Epilogue
Eighteen months later (Bree)
M y pulse is a relentless drumbeat in my ears as I gaze across the crowded room toward my friends and family.
I can see Kat and her date, Finn. They’re still dating on and off, mostly off these days, but they look content today, at least for now. They dated for a few months once Carter and I officially got tougher, and then things seemed to fizzle out. She’s never said what happened, and I didn’t want to push. Kat has a habit of clamming up tighter than a vault when she’s hurting or confused, even with me. I’ll wait and watch and approach her when she’s ready to talk.
Chloe and Scarlett each came solo, but I can see they have plenty of dance partners for the night. Other guys from Carter’s hockey team, including Mike, are in attendance. At first, I was reluctant to invite him, but Carter told me about their chat, and it got me thinking. While Mike likes to play the ladies’ man, deep in my gut, I think he’s more complex than that. Maybe one day, somebody will capture his attention and hold it long enough for him to realize relationships are a good thing.
“Hey, Carter,” someone calls out in a booming voice. I swing my gaze to the right and catch my handsome husband sauntering across the ballroom floor toward another group of players currently engrossed in some heaving-looking drinking.
They all deserve the downtime. Unfortunately, after a strong season, they didn’t make it to the playoffs this year. But they’re a young team, only a couple of years in the national league, and they’re still finding their footing. They’ll get there.
But I’m not complaining because that means I have my brand-new husband all to myself for a few more weeks than usual during the off season.
When he told me about his ex-girlfriend giving him an ultimatum—her or hockey—I couldn’t believe somebody could be that selfish to deny the person they supposedly love the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. Not every young boy has the chance to play in the big leagues, no matter how good they may be. The few who make it that far have to work hard to keep up. Anything can happen. We have no idea how long Carter will be able to play, but I would never stand in his way of enjoying every moment he can.
“There’s my beautiful wife.”
Carter startles me out of my musings. My grin widens when I glance at him, and I’m sure my eyes light up. My cheeks hurt from smiling all day. “Have I mentioned this is the happiest day of my life?” I ask him as he slips his arm around my waist, and together, we look out over the gathering of people who came today to celebrate our marriage.
“It’s the second happiest day of mine,” he states.
“Oh?” Well, that’s a little disappointing.
“The first was the night we met.”
My heart melts.
“Everybody seems to be having a good time,” he continues.
“Yes. And this place looks gorgeous.”
Our wedding planner outdid herself with every detail. The warm glow of fairy lights strung across the high ceiling has created a magical atmosphere for our special night. Instead of settling on a specific color theme for our wedding, we opted for a classic black-and-white look with accents of shimmering gold.
Each round table is draped in elegant floor-length white linen, topped with a sleek black table runner and stark white place settings that shimmer next to gold cutlery. A stunning floral arrangement in the center of each table, bursting with lilies and gardenias, adds a touch of romance to the formal setting and giant balloon bouquets are scattered throughout the room, adding a touch of playful whimsy. And, of course, the candy table—a sweet addition to the formal setting, filled with all sorts of sugary treats that add a burst of color to the festivities. It may not fit the formal scheme, but it brings a lighthearted charm to the celebration, as much as the pillar of candy hockey sticks in the center of the table. Plus, when I discovered how much the guys love candy, I couldn’t resist.
“Kat and Finn seem to be engaged in an intense conversation,” he motions toward them with a nod.
I look over and see them standing in the far corner. “I’m not sure what’s going with those two. She won’t talk to me.”
“Finn won’t say anything either. When I was packing up my things at the house I half-jokingly suggested he ask Kat to move in. He damn near bit my head off.”
“Honestly, I’m surprised they came together.”
“Well, if looks are anything, I’m guessing they won’t be leaving together.”
As we watch from our safe place, Kat spins and gives Finn her back. He says something and storms away. I keep my eyes on my best friend until she turns and walks over to join Chloe and Scarlett at one of the tables. I can’t see her face from here, but I don’t miss how she covertly watches Finn stalk across the room to join the other players.
“I should probably go over and see if I can do anything.” I start to take a step, but Carter places a hand on my arm.
“It’s our wedding night, Bree. Let’s leave them to deal with whatever is going on in their world, and let’s focus on us.”
Turning back, I reach up and curl my arms around the back of his neck. “You’re right.”
“Want to dance?”
“I’d love to.”
Carter laces his fingers with mine, and together, we make our way to the dance floor, where I rest my head on his chest, closing my eyes and inhaling his scent as we sway to the music. When he chuckles softly, I raise my head and look at him. “What was that about?”
“I’m just thinking about how lucky I am that Mike is an ass.”
“And why is that?”
“Because if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t have cheated on you, and we wouldn’t have gotten together.”
“See, now I blame the tequila,” I say.
“Ah, but if it weren’t for Mike, you wouldn’t have been drowning your heartbreak in tequila.”
“True. True. I guess I should go thank him.” I pretend to pull away from my husband, but he yanks me back against his chest.
“Now the I have you, you’re not going anywhere.”
Peering up at him, totally lovestruck, I give him the God’s honest truth. “I don’t plan on ever going anywhere without you, Carter.”
His eyes darken with heat as he holds me tighter. “Good.” Lowering his head, his lips brush across mine softly.
When I open my mouth, his tongue sweeps in, caressing mine. Passion blooms in my chest and lower. I want this man like I’ve wanted him every day since the night we met. “How long do we have to stay?” I mumble against his lips.
His voice is low and sexy when he responds. “It’s probably too early, but that doesn’t mean we can take a little break.”
Oh, that sounds fun. “Seriously?”
“Yup.”
“Where?”
“I scoped out the coat closet earlier. There’s a lock.”
“Let’s go.” I grab his hand and haul him off the dance floor. Every person who attempts to stop us is met with a polite but speedy, “Sorry, we need to deal with something, we’ll be back soon.”
I’m sure we left a bunch of people confused and maybe even worried, but I’ll deal with them later. Right now, I need my husband.
Outside the main ballroom, we hurry—okay, we sort of run—to the closet. We duck inside with a quick glance around to confirm nobody’s watching. I can’t help the giggle, but it’s short-lived because as soon as the door is locked behind us, Carter’s mouth crashes down on mine.
His lips are hot and insistent, demanding. Twining my fingers in his hair, I moan as he takes control, backing me up against the wall and pressing his body firmly against mine. Even through the layers of fabric separating us, I can feel his hard erection.
Catching my bottom lip between his teeth, he slides his tongue back and forth until I’m mewling pathetic sounds I didn’t know I could make. Carter pulls away only to drop a trail of kisses down my neck, licking each exposed inch of skin he can reach.
“Carter,” I moan.
“God, I’ve been waiting for this all day,” he says.
“Me too.”
His hands feverishly work their way down my sides, lifting my dress. I help him by hiking it up higher, as high as I possibly can. The material bunches at my waist, exposing the lacy thong and garter belt underneath.
Carter growls as his fingers brush against the damp lace. My breath hitches when slips them under the elastic edge and rubs where I need it the most.
“Holy fuck, you’re wet,” he growls as he pushes two fingers inside of me, pumping hard and fast.
“Mmm, you do that to me,” I moan.
“I need you so fucking bad.”
“Then take me,” I beg.
Carter doesn’t need to be told twice. With a groan, he spins me around.
I place my hands against the wall and bend over, sticking my ass out.
He flips my dress over my back, and I hear his zipper lowered. I bite down on my lip as he frees his cock from his pants.
When I feel him prodding my entrance, I whimper, and then with one swift smooth stroke, he buries himself to the hilt in one thrust.
I pull in a harsh breath, air hissing between my lips.
He stops, and I can literally feel him pulsing inside me.
“Tell me how much you want this.” Grabbing a fistful of my hair, he tugs it back gently, bends across my back, and grazes my neck with his teeth before he sucks on my skin.
“I want… you , Carter Hayes,” I gasp. “I want you , right now.”
He pulls out and thrusts in again. And again, then he starts a fast rhythm, pumping his hips, pounding into me, rocking my body forward with each thrust.
The anticipation and excitement of the day settles over me, and in a matter of minutes, I’m ready to come.
“Carter, I…” The pleasure that rips through me is mind-blowing, and I can’t hold back anymore. My head falls forward, and my pussy clenches around his cock as he drives me to an earth-shattering climax, uttering profanities against the back of my neck.
Spent, he rests against my back, both of us trying to catch our breaths.
After a few minutes pass, he pulls out, and I hand him a couple of tissues I’d tucked into the bodice of my dress.
“Remind me why we need a honeymoon?” I tease as I straighten out my dress, not at all annoyed with the new wrinkles this little escape created.
Carter chuckles. “Because we have only so much time before pre-season starts, and I want you all to myself for as long as possible.”
“Promise me something?” I whisper.
He hears the serious note in my words and pauses to run his thumb down my cheek and across my bottom lip. “Anything for you, Mrs. Hayes.”
“Promise me we’ll never stop doing this.”
“Never,” he says, kissing me softly. “I love you, Bree.”
“I love you too, Carter.”
He presses a final smooch to my lips before he unlocks the door. “Now, let’s go mingle with our guests, so we can start that honeymoon.”
I hope you enjoyed Bree and Carter’s story in the first of my brand-new hockey series. Can you guess who’ll be up next? If you guessed Kat and Finn, you’re bang on.