by Steph
The sting made her gasp and lit her entire body on fire, a blazing hot lust eating her up from the inside. And then she felt his fingers rubbing between her thighs, testing her readiness.
If she was any more ready, she’d be really freaking embarrassed.
“Oh my god. Shane.”
“I like hearing you say my name. Do it again.”
“Shane, please.”
“I think I want to hear you scream it.”
Which she did when he pulled his hand away. But he immediately replaced it with his cock and slid inside, fast and hard and all the way.
Her scream wasn’t exactly his name but he must’ve been satisfied because he gave her exactly what she wanted. What she needed.
His hips thrust with a controlled speed that teased the possibility of more, even if she didn’t think she was capable of taking any more.
She already felt wound too tightly but unable to get off.
Because Shane kept her on the edge. Every time she thought she might come, he adjusted his pace or the angle to keep her on the brink.
He’d lowered his body until they were pressed together but his height meant her face was pressed against his shoulder so he had to hold himself up on one elbow so she didn’t suffocate.
Not that she would’ve noticed. And she was too far gone to care.
She came with a shudder and a moan, her teeth sinking in his pec as he rode her through it.
Only when she’d gone limp beneath him did he thrust one last time before holding still and letting his cock pump inside her.
Several minutes later, still panting, he wrapped his arms around her.
“Next time, you’re on top.”
Next time? Oh god, please let that be soon.
He kept his word.
Chapter Four
Shane woke the next morning—
No, wait.
He peeled open his eyes and looked at the clock. Almost one in the afternoon.
Damn, how the hell had he slept so late?
Duh, asshole. A few drinks and about five hours of the best sex of your whole frickin’ life, that’s how.
Luckily, he didn’t have a hangover, which was kind of amazing, because he was a lightweight when it came to alcohol.
But, holy hell, he was wiped. If he could, he’d go back to sleep but now that he was awake, he knew that wouldn’t happen.
Why hadn’t she stayed?
With a groan, he sat up, glancing over at the empty space beside him. The pillow she’d used still had an indent from her head. She’d left sometime after that last round when she’d climbed on top of him and made his eyes roll back in his head. Which had been after the two times he’d made her scream.
So why the hell hadn’t she stayed for breakfast?
Sliding his legs off the side of the bed, he ran a hand through his hair, adjusted his morning wood out of habit so it wasn’t poking through his shorts, and headed for the bathroom across the hall before making his way down to the kitchen to forage for food. He was fucking starving.
And he wished like hell he was eating something other than bagels and peanut butter, two pears and a half gallon of chocolate milk. What he wouldn’t give to be sliding down her body and putting his mouth over her—
His cock throbbed.
Fuck.
With a sigh, he lifted the chocolate milk container to his lips, practically able to feel his mom’s hand smacking him on the back of his head.
Why the hell had she snuck out?
She hadn’t seemed like the kind to fuck and run. Then again, he didn’t know her. Like…at all.
Hey, dude. He could practically hear CJ’s voice in his head. You got laid. She saved you the hassle of getting rid of her this morning.
The problem was, he wasn’t a dick who would’ve smacked her on the ass, said thanks for the great night, and called her a taxi.
No, he would’ve made her breakfast or at least taken her out to eat before saying, “Can I get your number? I’d like to see you again.”
Because, yeah, he really wanted to see her again.
Who wouldn’t want to see her again? She’d rocked his fucking world last night. Of course, he wanted to do it again. And again.
Maybe she doesn’t want to see you again.
A very real possibility.
Bliss had her shit together, had a life and a career.
Maybe she didn’t want to get involved with a guy who moved every six months or so to whatever team needed a goalie that particular day. This stint with the Redtails had been the longest in his career but before that he’d played with teams in Ohio, California and Massachusetts. He’d actually allowed himself to think maybe he’d finally found a niche where he could prove himself. And he had been. Until he’d hit this slump—
His cell phone rang and he grabbed for it, hoping…
Nope.
Shit.
“Hey, Cary.” He forced himself to sound normal. And probably failed miserably. “What’s up?”
A slight pause. “Just wondering if you’re up for a few drills today.”
He wanted to groan. Wanted to crawl back to bed and spend a few more hours wallowing. Which was stupid.
“Yeah, sure. That’d be great.”
Cary laughed. “I can tell you’re really into it. Long night?”
“Uh…” What the hell did he say to that?
Now Cary really started to laugh. “How ’bout we forget I asked that question and you meet me in an hour on the ice. Then you can tell me all about it.”
A grin pulled at Shane’s lips. “What are you, now? My priest?”
Cary snorted. “Worse. I’m your fucking captain. Get your ass to the arena.”
Forty-five minutes and a fifteen-minute shower later, Shane parked beside Cary’s truck in the side lot and walked to the door where Cary waited for him.
The guy had a shit-eating grin on his face that made Shane want to punch him.
“Well, you look like you can walk okay, but can you skate?”
Shane gave Cary the finger as he walked by him into the lower level of the arena, headed for the locker room. There was enough light to see where he was going, but he spent enough time here that he could do this walk blindfolded.
“Still faster than you, old man. And who gave you a key to the arena? I can’t believe management’s letting just the two of us use the ice.”
“Called in a favor. Besides, it’s not that big a deal. That ice show’s coming in tomorrow and they’re gonna be using the ice to practice. So no big deal.”
“Sweet.”
They walked the last few yards to the locker room in silence. Shane had been expecting Cary to cross-examine him about last night, but surprisingly, he didn’t say a word. And when he stepped out on the ice to warm up while Cary was still in the locker room gearing up, Shane felt his muscles relax as he made a few circuits around the boards.
Yes.
He sucked in a deep breath, drawing in the cold air rising off the ice. Just the feel of the smooth surface under his blades and the sound they made as he circled the rink was enough to drop his blood pressure. Always had been. He stepped onto the ice and it felt like home.
Having the ice to himself, even for these few seconds, was like being in his own private paradise.
His mom had always complained that hell wasn’t hot. Hell was cold.
Shane didn’t have an opinion on that, but he did know the cold helped him feel things more intensely and see things more clearly.
“So, you have a good time last night? At dinner.”
Cary matched his pace to Shane’s but Shane kept his gaze forward.
“Yeah, the food was great. Thanks again for inviting me. Really appreciate the home-cooked meal.”
“You left with Bliss.”
“Yeah.”
No way was he adding more. Cary was a friend but Bliss was friends with Lori. Shane wasn’t about to diss Bliss. No fucking way. And he couldn’t bring himself to drill Cary for inf
ormation.
Besides, he didn’t fuck and tell like some of the team. A few of the guys were worse than high school kids the morning after a date, spouting off about shit Shane never wanted to know. At least, not and be able to look the girl in the eyes the next day.
“Everything…okay?”
Shane shot his teammate a look. Cary sounded worried about something.
“Yeah.” He frowned. “Wait, why? Did Bliss—”
“Nope.” Cary help up his free hand. “Not why I’m asking. Lori hasn’t heard from her. I’m just…kinda worried about you.”
Okay, this conversation was heading off the rails fast. “What the hell?”
Cary shrugged. “Never mind. So, you ready to do some work?”
Because he didn’t want to talk about what’d happened, at least not yet, Shane grabbed his helmet and stick from the bench and headed for the goal.
For the next half hour, he and Cary ran through a series of drills meant to increase his acuity.
Cary was one hell of an offensive defenseman so he was no stranger to scoring goals and he got a few by Shane early, which just frustrated the hell out of him.
Cary skated in from the left circle, where he’d scored his last one. “You’re leaving that top corner open every time. You gotta get that glove up.”
Shane swung his stick from side to side, clearing the ice out of the crease. “I know.” Frustration made his tone sharp. “It’s always been one of my weaknesses.”
“Then we’ll work on it until it’s not. But you gotta retrain your brain so you’re not constantly thinking about that as a weakness.”
For another twenty minutes, that’s all they worked on until Shane knew he was gonna have to ice his right shoulder for the rest of the fucking week.
But by the time they headed for the showers, Shane thought he might actually have a little better handle on that corner.
“Hey, thanks, man. I really appreciate you taking the time for this.”
Shane was already dressed while Cary pulled on his jeans. He was ready to leave but couldn’t force himself to get off the bench and head for the door.
He’d been able to keep Bliss out of his head for the past hour while he and Cary had been on the ice but now…
Fuck, now he had to bite his tongue to keep from asking about her.
“All right, Shane.” Cary finally lifted his head, a wry grin on his lips. “Spit it out. You should know by now that nothing you tell me goes anywhere.”
He knew it. It was part of the reason Cary had the trust of every guy on the team.
But damn, he hated the fact that he was gonna come out of this looking like a dick. He must’ve done something wrong for her to sneak out in the middle of the night.
But since he didn’t even know how to get in touch with her and he didn’t want to put her on the spot by walking into the shop where she worked…
“Can you give me Bliss’s number? I didn’t get it last night and I want to call her.”
Okay, that didn’t sound too creepy stalkerish. He hoped.
“I thought you left with her.”
He forced himself to hold Cary’s steady gaze.
“I did. But she left before I could ask for it.”
Cary’s brows lifted slightly. “Any reason for that?”
His back straightened. “No. I thought… No.”
Now Cary nodded. “I knew that, Shane. Just had to ask. Yeah, I can get her number for you. Let me text Lori.”
He almost bit his tongue through, trying not to ask the next question. But finally, he couldn’t help himself. “So is she seeing someone?”
“Do you think she would’ve left with you if she were?”
Fuck. “No. Shit. It’s just…” Jesus, what could he say that wouldn’t make him seem even more like an ass? He sighed. “You know what? Never mind. She left while I was sleeping, didn’t leave me a number. If she wants to see me, I guess she knows how to find me.”
Now Cary started to laugh. “Damn, kid. How the hell do you manage to be so damn clueless?” He whipped out his phone and started to text. “Hang tight. I’ll get you the number. Then you need to call her. And Shane?”
“Yeah?”
Now Cary looked serious as all hell. “We’re heading into the stretch. Don’t let anything fuck with your focus.”
Shit. “You don’t think I should call her?”
Cary’s shit-eating grin made a return. “I think you’d be an idiot not to. And you’re no idiot.”
*
“I can’t believe you didn’t leave him your phone number! What the hell were you thinking?”
Bliss groaned between sips of her too-hot coffee, which she needed to mainline if she was going to be any good today.
“I wasn’t thinking. Remember? Too much mind-blowing sex. My brain was stuck somewhere between ‘Oh my god, I’m never going to get any sleep tonight and be worthless tomorrow’ and ‘Oh god, I want to stay all night and lick his pecs.’ I mean, come on, my brain wasn’t exactly functioning correctly. Not after he—”
“Nope.” Faith Donovan took one hand off the arm of her wheelchair and held it in the air. “Don’t wanna hear it again. The first time was more than enough.”
Grimacing, Bliss fluffed the skirt of Faith’s wedding dress hanging on the stand, waiting for its big day, which happened to be tomorrow.
A Christmas Eve wedding. Just thinking about it made Bliss teary.
Too bad the groom—
Nope, not going there.
“Sorry, sorry. But now I don’t know what to do. Should I ask Lori for his number? I mean, I snuck out of his apartment like I was embarrassed to be there. He probably thinks I’m a bitch. Or worse, he doesn’t care and was happy I left and didn’t have to deal with the morning-after bullshit.”
“From what you were telling me about him, that doesn’t sound like something he’d do. But I never met him so…” Faith shrugged and sipped her own coffee.
“I know. Ugh. Maybe I just have to let this one go. I mean, last night was amazing but I know from talking to Lori that these guys are always on the move. The good ones barely ever stay in one place more than a few months. And from what I’ve heard, Shane’s good enough for an NHL slot. He won’t be here long.”
Faith’s eyebrows rose. “Sounds like you’ve been doing some online creeping.”
Sighing, Bliss picked up Faith’s veil from the chair and hung it on the rack with her dress. “Maybe a little. Just to depress myself even more.” With a huff, Bliss sank into the seat across from Faith. “All right, no more. So, is everything ready for tomorrow night?”
Faith laughed, though Bliss swore she heard a little strain that hadn’t been there before.
“You’ve met my mom so you know the answer to that.”
Bliss had met Faith’s mom, Shelly, at the same time she’d met Faith. A year ago, just after Faith had gotten her chair. Bliss’s shop had been the third one Faith and Shelly had visited. Faith had been near tears but unwilling to give up in pursuit of the perfect dress. Shelly had been ready to strangle the next person who treated Faith like an invalid.
Bliss had shaken their hands, asked Faith her size, and started to pull out dresses, never once mentioning that they could be altered to take her “condition” into consideration.
Faith had smiled and Shelly had burst into tears. And Bliss had gained a new friend who didn’t let her disability define her. Something Bliss had a little experience with.
“So then everything’s been checked at least five times.”
“You know it.” And there was that look on Faith’s face again. “I just…”
Bliss set her coffee cup on the table and leaned forward, concerned. “Just what?”
With a shake of her head, Faith smiled. “Jitters. They suck. You know what, I think I do want to hear more about this amazing guy you met last night.”
Since Faith was getting married tomorrow, Bliss decided not to push. Every bride had jitters before her wedding. They c
ame with the territory.
“There’s really nothing else to tell. Except I think I made a really stupid mistake by not leaving my number.”
“It’s not like you don’t know how to get his.”
Bliss rolled her eyes. “Then I look pathetic, and if he really doesn’t want to hear from me, then I’m being clingy.”
Faith’s nose scrunched. “Yeah, I get it. But still, if you want to see the guy again, and I think you do, then get his number. You never know, he could be the one.”
And there was that tone in Faith’s voice again, and she couldn’t ignore it this time.
“Hey.” She reached over and grabbed Faith’s hand. “Is something going on? I mean, other than the fact that you’re getting married tomorrow?”
Faith didn’t answer right away, wouldn’t meet Bliss’s gaze for several seconds. When she finally did, Bliss knew her friend was having more than jitters.
“I’m afraid Jimmy doesn’t want to get married.”
Bliss didn’t say anything…mainly because she wasn’t sure Faith’s fiancé deserved her.
She’d only met Jimmy Collins a few times but hadn’t been impressed. Yes, he’d stuck by Faith after the accident that had put her in the chair. Faith’s spine had been badly damaged, to the point that the doctors had told her she’d never walk again.
But between Faith’s will and Shelly’s determination, Faith had been working her ass off at physical therapy with the goal of being able to walk down the aisle at her wedding.
Bliss had no doubt Faith would manage it. But she wasn’t sure Jimmy was worth that effort from her. Faith needed to walk again for herself. Not because she thought her fiancé would feel better about himself because she could.
And maybe Bliss was being a total bitch to a man she really didn’t know. Then again—
No. Bliss was damn good at reading people. And Jimmy Collins didn’t deserve this woman. Not one bit. But no way would Bliss ever say that to Faith.
“Why do you think that?”
Faith made a wry grimace. “I’m probably being stupid.”
Faith sounded as if she wanted Bliss to agree, but Bliss couldn’t bring herself to lie, not even to set her friend’s mind at rest the night before her wedding. There was still time for Faith to call it off. But it had to be her decision and not something Bliss advocated in any way.