Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
MILES
D inner went smoothly, much to my surprise. Olivia’s calm presence must be working on Savi…that and the wine she keeps pouring into her glass.
Travis and Sophia got back an hour ago, and after meeting Bee, my parents took all the kids inside to bake some cookies. It’s just the six of us out here now, relaxing by the pool.
Since Bee is inside, I take this moment to pull Olivia closer to me. It’s hard to be around her and not want to have my hands on her in some way. She doesn’t hesitate to snuggle into me as my arm goes around her.
I catch Knox watching us, and his eyes are unreadable as he takes a sip of bourbon. He’s always been the hardest person in the room to read, keeping his cards close to his chest. I’m one of the few that he trusts and confides in, and I still don’t know where his head is at half the time.
“I was going to wait until after the opening, but now seems as good a time as any to tell you my news,” Knox casually says as he leans back against the couch cushion.
“This ought to be good,” I hear Savi mutter under her breath .
Knox picks up on it and grins. “Oh, you are going to love it, sunshine.” She rolls her eyes, and his eyes dance with a wicked gleam before they focus on me.
“Flying in for your opening was just part of why I’m here. I have a meeting with Tom Goldman on Monday.”
“Coach Goldman?” Travis asks, raising his eyebrow.
“It won’t be announced to the press until next week, but I’m being drafted. You are looking at the new captain of the Bayside Bolts.” Savi chokes on her wine and starts coughing. “Looks like you and I are going to be neighbors, sunshine. It will be just like old times.”
“You are moving here…to Blue Haven?” She finally manages to get out.
“I haven’t bought a place yet, but this town is only thirty minutes from Bayside, and I like the fact that it’s not a big city. I think it’s about time I return home…to family,” he says, looking at me.
“We are excited to have you back, brother,” I grin. “You know we’ll all be there for the first game night to welcome you to home ice.”
“This is the best news in the NHL I’ve heard in a long time. With you on our team, we are getting that cup this year,” Travis says excitedly. “It’s about damn time the Bolts scooped you up. Congratulations, man. That’s a huge deal.”
“It is,” Sophia grins. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” he smiles. “I’m looking forward to the move. New York gave me my start, and I’ll forever be grateful for that, but my goal was always to end up here.”
“All those Bolt games we went to when we were kids, and now you’re the captain,” I shake my head and smile. “I’m so damn proud of you, Knox. You did exactly what you said you were going to do, and you let nothing and no one stop you.”
“You were in my corner fighting for me every step of the way. I won’t ever forget that,” he says quietly. His eyes hold more emotion than words can ever say.
“It’s what family does,” I say simply. Blood makes no difference to me. He’s my brother and always will be. He nods briefly and looks down at his glass, keeping his emotions in check.
“Is no one going to mention the fact that you and McCormick are going to be teammates?” Olivia asks, looking around in shock.
Knox starts chuckling, and Travis and I join in.
“You follow hockey?” Knox asks her.
“My dad’s a big Chicago fan, and we grew up going to games. It’s a sport that stuck with me after I left home,” she grins at him.
“Chicago fan?” He wrinkles his nose in disgust. “We’re going to have to change that if we’re going to be friends.”
“I may be persuaded to jump ship to your side if you prove yourself worthy enough in the first game.”
“We’ll win the first one. Don’t you worry about that,” he laughs before looking at me. “She’s a keeper. Don’t fuck this up.”
“I’m not planning on it,” I softly chuckle and run my hand absently over her thigh as she lies against me.
“So, you and McCormick on the same team? Olivia is right. You guys can’t go a full quarter without laying into each other.
How in the hell are you supposed to be on the same team, let alone be his captain? ”
“Karma’s a bitch, and I look forward to keeping that prick in line.
He’s had it out for me since I stole the puck from him and got the winning goal, knocking his team out of the playoffs.
If he wants to keep playing on my team, then he’s going to have to find a way to get over it,” he says, chuckling into his drink and taking a sip.
“He has a lot of talent, but he’s young and a hothead. You’ll be good for him, Knox,” Travis says. “He needs someone like you to keep him in line.”
“I’ll have no problem doing that,” he grins. “I hope I’m there to see pretty boy’s reaction when he gets the news.”
“You good?” I ask quietly, nudging Savi with my shoulder. “You’re too quiet. It’s making me nervous,” I laugh softly.
“Other than my worst nightmare coming to life? I’m peachy keen,” she mutters before standing up. “I’m going to get some more wine.”
“I’ll go with you,” Sophia says, watching Savi closely. I know she’s going to make sure she’s all right. She’s really bothered by this, and I have no clue how to make it better.
Without paying attention to where she’s going, Savi trips over Knox’s boot, and he instantly reacts, catching her before she falls and knocking her into his lap.
Her eyes get wide as she struggles to get out of his hold.
“If you wanted to sit on my lap, sunshine, all you had to do was ask,” he says arrogantly, knowing damn well it’s going to set her off.
“Your lap would be the last one I would ever want to sit on,” she says, gritting her teeth. “Let go of me, you big ass,” she pushes him away and finally stands up.
“I think what you mean to say is thank you for not letting me fall flat on my face .”
“No,” she says, pushing her long, dark hair out of her eyes that are burning with blue fire. “Ass is exactly what I meant,” she says, walking away.
“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” Travis chuckles, scrubbing a hand over his face as his wife leaves to catch up with Savi.
“Apparently not,” he says quietly, watching her disappear inside. Sighing, his eyes finally break away, meeting mine briefly. Something close to regret flashes so quickly that if I didn’t know him better, I would think I had imagined it.
He quickly recovers and tosses back the rest of his drink before getting into a conversation with Travis about a new tattoo he wants.
“How about we get Bee and call it a night?” I lean down and whisper in her ear. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve had enough excitement for one night.”
“Agreed,” she laughs softly. “Let’s hope they don’t kill each other tonight.”
“They are both adults and can figure out how to live in the same small town on their own. Not my concern anymore. I have more important things to worry about.” I kiss the tattoo behind her ear.
“Which is?” Her breath hitches slightly when I graze her skin with my teeth.
“How many times I can get my girlfriend to cum around my cock tonight,” I murmur against her skin and breathe in her sweet honeysuckle smell. “I owe someone some high notes. Remember?”
“I would pay to know what you just said to her,” Knox laughs. “Her face just went a nice shade of red.”
Glancing up, I notice we have an audience of one as Knox grins at us. Travis must have gone inside to check on the girls.
“That is for my girlfriend’s ears only.” I stand up, bringing Olivia with me. “We are going to head out. Bee needs to get to bed, and I’ve got a big day tomorrow. What?” I ask him when he won’t stop smiling at me.
“Nothing,” he says, shaking his head. “Family life looks good on you, that’s all. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, man. It feels good, too.” I smile at Olivia, and her dimples appear, giving me that flutter in my stomach that only she can make happen.
Walking back inside, we say goodbye to everyone before I pick Bee up to my chest. She has a pink mermaid nightgown on that Olivia changed her into in case she fell asleep on the way home. Her dark curls are tied back in two low ponytails.
“Can Gizmo sleep with me again?” Her light hazel eyes are filled with hope as she loops her arms around my neck and plays with the back of my hair.
“As long as your momma says it’s okay, I don’t mind,” I grin at her. It’s not like I can ever say no to her when she looks at me like that.
“Momma?” She turns toward Olivia. “Pleeeeease. He really wants to come home with me.” I glance down at Gizmo sitting at Olivia’s feet, looking just as hopeful as Bee.
“Well, since he really wants to,” she laughs, bending down to pick him up.
“I knew I was meant to bring him home,” Savi smiles. “I just didn’t know it was because it would lead him to Bee.”
“She’s beautiful, Olivia,” my mom says, running her hand down Bee’s back.
“Thank you for bringing her over. I look forward to spending more time with you two.” She pulls her in for one last hug before reaching up on her tiptoes and kissing my cheek.
“Bye, love. We’ll see you tomorrow for your big day.
Dad and I are really looking forward to it. ”
“It’s going to be so much fun,” Sophia says, holding Grayson, their sleepy two-year-old, to her chest. His dark hair and green eyes make him the spitting image of Sophia.
“Knox and I will be there in the morning to help out,” Travis says, walking us to the door. “Jake and Ryder, too.”
“Sounds good, thanks, Trav.”
“Anytime, brother,” he smiles and shuts the door behind us as we walk to the jeep.
By the time we get back to Olivia’s, Bee has already fallen asleep, and I’m tucking her into bed, feeling like it’s the most natural thing in the world to do so. Gizmo curls up next to her in his usual spot as we quietly exit the room.
“What if you get bored of us?” She asks the question out of the blue, and I’m taken by surprise. She curls up on the couch, and I sit down next to her.
“Where did that come from?” I chuckle, taking her feet and slipping her sandals off. I begin to rub her soles, and her soft moan instantly sends a signal to my dick to wake up.
“Knox is probably going out tonight, and you’re here tucking a child into bed. It’s not even ten on a Friday. It’s such a drastic change from what you’re used to, and I’m worried the newness will wear off and you’ll get bored.”
“I’m not going to get bored,” I smile, digging my fingers into specific pressure points, and watching her body relax further into the couch.
“Even if most Friday nights consist of Disney movies and board games?”
“Give me Ariel and Candy Land over going out any day of the week.” I move to the inside of her ankles, and she closes her eyes briefly at my touch.
“I really hope you mean that,” she says softly. Her eyes blink open as they study me.
“I really mean it. I’m exactly where I want to be.” She holds my gaze and seems satisfied with what she sees.
“Why is this arousing me?” She breaks eye contact with another soft moan.
“Because some pressure points are a direct line to the vagina,” I murmur, concentrating on my task at hand. “I also happen to know exactly where they are.”
“Of course you do,” she laughs before quickly going silent as I rub my thumbs along the hollow of her ankle to the back of her heel.
“Feel good?” I watch as her eyes roll back in her head with a soft whimper. Her bottom lip disappears between her teeth, and I get rock hard from the sight.
“My boyfriend has magic hands,” she whispers, pressing her foot into my pants. I feel her rub along my length, and I grit my teeth as a rush of desire floods my body.
“Say it again,” I quietly demand, wanting to hear that word again.
“My boyfriend,” she breathes out on a long, sexy sigh, “who will be my ex soon if he doesn’t take me to bed in the next five seconds,” she says with a dimpled grin.
“Make it two,” I haul her up and over my shoulder on my next breath as I walk her to the bedroom. Her giggles are muffled against my back as I quietly shut the door and set her down next to the bed.
“Turn around and place your hands on the side of the bed.” Surprise flashes across her eyes briefly before she does what I ask.
Her little pink sundress barely covers her bottom as I press her down further into the mattress so that the side of her face rests against the covers.
Flipping up the material, I bare her ass to me and relish in the sight before me.
Hooking my fingers in her thong, I slowly lower it to the floor and spread her legs more for me until I have the exact view and access that I want.
My mouth waters as I take in her glistening pussy.
It’s so tempting to have a taste, but I refrain from any contact, wanting the anticipation to build up first.
Stepping back, I take my time removing my shoes before stepping out of the rest of my clothes.
I fist my hand around my rock-hard cock as I stroke myself to her bent over and ready for me.
She turns her head slightly and watches me, but she doesn’t move from her position.
Her eyes burn into mine as I grip myself roughly to the image in front of me .
“Miles…” My name sounds more like a plea as she slightly shifts her hips. I can tell she’s fully aroused and wants relief that only I can provide her.
“Not so fast, honey,” I grin wickedly. “If I recall someone really enjoyed my palm reddening her ass before, and since you love to make little jokes about me being your ex boyfriend, what better time than now to give you what you wanted earlier.”
“I was kidding about the ex part,” she exclaims. I notice her breathing is more defined, and I can tell from her body language that she wants this just as much as I want to give it to her.
“Oh, I know,” I softly chuckle. Stepping forward, I rub her round cheeks and let her feel how hard I am as I slightly press into her. “I still didn’t like the sound of it, though.”
“Then you better punish me,” she rasps out as her ass moves seductively against my palm.
A slow grin spreads across my face as my hand itches for contact.
“Glad we are on the same page, honey, because this ass is about to turn a nice shade of red.”