Chapter 20 #2
“Can’t what?” I slip a second in, reveling in the knowledge that she’s like this, desperate and panting, because of me, then create a slow, even rhythm.
She throws her head back, her mouth open in a silent moan. “Cole,” she eventually says, her voice desperate with need. “Please.”
“Answer the question.” I brush my lips against her neck. “Why can’t you give in to us?”
“Be-because then I’d have to admit I’m falling for you and that this is real.
” Her eyes widen in panic, but before she can backpedal or second-guess herself, I distract her by flattening my thumb against her clit.
Instantly, she clamps around my fingers and pants through an orgasm.
I don’t stop until she sags against me, our kiss transitioning from frantic to languid.
I like her like this. As desperate for me as I am for her. With a deep, satisfied moan, I tilt my head back to look at her. “Newsflash, My.” I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear and flash a knowing smile. “I’ve already fallen for you. And I’m scared, too.”
She searches my face, her expression open. “Yeah?”
“Yep. I may be an insanely good-looking, Stanley Cup–winning, superbly talented hockey player—”
Maya rolls her eyes.
“But,” I continue, a little more seriously, “I’m only human. So yeah, what I feel for you scares me, but I’m willing to give it a shot.”
She nibbles on her bottom lip, dragging her fingers over my chest. “I guess I can give it a shot, too.”
Ever the faithful wingman, Goose lets out a deep howl that reverberates through the bathroom. Nothing like a man’s dog pretending he’s a werewolf on a full moon to kill the romantic mood.
With a tinkling laugh, Maya scratches the top of Goose’s head. “Is he okay? I’ve never heard him make that noise before.”
“He probably just needs to go out,” I guess with a yawn. “I’ll take him before I shower.”
And jerk off, because I’m harder than I’ve ever been.
“Since I’m still on babysitting duty, why don’t you shower while I take him out?” she suggests with a yawn of her own. “We can head to bed after. I’m sure you’re tired.”
I accept her offer and take my time in an indulgent shower.
The mixture of hot water and an orgasm washes away my anger and frustration over the game and kneads some of the tension from my taut muscles.
Afterward, I find Maya once again curled up on her side in my bed, hands tucked under her cheek, while Goose snuggles protectively against her back. Cockblocker.
I swap my towel for a pair of boxer briefs, then corral Goose, forcing him to his spot at the end of the bed, and curl up against Maya under the covers.
Her body is soft and pliant against mine, the sensation instantly draining all remnants of stress I’m holding.
I run my fingers up and down her forearm, watching the goose bumps erupt against her fair skin.
“Mmm, that tickles.” She turns her head against the pillow and opens her eyes. “That was a long shower.”
“I didn’t cool down the way I should have after the game,” I explain. “A shower won’t make up for it, but it’ll help with the muscle soreness.”
“Ah. Smart.” She lifts a hand and lightly brushes it against my bruised cheekbone. “Does it hurt?”
“Not any worse than my self-esteem,” I say with a sigh. “We lost the game during a power play while I was in the penalty box.” Puffing out a breath of air, I pull her closer to me. “Some dickhead player brought up Nate to mess with my head, and it worked. I lost my shit.”
Maya’s body flies up like she’s being exorcised. “He brought up your brother? What a motherfucking twat-waffle. You should’ve taken off your skates and used them to saw off his balls!”
I don’t know whether to be concerned that the Silver siblings share a penchant for threatening to cut off people’s balls with skates or be flattered by Maya’s indignation on my behalf.
A scowl that promises wrath flashes across her face as she waits for me to answer her.
“He’s an asshole, but it’s his MO.”
“That doesn’t make it okay,” she argues, flopping back down onto the bed.
I pull her onto me and she settles with her head on my chest. “No, it doesn’t. It was fucked up of him, but I should have seen it coming. The two of them had a long-standing rivalry.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm. They played for the same team in college and were ultra-competitive. A few years later, Nathan started dating DeVries’ ex-girlfriend. I guess he wasn’t over her and thought Nathan only did it to fuck with his head. It got messy. And now he hates me by proxy.”
Maya’s eyes light up. “Do you have his number? We can add it to a telemarketer’s list so he’s bombarded with spam calls.”
I chuckle into her neck. “Let’s not talk about him anymore. How was Goose? Did he give you any trouble?”
She hums, snuggling closer. “He tried to get me to join his pyramid scheme, but other than that, things were great.”
“I should let him borrow my Negotiating for Dummies book. Maybe he’ll have better luck next time.”
Maya’s airy laugh snaps the remaining threads of anger I was holding on to.
“Thank you again for watching him,” I say, burying my face in her hair. “I seriously owe you one.”
“You also owe me a date,” she reminds me with a teasing grin.
“I’m going to sleep very well tonight dreaming up ideas for that date.” I tighten my hold on her waist and press a soft kiss beneath the hollow of her ear. “Told you I’d eventually win you over.”
“It took you a while.”
“Even so,” I reassure her, “you’re more than worth the wait.”