Epilogue
Michael
The Aegean Sea was a blue so deep and impossible it looked like it had been painted onto the horizon specifically for us. In Santorini, the sun baked into our skin, a slow, honeyed heat that made the crazy pace of the NHL season feel like a memory from a different lifetime.
We were lounging on the private deck of our villa in Oia, the infinity pool spilling over the edge into the caldera below.
I lay back on the teak lounger, the salt air tangling with the scent of Kayla’s sunblock.
For the first time in years, my body didn't ache.
My mind wasn't running drills or calculating standings.
I was just Michael Landry. Not the bench player, not the fixer, or co-captain.
Just a man on a honeymoon with the woman who had saved him.
Kayla was stretched out beside me in a white bikini that made her tan pop, her eyes hidden behind the dark lenses of her shades. She’d been quiet all morning, a soft, contemplative stillness about her that I’d learned to read like a playbook.
"You're thinking again," I murmured, reaching over to trail my fingers along her torso. "I thought we had a 'no deep thoughts' rule until at least the second bottle of Assyrtiko."
She didn't laugh. She sat up slowly, removing her sunglasses and looking at me with an expression that made my heart do a sudden, familiar stutter-step.
"Michael," she said, her voice small against the sound of the distant waves. "I have something to tell you. And I need you to just... breathe through it."
I sat up, my protective instincts flaring instantly. "What is it? Is it Gabe? Is he okay?"
"Gabe is fine," she said, a small, tremulous smile breaking through. "But he’s going to have to get used to the idea of sharing his room. Or at least, sharing his parents."
My brain, usually so quick to find the open lane, stalled out. I looked at her face, then down at her flat stomach, then back to her eyes. The world seemed to tilt on its axis, the white-washed buildings of Oia spinning in a blur of blinding light.
"You're..." I couldn't even finish the word. My throat had closed up.
"I’m pregnant, Michael."
The shock hit me like a blindside hit into the boards. My lungs stopped working. I’d won the Stanley Cup, I’d been named an All-Star, I’d signed multi-million dollar contracts, but none of it, not a single second of it, felt as massive as those three words.
"Michael?" Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of the old uncertainty. She reached out, taking my hand. "Are you... are you really happy? I mean, we’re older. We’re finally at the relaxing stage of our lives.
Gabe is practically a man. We weren't exactly planning to start over from scratch. "
I lunged forward, pulling her into my arms with a ferocity that probably would have earned me a roughing penalty. I buried my face in the crook of her neck, my eyes stinging.
"Happy?" I rasped, the word vibrating against her skin. "Kayla, I’m over the goddamn moon. I’m in another galaxy.
I don't care if we're older. I don't care about the plan.
I get to have this with you. I get to see you as a mother from day one.
I get to be the father I didn't think I’d ever get the chance to be. "
I pulled back just enough to look at her, cupping her face in my hands. "I have a ring and a Cup, but this? This is the only silverware that matters. This is the real trophy."
The relief that washed over her face was beautiful. She let out a shaky breath, her hands sliding up my chest to lock behind my neck. "You're sure? Diapers and 3:00 AM feedings and a teenager who’s going to have a lot of opinions about a baby brother or sister?"
"Bring it on," I growled, a sudden, fierce heat blooming in my chest that had nothing to do with the Grecian sun. "I’m a pro at overtime, remember?"
I kissed her then, a deep, soul-searing claim that tasted like salt and surrender. It started sweet, a celebration of the life we’d just created, but the gravity of the moment shifted quickly. The adrenaline of the news fused with the raw, unchecked passion that had always defined us.
I slid my hand down the curve of her back, pulling her flush against me until there wasn't a whisper of air between our bodies.
The lounger creaked as I shifted my weight, pinning her gently against the cushions.
Her breath hitched, her fingers digging into my shoulders, her legs winding around my waist with a hunger that told me she was done talking, too.
"Michael," she whispered against my lips.
"I've got you," I breathed, my mouth moving to the sensitive line of her throat. "I’ve got all of you."
I lunged for her again, wasting no time to bend over her body and kiss her lips.
My hand swept behind her long, dark locks, cradling her head as I kissed her fiercely, passionately, with all the pent-up desire from having to behave all morning.
Kayla met me with equal fervor, all-too-pleased with the effect she had on me.
I somehow worked my way onto the lounger with her, moving almost seamlessly so that I could hover above her while we kissed.
I gradually lowered myself, my erection straining against the thin fabric of my shorts, and I could feel the heat of her pussy with my cock as I came to rest my pelvis where it was perfectly aligned with hers.
Now settled between her thighs, I paused. I looked deeply into her eyes, one hand stroking down her cheek while my other arm supported my weight.
“You are so beautiful. So goddamn sexy.” I kissed her lips, slowly tugging her bottom lips between my teeth as I pulled away. I lowered my lips to her ear. “How many times do you want me to make you come?”
She gently squeezed my thighs that rested between her own. “Six,” she said decidedly. “And then once more after that.” Kayla grinned as she leveled her challenge.
“Are you sure?” I asked skeptically. “You’ve already come twice today.”
“That you know of,” she countered.
I shook my head, chuckling at her response. “That I know of.”
She placed her palm on my cheek and smiled.
When my lips returned to hers, my kisses were no longer feverish, but lingering and sensual. All the anticipation had clouded my head, but I was reminded that I’d need to pace myself to make this worthwhile.
Kayla’s fingers snaked through my hair, her nails lightly scratching my scalp.
Her other hand had traveled down my back, squeezing my ass and pressing my body into hers.
My erection felt even more pronounced against her now, and she moaned softly.
Her want for me was undeniable, and she rocked her hips into mine.
I started to move down her body, laying kisses over bare skin and skin that was covered by her swimsuit.
My hands caressed her through the fabric, bunching it in my hands, then smoothing it back out as I stroked my fingers over her.
I lowered my lips to her breast, placing a soft kiss over her before laying my mouth over her nipple, sucking on her, then pulling gently at the peaked skin with my teeth.
A light moan escaped her lips, and I repeated my moves.
Then I flicked my tongue back and forth over the tip, placing my open mouth over her once more as I continued to suck on her.
I kissed down her body, and moved my legs outside of hers as I rocked back on my heels, dragging my hands across her soft curves until I reached the waistband of her bikini bottoms. I looked into her eyes, seeing how intently she had been watching me, and held her gaze as I tugged at one string and then the other.
My fingers gradually peeled the delicate fabric away from her sun-kissed skin.
I smoothed my hands over her, my palms soon finding their way to cradle and squeeze her ample bosom.
Kayla ran her hands over my abs and shoulders, enjoying the feel of my rippled muscles under her fingertips. I tossed the rest of the layers out of the way, and rocked forward onto my hands and knees, planting my palms on either side of her shoulders, then leaned down to kiss her.
My kisses trailed down her neck and across her chest, stopping to lay worship over each of her bare breasts before reaching the smooth, toned skin of her abdomen.
I slid down her body, kissing and caressing her until I reached the crease of her thigh.
I gently parted her legs, then took a moment to admire her from this viewpoint.
The glorious sight of her pussy, ready and waiting for my touch.
I lightly traced my fingers around her entrance, spreading her arousal across her skin.
I lowered myself and looped my arms under her thighs, finally ready to taste her.
Using the flat of my tongue to lick across her pussy, I started a steady rhythm, swirling my tongue around her clit.
I dipped my tongue into her, lapping up her sweet taste, before replacing my tongue at her entrance with one finger, then two.
And then, as my fingers moved in and out of her, my mouth covered her clit once more.
Kayla luxuriated in his touch, in every wonderful sensation I created that made her whole body feel like it was buzzing.
She had been propped up on her elbows, enjoying watching me as I worshiped her, but as she eventually reclined all the way back, her eyes shut and her head lolled to the side while she thought of nothing but the pleasure she felt.
This was perfect. The mother of my child. My children.
With me worshipping at the altar of her body.
Heat started to spread across my body, and her walls fluttered around my fingers.
She let out a soft, low moan and cupped her breasts, tweaking her nipples as she felt her climax build, like a storm rolling through her body.
I could feel her getting close and reached my free hand for her breasts, laying my hand over hers to thread our fingers together.
I felt her start to shake and carried her through her release as she cried out.