Chapter 22
ALLY
“This is brutal,” I said, sitting back down in my seat after the puck bounced off the goalpost again. This time, one of New York’s forwards grabbed the puck. The Stampede were currently down four to two at the start of the third period. They could still pull out a win if they got their shit together, but it didn’t help that New York looked strong out there.
“I know. They look off tonight. I mean, what the hell was that last pass? Fucking sloppy, that’s what. Oops. Sorry, Olivia,” Harper, Connor Horton’s girlfriend, took the seat next to me and glanced down at Livi. Harper and I met a handful of times over the years when she would come to San Francisco to visit Connor—or Timmy, as his teammates loved to call him because he was Canadian and loved Timbits—and we’d become friends since I’d moved to Denver. Connor had been a Striker until he’d been picked up by the Stampede for their first season, and Harper had lived and breathed hockey her entire life, even more than I had, so hanging out with her was always fun.
“They’ll come back,” Cora said from the other side of me. “I hope. Or Tally will be grumpy.”
“I’m sure you can cheer him up,” Anna said with a grin. “I mean, I have the king of the grumps, and I manage.”
Cora laughed when Anna’s cheeks turned pink at her own words. “I freaking love you.”
Cora had explained that she and Anna had been friends since they were kids and seeing them together made me wish Darcy was here. Being here with Dom was what I wanted, and I didn’t have any doubts about that. But when I found out I was pregnant, Darcy was the one I’d talked to about everything, and I’d always thought she’d be with me for every step of raising my daughter. I was missing that.
Then I glanced over at Olivia sleeping in a bassinet that the team had provided, rocking Dom’s jersey and her Stampede baby headphones.
Yes. This is where we belonged. And I was just getting extra emotional because my family was finally coming to visit in a week to meet Olivia and I was excited. I’d put them off for the first few weeks because lots of new visitors seemed overwhelming, not to mention all the potential germs for a new baby to be around. Now that the Strikers were coming to town to play again, it was perfect timing for everyone to meet her and watch the game.
Hopefully, the Stampede would win. Not that I’d been completely obvious about the side I was on since I’d been a Strikers fan all my life. They were my hometown team long before Ethan was traded there five years ago.
“Shoot it,” Harper yelled.
“Does that ever work?” I teased.
She shot me a glare. “It makes me feel good, and I like to pretend they can hear me.”
I turned my attention back to the ice and groaned as Haldy missed his shot and a New York defenseman snagged the puck, passing it to one of their wingers.
“See? Sloppy. Get your heads out of your asses, boys,” Harper yelled.
Livi let out a cry, and Harper looked chagrined. “Shit. Sorry,” she said as I lifted Livi into my arms, snuggling her against me.
I laughed softly. “You’re fine. She can’t repeat it yet, after all. Dom is working on it, too. Cracks me up every time he catches himself and looks guilty. And she was due to wake up soon anyway.”
“I’m so happy that everything seems to be working out for you guys. Hell—oops, sorry—heck, I only saw you and Dom together a few times back in San Francisco, but I had a feeling you’d figure your shit out.” She grimaced. “Shit, I’m terrible at this.”
“Stop. You’re fine.”
“It’s because I played hockey my entire life. Cursing just comes with the territory.”
“Oh, sure. And yeah, we’re all happy and figuring it out. I’m glad I made the move to Denver,” I said.
“And we’re glad to have you here.” Cora held out her arms. “Want me to hold her?”
“Man, you have baby fever, don’t you?” Anna said. “Tally freaking out about that yet?”
Cora laughed. “Maybe a little. More so because I keep offering to babysit and told him he has to change diapers. But it’s not like I’m jumping to get pregnant or anything. I just love babies.”
Livi started rooting around against my chest. “Guess she’s hungry. I’ll be right back.” Stampede jerseys weren’t exactly nursing-accessible tops, and I wasn’t about to put my boobs on display when fans could look up at the suite and see me. I moved farther into the space to one of the oversized chairs set up in one corner and took off my jersey and Livi’s headphones. The owners had really spared no expense to make both this suite and the family room closer to the ice as comfortable and decked out with amenities as possible. The Strikers had a similar setup, and I loved that league-wide, everyone really drove home the idea that the team was family.
Livi latched on, curling her fingers into my chest, and a sense of bliss washed over me. I had honestly never been this happy, this content, in my life. Even with the total upheaval of all my plans and schedules that I loved so much and that a newborn couldn’t care less about, I was still beyond happy. I knew that there would be more adjustments when my maternity leave ended, but I would worry about that later.
“Love you, Livi baby,” I murmured as her little fist curled and unfurled against my skin, her beautiful brown eyes staring up at me as she fed.
After she was done and drifting back off to sleep, I pulled my jersey back on and rocked her against me.
“Yes! Go, go, go. Come on,” different voices yelled. Harper’s was the loudest, and I glanced up at the TV on the wall in front of me.
Haldy had the puck, and he was skating up the ice with Dom on his right. There was only one of New York’s defensemen skating backward in front of them as they closed in on the goalie. The defenseman shifted toward Haldy, and Haldy knocked the puck to Dom.
“Go, Dom. Shoot,” I whispered over Livi’s sleeping head just as one of New York’s forwards caught up to Dom and tried to knock the puck away.
Dom curved the puck into his body, deked around the winger, and took his shot. The puck slipped under the goalie’s left pad, and the goal horn blared as the crowd roared.
“See, Olivia? Dom just needed you to wake up so he could score,” Harper yelled as she looked over her shoulder at us.
I chuckled, walking over to the front of the box. “She’s asleep again.”
Harper shrugged. “Her waking up was the catalyst. She has to come to every game.”
“You’re almost as superstitious as they are,” I teased.
She grinned. “Hockey for life.”
I cradled Livi against me and looked down on the ice as the guys crowded Dom with a hug and helmet slaps. Then he glanced up at the box and gave us his salute. My heart squeezed.
“I swear that gesture is adorable,” Cora said with a sigh.
“Okay, okay. Now it’s tied up, so no more lazy passes, and let’s win this,” Harper yelled.
It cracked me up how opposite Harper and Timmy were. He’d always been such a quiet guy. How they had been best friends since childhood and were now a couple was both perfect and baffling.
“Did he just say I love you to the camera?’ Cora asked.
“What?” I turned and watched the replay as Dom mouthed those words.
This freaking man melted me at every turn.
***
“You get comfortable, and I’m going to put this princess to bed,” Dom said a few hours later when we walked into the condo.
“Are you sure you don’t want to meet the guys for a drink or something to celebrate?” They’d ended up winning five to four, with Tally getting the game-winning goal in the last thirty seconds of the third period. It’d been thrilling to watch, and they’d fought so damn hard for the win that I was surprised when Dom wanted to just head home after he was done with media.
“Nope. I hang out with those guys enough. I want to be here with you.”
“The guys aren’t giving you shit for always coming home early?”
“Tally gave me a pass because we just had Livi.” He linked his fingers with mine after I set the car seat carrier holding a sleeping Livi on the floor.
“How nice of him,” I deadpanned.
He tugged me in closer. “And I’ve been playing so much better since you came back into my life.”
I laughed. “Stupid superstitious hockey players.”
He leaned in and nuzzled my neck. “I’ll take any excuse to come home early to you.”
I couldn’t help the shiver that rolled through me as he kissed along my neck. I was four weeks postpartum, and between that and how stupidly hot Dom had been on the ice, and now even more devastating in his game day suit, my body was on fire.
I pressed myself against his body, my hands snaking up his chest and curling around the back of his neck, my nails scratching through his soft hair, and I relished the groan he let out as he lowered his head to mine. Lifting up on my tiptoes, I tilted my head back and sealed my lips to his, delving my tongue into his mouth to tangle with his.
His hands banded around my waist as he held me tight, and I poured everything I had into kissing him. He growled against my mouth, sucking on my tongue, and my nipples tightened to hard points. Then he moved one hand up my back between my shoulders while the other one moved to squeeze my ass.
I rubbed against his hard cock shamelessly and widened my stance, hooking my foot around the back of his leg.
“Fuck, Ally.” He lifted me up so I could wrap my legs around his waist. His cock rubbed against me, and my body felt like it was going to implode.
I rocked my body against his. “Dom.”
He groaned. “Two more weeks until I can sink inside you. This is brutal.”
“But we can do other things.” I wanted him desperately. My body felt good. I was healed and enjoying my new post-baby body with my extra curves that Dom couldn’t keep his hands off of. He’d never made me feel less wanted, less cherished, while my body was changing, even when I wasn’t loving how I looked. He just desired me.
Then Livi started crying.
He rested his forehead against mine and grumbled. “Cockblocked by my own baby.”
I moaned when my legs lowered to the floor, his hard cock still between us. I was not ready for the night to be over.
“I’m going to feed her and put her down, then I’ll be back.” I trailed my hand down his chest.
He pulled me in for a quick and bruising kiss. “Fucking hell, Ally. My cock can’t get any harder.”
I laughed softly and reached down, cupping his length through his suit pants. “Stay put.”
“Go feed her now,” he gritted out.
Lifting her out of her carrier, I snuggled her close. “Daddy’s not happy with you, baby.”
“Oh, hush. I’m always happy with her. She just needs to eat quickly and go right to sleep. Right, Livi baby?” He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. “Night, sweet girl.”
Then he swatted me lightly on the ass. “I’ll be out here waiting for you. The guy with the big, hard cock.”
I giggled as I walked down the hallway to our room.
“Don’t laugh when I’m talking about my dick, Ally.”
I couldn’t hold in my snort.
“Daddy’s so silly, but we love him, right, Livi?”
My heart was so full, and I would give anything for it to stay that way. Could anyone truly be this happy?
DOM
“Did you fall asleep on me?”
I shook the sleep from my head and focused on Ally walking toward me. She’d slipped into her sleep shorts and a nursing tank, her hair still in loose waves over her shoulders. Fuck. She was beautiful.
“No, I’m awake.” I linked her fingers with mine and tugged her into my lap, which she instinctively straddled. “I’m definitely awake. Is she sleeping?”
“Yeah, but I think we should stay out here for a bit,” she said, rolling her hips against me.
“And watch a movie?” I teased, my fingers tangling in her hair at the base of her neck. She moaned as I pressed her body closer to mine.
“That feels so damn good,” she said, her face so close to mine. She rocked her hips, grinding against my cock, and then her lips were on mine.
My tongue teased the seam of her lips, and she granted me entry, her tongue sweeping against mine, and I slanted my head to deepen the kiss. I wanted to devour her every minute of every day, but I needed her to set the pace. She knew what she needed right now, and I would be up for whatever she wanted when she was ready.
Her fingers moved up my chest, pinching my nipples, before curling into my shirt. I groaned as desire shot through me with her every touch.
My tongue licked inside her mouth, and I swallowed her moan, as my cock begged for more when she rocked her hips again. And then she flattened her hand on my chest and trailed her fingers down my stomach. My muscles clenched in anticipation.
“Fuck, Ally,” I growled, breaking the kiss as she palmed my cock through my pants.
Her fingers fumbled with my belt and the button on my pants for a moment before she slowly pulled my zipper down. The sound echoed through the room as need roared through my body.
She wrapped her hand around my dick, squeezing gently, and I was ready to burst. Her thumb grazed over the tip before she began to pump my cock.
My back arched off the couch, my head hitting the back, as I thrust into her hand, an inaudible sound of pleasure falling from my lips. She drew her hand up and down my cock, her thumb swiping over the top each time, and my body was on fire. I lifted my head, locking my eyes on hers. I would never get enough of her desire-filled gaze. It was hot as fuck that she wanted this as much as I did.
“Squeeze me harder,” I groaned, and she complied. She had my dick in a choke hold, and I was close to coming all over her hand. I reached between us and quickly unbuttoned my shirt, yanking it off, grateful that I’d discarded my tie shortly after we’d gotten home.
“Now that’s a view.” She lowered her head and licked one of my nipples before moving on to the other one. My stomach clenched, and I lifted my ass off the couch to thrust into her fist faster.
“Fuck, I’m close.”
Her other hand reached up, and she scraped her nails over my chest. My body shuddered.
She tightened her grip on my cock, and with a few more pumps, I let go, coming all over her hand and my lower belly as my heart tried to break through my chest.
“You’re fucking incredible,” I said when I finally caught my breath. My fingers sank into her hair again, and I tugged her mouth to mine, giving her a languid kiss as I came down from my orgasm.
When I could think again, I grabbed a box of tissues to clean us both up and then shifted her so she was sitting on the couch. Pressing my hands into the couch on both sides of her hips, I leaned in close. “I need to taste you, Ally,” I said, my voice raw with need.
“So kiss me.”
“No. Not your lips. I want to feast on you,” I said. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted.
“Dom,” she whispered.
“If you’re not ready, I get it, but I’ve been dying to taste you again,” I said.
“Oh, I’m ready. So ready,” she said, and I dropped to my knees between her spread thighs.
Her lips parted as I reached for the hem of her tank top and slowly drew it up. She finally yanked it over her head, tossing it over my shoulder, and it was my turn to groan again. Her breasts were full and perfect, her nipples beaded into hard buds and glistening with her milk. I never thought that would be a turn-on, but I couldn’t resist leaning in and pulling one nipple into my mouth.
“Dom.” She gasped. Her fingers sank into my hair, and she held me close as I moved between her breasts, gently sucking on each distended tip. She was sweet in my mouth, and my cock started to harden again.
“You’re so fucking hot, Ally. I can’t get enough of you,” I said as I released her breast with a pop and then continued kissing down her stomach.
She lifted her ass off the couch, and I pulled the rest of her clothes free until she was naked beneath my touch.
“Tell me if you need me to stop. You’re in control, Ally. I just want you to feel good,” I said, meeting her gaze.
Her eyes were dark with desire, and she rolled her hips on the couch. “I want you. So much.”
Sinking down lower, I parted her with my fingers and leaned down, licking her clit.
“Oh yes.” She gasped and lifted her hips. I put my arm over her stomach and held her down as I drew circles over her clit with my tongue before sucking the tiny bud into my mouth.
Her fingers tightened in my hair, and her body shuddered under my touch as I feasted on her. It’d been too long going without her, and I didn’t want this to end. She tasted sweet and perfect, and I would have given anything to sink my fingers inside her, but we were still a few weeks out from that, so, for now, I would consume her with my mouth.
“Holy shit, that feels good,” she rasped as I teased her clit before sucking on her again. Inaudible noises fell from her lips as she got closer to coming. Her nails scratched my scalp, and my cock was once more hard as hell.
Reaching up with one hand, I cupped her and rubbed a thumb over her nipple. Her lips parted, and she threw her head back.
“Fucking stunning,” I murmured against her clit, my tongue continuing to torment her. She was a vision that I committed to memory. Watching her let go was beautiful.
I pulled her clit into my mouth and sucked again. Her body froze for a second, then she cried out and came, her taste flooding my tongue as I lapped up everything she had to give me.
Her breasts rose and fell, her skin tinged pink, as she came down from her orgasm. Her fingers softened in my hair, still holding me close, and then I was trailing wet kisses up her body while she quivered beneath my touch.
She let out a harsh breath, her eyes half-closed in bliss, and I couldn’t do anything but seal my lips to hers, swiping my tongue languidly into her mouth when her lips parted on a gasp.
I broke the kiss. “Fucking hell, Ally. You wreck me.” Moving to sit on the couch, I pulled her into my lap, dipping my head into the curve where her neck met her shoulder. I breathed her in, pressing a kiss to her smooth skin.