18. Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen
Declan
We’re all gathered in the locker room and Coach Nate is going over the game plan.
He’s intense, as usual, breaking down the Minnesota Frostbites’ strategies and how we’re going to counter them. My heart’s pounding, adrenaline already kicking in. This is the first game of the season and the stands are packed.
“All right, helmets on,” Coach Nate says, clapping his hands. “Let’s show them what we’ve got.”
I pull on my helmet, adjusting it just right. The guys are doing the same, focused silence filling the room.
As we start to head out onto the rink, Finn pulls me aside. “Declan, wait up.”
I glance at him, raising an eyebrow. “What’s up?”
“I kissed Millie last night,” he blurts out. “I’ve wanted to kiss her again for a long time.”
I stare at him for a second, processing. Finn’s always been the laidback type, not one to stress about much. But now, I see something raw and vulnerable in his eyes.
“Man, that’s...” I shake my head, trying to find the right words. “That’s tough.”
“Yeah,” he says, sighing. “I just thought you should know.”
I nod, clapping him on the shoulder. “Let’s talk about it after the game. Right now, let’s focus.”
“Yeah, okay,” Finn mutters, looking away.
We walk onto the rink, the roar of the crowd hitting us like a wave. The energy is electric and I can feel the buzz in the air.
The Minnesota Frostbites are already out there, skating around, warming up. We line up for the face-off and I can feel all my emotions—the jealousy, the uncertainty—boiling inside me. I decide to harness it, use it to fuel my game.
The puck drops and we’re off. It’s intense from the get-go. The Frostbites are good, but we’re better. With every pass and every shot, I channel all my feelings into my performance.
“Declan, over here!” Axel shouts and I pass the puck to him, watching as he weaves through the defenders.
We score the first goal and the stands go wild. Coach Nate was right; so many people showed up for this game and their energy is infectious.
“Keep it up, boys!” Coach Nate yells from the sidelines.
The game is a blur of motion, sweat, and intensity. I can hear the crowd cheering, feel the ice under my skates and the adrenaline pumping through my veins. Every time I look at Finn, I see the determination in his eyes and it pushes me harder.
We end up winning the game and the stands erupt in cheers. We skate to the bench, exhausted but exhilarated.
“Great game, Declan,” Coach Nate says, clapping me on the back. “You really stepped up.”
“Thanks, Coach,” I say, trying to catch my breath.
“We’re all going to celebrate,” he says, a broad grin on his face.
I nod, glancing up at the VIP seats. “My daughter’s up there with the nanny, so I want to go check in.”
“Lily’s here?” Coach Nate asks.
“Yeah,” I reply. “I’m gonna go say hi to her.”
Finn walks up, looking a bit worn out. “I’m gonna have to skip the celebration. Need to go for an ice bath.”
I nod. “All right, we’ll talk later.”
Still in my gear, I head up to the VIP seats with Coach Nate in tow. He’s already talking about the next game against the Seattle Stormbreakers, his mind never resting.
When we reach the VIP area, I spot Lily sitting in Millie’s lap. They’re sharing popcorn with Chase and a woman I assume is Jade, Millie’s best friend.
“Daddy!” Lily squeals, jumping off Millie’s lap and runs over to give me a hug.
“Hey, sweetie,” I say, lifting her up. “Did you enjoy the game?”
“Yeah! You were awesome!” she says, her eyes wide with excitement.
I smile, feeling a rush of pride. “Thanks, Lily.”
Coach Nate comes over, still talking about the next game. “We need to focus on their defense. They’ve got a strong lineup.”
“Got it, Coach,” I say, half-listening as I watch Lily chatter away with Jade.
“Good game, man,” Chase says, standing up and offering his hand.
“Thanks,” I reply, shaking it.
The woman stands, extending her hand to Coach Nate. “I’m Jade.”
Coach Nate, who’s been all about hockey since morning, blinks once before shaking her hand. “Nice to meet you, Jade.”
I ignore them and focus on Millie. She’s wearing a top that shows off her curves and which dips low enough to show the tops of her breasts.
I find myself staring at her lips, wondering what she tastes like. I can’t believe Finn actually kissed her.
“Are you ready for the interview?” Millie asks, breaking into my thoughts.
“Yeah, Axel and Troy are already waiting, actually,” I tell her.
Jade speaks up. “I can keep an eye on Lily and get her something to eat.”
Chase sighs. “I need to get back to the clinic.”
I nod, looking away as Millie kisses Chase goodbye. The thought of sliding my hand between her thighs and seeing if she’s wet hits me out of nowhere.
Jade tells Millie, “Is it okay if I take Lilly to get something to eat.”
Millie looks at me. “Is that fine with you?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
Millie smiles. “Lead the way, then.”
We walk down toward the rink. Millie looks down at her high heels, worried that she might fall.
“If you don’t mind, I can carry you across,” I offer.
“Okay,” she says, a bit nervously.
I lift her into my arms and skid across the rink, loving how she feels and smells in my arms. She’s light and the warmth of her body against mine sends a thrill through me.
“You’re good at this,” she murmurs, holding onto me.
“Years of practice,” I reply, grinning.
We reach the other side and I set her down gently. She looks up at me, gratitude and something else in her eyes.
“Thanks, Declan,” she says softly.
“Anytime,” I reply, feeling a strange mix of emotions.
She takes a deep breath, then smiles. “Let’s do this.”
We make our way to a quieter area of the arena, where Axel and Troy are already waiting for us. They’ve changed into their casual clothes, but still look every bit the athletes they are. Millie sets up her camera and mic, checking the lighting and sound.
“All right, guys,” Millie says, her professional demeanor kicking in. “This won’t take long. Just a few questions for my Instagram followers.”
Axel grins. “No problem. Fire away.”
Troy nods, adjusting his baseball cap. “Yeah, let’s do this.”
Millie gives me a quick smile before turning back to them. “Okay, first question. What was your mindset going into today’s game?”
Axel leans back, crossing his arms. “For me, it’s always about staying focused. Blocking out the noise, the fans and just zoning in on the game plan that Coach Nate laid out for us.”
Troy adds, “Yeah and also trusting each other. We’ve been playing together for a while now, so we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. That chemistry is crucial.”
Millie nods, clearly impressed. “Makes sense. Now, what’s your favorite part about playing for the Chicago Icebreakers?”
Axel’s eyes light up. “The fans, hands down. They bring an energy that’s unmatched. When you’re out there on the ice and you hear them cheering, it gives you that extra push.”
Troy smiles. “And the team. We’ve got a great group of guys. It’s like a family.”
Millie glances at me, then back at them. “Speaking of family, how do you balance your personal life with the demands of being a professional athlete?”
Axel looks thoughtful. “It’s tough, but it’s all about priorities. My family knows that this is my job, and they support me. But I also make sure to carve out time for them whenever I can.”
Troy nods in agreement. “Yeah, same here. It’s all about finding that balance and making the most of the time you have with your loved ones.”
Millie smiles warmly. “That’s great to hear. Okay, last question. What advice would you give to young athletes aspiring to play professionally?”
Axel leans forward, his expression serious. “Never give up. There will be setbacks and challenges, but if you’re passionate about a sport, keep pushing. Hard work and dedication pay off.”
Troy adds, “And stay humble. No matter how good you get, there’s always room for improvement. Keep learning and growing.”
Millie nods, clearly pleased with their answers. “Thank you so much, guys. That was perfect.”
Axel and Troy both smile. “No problem, Millie,” Axel says.
“Happy to help,” Troy adds.
Millie turns off the camera and starts packing up her equipment. I step forward, giving the guys a nod of thanks. “Thanks for doing this. Really appreciate it.”
“Anytime, Declan,” Axel says, clapping me on the shoulder.
“Yeah, good luck with everything,” Troy adds.
As they head off, Millie finishes packing up and turns to me. “Thanks for setting that up, Declan.”
“No problem,” I reply, feeling a strange mix of emotions. “You did great.”
She smiles, and for a moment, I forget about everything else. “Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You’re welcome. How about me? I thought you were interviewing me too.”
She has a smile on her face as she says, “It’s been a long day. I thought we could do yours tomorrow at home when you’re a lot more relaxed.”
I like how casually she says the word home. Like it’s ours.
“That sounds great. I do have an idea though.”
“What is it?”
“Follow me.” As we walk, Millie stumbles a bit and I instinctively reach out to steady her.
“Careful,” I say, my hand lingering on her arm.
“Thanks,” she murmurs, looking up at me with those big, expressive eyes.
We continue walking and I can’t help but feel a growing attraction to her. It’s confusing and a bit overwhelming, but I can’t deny it.
“Declan,” she starts hesitantly. “About Finn...I just wanted to say—”
“Don’t worry about it,” I interrupt quickly. “Let’s just focus on today.”
She nods, looking relieved. “Okay.”
I lead Millie to the locker room. It’s deserted now, all the players having left. She looks around, eyes wide, taking in the scene.
“This is a lot cleaner than I expected it to be,” she says, clearly surprised.
I chuckle. “Yeah, we try to keep it decent. Feel free to take a couple of shots for the behind-the-scenes stuff.”
She’s quieter now, a pensive look on her face. “Ryan would’ve never let me do this,” she murmurs.
I meet her eyes. “I’m not Ryan. Take as many pictures as you want. By the way, do you mind if I take a quick shower? I’ll be just a few feet away, and no one’s going bother you.”
She nods. “Okay.”
I grab a towel and head into the empty stall to clean myself off. The hot water feels good, washing away the sweat and grime from the game. Once I’m done, I realize I left my clothes in the locker room. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I carry my gear and uniform out, finding Millie still snapping pictures. She quickly averts her eyes when she sees me.
“Do you need privacy?” she asks, her voice a bit shaky.
“Not at all,” I reply, but she turns away anyways as I dress. Once I’m in my boxers, jeans and a T-shirt, I speak up. “You can look now.”
She turns back around, a small smile on her face. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot,” I say, pulling on my sneakers.
“How do players survive being traded off? I mean, you’re clearly like a family.”
I take a moment, considering her question. “It’s tough. It’s always hard saying goodbye, but it’s part of the game. We get used to it. We have to.”
She nods, looking thoughtful. “It’s sad.”
“Yeah, it is,” I agree. “But like I said, it’s part of the job.”
She smiles softly. “I guess so.”
She takes a picture of me in the locker room, then looks at me, her eyes a bit mischievous. “Can I say something a little inappropriate?”
I smirk, curious. “What?”
She hesitates, then blurts out, “I still can’t believe you have pierced nipples.”
I laugh, the sound echoing in the empty room. “That came out of nowhere.”
“Sorry,” she says, looking a bit embarrassed.
“I’m into piercings,” I tell her, shrugging.
“Do you have more piercings?” she asks, sounding fascinated.
“Not where you can see them,” I reply, watching as a blush creeps up her cheeks. The color makes her look even more attractive and I find myself wondering what it would be like to kiss her.
We fall into a comfortable silence, the air between us charged with unspoken words. Millie breaks it by asking, “What’s next for you guys?”
“Coach wants us to focus on the next game,” I say, leaning back against the bench. “It’s against a tough team, so we’ll need to bring our A-game.”
She nods, still looking a bit distracted. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”
“Thanks,” I say, genuinely appreciating her support.
We spend a few more minutes chatting, her taking occasional photos. I feel a growing attraction to her, something I know that could complicate things. But right now, in this quiet moment, I don’t care. I’m just enjoying her company, her smile and the way she makes me feel.
“Ready to head out?” I ask eventually.
“Yeah,” she says, packing up her camera. “Thanks for letting me do this.”
“Anytime,” I reply, meaning it. “Let’s go.”
As we leave the locker room, I can’t shake the feeling that something’s changed between us. Something significant. And as much as I try to focus on the game and the team, I can’t help but wonder what’s next for us.
I lead Millie to the car and she stops suddenly. “Crap, I forgot something,” she says, looking flustered.
“What did you forget?” I ask.
“My microphone. I think I left it on the bench,” she replies, already turning back toward the locker room.
I follow her back, watching as she heads straight for the bench. Sure enough, there it is, lying where she left it.
She picks it up, shaking her head. “I swear, I’d leave my head behind if it wasn’t screwed on.”
I laugh. “I find it endearing.”
She looks up, surprised and then laughs too. “Well, thanks.”
I smile. “You have a beautiful laugh.”
“Thank you,” she says softly.
There’s a moment of silence between us, the air thick with unspoken words. Finally, I take a deep breath. “Can I say one absolutely inappropriate thing that we never have to talk about if you don’t want to?”
She looks at me curiously. “Sure.”
“I’ve wanted to taste your lips for so long,” I admit, feeling a weight lift off my chest.
“Really?” she asks, eyes wide.
“Yes,” I say, stepping closer. “And I’m actually jealous Finn beat me to it.”
She laughs, a soft, melodious sound. “I had no idea it was a competition.”
“It’s not a competition,” I reply, my voice low. “But you’re still a prize.”
Before she can respond, I close the distance between us, capturing her lips in a messy, desperate kiss. I hold her face in place, my tongue sliding into her mouth. She responds immediately, clawing at my back, pulling me closer.
“Careful,” I murmur against her lips. “Or you’ll find out where my other piercing is.”
She whimpers, her breath hot against my skin. “Show me.”
“I don’t have a condom,” I say, my voice rough with need.
“I’m clean, and so is Chase. I have an IUD,” she replies quickly.
That’s all I need to hear. I push her back against the bench, my hands fumbling with her clothes. She’s just as eager, her fingers tugging at my jeans. We’re a mess of tangled limbs and desperate moans.
My hands find her breasts, squeezing and kneading through her shirt. Her nipples harden under my touch, and she moans, arching into me. I pull her shirt up, exposing her bare skin. I latch onto one nipple, sucking hard while my hand teases the other.
“Declan,” she gasps, her hands threading through my hair.
I groan against her skin, my cock throbbing with need. I pull her leggings down, revealing her wetness. I grin. “You’re so fucking wet for me.”
“Yes,” she breathes. “Please, Declan.”
I free myself from my jeans, my piercings glinting in the dim light. Her eyes widen as she takes in the sight of my cock, adorned with several metal rings.
“Holy shit,” she murmurs, her gaze filled with lust.
I don’t waste any more time. I position myself at her entrance, thrusting in hard and fast. She cries out, her nails digging into my shoulders. The sensation is intense, the piercings adding an extra layer of pleasure for both of us.
“Fuck, Millie,” I groan, pumping into her with a relentless rhythm.
Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me deeper. “Yes, oh God, yes!”
I can feel her walls tightening around me, her body trembling with pleasure. I grip her hips, driving into her harder, faster. The sound of our bodies slapping together fills the room, mingling with our ragged breaths and desperate moans.
“Declan, I’m gonna—” she starts, but her words are cut off by a loud moan as she comes, her body convulsing around me.
The sight and feel of her orgasm send me over the edge. With a few more thrusts, I release inside her, my cock twitching as waves of pleasure crash over me.
We stay like that for a moment, our bodies pressed together, breaths mingling. Slowly, I pull out, feeling satisfaction and longing. I help her straighten her clothes, both of us a little dazed from the intensity of what just happened.
She looks at me, her eyes soft. “That was…”
“Yeah,” I say, unable to find the right words.
She smiles, a little shyly. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you,” I reply, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her lips.
We gather our things and head back to the car, the air between us charged with a new kind of tension. I know things will be different now, but as I look at her, I feel that it’s a good thing.
As we get into the car, I watch Millie input the location for the hotel where her best friend and Lily are having dinner. We drive mostly in silence, the weight of what just happened between us hanging in the air.
We pull into the parking lot and I stop the car. “Wait,” I say, turning to her. “Do we need to talk about what happened?”
She looks at me, her eyes searching mine. “Yes, but can I sleep on it, please?”
I nod, feeling a bit relieved. “Yeah, of course.” I lean in and kiss her cheek, but she surprises me by grabbing my face and pulling me into a deep, passionate kiss. We make out for a few moments, our breaths mingling, before finally pulling apart.
“I’ll get Lily,” I say, feeling a mix of emotions.
“I’ll find my way home,” she replies, a small smile on her lips.
I nod, stepping out of the car and heading inside to get Lily. Millie waits, leaning against the car. I find Lily with Jade, her face lighting up when she sees me. “Daddy!”
“Hey, sweetie,” I say, picking her up and kissing her cheek. We head back to the car, and Millie gives Lily a quick hug before we part ways.
That night, I’m in my bedroom alone, the house quiet around me. I can’t stop thinking about Millie, the feel of her lips, the way she responded to me. I strip off my clothes, heading to the bathroom. I turn on the shower, letting the hot water cascade over my body.
My mind drifts back to Millie, to the way she looked at me, the sound of her moans. I can’t help it; my hand drifts down to my cock, already hard and aching. I lean against the cool tile wall, stroking myself slowly at first, then faster as the images in my mind become more vivid.
I imagine her there with me, her hands on my chest, her lips trailing kisses down my neck. My strokes become more urgent, my breathing ragged. I can almost hear her voice, feel her body pressed against mine.
“Fuck,” I groan, my hand moving faster, the pressure building inside me. I picture her naked beneath me, her legs wrapped around my waist, her eyes filled with desire. The thought pushes me over the edge and with a loud groan, I come hard, my release mixing with the water at my feet.
I stand there for a moment, catching my breath, the water washing away the evidence of my need. I turn off the shower and step out, grabbing a towel. As I dry off, I wonder what tomorrow will bring and how things will change between Millie and me.
I head back to my bedroom, pulling on some boxers and collapsing onto the bed. I stare at the ceiling, my mind still racing. Sleep doesn’t come easy, but eventually, exhaustion takes over and I drift off with thoughts of Millie lingering in my mind.