LOVE ERUPTION, NUMBER THREE, PEACHES AND CREAM #2
The game itself was fascinating to watch because Nick’s skill and ability was beyond anyone on either side of the rink. He could land goals like nobody else. It was like watching a couple of guys go out for a bowling night and then a pro strolls into the bowlarama.
Huh. A little odd too.
I watched Nick laugh at something Gordo said. Why would a Gulf Coast champion sign on with a hockey team like this for the summer?
“Nick?” I cozied up to him. “Why did you join the Toronto Blades?”
A new song played overhead. The beat pulsed from the speakers, a slow RnB track the crowd hollered for. The dancing slowed in the crowd, and I glanced up at Nick, who was so very silent.
“We should dance,” Nick said suddenly.
I blinked. “What?”
Was he serious? His teammates were right there, and when Nick drew me from the booth, weaving his fingers through mine, they teased us, the jokes louder and louder as Nick settled us in the midst of moving bodies, his arms wrapping around my waist.
“I—I haven’t danced at a place like this,” I stammered.
“Move with me, sweetheart,” he murmured.
His hands were on me, teaching me how to rock my hips against him. He was so close. I could feel the heat from his body. Was I doing this right? Tentatively, I put my arms around his neck, and his hands slid up my back, pulling me closer.
“There we go.” His words were almost indiscernible from the music. “Doing so good.”
He was maybe two inches away from me, gazing down at me, lips curving for one of his endless grins.
I was a rabbit in his trap. Ensnared. I couldn’t look away from him and his dreamy, dark eyes.
The longer we danced, the more the stiffness disappeared from my body.
My hips were liquid, and the music poured into me.
Sweat beaded at the back of my neck, trickling down my back, and we didn’t stop. I lost count of the songs. All of them were so achingly lovely. Sexy and slow-paced, I loved every one, even the ones I didn’t know, because it meant we could dance together a little longer.
I’d never experienced anything like it. We fit so perfectly together.
Nick muttered the lyrics of the next song. “You taught me what dreams are, pretty little thing.” He dipped down. For all I knew, we could’ve been the only two people in the world. “I wasn’t dreaming until you. Fuck me, show me what dreaming can do.”
It was perfect. All of it.
And at the end of the summer, I’d have to give this up.
My body grew cold at the thought. I hadn’t thought about that, not seriously.
What if…?
What if I actually enjoyed spending time with Nick?
Not just sex. I liked talking to him and experiencing things with him.
I just loved being around him. His sweetness, his laughter, his smirks, those little moments of vulnerability…
he wasn’t just my favorite person in Canada anymore. He was rapidly becoming…
What could I call that? Friend was such an unsatisfying label.
But it was delusional to think we could still be friends back at Marrs.
Nick was the playboy who broke hearts. My ex’s best friend. Nobody would look past that. I wasn’t sure if I could either. What if Nick changed when we returned home? What if this was all summer fun?
Most likely, I’d be another forgotten notch on his bedpost.
Hurt welled up inside, spilling over. I didn’t want that to happen, and I didn’t want to say goodbye.
Oh my god, I didn’t want to think about this. I didn’t want the anxiety to get the better of me and ruin such a good night. A night that promised fun in handcuffs.
I whirled around, putting my hands on his chest. “Do you want to go back to the hotel?”
There was something unreadable in his eyes. “Tallulah…”
I slipped my finger through the collar of his shirt, tugging him down to me. “I want to suck your dick. Now. I want to show you how amazing you did today.”
It was like Nick wanted to say something. He hesitated, eyes drifting above me. Whatever it was must not have been that important. He nodded, bringing me back to the booth to grab his jacket.
His teammates couldn’t believe we were leaving so early. Gordo shot a lazy grin at the others. “Lay off them. It’s young love.”
A flush crept up my neck. Was that what his teammates thought? Didn’t they know about Nick’s old reputation? Who Nick was? Suddenly, my throat was dry. There were so many peering eyes.
“Oh, we’re not—” My words died. “He and I aren’t—um—we’re not…” I wet my lips. “I—I—”
“It’s okay,” Nick said quietly.
“No, he—” I shook my head. “Nick is wonderful.”
Wonderful? Seriously, was that the adjective I’d use for the guy who won two fights in the rink? Oh, whatever. I still believed the sentiment.
“I feel so safe with him, and comfortable, and he’s obviously good-looking and—and—he’s kind, I never thought Nick would be kind, and patient, and…um…”
My tongue was in knots. I didn’t know what to say.
Because Nick wasn’t the kind of guy to get into relationships, and he’d certainly never do that with me.
I hesitated. “We’re just fri—”
Nick grabbed my hand and hauled me away. My words were whisked away as I stumbled after him.
“Good game, guys!” Nick threw over his shoulder.
“Sorry, Nick!” Gordo shouted back.
“Sorry?” I asked, blinking up at him.
“Nothing, sweetheart. It’s a hockey thing, don’t worry about it.” Nick squeezed my hand. He glanced towards the booths again. “Fuck you, Gordo!”