CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
I wobble again, nearly falling on my butt. The ache from my last tumble still hurts. “This is hard.”
“That’s what she said,” Ridge jokes.
My shoulders lift in a shrug, which sets me off balance and I slip. “I did say that.”
He’s at my side instantly to offer assistance. “Damn, you’re too cute. Sexy as fuck in skates too.”
“Um, thanks?” I pinwheel while attempting to gain any sense of traction. “A baby deer is more graceful.”
And that makes one of us.
Ridge’s movements are effortless. He might as well be a shark slicing across water. Other than the fact we’re on ice and it’s freezing. The comparison stands.
I don’t, nearly capsizing for the fourteenth time in the same amount of minutes. “Does beginner’s luck not exist in this sport?”
“Use the toe pick.”
“You don’t need one,” I mumble.
“Sweetness,” he chuckles. “Hockey blades don’t have a pick. I got you figure skates because they’re easier to learn in. More stability.”
I huff. “Tell that to my sore bottom.”
Ridge cuts across the glassy space separating us, braking to a halt so fast that ice shavings fly in every direction. “Need me to rub it for you?”
My brain sputters while trying to process his smooth moves. “You’re really hot.”
“Do my skills impress you?” He glides backward without concern.
Warmth gathers and spreads from my lower belly. “Mhmm.”
“Want me to take you for another spin?” He slides to a stop in front of me and holds out his hands.
The offer is tempting, and would make this process much easier. It would also contradict my earlier desire for independence. I stubbornly told him I wanted to try on my own. What a foolish decision.
“How did I get myself into this situation?” But the question is strictly rhetorical.
The final envelope contained a vague statement about playing hockey. For a gullible moment, I thought we were going to watch another game. As it turns out, we’re providing entertainment for ourselves. Mostly Ridge. Unless this is meant to be a comedic performance. At least no one else is in attendance since this is a private arena his friend owns.
Ridge’s frown is a punch to the stomach. “You’re not having fun?”
My lack of talent manages to propel me straight into his arms. “I love you.”
“Love you, and your knack for deflections.” He supports my clumsy efforts without fail. “Are you about done?”
“How about an intermission? I recall something about hot chocolate.”
A twinkle gleams from the green in his eyes. He digs in his pocket and whips out a puck. “How about a quick game first?”
I rock my hips into his. “And here I thought you were excited to see me.”
His scowl scolds my attempt at humor. “You’ll get frostbite on your ass if you’re not careful.”
“How—?”
“I’ll start by stripping you from this sorry excuse for pants.” Ridge pinches at the flimsy material of my leggings.
“You told me to be comfortable.”
“Might as well go naked for all the padding these offer. No wonder you’re sore.”
“Sorry I didn’t dress properly for an occasion I’ve never attended before.” Sarcasm is becoming second nature for me.
“You can make it up to me later… if you win,” he adds ominously.
Intrigue narrows my eyes. “Tell me more.”
Ridge reaches over the boards and grabs a hockey stick. “This is for you.”
I wrap my fingers around the proffered end that has a taped section. I clutch it awkwardly, testing the weight as I try to swing it back and forth. It’s heavier than I predicted and barely moves. “Where’s yours?”
“I don’t need one.”
We’re in motion before I can question him. It requires zero labor for him to pull me across the rink. He puts me no more than three feet from a net and drops the puck in front of my stick. I’m trying to solve this riddle as he backs himself into the goalie position.
Ridge squats. “Take your best shot, sweetness.”
My laughter echoes off the rafters. Even at this distance, my chances aren’t awesome. “You think I’ll be able to score on you?”
“Won’t know until you try.”
“What happens if I get a goal?”
“You can have whatever you want.” A smolder ignites in his gaze.
I’m certain mine reflects a similar heat. “Anything?”
He nods. “Pick your prize.”
Determination digs my toe pick into the ice. I try to aim, but I doubt it will make a difference. My motions lack finesse and speed. Despite the odds, the puck glides straight into the net. The only sound is my heartbeat drumming to the tune of disbelief.
“Not fair. You didn’t block it!” I finally sputter.
Ridge’s smirk is holding secrets. “I wanted you to win.”
“And why is that?”
“Oh, I have a hunch what you choose will benefit both of us.” His stare hasn’t left me. “What’ll it be?”
“You,” I say.
He points to himself. “Me?”
“I want you,” I clarify.
“You already have me. Completely. Forever.”
“Not completely.”
He chuckles. “I beg to differ.”
Warmth blazes in my cheeks regardless of the chill in here. “You haven’t let me…”
Ridge lowers his gaze to where mine has settled. “What’s that, sweetness?”
“Um, I want to…” Nerves muffle my request.
“Say it,” he urges.
“Put your penis in my mouth,” I blurt.
He rolls his lips between his teeth, most likely trying not to laugh. “You wanna suck my cock?”
I nod as my face flames. “Uh-huh.”
Ridge slides forward. “Give me a blowjob?”
“Yes,” I breathe.
In a fluid maneuver, he scoops me off my skates and rushes to an opening in the boards. “Want a private tour of the locker room? It’s not much, but the floor is padded.”
“How can I resist an offer like that?” I don’t, obviously.
He slams through a door and puts me down. I’ve barely regained my equilibrium when he lowers to undo my laces. Relief sighs from me once I’m freed from the torture devices. Ridge shoots me a grin before removing his own. While he does that, I take a moment to examine where we are.
The space is what I expect. Two walls have storage stalls. A bench occupies another. Rows of hooks are drilled above, available to hang whatever equipment players strip off. The final side is occupied by a large shower. A sterile scent hangs heavy in the air.
I turn in a slow circle. “Smells… clean.”
Ridge snorts. “Luke is very particular when it comes to this facility.”
“And he won’t mind that we’re about to…” I still can’t get the words out.
His mouth slants into a wolfish smile. “Defile each other?”
“This isn’t about me.” I gesture to a certain part of my anatomy.
“We’ll see.” He unfastens his jeans, dropping the denim to mid-thigh.
My eyes widen at his erection that’s practically waving for attention. “No boxers?”
“Nah, I chose to be optimistic.” His bare butt meets the wood bench with a slap.
“That’s going to leave a mark,” I giggle.
“The imprint of my ass will give this place character.” He twirls a thick roll of tape around his finger.
“Where did that come from?”
“My dirty mind.” An efficient yank loosens a long strip from the spool. “I might be out of the game, but I’ll never forget how to wrap like a pro.”
“Wound tighter than tape on a hockey stick,” I recall.
His wink caresses my arousal until I’m squirming. “The same applies in this instance. It’s gonna come in handy.”
I watch his precise movements. “What’re you doing?”
“Restraining myself.” The creation in his palms is beginning to resemble a pair of cuffs with a long strand attaching them.
My mouth drops. “Why?”
“I want you to feel safe. Secure and in control,” he adds.
Confusion pinches my expression. “You’ve given me those luxuries from the start.”
“Extra precaution. Just humor me.”
I swallow any additional rebukes. Ridge slips the connected binds on his wrists. While reclining against the wall, he stretches overhead to loop the makeshift rope onto a hook. His biceps replicate the appearance of chiseled boulders in this suspended pose. A slight tug from him tests the effectiveness.
My brow quirks. I’m not delusional enough to assume this contraption can actually contain him. His strength could easily snap the middle. It’s the implied significance behind the gesture that counts.
Satisfaction is a sharp jerk of his head. “All right, sweetness. Have your way with me.”
“Uh, okay.” I scoot forward to accept my prize. Uncertainty hitches my approach and I stumble while kneeling in the gap between his legs.
His smile is reassuring. “Any touch you give will blow me away. You can’t go wrong.”
“Doubt it.” I gulp at the saliva pooling in my mouth.
The size of him from this angle is intimidating. “Think of my cock as a huge piece of hard candy. Kiss, lick, suck… maybe a few strokes from your fist.”
My fingers flex and I curl them around his base. “I can do that.”
“There we go,” he groans. “Do whatever you want to me. It won’t take much. The memory of you tightly laced in skates really does it for me. Don’t even get me started on how you gripped that stick.”
“Got it.” I rise slightly to hover my mouth over the crown of his penis. My eyes find his from under hooded lids. “Just relax for me, boyfriend.”
His hands clench against the pliable shackles. “Damn, you’re a natural.”
A lollipop enters my thoughts and I swirl my tongue around his tip. There’s a salty flavor that greets me. It’s not unpleasant, which is a welcome surprise. I’m encouraged to seal my lips at the bottom of the flared top and add suction. Ridge jolts, shoving more of himself into my experimental descent.
“Shit, sorry.” His retreat is a smooth glide that removes him almost entirely.
Rather than provide a verbal response, I repeat the motion of pushing him deep. His groan is a boost to my confidence. I try to take more of him, but his tip bumps the back of my throat. It’s not even half of his generous size.
“Look at you,” Ridge rasps. “Trying to devour me whole on your first try.”
There’s a tease in his tone. A challenge too. One I can aim to please after I’ve gained experience. My jaw is already complaining from the strain.
Before withdrawing, it seems wise to cover my teeth. His sigh might as well be a thumbs-up. I hollow my cheeks, sucking him deep again. He curses and a tremor racks his limbs.
“Shit, that’s good.” The vibration from his praise rumbles into me.
Slickness gathers between my thighs, but I ignore my needs. This is about getting him off. The reminder of my desired outcome emboldens me to increase my pace. Hesitancy fades and my rhythm becomes more fluid. Ridge jolts again. The bench squeaks beneath him. His reactions are a sure sign I’m doing something right.
“Not gonna last,” he murmurs absently.
I smile around his girth on my next downward glide. His chuckle is pure satisfaction. In reply, my tongue flattens against the protruding vein that snakes along the underside of his manhood. Saliva acts as a natural lubricant. My grip is slippery as I roll my wrist to stroke him. The combination of my hand and mouth seems to really excite him.
A tremble rocks through him as he adjusts on the seat. I pump him faster, the slick friction fueling my goal. More expletives spill from his aroused state. He’s fighting with himself not to move.
“Fuuuuuuck, I’m gonna come.”
I moan my approval, almost missing the clank of metal knocking into a solid surface. My gaze wanders to where the hook dangles from a scrap of broken drywall. Ridge grunts while breaking the cuffs in two. He lunges for me, and I’m suddenly detached from his shaft. Before I can protest, Ridge is rearranging our position.
He sprawls flat on the floor while guiding me to straddle his lap. My vision blurs and I belatedly realize he set me on him backward. The switch puts my face in direct proximity to his penis, which serves the original purpose. It doesn’t explain why he encouraged the shift.
That is until he rips the fabric directly over my sex. The seam of my leggings doesn’t stand a chance. My panties suffer a similar fate. Cool air kisses my slick arousal as the shredded material gapes wide open.
Ridge groans. “Need your pussy in my mouth.”
I’m not about to argue, especially when his exhale spears into me. He grips my hips seconds before his tongue begins lashing my clit. Heat immediately floods me, spreading out in a fiery wave. My body sags forward and I grasp onto his length like an anchor. Through the lust stealing my focus, I manage to get my lips around his flared tip.
We operate in this tandem formation to strive for release. Ridge isn’t taking it easy on me. His lips latch onto my sensitive bud and the pressure is exquisite torture. I double my speed, bobbing while sucking him as hard as possible. It’s almost like a competition. One I’m certain not to win.
On cue, tingles build in my lower belly. I mewl around his length. The intensity forces me to pause my attempts to win this round. To be fair, it’s mostly his fault.
The blame flings from focus as my orgasm strikes in the next second. I shatter with a muffled cry, my mouth still stuffed full. Relief explodes like a balm to cool the feverish rush. Ridge hums, the vibrations sending me to new heights. Quakes ripple through me while I ride the peak.
When the quivers fade and I regain functional mobility, I resume my methods to deliver him pleasure. My hand strokes his lower half while I suckle his tip. Ridge thrusts softly against my onslaught. His face is still buried in my core, but that doesn’t stop him from urging me on.
I swirl my tongue rapidly, which earns me a fresh round of garbled compliments. There’s a noticeable pulse in his penis. It appears as if his balls are shrinking. Maybe these are signs he’s close.
Ridge’s palms drift across my lower back in a tender caress. “Gonna swallow?”
My throat works on reflex and I nod. That must be the answer he was waiting for. Seconds later he erupts in my mouth. A salty burst announces his release has arrived. I quickly gulp in order to catch it all. The taste is a tad bitter, but not bad. My tongue takes several laps along his tip before I finish the job.
I straighten from his lap while dabbing at my lips. There’s a definite swell lingering there, evidence of my labors. The harsh breathing behind me reveals my boyfriend has exerted himself as well. In a graceless dismount, I collapse in a heap beside him.
Ridge is staring at the ceiling. There’s a dazed gleam in his eye. I’m sure my gaze is twinkling with stars and hearts. The blissful calm settling over me suggests as much.
After several minutes of floating in mutual relaxation, I decide to creep on the silence. “Was my blowjob okay?”
Ridge blinks, a bit of the haze clearing. “Might not recover.”
My pulse skips to a happy beat. “I did well?”
He makes a gruff sound. “You literally blew my mind. I’m… speechless.”
A giggle peals from me. “Another victory, and so soon.”
“Fuck, sweetness.” Ridge scrubs over his face. “If that’s your choice of a reward, I’ll gladly lose. Score on me whenever you want a rematch.”
“But you flipped the scene on me,” I chide.
“Are you complaining about me cashing in that raincheck?”
I shake my head. “Your friend might. His wall is busted.”
“He’ll get over it. Me on the other hand?” He touches my cheek with a bent knuckle. “I’m altered to the very foundation of my existence.”
“Uh-oh, that sounds serious.”
“It sure is.” He sneaks an arm under my shoulders and tugs until I’m acting as his personal blanket. “Good thing you’re already stuck with me.”
“Permanently?”
A rumbles rises off his chest. “And then some.”