Chapter Twenty-Four
Ican’t get enough of Lennox. He loves me and I love him, and we show each other how much not once, not twice, but throughout the night.
“Good thing you don’t have practice tomorrow,” I say at one point between lovemaking sessions.
“Yeah, but we do have the team Christmas party,” he reminds me.
We’re in his bed, and I roll back on top of him.
Mischievously, I murmur, “Ah, yes, but that’s not until nighttime.”
Acting all innocent, like he doesn’t know what’s coming next, he asks, “Meaning?”
As I slide down onto him, sheathing his hard cock with my wet pussy, I groan, “Meaning we have time for a lot more of this.”
He groans, “Babe, you got that right.”
There’s no more talking then, just loving each other with our bodies and our souls.
We make quite the entrance at the team Christmas party, which is being held in a swanky hotel ballroom, with the lights dimmed and holiday décor everywhere.
It’s so pretty and festive.
I feel festive too.
This is a formal event, so I’m wearing a long emerald-green sequined gown. Lennox has on a black tux with a bow tie that matches my dress.
God, he looked so sharp before we left the house that I almost jumped him. Too bad there wasn’t enough time for that kind of fun.
But being in this moment right now is turning out to be pretty awesome too.
As we’re making our way through the crowd arm in arm, there are lots of congratulatory praise for us announcing that we’re an official couple.
There are pats on the back for Lennox from his teammates, approving nods to me, and even a cheer or two.
One of those cheers comes from Claire when we reach her and Easton, who are standing by a round table for six.
“Woohoo, yay!” Claire claps her hands, bouncing lightly in her silver stiletto heels that match her long gown. “Wow, I have to admit you two really do look great together,” she adds with a beaming grin.
I smile back, and she gives me a warm hug.
I guess she’s fully accepting of our relationship now. Easton appears to be, too, as he’s bro-hugging Lennox and saying, from what I can hear, kind words.
Damn, I am so freaking happy right now.
We did the right thing.
Teasingly, I tell them both, “Hey, if we had known everyone would be this happy for us, including you two, we would’ve come clean sooner.”
“See,” Claire replies, “honesty is always the best policy.”
She has a point, at least in this case.
But I’m still glad we waited. It was the right way for us.
As we take our seats at the table, Shane shows up and, after we wave him over, he heads to us.
I notice right away that the poor guy is alone once again.
Lennox, who is not as subtle as me, asks him where his date is. “You were bringing somebody, right?” he clarifies.
“I was supposed to,” Shane confirms as he sits down in the open seat next to Lennox. “But she got sick and had to cancel at the last minute.”
“Didn’t you just meet her recently?” Lennox asks.
“Yeah, at a club,” Shane says. “But we only went out on, like, one date. I think it’s over already. I have a feeling the ‘I’m sick’ was just an excuse. She probably didn’t want to come to this party.”
This poor guy.
I can’t imagine why someone would blow him off like this.
Shane is the nicest man. But he really does have the worst luck with women.
He’s so good-looking too. He has reddish hair, green eyes, and a hot hockey bod, of course.
I hope someday he meets someone who is just as sweet as he is and she treats him kindly.
Shaking his head, Easton says, “That sucks, man.”
Shane shrugs. “Whatever. It just is what it is. I wasn’t really vibing with her on our date anyway. She probably felt that.”
“Then it’s for the best,” Claire declares as she jumps into the conversation.
We all leave it at that and transition to small talk.
A waiter comes around at one point and, after confirming the one seat on the other side of Shane will remain empty, he removes the gold charger plate, glasses, and silverware from that setting. He then informs us that dinner should be starting soon and asks if we’d like to start off with some wine.
We all say yes, and he brings us an expensive bottle of merlot. He also fills our water glasses.
Dinner follows shortly, and it is delicious.
After starting with scallop appetizers and mixed green salads, we are all served delicious filet mignons and lobster tails with drawn butter.
I devour every bite, and by the time dessert rolls around, I announce, “Oh my God, I am stuffed.”
“I am too,” Claire chimes in. “I can’t eat another bite.”
The guys are all fine, though. In fact, they look a little disappointed when dessert turns out to be a light sorbet and not some huge sugary monstrosity.
Despite being full, Claire and I do manage to get a few nibbles in.
But then I push my sorbet cup away and state, “That’s it. I am truly done.”
“Same,” Claire agrees. “One more bite and I’m going to split a seam.”
Her dress is tight, but I doubt that will happen.
Still, everyone has a good chuckle over the thought.
Once all of the plates are cleared and the lights are dimmed further, a DJ begins to spin some tunes. He’s playing some really good stuff, so we all decide to hit the dance floor.
Claire and Easton are good dancers, but Lennox and I are too. We’re all sure to include Shane in our little dance circle so he doesn’t feel left out.
When a slow song starts up, though, he bows out gracefully, stating, “I think that’s my cue to take a rest back at the table.”
“You better come back when the next fast song comes on,” Claire tells him.
“I will,” he assures her with a chuckle.
Her arms slip up around Easton then, and I do the same with Lennox. He holds me to him as we move to the slow beat of a beautiful song.
Head bowed, he whispers in my ear, “I love you, Madison. I’m happy I can finally show everyone how much.”
“I love you too,” I reply. And then I add, “No more hiding ever again. We’re honest with the world and honest with each other. Always, no matter what. Is that a deal?”
Leaning back, he smiles at me. “Babe, it is absolutely a deal.”
“Good.”
“So, you’re having a good time tonight?”
“I am,” I reply. “More than you could even know.”
Pulling me back in closer, he whispers, “Oh, I know, sweetheart. I know.”
I think he does.
I’m having the time of my life with this man who I love, and I think he’s feeling the same way about me.
This is so wonderful, how could we not?
Lennox and I are officially a couple, in love, and for the entire world to see.
And you know what?
Now that it’s out, I wouldn’t have it any other way.