“Um, just so you know, that’s not going to keep me from getting hot and bothered again,” Trent said, as he tugged his jeans back on. “In fact, you’ll probably get me more hot and bothered.”
“That’s kind of the idea. I figure you probably need a little recovery time, though, and we’ve both worked up quite an appetite,” Lauren said as she sashayed out of the room.
Trent stared after her, enjoying the show as her butt cheeks shook from side to side. A little recovery time, maybe, but he doubted he’d need very much.
***
Lauren could feel Trent’s eyes on her as moved about the kitchen, getting plates on the table and transferring the lasagna from the crock pot to a serving dish. She didn’t mind. She’d never felt more attractive and confident as she did right now. She served bread with the lasagna, and then set down, discovering Trent had poured her a glass of wine.
“Thank you,” she said, taking a drink, and enjoying the hints of apricot and butter.
Trent shrugged. “The least I can do, since you always make dinner.”
“I told you, I love to cook, and besides, this was easy. I just tossed everything in the crockpot.”
“I never knew you could make lasagna in a crockpot,” Trent said. He took a bite, and nodded his approval. “It’s incredible, though.”
“You can make anything in a crockpot, if you know what you’re doing,” Lauren said. “And it works great if you’re not going to be home most of the day. Or if you’re home, but you’d rather be doing other things,” she added, her cheeks growing hot.
“I’m glad, because those other things were a lot of fun.” Trent ran his tongue over his lips as his eyes traveled from her face, to her chest, and then lower.
Whoa. Lauren took a gulp of wine as the wetness pooled in her panties... what there was of them. “Do you have practice tomorrow?” she asked, needing to change the subject to get her arousal under control, at the same time hoping the answer was no, so he could stay the night and she wouldn’t have to get it too under control.
“An optional skate,” Trent said. “I don’t have to be there, and I won’t be penalized if I’m not.”
Maybe not officially, but Lauren didn’t entirely buy that. “It’s probably better if you are, though, right? I mean, if you want to play on Sunday.”
“Yeah... I should be there,” he admitted. “This would be a pretty bad time to miss.”
“Then it’s settled. You’re going.” Lauren didn’t want him to jeopardize his roster spot or his playing time for her.
“Then I’ll set an alarm, because I’m staying here tonight, with you. In your bed. Making love to you.”
So much for getting her arousal under control. “That’s exactly what I hoped you’d say.”
They finished eating in silence, both aware that they’d rather be doing something else, and Lauren got up to clear the table. She sealed the leftovers in a plastic container and set it in the fridge, then rinsed the plates in the sink. She was about to load them in the dishwasher when she felt Trent walk up behind her, placing his hand on her butt. Like always seemed to happen when he touched her, her breath momentarily caught in her throat.
“Turn around, baby,” he whispered, his breath hot against her neck.
When she did, she saw that Trent still wore his jeans, but the fly was undone, exposing his erection.
“Get up on the counter,” he said, reaching out to help her. “I’m going make your kitchen fantasy come true.”
Chapter Eleven
Trent set an alarm so he wouldn’t risk being late for the Saturday morning optional skate, but he didn’t need it. He was awake an hour before, and fully erect. He could thank the delicious—and naughty—dreams he had about Lauren for that.
He turned his head, and saw she still slept soundly, her back facing him. Trent turned on his side, spooning her from behind. He gently brushed a strand of her hair aside, planting a kiss on her neck. After a second, she stirred.
“Mmm. Trent?”
“Yes. You were expecting someone else?” he teased, kissing her neck again.
She chuckled. “No. Only you.” He pushed his hips closer to her, wanting her to know he had a little morning pride going on. “Are you... Is that what I think it is?”
“Yeah, baby. I want you so bad.” He reached to cup one of her breasts in his hand.
“Do we have time?” Lauren tilted her head. “I don’t want you to be late.”
“We have plenty of time,” Trent assured her. “Just relax.” With a little careful maneuvering, he could probably take her from behind. He wanted to make sure she was ready for him, though, so Trent moved his hand between her legs, finding her core, and used his fingers to pleasure her.
It wasn’t long before her natural juices coated Trent’s fingers, and Lauren moaned softly.
“I want you on top,” Trent said, rolling back on to his back.
Lauren sat up, facing him. “You do realize I weigh more than you do, right?”
Maybe she did, maybe she didn’t. He didn’t plan to argue that point. “You won’t hurt me, if that’s what you’re thinking, and I want to see you, all of you.” Trent grabbed a fresh condom from the nightstand rolled it on, while Lauren watched, still hesitating. “Come on. You’re so beautiful,” he said, and Lauren finally moved on top, straddling him. Trent groaned as he lifted his hips, thrusting inside her. God, yes, she felt good. Lauren shifted her position, taking him all the way in, and began to move on top of him, and Trent placed his hands on either side of her hips, holding on to her. Her breasts were fully unrestrained now, and Lauren was right, they bounced and flopped as she rode his shaft, and Trent loved the sight of it, especially as she increased her tempo. For someone who was self-conscious about her appearance, Lauren was sure uninhibited in therir lovemaking, and it made Trent happy knowing he’d helped her find this new confidence. He bit his lip, trying to hold on a little longer, but he couldn’t last, and his words came out in a guttural scream as he exploded inside her. “Oh, yes, baby, I love you.”
***
Lauren sat in the chilly rink, watching Trent and the other guys skate around. It seemed to be a low-key practice, which perhaps was to be expected for an optional session. When Trent told her she could come and watch if she wanted, Lauren was happy to take him up on the offer. She didn’t have anything better to do, anyway, and there were worse ways to spend a Saturday morning than watching sexy hockey players skate around an ice rink and occasionally fire pucks at the goal.
She’d been there about twenty minutes when another woman came over to sit beside her.
“Hi there. I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. Do you come to a lot of practices?”
Lauren shook her head. “No. This is actually my first time here.”
“Oh. New fan, then?”
“I guess you could say that.” Lauren hesitated. “My boyfriend plays on the team,” she added. Yes, she could elevate Trent to that status now. They’d spent every day together, except when he was out of town, and now he’d even spent the night at her apartment. And he said he loved her. Granted, it was the middle of his climax, and Lauren doubted he meant it, or if he even recalled saying it. Did declarations of love during the act of ejaculaion even count? Probably not, but Lauren still heard it.
“Whoa, really?” the other woman said. “Jeez, I am so out of the loop. That’s what I get for leaving town for few days. Who is it? What have I missed? A lot, apparently.”
Lauren frownded. She never seen this woman before, and the personal questions made her uneasy. Why should she tell a total stranger who she dated?
Then the woman laughed. “Okay, right now you’re probably thinking ‘who is this crazy, nosey bitch?’ and I don’t blame you.” More laughter. “You don’t know who I am, do you?”
“No. Should I?”
“If you’re new to the Generals family, probably not.” The woman held out her hand. “I’m Meryl Johnson. My dad’s Rick Johnson, who owns th
e team. I work on the youth and community programming, and the sexy Russian stud out there on the ice is my guy.” She grinned. “I’ve been away at a meeting in New York, which is why you haven’t seen me around.”
“Oh, right.” Lauren relaxed. She’d heard Kendall mention Meryl before. “I’m Lauren Chase,” she said, shaking Meryl’s hand. “I recently started seeing Trenton. Number twenty-one.”
“Yeah, I know him,” Meryl said. “I know all of the guys. I don’t know Trent well, though. I have a hard time getting him involved in some the stuff we’re doing around town. He seems kinda shy.”
Shy? He sure wasn’t shy in the bedroom. “I guess,” Lauren demurred. “I think he’s been a little reluctant to get more involved in the team’s community stuff because he’s not a big star and doesn’t play very much.”
“Oh, nonsense,” Meryl said. “He’s just as much a valuable part of the team as Colton or Nik or Casey or anyone else. And you can tell him I said that.”
Lauren smiled. Now that she knew who Meryl was, she liked her. “Okay, I will.”
“We’ve got the second year of the youth hockey camps coming up in June, and I need some new coaches,” Meryl said. “And trust me, to those kids, all these guys are superstars. They don’t care how many minutes someone plays or how many goals they score.”
“That makes sense.” Whether Trent would see it the same way was another matter.
“Do you think you can work your magic on Trent and get him to help out this summer?”
“Well, I’m not sure how effective my magic is,” Lauren said with a laugh, “but I’ll mention it to him.”
“Great,” Meryl said, standing up. “It was nice meeting you, Lauren.”
“Likewise.”
“Are you coming to the game tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yes... it’ll be my first. I know Riley Marks from the hospital I work at, and Kendall Myers, too,” she said. “I’m sitting with them. I guess there’s a section in the arena, and you always sit together?”
“Yes. We’re loud and we’re proud. Especially as our group gets bigger. I’m sure some of the people around us think we’re obnoxious, but I chalk it up to jealousy.” Meryl grinned as she rubbed her hands together. “Oh, this is going to be so fun. Welcome to the club.”
“Thanks.” I think. Lauren still wasn’t sure what she’d gotten herself into, but she liked Meryl’s enthusiasm.
***
They got lunch from a sidewalk vendor that Trent heard about from one of the guys. Ryder had told him the gorditas were out of this world, and Trent was inclined to agree, even though he’d never had a gordita before and had nothing to base it on.
“Mmm. I’d heard of this place before, but never tried it,” Lauren said. “This could be dangerous, now that I have.” She finished the whole thing, though, which Trent was happy to see. Although she still made comments about her weight, there were less derogatory in nature, and she didn’t hesitate to eat. Good. Life was too short to obsess over calories all the time, and Trent liked her the way she was.
“It’s a nice day,” he said. “Do you want to go for a walk?”
“I’d like that, yes,” Lauren agreed, and they strolled hand-in-hand through the park not far from where she lived. They watched dogs and kids play and made small talk about everything from the weather, to her work schedule for the week, and the game the following day. Lauren never pressed him on what he’d said to her in bed that morning, and Trent wondered if maybe she didn’t even hear it. She’d been caught up in her own climax, and he supposed it was possible she didn’t hear the words that burst out of him as he exploded inside of her. Either way, if Lauren wasn’t going to bring it up, then neither would he.
“Did you enjoy watching your first hockey practice?” he asked, expecting she probably found it boring.
“It was okay,” she said. “I met the owner’s daughter, Meryl.”
“Oh really?” Trent didn’t know her well, but Nik was sure head-over-heels for her.
“Yes. She’s very nice,” Lauren said. “Oh, and she wants you to help out with youth hockey camp this summner.”
“She does?” That was about the last thing Trent expected to hear. Maybe his fortunes were turning around, and his future in San Antonio more secure that he thought. “Me?”
“Yes. I told her you’d been kind of reluctant to get involved in the community stuff, but were trying to do better.” Lauren smiled, her eyes dancing with amusement. “She told me to work my magic on you.”
“Oh, you’re magic, huh?”
“Yes. Do I even have magic?” Lauren wore a serious expression.
Did she even have to ask? “Oh, baby, believe me, you have plenty of magic.” He gave her what he hoped was a sexy smile. “You’re so good for my confidence.”
“You’re better for mine,” Lauren countered.
“Good. Then this is working out perfectly,” Trent said, planting a kiss on her forehead. She’d come into his life at exactly the right time, and he was pretty damn sure he meant those words he said that morning, even if it wasn’t the most optimal time to say them. “I think we should go back to your place now so you can practice your magic.”
She grinned. “As usual, I like the way you think.”
Chapter Twelve
With no practice on Sunday before the late afternoon game start, Trent didn’t learn his fate until he got to the arena and saw the line combinations written on the white board in the locker room.
Wilke-Rodriguez-Majest. The same fourth line they’d been icing the past four games.
Trent pumped his fist as he saw it. Sure, the game sixty milestone had come and gone, but in some ways this game was even bigger for him. This was the first game Lauren was attending in person. He wanted to be on the ice, playing for her, not sitting in the nacho box. And even though a team victory was the most important thing, Trent selfishly wanted a goal, too. He wanted to be able to celebrate in front of her. He wanted to score with her watching.
He’d already scored plenty in life by meeting Lauren, but as a hockey player, Trent wanted to score on the ice, too, And when he did, he hoped Lauren would reward him off the ice.
“Big game tonight, huh?” The question came from the team’s alternate captain, Alex Gray.
“Aren’t they all big this time of year?” With two and a half weeks left in the regular season, and a playoff berth on the line, every game was important.
“Sure,” Alex said. “I figured you’d think this one was bigger, though.”
“Why? Because we’re playing Dallas?” Their in-state rival and the team that eliminated San Antonio from the playoffs the year before, en route to the Stanley Cup. Games against the Stars always brought out the best from both teams.
“That goes without saying.” Alex rolled his eyes. “Okay, if that’s how you want to be fine, but you’re not fooling anyone. Kris says you’ve got a special girl watching for the first time.”
Christ, were there no secrets? Obviously not. Trent didn’t think anyone besides Noah and Beck knew much about his relationship with Lauren, but cleary he’d been wrong. “How’d you hear that?” he asked.
“That would be Meryl,” Nik Brantov remarked. “She likes to talk.”
“It’s a big deal around here,” Alex said. “Look at the scoring streak Casey went on after he found love. Noah’s even scoring more. Coincidence or not, guys just play better when they find a special girl and she starts coming to the games.” The veteran defender laughed. “I think Kris is considering starting a dating service to pair everyone else up.”
“Maybe another bachelor auction,” Ryder Carrigan said. “It worked out well for me.”
Trent just laughed and shook his head as he tugged off his tie. The lucky one again. “I can’t promise it’s going to have any impact on my game tonight, but yes, I’ve been seeing a really great girl, and yes, she’s here tonight,” he said, trying to downplay how important it was to him. “So let’s go play hockey.”
; ***
Lauren stared it the jersey Meryl handed her. It was a Generals home jersey, in maroon and gray, with the team’s logo—featuring the Alamo façade—on the front. And on the back, the number ‘21’ and the name Majest.
“For you to wear,” Meryl said. “Rock the colors. Support your man.”
Her man. Lauren liked the sound of that. “They make jerseys with his number?” She wouldn’t have believed it. Sure, Trent might be number one in her heart, but most of the fans in the arena were sporting Tremblay’s number ‘9’, Brantov’s ‘44’ Denault’s ‘19’. They were the stars of the team.
“And big enough enough to fit fat girls like me?” Sure enough, as she pulled the jersey on, it fit, even leaving enough room across the chest. She’d worn back legging and boots, and it completed a good look.
“I’m ignoring that last remark,” Meryl said. “It looks great on you, and I’m sure Trent would say the same thing. As for the other, my father owns the team, and with that comes perks. I can make things happen pretty fast sometimes, and the fan shop is no exception. They put that together this afternoon. Just for you.”
“Wow, I’m impressed,” Lauren said. “And thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Meryl said. “We want you to look the part.” Sure enough, the rest of the women all sported the jerseys of their husband or boyfriend. It was very much a club, as Kendall had said, but even as the newcomer, everyone made Lauren feel welcome. It was easy to see how Riley had turned into a hockey groupie so fast when she began dating Noah. They were a fun group, and it gave Lauren a sense of pride to be there, wearing a jersey sporting Trent’s number, and cheering him on.
Thankfully, he made it into the lineup again for this game, so Lauren got to see him play in person, and when he scored to tie the game at one near the end of the first period, she jumped and screamed his name. He seemed to acknowledge it as he skated toward the bench, and their eyes locked as he raised his fist.
“Okay, that settles it. The girlfriend magic is real. We definitely need to consider a dating service to pair everyone else up.” The remark came from Kris Gray, who was married to Alex Gray, one of the team’s alternate captains. Leadership must be a theme in the family, Lauren decided, since Alex wore the “A” and his wife appeared to be the ringleader here.
Going all In (Men of the Ice Book 8) Page 8