Epilogue
ZACK
Jeff never played in another game this season.
After his disciplinary hearing, he finished out his suspension and was eventually sent down to the AHL.
I hope to never share the ice with him again, but only time will tell if a team will ever decide to give him another chance.
Fucking with me is one thing, but hurting Evvy is unforgivable.
Marsh takes control of the puck and makes a quick pass to me.
Brent’s on the strong side near the boards and secures the puck from me after another quick pass.
Just as Brent’s about to be pinched by Boston’s defenseman, he chips the puck off the boards.
Bax gets control of it, cutting up the middle and then he takes a shot.
The puck flies over the goalie’s shoulder, and a familiar ping rings through the air as it goes bar down, dropping straight into the net.
After shaking hands with Boston, the commissioner presents the cup to Brent. He immediately passes it to Bax and the celebration continues. This is the best feeling in the world, but there’s only one thing that could make it even better.
* * *
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay out longer to celebrate with the team? Bax is bound to be out all night.” Evvy laughs as we exit the elevator onto our hotel floor.
“This might be the one night Marsh is okay with having him as a wingman. He’ll be fine.
There’s only one place I want to be right now.
” I slide the keycard through the hotel room door.
Evvy didn’t question why I wanted to get a room for the night.
I think she figured I just wanted a place to crash after celebrating with the team.
“And where’s that?” She eyes me suspiciously.
“Between your thighs, sweetheart.”
“Zack!” Evvy vibrates with laughter as I pull her against my chest and spin us around so she’s walking backward through the door.
“But first, I have a surprise.”
“You know how I feel about surprises.” She presses her hands to my chest.
“Which is why I did a good job hiding this.” I brush my lips over her forehead, and she blows out a deep breath.
When the door clicks shut behind me I spin Evvy around so she can see the fake candles glowing over almost every surface of the honeymoon suite. She lets out an audible gasp as her head falls back against my chest.
“Zack! What is all this?”
Wrapping my arms around her shoulders, I walk us to the center of the suite. My fingertips trail down her arms before she turns to face me and I drop to one knee.
Evvy claps a hand over her mouth as I look up at her from my spot on the floor, holding the open ring box. I’ll be on my knees every day for this woman, if she’ll have me.
“Evvy, there wasn’t a moment we spent apart that I didn’t love you.
It’s always been you. I’m so grateful to have you back in my life.
I know what it’s like to live without you, and I don’t want to spend another moment without you as my wife.
I told you I wanted to stay caught in your web forever, and I meant it.
I love you, my Halloween girl. Will you marry me? ”
“Yes! Yes, Zack, I’ll marry you!” The happy tears stream down Evvy’s cheeks. I leap to my feet and capture her lips with mine. She melts into me as our tongues tangle, giving me a taste of her salty tears. I wish I could freeze time and relive this moment on repeat.
Evvy pulls back to look me in the eyes, and I brush my thumb over her cheek. “First kiss as my fiancée, baby.”
“Fiancée,” she says with the brightest smile. “I like the sound of that.”
“You know what sounds better?”
“What?
“My wife.” I press another kiss to her lips and feel her laughter vibrate through me.
“Well, this is the first step.” She wraps me in a hug.
“We could go right now.”
“But then you’d miss out.” Evvy’s grin is devious.
“Miss out on what, sweetheart?”
“Sleeping with your fiancée.”
Fuck, she’s right.
“Can’t let that happen. But first we need to make it official.” I slide the solitaire diamond onto Evvy’s ring finger. I knew she wouldn’t want anything too extravagant. This is understated and beautiful, but not as beautiful as her.
“It’s gorgeous, Zack.” She admires her hand before I bring it to my lips and place a gentle kiss just above her new ring.
Evvy’s hands slide under my shirt, and I help her to lift it over my head. She’s wearing my jersey, and as much as I love seeing it on her, it needs to go. She makes quick work of tossing it to the floor and slipping out of her shoes and jeans. My eyes roam every inch of my fiancée’s body.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, sweetheart.” Her cheeks flush at the compliment. No matter how many times I tell her she’s beautiful I always get the same reaction, and I love it.
I kick off my shoes, and Evvy unbuttons my pants and gives them a swift tug, taking my boxers down with them.
My fingers toy with the waistband of her underwear and she gasps.
I pull them down her legs as she drops her bra to the ground.
I place a soft kiss right over her clit and Evvy lets out the sexiest moan.
“You’re dripping for me already, fiancée.”
On my knees for her again, I lift one leg over my shoulder and lick a path up her center. “I’ve been dying to taste this sweet pussy all night, sweetheart. Dreaming of calling you my fiancée,” I murmur against her clit.
“Please, Zack. I need you inside me.” She drops her leg to the ground and takes me by the hand, pulling me toward the bed. Evvy lies back in the pile of pillows and pulls me on top of her.
“Are you ready?” I glide my cock over her, coating it in her arousal.
“Yes, please do it.”
Notching myself at her entrance, I slide in slowly and Evvy lets out a soft whimper. “That’s it, sweetheart, you’re doing so good.”
I pull almost all the way out before plunging back in. Evvy’s whimpers grow louder. I trace her nipple with my tongue, then paint a trail of kisses up her neck before landing on her lips.
“Hi, fiancée.” My lips pull into a smile against her cheek.
“Hi, fiancé,” she whispers in my ear, her warm breath sending a shiver down my spine.
I move slowly, wanting to remember every last second of this. “Keep going Zack,” she pleads. “I want to feel you come.”
My fingers stroke her clit, and it doesn’t take long to feel her clenching around me. Soon, we’re both falling. I spill inside her as she pulses around me. After we both come down, I slip out of her and roll onto my back, pulling her against my chest.
Evvy’s hand lands over my tattoo and my fingers find the little black cat on her wrist.
“You’re my home, Evvy.”
“I love you too, Zack.”
“Say it again.”
Evvy laughs against my chest. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Evvy.”
* * *
Our phones have been buzzing for the past hour. We’ve been happily snuggled together, ignoring the world. I’m enjoying time with my fiancée. Hopefully that title will change to wife sooner rather than later. The buzzing continues, because our friends have no chill.
“Think we should finally answer them?” Evvy presses a kiss to my chest and rolls toward the bedside table.
I glance at my phone and it’s filled with new text messages. The guys just won The Cup, but they’re more excited about our engagement. It’s actually pretty heartwarming to know they care about us.
Nate: Was Operation Get Evvy To Marry Me successful?
Rookie: Well?????
Marsh: What they said.
Brent: Aww, even Marsh cares.
Marsh: I like Evvy.
Rookie: Are you going to answer?
Marsh: They’re probably “busy.”
Brent: Let’s stop bothering them!
Me: She said yes!
Rookie: Woohoo!
Nate: Congrats, man!
Marsh: Nice!
Brent: Welcome to the club!
Me: Thanks, guys!
Brent: So who’s next?
Nate: Marsh?
Marsh: Haha. Very funny.
Rookie: Hmm
Marsh has removed Rookie from the chat
Brent has added Rookie to the chat
“Are they excited?” Evvy asks with a smile as she places her phone down on the table.
“You could say that.” I turn and pull her in for a kiss. “What’d Bailey have to say?”
“That she’s moving to Fiddlehead Ridge next month.” Evvy grins. “Mind if we have a temporary roommate, fiancé?”
I knew this was a possibility. Josie and Evvy have been trying to convince Bailey to move to Maine ever since she visited in October.
“Bailey can stay as long as she wants.”
Evvy snuggles in, leaning her head on my chest. “Thanks, Zack. I know it might be a lot, since we just got engaged, but I’m grateful. I miss her.”
“Bailey’s family. She can help us plan the wedding. And now she’ll get to be here for the big grand opening of the museum and education center.”
“Very true. So, I’m thinking about a fall wedding. Colorful leaves, creepy dolls, and maybe some candy corn.” Evvy laughs.
“Candy corn I can do, but maybe we can skip the creepy dolls.”
“I’m kidding.” Her fingers trace the ink on my chest.
“A fall wedding sounds perfect. Anything for my Halloween girl.”
The End