Chapter 18
Before the game, the guys are all on my ass about if my head is in the game or not. Little do they know that my adrenaline of impressing her is running through my veins. Nothing puts me more on my game than her support.
As I take my place between the pipes, my mind is stuck on that list. I am praying a few of our fantasies are similar so that we can exercise them when I get back.
The puck drops and I lose myself in the rhythm of the game, my body moving on pure instinct. I make save after save, the roar of the crowd and the scrape of skates on ice fading into white noise. There's only the puck, my team, and the net I've sworn to protect.
I dig my phone out of my locker, grinning when I see a string of texts from Addie.
Baddie: HOLY SHIT, RYAN!!! That save in the second period, oh my god!
Baddie: And that penalty kill? I think I blacked out for a second. SO DAMN GOOD!
Baddie: You're a fricking wall. The Great Wall of Wilder!
Baddie: Okay I'm done fangirling now, lol. But seriously, so proud of you.
My chest feels tight. God, I love how ride-or-die she is, how she celebrates my victories like they're her own.
I text back quickly, my thumbs fumbling.
Ryan: Thanks, Bads. I wish you were here.
Her response is immediate.
Baddie: Me too. It sucks I can't tackle-hug you in congratulations. SOON though! We'll celebrate properly when you get home. ;)
My pulse kicks up at the promise in her words. The winky face tells me she's not talking about a platonic pizza party.
Ryan: Looking forward to it. Might need you to work out the kinks after a game like that.
Baddie: If you think I'm rubbing your disgusting feet again, you've got another thing coming
A chuckle leaves my throat, drawing curious looks from my teammates. I wave them off, my focus on the screen.
Ryan: How about I rub your feet instead
Baddie: Tempting
My imagination immediately ran wild with all the ways I could massage her. I'm half hard in my jock just thinking about getting my hands on her again. Jesus, I'm pathetic.
Ryan: Be prepared to melt into a puddle. I've been told these hands are very perfect. ;)
Baddie: Ryan Wilder, are you flirting with me over text?
I smirk.
Ryan: Just know that I’m looking forward to your list. Is it done yet?
Baddie: I think so
Ryan: Yeah? Are you ready to hit send?
Baddie: Okay
Fuck, my dick is fucking pulsating now.
Here it goes.
Baddie: DO NOT JUDGE ME
1. I’ve never been eaten out before because the idea freaks me out, but I would like to know what all the fuss is about
2. How to be better in bed (which is why we’re doing this)
3. Maybe the unusual place can be you bending me over the kitchen counter
Ryan: That’s a short list
Baddie: I could say the same about you. Plus so simple. Don’t you have any crazy ones?
Ryan: I need to level up past vanilla first
Baddie: True
Ryan: I’m heading back
Baddie: Maybe I’ll meet you at your place for that congratulating hug
I thought I was hard before? Now I'm vibrating out of my skin the whole trip back, my knee bouncing with anticipation.
Chase asks, “Everything all good?”
“Yeah. You?”
“Everything’s good. What’s going on with Baddie Addie?”
“She’s meeting me at my house.”
He grabs my shoulder and smiles. “See, bro. The feeling is mutual. You just need to crack her open a little bit more. She’ll get there.”
It's late by the time the bus drops us off at the home rink, but I'm keyed up, with zero hope of sleeping.
I shoot Addie a text letting her know I'm back as I climb into my truck. I'm tempted to ask her where she is, aching for her in every way possible. But it's the middle of the night and I don't want to assume she stayed up to give me that hug.
So, I'm relieved—and thrilled—to find her waiting on my front steps when I pull into my driveway twenty minutes later.
“Hi,” I say as I jump out of my truck. “You didn’t reply, so I thought you were sleeping.”
She stands, a huge smile on her face. “I had to come to congratulate my best friend in person, didn't I?”
She throws her arms around my neck, and I catch her easily, burying my face in her vanilla citrus-scented hair. We hold each other tight, just breathing each other in. My exhaustion from the game fades away, replaced with contentment.
“I'm glad you're here,” I murmur. “I know it's late, so thank you.”
She leans back to cup my face in her hands, her eyes so warm in the light. “Ryan. I know this friends-with-benefits thing is…” Complicating things? She can’t finish the sentence. “But I will always be here to cheer you on no matter what.”
My heart kicks against my ribs. I tighten my grip on her hips. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” she says softly.
She smiles and opens her mouth to say something else, but I can't wait anymore. I need to taste her, to show her how I feel even if I can't say the words yet.
I haul her up against me and slant my mouth over hers in a hot, urgent kiss.
She makes a surprised noise that quickly melts into a moan, her fingers sinking into my hair.
I lick into her mouth, greedy for the sweet taste of her.
She kisses me back, and it feels fucking beautiful to know she feels the same way about me.
This feels like coming home, like the last piece of the puzzle snapping into place. Kissing Addie is a revelation every single time, fueling the fire in my chest. I didn't know it was possible to want someone this much, with every cell in my body.
I walk us backward, fumbling with the front door without breaking the kiss. We stumble over the threshold, hands already roaming, seeking skin. I want to touch her everywhere at once, map every curve, dip and hollow until I know her body better than my own. I press her against the wall.
Addie breaks away with a gasp. I glance at her luscious lips. “Ryan.”
I freeze at the sight of her face, panting harshly. Shit. “Yeah?”
The expression she’s wearing is far from excitement.
“Are you okay?” I ask, worried.
My heart hammers against my ribs as she pulls away .