Chapter 26
ISLA
With a baby wrapped around my middle, I’m sitting up near the owner’s box where I float between the box and stands to watch the late-afternoon early-season home game.
I can’t control the complete contentment inside of me.
Everything seems to have fallen into place in life.
A far cry from a few months ago when my life seemed to have been unpredictable about what path I would end up on.
The past few weeks since Vaughn and I have made it clear that we want to do it all when it comes to us, a relief I didn’t know I needed hit me.
Now our days are filled with texts, occasional nights, and if he isn’t in the owner’s box, then I get to stare at him where he’s sitting behind the team on occasion, focused on the game.
“Getting used to the new routine?” Hadley asks as she sits by my side, watching her husband like a hawk.
“Completely. So far, it’s easier than I expected. Probably because I seem to subconsciously work around Vaughn’s schedule.”
“That’s how hockey wives tend to do it. So, you’ve been officially upgraded to girlfriend status, but do you think one day you will get an even better title?” She casually throws that in.
I scoff a laugh. “That’s probably not on our minds any time soon. I’m thankful it never once came up during the whole pregnancy and having a baby. Vaughn never went all ‘we must get married because it’s the right thing to do.’”
“No, he just forced you to move out of your home and to sleep in his bed which you thoroughly enjoy, I’m sure.” She gives me a straight-laced look before she flashes her eyes at me.
My head lolls to the side from her humor. “We are sticking to our pace, okay? Besides, not all happy couples see marriage as the be all and end all.”
“That is also true. However, I don’t know… you both seem to be bringing out this different side that I’ve never seen from either one of you. You both seem to be surprising all of us.”
I bite my inner cheek from the remark because it’s overtly true. “I can’t deny it. We found our road, and now we’re just enjoying the ride, no need to speed.”
We both look down at our men, Connor racing down the ice and Vaughn standing near the coaching staff in a suit. I’m confident I’ve always enjoyed hockey because of the men in suits before and after games.
Occasionally he glances back to search for us and then winks. It’s subtle and nearly a secret message. Kind of cute too.
“I’m relieved this is the last pre-season game and now we get a tiny break before the season kicks off,” I mention.
Hadley gently touches the top of Nora’s head who is tucked away.
“I bet. Family time and alone time. We cherish these moments even more. It will be good for you and Vaughn. You’re supportive of him, and right now it might feel like his needs are more important, but the sports mindset is a species in itself.
He wants everything to go positively for the team. ”
I lean back to take a sip from my water bottle.
“I completely get that, and I’m prepared as well.
As much as I hate to admit it, our house is kind of turning traditional, and I don’t seem to mind.
You know, I keep thinking about returning to work, even though Vaughn said I don’t need to.
I never agreed, nor have we spoken about it since.
However, I’m thinking of only helping with select projects on a freelance basis and the rest of the time being at home with Nora.
I kind of get why so many wives of the hockey team run the house. ”
It feels that everything I worked for in life is no longer relevant when it comes to the professional world.
However, I realize that the only goal in life I think I had was forming a family, and here I am.
I’m not going to be shy about admitting that.
Everyone can do it their own way, both in motherhood or not being a mother at all.
“You’re thinking clearly, I can see it. It’s great that Vaughn is supportive.”
“Exactly, which is why I want to make it easier for him. Who knew laundry would be so fun,” I quip.
Hadley snorts a laugh. “You’re joking, right?”
“Totally. Vaughn has a dry cleaner he uses.” I interlace my arm with Hadley’s as we focus on the game. “Who would have thought, Hadley, that a year after your wedding this is where I would have ended up.”
“You didn’t even need to catch the bouquet and you still had better luck than the now ex-girlfriend of the goalie who caught it.”
We both shake our heads in entertainment at this conversation then squinch our faces when we see two defensemen crash into the boards.
“I am relieved that Vaughn’s new hockey career doesn’t involve injuries,” I note.
“Tell me about it. The only thing he has to worry about is stress and unbalanced chakras or something like that.” Hadley tilts her head to study the scuffle down on the ice.
“Which is why I don’t plan on causing that,” I swear.
After the game, Vaughn quickly comes to see us before he heads to a team meeting.
Those stolen moments are the best, even if a camera is most likely in the vicinity.
He normally whispers something in my ear before looking down at our daughter with a glint in his eyes of pure cherishing.
Tonight, it was murmuring into my ear how I should wait up for him. And I will.
Hence, why I am standing in the kitchen barefoot and in his shirt while I load the dishwasher. It’s a bit after ten when Vaughn returns home. The moment his foot steps onto the kitchen tile, we head straight to one another.
I grip his loose tie and wrap it around my hand, pulling him closer. “Every time that I see you in this outfit, I’m exceptionally wet.”
His smug grin appears before his velvety raspy voice hits me. “My money is on the fact that right now you’re not even wearing anything under my shirt.” His brows raise.
I yank him to me for a kiss, and he brings his hands to my middle, groaning a sound in the process before he lifts me. The feeling of one hand traveling to my bare ass is heavenly but short-lived because he drops me onto the counter, parts my knees, and traps himself between my thighs.
“Did someone come home all bossy?” my voice rhapsodizes as his gleam meets my eyes.
“Isla, that’s the only way I’ll be coming home to you.”
Letting his tie go, I opt to link my arms around his neck to play with his hair and rest my elbows against his shoulders. “Except you’re kind of a softie. You sent me flowers while you were away. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Then I asked you to send me a nude selfie,” he deadpans, because he hates when I highlight the other side of him. The opposite of the playboy persona that used to follow him.
I hum a sound as our lips begin to dance then fuse together again, his tongue seeking entrance, which I give. Vaughn begins to guide me back, and I can hear the clink of his buckle coming undone.
I’m more than compliant to follow his lead, and I use my forearms for support as I lie back then watch him. “And you are such an excellent provider when it comes to your tongue on my pussy too,” I coyly mention to maintain my list of his qualities.
He laughs sinisterly as he drags my body to the edge. “That’s because I need you wet and ready so I can fuck you the way I want.”
I gape my mouth open right before he dives down and licks me, my body writhing and my moan a little loud, as we are downstairs.
Time and distance do this to us. We don’t hesitate, we just give into the moment when opportunity arises.
Which is why he works me into a frenzy before I slide off the counter to turn over so Vaughn can take me from behind.
I don’t even bother taking off my shirt, and his pants are hanging around his knees.
But a carnal need possesses us every single time.
Slow goes out the window when we have kitchen sex.
It's becoming tradition after we’ve finished for him to throw me over his shoulder and walk us to the sofa where he pulls a throw blanket over us and turns on the fireplace with the flick of a button.
We should both be seeking sleep, but we can’t. Our time is scarce.
Leaning against his chest, our fingers trace one another’s.
“The Spinners should have a great season,” I note. “They played better than last season from what I could see.”
“Yeah, we managed some good trades and draft picks. The team is almost completely altered now. But I don’t need to talk hockey. How was it this evening here?”
I half smile because sometimes it feels as though this homelife is his refuge. “Normal day. Bath time, milk time, white noise for sleeping, and night light. She has a good life.”
Vaughn kisses my head then brings his lips near my ear, his breath hitting a sensitive spot below my lobe. “And you?” he whispers.
“Watched the highlights from Briggs’s game with a bowl of soup, took a bath, then debated which shirt of yours I should wear. I’m running out of options since I seem to wear them when you’re away.”
“Hmm, guess that might mean you’ll be sleeping naked and sending a few pics and videos.” His long finger skims down my arm.
Playfully, I pinch him. “By the way, your new luggage arrived. Marketing made sure to have the team logo everywhere… Wait, sorry, no hockey talk.”
“I guess it’s hard. So far you’re staying strong for this professional life of mine.”
“It’s fine. Ooh, we have the team Halloween party coming up which should be fun.” I’m rambling and only stop when Vaughn captures my chin to guide my gaze up to him, as he is looking down at me.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” I blush from his apparent sentimental proclamation. “I haven’t decided if that makes it easier or harder when I’m away. I have a good thing happening here.”
“Don’t worry, all is well. Besides, you will be distracted, and I’ll be distracted for different reasons, which only means our focus is there when we see one another,” I promise.