McKinley #2
I throw the first punch without hesitation before Ivanov can get his fists up to block it. Blood pours from his nose as he throws a jab in my direction. I dodge it, and hammer him with another punch to the jaw before taking him to the ice and letting my fists fly with unrelenting focus.
I’m a happy-go-lucky guy until you fuck with my family.
When the refs finally tear me off of him, they send Ivanov into the penalty box.
I skate over to Alex, and tap my helmet against his. “You good?”
He nods. “You know I always get back up.”
By the end of the period, we win 3-1.
“Get a leash on that animal of yours,” I call to Chance as we skate by each other.
I don’t know why I do it. It’s like I need to make some kind of connection with him, even if it’s a negative one. Any attention is better than none.
“You getting soft? This is hockey.” He glares at me. “It isn’t for the weak.”
“That hit was illegal and you know it.”
“Go have Alex wipe your ass after he’s done wiping your tears.”
I smirk. “Still thinking about my ass after all these years, Kellerman? I’m flattered.”
“Fuck you,” he spits.
“I dare you to.”
I’m yanked back by my jersey. “Enough,” Jason shouts. “Let’s go.”
I head to the locker room with fire in my veins and adrenaline coursing through me.
“Congrats on the win.”
I wrap my arms around Presley. “See, you should’ve worn my jersey.”
Presley rolls her eyes as she shoves me back. “Not when you’re both playing.”
“I know, I know. We’ll have to figure something out though. Sew the two jerseys together or something. I think I read that in a book once.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “You read books?”
I scoff, feigning offense. “Yes, I read books. Romance books, as a matter of fact.”
Alyssa scrunches her nose. “Aunt Presley reads those books.”
I tap my index finger against her little nose. “What’s with the face?”
“They seem so boring,” Alyssa whines. “I would want to read a book with action.”
I shrug. “Why not have both? There are plenty of books with epic battles and a love story. In fact, most epic battles are fought because of love.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Really?”
“Girl, I am going to rock your world. Wait until you see all the cool books I have at my place.”
Alyssa’s head jerks up to her aunt. “Can we go to Stephen’s house?”
Presley chuckles as she brushes a strand of Alyssa’s hair behind her ear. “You can’t invite yourself over people’s houses.”
“I didn’t.” She blinks. “He just told me to come see the books at his house.”
Presley crosses her arms over her chest. “And since when are you interested in reading, hmm? I have to bribe you in order to get you to complete your reading log for school.”
“School books are boring.” Alyssa plants her hand on her hip. “Besides, you should be happy I’m taking an interest in reading now.”
“Oof.” I nudge Presley with my shoulder. “Wonder where she gets that sass from.”
Presley scoffs. “I’m not sassy.”
“You so are.” I lean in close and press a kiss to her cheek, lingering by her ear. “And that’s okay; I like you sassy.”
She shoots me a glare, but it’s undermined by the way her body shivers at my proximity.
I loved knowing she was in the arena watching me play tonight—even more so, getting to see her after a win. With the adrenaline still coursing through me, it’s taking all my willpower not to pounce on her in the middle of this parking lot.
We’re waiting for the team to pile onto the bus so we can head home. If I had my way, I’d be going home with Presley. I’m dying to hold her, to make love to her, to fall asleep with her in my arms.
Alexander spots us and makes his way over. “Hey, Alyssa. Want to check out our bus?”
Her eyes widen. “Do you have a bathroom on there?”
He chuckles. “We sure do.”
She squeals and takes off running toward the bus.
Presley laughs as she shakes her head. “Never seen someone so excited to see a bathroom.”
Without hesitation, I grasp her hand and tug her around the corner of the back of the bus, away from prying eyes.
Chance took Avery to meet some of his teammates in the locker room, so with Alyssa occupied, I get a few precious moments alone with Presley.
She comes willingly, and lets me cage her in. I slip my left hand into her hair, and grip her hip with my other hand. “I loved having you at my game.”
Her eyes drop to my mouth. “I enjoyed watching you play.”
I dip my head and nip at her jaw. “You always did enjoy watching.”
Her lips part, her warm breath dancing along my mouth. “Stephen...”
“What’s the matter, pretty girl? Talk to me.”
“W-we shouldn’t,” she says, but she fists my hoodie and pulls me closer. “We can’t.”
“I disagree.” I brush my nose against hers. “I think we can, and we should.”
“You’re not playing fair.”
“Oh, I’m not playing at all, Pres.” I close the tiny gap between us, speaking against her lips. “There are only two things I take seriously in this world: Hockey, and you. The sooner you realize I’m not letting you go, the sooner you can get on the same page.”
She wraps her hands around the back of my neck, and I lift her into my arms, claiming her willing mouth.
Her ankles lock around my lower back as I pin her against the back of the bus.
My tongue surges inside, searching for hers.
She lets out a sexy-ass moan, letting me know she’s as ready and desperate for me as I am for her.
Four years.
I’ve gone four years without this woman, without the company of anyone who could compare. At least I’ve been able to keep in contact with Chance—as volatile as we are together. I haven’t lost him completely, and the way he reacts to me lets me know that what we had still runs deep inside him.
But Presley was ripped from my life the way a band aid is ripped off a wound and disposed of, never to be seen again. Now that she’s back, now that I see how perfectly she fits right back into my life, it’s full-steam ahead.
Presley tears her mouth away from mine, gasping for breath while I lick a path down her neck. “The kids...”
“Are taken care of.”
“And Chance...”
“Can decide if he wants back in or not.”
She whimpers as I bite down on her neck, loving the way her racing pulse beats against my lips.
“I’ve missed this.” Those three words are whispered so quietly, I almost miss them right before the bus roars to life.
Presley drops her legs and I set her down, steadying her as she snaps back into the present moment. She hits me with a look that looks like a mixture of desire laced with regret.
Don’t regret me, baby.
We’ve barely even started.
So she’s worried about the kids and Chance. I can handle them. I can get Chance to admit that he wants this—wants us, both of us—and everything else will fall into place. Nothing is stronger than love, and with that, we’re unstoppable.
Once he caves, Presley will admit that she wants us too.
I already know what I want.
And I always get what I want.