t.”
“None of my feelings, along with these ones, have ever been in question.” She looks in my eyes for a moment then kisses my lips softly. “Song lyrics?” I ask, I won’t give up until I guess this tattoo cover up.
“Good and no, not song lyrics. Now, let’s get out of here. I’m starving.” I let her down then and adjust myself before finding my shoes.
“We better get you some food then. You get mean if we wait too long.”
“I do not get mean! I just need plenty of protein to fuel this enchanting personality you love so much.” She smiles sweetly at me and I reach into my bag and pull out a big ziplock baggie labled “WINNIE SNACKS” and toss it to her.
“Pick something to hold you over.” I call as I lace up my shoes. When I don’t hear her getting anything out I look at her. Her eyes are glistening.
“Hey, whats wrong?” She swipes at her face then clears her throat.
“Nothing. You carry a bag of snacks for me?”
“Yeah, I noticed when we were hiking a couple weeks ago that snacks are a must for you, that hasn’t changed in the last eight years.” I give her a wink.
“That’s the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me, Rhett. Thank you.” I walk over to her and hold her close.
“It’s just snacks in a bag, Win. It’s only a small fraction of the things I would and will do for you.” Her smile is so sweet when she looks up at me.
“I have a list of things you can do to me—” I fake a scandalized look and drop my mouth open.
“Ms. Parker!” I admonish.
“—just so you’re aware.” She grins and I kiss her mouth once more before taking her hand and pulling her from this office before things start warming up again.