Chapter 28
Caden
I wake up to the sound of truck tires crunching through the snow, the muted thud of boots on the stairway, and the opening and closing of the door to our floor.
When I first joined the hockey house I was sharing the top floor with Hunter and Tanner, but now that they’ve both graduated it’s Austin and Hughes who I can hear talking quietly in the kitchen.
I keep my arms wrapped around Winter’s waist and gather her closer against my bare chest, pressing a kiss against her shoulder, soft enough that she won’t wake up.
It’s got to be no later than half six in the morning, and if the guys were sober enough to drive, then they clearly didn’t get too wasted after the handover dinner last night.
And I’m pretty sure that I’m holding the real reason why they crashed at Connell’s condo instead of coming home in my arms right now.
I press another kiss to Winter’s skin and then ease my forearm from beneath her waist, tucking the quilt around her shoulders as I heave quietly to the floor. Then I grab my joggers, tug them on, and head silently into the corridor.
As soon as I breach the threshold to the kitchen, Austin glances at me over his shoulder, amusement flickering in his eyes as he pours coffee into his mug.
His voice is gravelly with sleep as he jerks his chin and says, “Hey.”
“Hey,” I rumble back to him. “Thanks for what y’all did last night.”
He slides me a look with a little smirk. “Don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”
I laugh quietly and shake my head. “I’m being serious. I really appreciated it.”
Austin turns one-eighty, leaning back against the counter, and tries not to grin as he battles the compliment.
He’s still wearing his suit from the handover dinner, except for the jacket which is draped over a chair, and the snow must still be heavy in Carter Ridge because his shirt is soaked against his chest.
He pushes his hand through his dark blond hair and thawed snow trickles down his jawline.
“You don’t need to thank us,” he admits, and when he sees my expression he adds, “It was Winter’s idea.”
Seeing as Austin is my closest friend at Carter U and Winter is my priority contact, college safety regulations require them to have each other’s numbers.
They get on real well when Winter comes up to stay with us and, player-reputation aside, Austin treats her like a sister, so I’m guessing that Winter let him know that she was heading up here, and Austin told the guys to give us the place for the night.
Which means that my whole team crashed at Connell O’Malley’s condo just so that Winter and I could have some alone-time.
And that level of combined selflessness… I can’t believe that they did that for us.
“Jesus,” I murmur, my voice deep with unexpected emotion.
I head to the cupboard and grab two mugs, overwhelmed at the gesture as I flick the kettle.
“It was your birthday, Valentine’s Day, and your first night knowing that you’re about to be Captain.” Austin takes a sip of his coffee and smiles. “You deserved it, man.”
I stare at him for a long beat.
He really is a great friend.
“Thanks,” I rumble. “It was fucking perfect.”
“What did she think about your new title?”
“I forgot to tell her.”
Austin chokes on his coffee, amusement in his eyes as they flash to mine. “You’re shitting me,” he chuckles. “You forgot to tell her that you’re the next captain?”
My dimples flicker as I tear open two tea bags. “I had other things on my mind.”
Austin breathes out a quiet laugh and murmurs, “Can’t argue with that.”
He waits for me to finish the drinks and then we trudge to the doorway, heading back to our rooms.
“How was the condo?” I ask, as he dodges the gear-bags we left out yesterday.
He smiles and starts unbuttoning his shirt. “It was really good, man. We didn’t let it get too loud because they have neighbours, but it was awesome to see everyone. We gamed and crashed out on the sofas. And Hunter and Tanner’s girlfriends were there.”
Austin nudges his door open with his quad and I tip my chin at him as I reach my room.
He wags his eyebrows and I breathe out a laugh.
“I expect to see the little lady later,” he tells me.
I grin as I shake my head. “See you in a bit,” I laugh, and then he’s pushing open his door at the same second that I open mine.
I set the mugs down on the dresser and quietly flick the lock, tugging off my joggers so that I’m just in my boxers when I settle back down on the bed.
I wrap my biceps around Winter’s shoulders and kiss her cheek as she stirs awake, and as soon as she realises where she is, she inhales excitedly and turns in my arms.
And the second that I see her dimples, I’m a fucking goner.
“Hey, baby,” I chuckle quietly, groaning as she compresses her body against my chest, and then I’m grinning as she kisses my lips, her little pyjamas soft under my fingers.
“Hey,” she whispers back to me, giggling as I roll her onto her back, and then I’m pushing my quads between her thighs as I settle my weight on one elbow.
I cup my palm around her cheek and kiss her gently, totally content.
“I forgot to tell you something last night,” I murmur, my voice deep as she strokes my shoulders.
“What?” she asks softly.
“You’re looking at next year’s captain, baby.”
“Caden!” she exclaims, and then I’m laughing as I’m the one being rolled over, her soft thighs straddling my middle as she rewards me with a searing kiss.
I grunt quietly as I grip her hips, gathering her against me as my body stirs.
“Congratulations,” she whispers softly. “I’m so proud of you, Caden.”
I search her eyes, unable to hold back a smile.
“Couldn’t have done it without you,” I rumble.
She kisses me slowly and I swallow a groan, threading my fingers through her hair as I shift my quads, and then she’s lifting up with a tiny smile, eyes sparkling from under her lashes.
“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about last night,” she whispers.
I grin up at her. “Which part?”
“The part about my tattoo.”
A deep chuckle rumbles through my chest as I grip her waist and flip her back over, making her squeal with excitement as I pin her down and tower over her.
“Baby, we talked about this.”
She flutters her lashes and kisses my chest.
I breathe out a laugh and gently stroke her curls. “I don’t want to risk tattooing you wrong.”
“You won’t,” she whispers softly. “And I already know what I want you to tattoo.”
I give her a once-over. “The design?”
“The design and where I want it.” Then she gives me a playful smile. “It’s so well thought through, you’re going to love it.”
I can’t help but grin as she licks my pec. “If you’re trying to make me change my mind, it’s working.”
She giggles happily and I squeeze her thighs, shifting onto my side as I haul her against me.
“How long do I have you here for?” I ask.
She exhales softly. “The day after tomorrow.”
My hands involuntarily tighten.
Too damn soon.
It’s the Frozen Four final in less than a week and, one day later, it’s the Kentucky rodeo, meaning that Winter and I are both about to have a million things we need to do.
Winter’s going to be training with Lightning, and even when they’re resting they’re going to be bonding, and the team and I are preparing non-stop for the semi-final, with training sessions at every waking moment that we’re not in class.
Ice-time, gym sessions, and watching our opponents’ game footage, building strength for the last two games and gaining all of the tactical run-downs.
It's about to be a jam-packed week for the both of us.
I stroke her hair and press a kiss to her cheek, before leaning down further so that I can reach her lips.
She kisses me back and caresses my jaw, giggling when I nudge the tip of her nose with mine, the sound of snow thudding against the windowpane the perfect backdrop for the intimate moment.
“But we have all day today and tomorrow,” I rumble quietly, and she nods her head as she meets my eyes.
“All day,” she whispers in agreement.
“We should probably make the most of it.”
And then she’s beaming up at me as I squeeze her waist, laughter rumbling through my chest as I roll her over, and my lips meet hers in a possessive kiss as the winter snowstorm outside rages on.