Chapter 29 Hannah
TWENTY-NINE
HANNAH
GC
Liv is at her mom’s tonight. Do you want to come over?
I miss you.
Me
I’ll be there in an hour.
GC
Can’t wait to see you.
“Hi,” I say, breathless from the cold when Brody opens his door.
“Hi.” He smiles and leans against the frame, looking me up and down. “I like your skirt.”
“It’s new.” I touch the pleated material and step close to him. “And it has pockets.”
“A genius invention, really.” Brody gestures me inside the warm condo. He helps me take off my winter coat and kisses the top of my head. “Want something to drink?”
“Are you going to have anything?”
“I need a whole handle of whiskey. I just finished a league-mandated anti-sports betting computer module, and I think my brain is going to explode.”
“Sounds irresponsible. I’m in,” I say, giggling when he swats at my ass. “Have you had dinner yet?”
“Nope. I’ll order us something later.” He threads his fingers through mine and leads me down the hall to the living room. “Tell me about your day.”
“I spent this morning finalizing the choreography for the program I’m going to perform at my upcoming competition.
It didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, but what can you do?
” I sit on the couch, folding my feet under me.
“I’m nervous. Really nervous, if we’re being honest, and I’m afraid I’m making a mistake. ”
“Hey.” Brody pulls me into his lap, keeping me tight to his chest. “What are you nervous about?”
“Will you judge me if I say everything?” I laugh and bury my face in his shirt.
“When we first started working together, I dreaded going on the ice. I wanted nothing to do with it. Now I’m…
scared, I guess? Because I’ve felt so optimistic the last few months.
Because I’m excited to skate again. I’m worried I’m one poor landing away from never skating again.
And I’d rather be burnt out than walk away from the sport completely. ”
“I’m going to tell you something, and it’s not because I’m sleeping with you.
It’s not because I have any stake in your success, but because it’s the truth, and you need to hear it.
I’m sure you’ve met a lot of people in your life who are starstruck by your accomplishments.
They see your medals. They see the money you’ve earned.
They see your social media following. But under all of that, you’re still Hannah Everett.
” Brody kisses my jaw. “And Hannah Everett, the figure skater, Hannah Everett, the coach, and Hannah Everet, the regular human who is surprisingly good at bowling are all the same to me. You’re kind.
You’re funny. You’re sarcastic as hell, and no matter if you wind up on your ass or winning first place at this competition, I’m still going to cheer for you. ”
“That… is a very nice thing for you to say.” I clear my throat to fight back tears, trying to wipe under my eyes without Brody noticing.
“I hope you know I feel the same way about you. I know you have, like, five Stanley Cups or something like that, but I don’t see all those championships.
I see a devoted dad. A loyal coach. A guy who works hard for the people in his life, and it’s special.
Makes me want to be a better person too. ”
“You already are the best person.” His hand rests on my thigh. “Do you know how I know that?”
“How?” I ask, changing my position in his lap so I’m facing him, straddling his thighs.
“Because all the days I get to see you? Those are my favorite days.” He cups my cheeks with both palms. “I don’t have to spend two hours with you a day going over drills you could do in your sleep. I don’t have to get to Liv’s lessons early, but I do. Because it means more time with you.”
It feels like a confession without saying the words. A recognition of how this relationship between us has grown, has blossomed into something real, something wonderful, and I like this man so fucking much.
“Brody?” I whisper, brushing my nose against his.
“Yeah, sweetheart?” he answers, thumb stroking along my jaw.
“Will you come to my competition and watch me?” I ask.
For all the years I’ve spent spinning in the air with moves I’ve spent hours perfecting, none of them have ever made me feel as high as he does in this very moment.
His laugh is soft, surprised. He kisses my forehead, the corner of my mouth. “I’ll be in the front row, baby.”
“You will?”
“If you want me there, that’s where I’ll be.”
“You know, I’m starting to get a little freaked out,” I say, and Brody frowns.
“By what?”
“You. How have you been single for so long?” I rest my hand on the back of his neck, playing with the long strands of his hair. “What skeletons aren’t you showing me?”
“No skeletons. You know not many people interest me.” His mouth is on my neck. His words are hot on my skin. “But you do. You’ve always interested me.”
“For a while now, right?” My skirt fans out around us, and he grips the hem. “Tell me about the first time you really noticed me.”
“Friends and Family night. Three years ago. You were in the middle of the ice doing some pretty spin, and I couldn’t look away.
I didn’t want to look away, and it frustrated me to no end.
I see plenty of women. Half of Liv’s teachers try to get my attention, but none of them have ever been able to have it.
But you? You, Hannah Everett,” Brody grabs my chin, kissing me. “You have always had my attention.”
“I’m here now.” I reach for my shirt, pulling it over my head to reveal a new lingerie set. “Why don’t you show me how much you’ve been paying attention to me.”
“Before we do that, I want to try something new with you,” he says, kissing down my chest. He sucks on my nipple over the fabric of my bra, and I wiggle my hips. “Something I mentioned the other night.”
“Does it have to do with my ass?” I hold his shoulder, eyes fluttering closed when he moves to my other breast. “I’d be interested in hearing more.”
“No, but we can table that for another day.” Brody lifts me off his lap, setting me on the couch. He stands, brushing his hand over the front of his jeans. “Stay here. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Okay.” I frown, not sure where this is going. I brush my hair out of my eyes while I wait for him to return, my frown deepening when I see his hand behind his back. “Should I be nervous?”
“You told me to put these to good use.” He holds up two of my long ribbons and stares at me. “What do you say?”
“Oh.” I blow out a breath, my heart thundering in my chest. “You want to tie me up.”
“Just your wrists.” He joins me on the couch again, running the ribbon along the back of my hand. “And only if you’re comfortable with it.”
“I’ve never done this before. But I’d like to try.” I touch the ends of the ribbon and nod. “Do you like to tie people up?”
“How honest do you want me to be with answering that question?”
“Honest.” My voice is a rasp. My hands are shaking. Anticipation swirls low in my belly, and I touch his chest. “I want to know.”
“I haven’t slept with many women, but I do like to tie people up.
It comes from my desire to be in control.
With you, I don’t mind handing that control over.
Deep down though, there’s something inside me that likes to be in charge.
” He kisses my collarbone, tongue swiping up my throat.
“I like when people do what I say. I like when they listen to me. It’s why I enjoy coaching so much: I see it play out in real time when someone does what I ask.
In the bedroom, it’s not necessarily a dominant and submissive thing.
It’s the enjoyment of a partner handing over their trust to me.
I can get off without any of this stuff just fine, but it’s sexy as hell to watch, and I think I’d like to watch you. ”
“I’m not very submissive,” I whisper. “I don’t want to follow orders in the bedroom.”
“You don’t have a submissive bone in your body, sweetheart, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I could try.” I reach for Brody’s shirt, tugging it over his head. I run my nails down the front of his bare chest then back up, moving to his shoulders. “I want to try. With you.”
“Are you sure? I already think sex with you is out of this world.”
“I’m positive.” I hold out my wrists, handing over control. “Tie me up, Brody.”