36. The Real Deal
36
THE REAL DEAL
SETH
After our first home game loss this season, the team is a little subdued when we head to dinner with everyone afterwards.
“Probably not the best game to watch for your first one,” Linc says to Will, who shrugs before taking a mouthful of beer.
“It was still a good game,” he replies, although I think that was more for our benefit than his.
It really was a crap game. The team felt distracted the whole way through for some reason, and it was surprising that we only lost by one goal with the way we were playing.
“It was shit,” Dean grumbles beside me.
We’ve gotten so used to doing well that none of us is taking the loss tonight particularly well.
“You okay?” Kylie squeezes my arm.
She’s been sitting beside me, watching our conversations, or lack thereof, when it comes to me. I realise I’ve been in my head and have barely said a word since we got here.
“Yeah, sorry.” I pull her close to my side and kiss her temple, catching Will watching us .
“We tend to get a bit sad when we lose,” Linc says.
“Understandable,” Kylie replies, turning so that she can wrap her arms around my waist, giving me a squeeze.
Eventually, my teammates and their families start to leave, and I’m relieved. All I want to do is go home and curl up in bed with Kylie. We’re reaching the part of the season where my social battery feels like it’s constantly drained. But this is the first time that I’ve wanted someone else’s company when I go home.
Before we head off, Kylie excuses herself and heads to the bathroom, leaving me standing awkwardly with Will. We haven’t really chatted with no one else around yet. I’ve reached my word quota for the day, so I’m not sure I’m up for small talk.
Although it seems like small talk isn’t on his radar either. “So, things with you and my sister seem pretty serious.”
“Um, yeah.” I slide my hands into my pockets.
“She surprised me when she mentioned she was seeing someone so soon after arriving here, but I can see how happy she is. Thanks for putting a smile on her face.”
Well, that wasn’t how I expected this conversation to go.
“It feels weird to say you’re welcome to that, but not entirely sure what else would sound right,” I admit, and Will laughs a little.
“She’s had a bit of a rough go with guys for a few years, so it’s nice to see her with someone who actually cares about her. I was worried that my relationship stuff had affected her, too.” His smile drops a little, and I nod.
“She mentioned you’d had some stuff going on. Sorry.”
“It is what it is, I guess. Still working my way through it all, but I’m glad Kylie is happy. Have you guys talked about what you’re going to do when she comes home?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think either of us wants to think about it. I can’t expect her to upend her entire life for me, and it’s not like I can move to Australia, at least not while I’m still playing hockey. ”
He cocks his head to the side and regards me closely. “So, this is just a fling for you both?” He doesn’t sound thrilled.
“No. It’s the real deal. At least it is for me. But Kylie needs to be the one who decides to stay. I can’t let it be just for me.” I rub the back of my neck, glancing towards the bathrooms.
Will presses further. “But she’d be staying for you. I mean, yeah, she likes the new job, but let’s be honest, if she decides to stay, it would be for you.”
To my relief, Kylie finally reappears, cutting the conversation short.
Will catches a cab back to their grandparents’ place, and Kylie and I head back to my place.
“Did Will give you the third degree while I was in the bathroom?” she asks from the ensuite where she’s getting ready to go to sleep while I lie on the bed, still in my suit but not ready to move yet.
“Kind of. But he was mostly just happy that you’re happy.”
She appears at the door. “I am, you know.”
I prop myself up on my elbows and run my gaze over her. She’s dressed in tiny sleep shorts and an oversized, white long-sleeved shirt, her right shoulder exposed. I’m yet to see her dressed in something that she doesn’t look great in, but it’s this look I love the most. She has a natural beauty that takes my breath away sometimes.
“You are what?” I can’t remember what we were talking about, distracted by the sight of her nipples through the thin material of her top.
She smiles while walking towards me, crawling up the bed to lie on top of me, before gently stroking my cheek. “Happy,” she replies.
Her hair falls around her face like a curtain, and I push it back behind her right ear before cupping her face. “I’m happy, too. ”
“Oh, well, I guess you don’t need me to cheer you up anymore, then.” She moves to get up, and I pull her back down.
“Not so fast. How were you planning on cheering me up?”
She pretends to think for a moment. “Oh, you know, I was planning on using my womanly wiles on you, but you said you’re happy now, so…” She shrugs.
“On second thought, I’m miserable.” I pull a sad face and she leans down to kiss my neck.
“Really? How miserable?” She unbuttons my shirt at a leisurely pace.
“So, so miserable,” I reply, my voice a little rough when she kisses down my chest while finishing undoing the last few buttons.
“Well, I guess I better kiss you all better, then.” She undoes my pants, and I help her slide them down my legs.
She looks up at me through lowered lashes while she takes my semi in her hand, sliding her palm up and down until I groan.
“I think that sounds like an excellent idea,” I say, the words catching in my throat when she lowers her head to take me in her mouth.
I weave my fingers through her hair, closing my eyes. She moves her head back and forth a little faster until I’m panting, determined not to blow my load just yet.
Opening my eyes, I pull her head away, and she looks up at me. “Take off your clothes,” I say roughly.
She raises her eyebrows, but quickly sheds her clothes, looking at me expectantly. Waiting for instructions.
My stomach clenches, knowing she is more than happy to let me take the lead in the bedroom.
“I want your mouth again. But this time, I want my mouth on you while you do it.”
Her chest rises and falls a little faster while her eyes light up. She crawls back up my body and kisses me hard. “Like this?”
I nip her lip and smack her ass. “Brat. Turn around.”
She turns slowly, lowering her head again to take me in her mouth once again. I grab her hips and position her over my face, pulling her down so I can drag my tongue over her clit, and she moans a little, the vibrations sending a shock wave through my body.
I keep going, trying to focus on her pleasure, even when I can feel myself coming apart. Determined that we come together, I work harder once I feel her legs quiver and her moans grow louder. I can feel I’m seconds away from losing control entirely when she picks up the pace. I slide my finger inside, knowing I’ve hit the right spot when she cries out.
My orgasm rips through me seconds after hers, and she keeps her mouth wrapped around me, swallowing it down.
We both take a minute to get our breath back, and she turns around before collapsing beside me.
“Mission accomplished,” she says, raising her hand in the air.
I laugh, high-fiving her before letting my hand drop back down to my side, all energy sapped.
She slides off the bed and heads back into the bathroom. Once she returns, I remove my suit jacket and unbuttoned shirt before cleaning myself up and joining her back in bed once again.
“That was new for us,” she says, her words muffled when she buries her face into my neck.
“It was.”
“I liked it.” She slides her arm across my stomach, and I thread my fingers through hers.
“So did I. Can’t wait to do it again.” I follow the words with a yawn and feel her shake with silent laughter.
“Maybe tomorrow, sleepyhead.”
“Sounds like a fantastic idea.”
As we drift off, I hold her tight against my chest and wish we could stay like this forever.