“I know my brother, and these two are definitely more than friends.” I shoot him a look to stop him from going any further, but he keeps going. “How come you didn’t tell me, little bro? I haven’t heard from you in over a month.”
Because I was too busy fucking Bex in every place on and off campus I could find.
Coach Bryant makes note of Bex’s awkward silence and my nervous fidgeting. “Is there something going on between you two?”
Who should answer? Bex or me?
“Coach,” I start. “I was gonna talk to you about this.”
He seems confused, but clearly understands I went behind his back. Thanks to JP, my favorite coach is now about to hate me. He holds the keys to my future in his hand. If he wants, he can take it out on me, bench me whenever he sees fit. Would he do that? I sure as hell hope not, or I can kiss my hockey career goodbye.
“My bad.” JP fills his plate with food. “I didn’t know you guys were…”
He doesn’t even know what to say, none of us do.
“How was the weather in New York?” Mom asks JP to change the subject.
“Worse than it is here. They had at least two more inches.”
The conversation returns to normal, with Coach Bryant shooting devious stares in my direction. He shakes his head at Bex and me, disappointed. She looks as though she wants to crawl under the table. I move my hand to her thigh, slipping her fingers between mine.
“It will be okay,” I say under my breath.
“I hope so,” she whispers.
For a split second, I wonder if this will ruin our relationship. The thought of returning to a life without Bex guts me. I hate the powerless feeling associated with being in love. It rips you apart from the inside out.
Chapter Eighteen
Bex
My dad drives in silence, his hands clutching the steering wheel so tight his knuckles are white. Fear shakes through me the further we drive without speaking a word. He hasn’t been this quiet since my mom left. For weeks after she was gone, he sat in the living room, staring at the TV with no sound.
“Say something, please,” I choke out the words. “I know you’re mad. So just get it over with. Yell at me. Tell me that I’m making a horrible decision. But don’t ignore me.”
“How could you, Bex?” His face scrunches in anger. “After everything that happened with Kellan.”
“Preston is nothing like Kellan. He’s decent and good. And he cares about me.”
“He might care about you now, but what happens after graduation? That kid is the real deal. He’s going to be a star… just like his dad.”
“Look how everything turned out for his parents. They seem happy. Just because his dad was a pro hockey player doesn’t mean he’s an asshole. What Preston does for a living doesn’t define him.”
“His dad was known as the King of Puck Bunny Scandals before he met Coach. He didn’t settle down with her until he’d hit rock bottom. Once Preston gets a taste of the life, and is traveling around the country, he won’t have time for you. I don’t want you to get left behind.”
“Why? Because Mom did it to you?”
His expression turns to pain, maybe sadness. “Watch it, Bex. At least I didn’t run away when the times got tough. I stuck it out. I did the best I could to raise you. All I want is what’s best for you. And it’s not Preston Parker. Maybe five or ten years from now I would change my mind, but you’re both so young.”
I cross my arms over my chest, my jaw set hard as I stare out the window and watch the cars pass us by on the highway. “I’m in love with him, Dad. There isn’t a thing you can do to change that.”
He sighs. “You might think you’re in love with that boy but love fades. Time and distance will change how you feel about each other.”
“I know I broke your rules, and I’m sorry.”
“Honey, you were in bad shape after what happened with Kellan. I didn’t know what to do back then. I forbade you from going near my players, and you still ended up with that piece of shit. All I want to do is keep you from getting hurt again. You are my number one priority. If you’re in pain, I will feel it, too. And I would do anything to take it away. You have no idea how much I wished I could back then. I thought that by coming to Strick U instead of Boston College, I could help you somehow.”
“Kellan was an exception. A jerk. Just because he plays hockey doesn’t mean every guy who does is like him. You were a hockey player, and you’re nothing like him.”
“I know,” he groans, shoving a hand through his hair, before placing it back on the steering wheel. “I don’t want you to get hurt again. I just wish you would have told me. We used to talk all the time. Not so much lately.”
“Because I’ve been keeping this a secret from you since the start of your season. I didn’t want it to have an impact on how you coached or how you felt about Preston. I didn’t want him to get benched over it. Hockey is important to him.”
“I would never bench my best player because of his personal life. Not unless he was partying all the time and failing out of school.”
“Do you think you can accept Preston and me? I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I thought I loved Kellan but that was lust. Our relationship wasn’t based off anything real. But with Preston, it’s like I can be myself. He gets me in ways no one does.”
His frown slowly turns into a tiny smile that tugs at the corners of his mouth. Even in the darkness, I can see it. “If this is what you want and Preston makes you happy, then I’m okay with it. But I plan to talk to him. He better treat you good. You tell me if he gets out of line.”
I chuckle at his overprotectiveness. “I will, Dad. Promise. You will be the first to know.”
Chapter Nineteen
Preston
Coach Bryant leans his forearms on his desk and locks eyes with me. “We’re at Boston College on Friday night. I need you focused. No playing house with my daughter the night before. You got it?”
I stare at him, confused. “Yeah, sure. Got it.”
“You know about Kellan Lehane, right? Bex told you.”
I nod. “Yeah. She told me everything.”
“Listen, kid, I like you. You’re a great player. I have no doubt you’ll go pro. But Bex is not some puck bunny you can play with until you leave for whatever team drafts you.”
“I’ve never thought of Bex that way.” My tone is defensive, sincere.
Bex has never been a sex toy to me. From the start, I saw more with her, wanted more.
He flashes a closed-mouth smile. “Good. That’s good to hear. I worry about her. After what happened with Lehane, I don’t want to see her go through it again. You’re the first guy she’s dated since the incident. He did a real number on her and made her life a living hell. If you think there’s even a chance you will break her heart, I beg you to cut ties right now. I’m not sure if she can handle more heartbreak.”
Without hesitation, I say, “I would never hurt Bex.” And I mean it.
“You say that now, but things will change for you after graduation. This is only a temporary situation for you, where for Bex, this is her life.”
I cross my arms over my chest, annoyed. “I understand your concern.”
“The fame goes to a lot of players heads. You don’t know it yet, but it could happen to you, too. One day you’re a nobody, just a big fish in a small pond, and the next your face is on TV, in newspapers. You’re getting interviewed by ESPN and signing deals with Gatorade and Under Armour. That changes people.”
“It won’t change me,” I promise, because I honestly don’t think going pro will make a difference. “I grew up with famous parents. I’m already adjusted to this lifestyle.”
He sinks into the leather chair, his hands folded on the desk in front of him. “I’m not trying to give you a hard time. You’re a good kid. I know you are. I’m just worried about Bex.”
“You have nothing to worry about. I would do anything to protect her.”
&nb
sp; “Do you love her?”
“Yeah. I do. I just haven’t told her yet. But I think she knows.”
“For both of your sakes, I hope this works out.”
“Me, too,” I admit. “I never knew how empty I was until I had Bex in my life. It’s like something was missing before, and with Bex, now I feel more complete.”
“You’re playing better.”
I smile. “She’s rubbing off on me.”
His expression mirrors mine. “She has a way of doing that.”
“Yes, she does.” I place my palms on the arms of the chair and push myself up to my feet. “Mind if I hit the showers, Coach?”
He waves toward the door. “Go ahead. Make sure you get some rest for the big game. The bus leaves tomorrow morning at eight o’clock sharp.”
I tip my head to him, and then get the hell out of his office as fast possible. This wasn’t as bad as I had expected. Still, it was awkward as fuck.
Later that night, Bex is in bed with me, curled up in the crook of my arm. Her bare tits are pressed against my side, her hard nipples poking me. She runs her hand down my chest, feeling her way to my already hard cock.
“Again?” She laughs. “You have some killer stamina, Parker.”
“I’m a hockey player. It comes naturally.”
“Yeah, but…” She fists my cock, stroking it gently in her delicate hand. “You still get breaks between line changes. But in the bedroom—”
“I could go all night, woman. You know that.” I cover my hand with hers, helping her jerk me off. “This feels so good, baby,” I hiss. “But I’d rather come inside you.”
She giggles, and before she can respond, I roll on to my side, just enough to flip Bex onto her stomach. Getting behind her, I spread her legs apart, and pull her ass to me. I give her right cheek a playful smack that causes her to yelp, followed by laughter.
“Preston, what are you doing?” She laughs again. “You’re so bad.”
“Do you like that?”
She hesitates. “Yeah, I think so.”
I lean forward, pressing my lips to her skin to kiss the pink mark left behind from my hand. “All better?”
“Ahh, yeah,” she whispers. “All better.”
Now, I’m laughing at her change of heart.
Slowly, I inch inside her, breaking through her inner walls, causing her to moan. She whimpers, same as she does every time I first enter her. Once she adjusts to my size, she relaxes. She becomes putty in my hands, her body moving along with mine, our rhythm so in sync.
She turns her head to the side, staring back at me. Her cheeks are flushed. The pink from her face spreads down to her arms. I’m hot, too. Heat licks my skin from the uncontainable fire burning inside me. She does this to me. A few soft moans, my name on her lips, and my cock is throbbing, begging for release. Holding her hips, I fuck her harder. She likes it this way, craves it. I tap her ass again, just to test the waters, to see if she will moan for me again. And she does. She’s into this, and I’m so fucking into her. Her pussy is so tight, so damn wet I wish I could bury my cock inside her forever.
It feels too good when I’m with Bex. I get lost with her, so damn lost I forget to come up for air. Until she screams for me, purrs my name. She begs me to go deeper, fill her up with my cock.
“Oh… my… God… Preston.” She chokes out each word until she’s breathless and gasping for air.
I reach around her to touch her clit. With each slow, circular movement I make with my thumb, she trembles. Her pussy clenches around my dick.
“Yesss...” she breathes.
“Fuck, woman,” I groan. “You’re strangling my dick so hard.” Still rubbing her clit, I work harder, move faster, about to explode from the pressure. “You’re killing me. I’m about to come.”
I don’t want to, but she’s making it too damn hard.
“Me, too,” she whispers, her voice shaky.
She’s so close I can feel it. Our tempos are almost never perfectly aligned, but this time, she’s there, teetering on the edge with me, about to burst. And she does. Her body convulses, just as my cock pulses.
After we finish, I lean forward and run my hand over her back, before I pull out. I watch as our juices slide from her dripping wet pussy and down her inner thighs. It’s so fucking hot my cock perks up again. But I need a break.
Coach gave me orders to follow and those include getting some rest. Something I will never get with Bex here.
I wrap my arms around Bex and lower her to the mattress, cradling her against my chest. We’re out of breath, our bodies slick with sweat. My room stinks of sex and Bex’s citrus-scented body wash.
I kiss her breast and she stirs, cuddling up to me. “Want to get a shower with me?”
“Is that code for more sex?” she asks.
“No, not this time.” I brush a strand of her hair off her forehead and plant a quick kiss on her lips. “I need a shower. For real. And we need to get some sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow. We’re driving up to Boston in the morning.”
“I wish my dad would let me come with you guys.”
“No girls on the team bus,” I inform her. “It’s like no girls in the locker room.”
She raises her hand to her mouth. “Oops! Been there, done that.”
I shake my head, laughing. “You’re a real rule breaker, Bex Bryant.”
“So are you, Peter Preston Parker. What a name? Try saying that ten times fast.”
I roll my eyes. “Sometimes I seriously think about changing my name.”
“I like Peter. There’s nothing wrong with your first name.” She chuckles, sitting up. “Okay, Peter, let’s get you in the shower.” Bex holds out her hand to me, and I gladly slip my fingers between hers.
“Call me that again, and you’ll pay for it, woman.”
“Oh, yeah?” She throws on one of my old shirts that stops mid-thigh, looking so fucking sexy in it. “What are you gonna do about it, Parker?”
I follow behind her, stepping into a pair of boxers. “Deprive you of sex.”
Her lips part, and her mouth opens slightly. “You wouldn’t.”
I open my bedroom door and hold it open for her. “Test me and find out.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “I don’t believe you. You can’t even go without sex for a day.”
“In addition to stamina, I have incredible willpower. You’ll be begging me for sex by the time I’m done icing you out.”
I lead her down the hallway and check to make sure the bathroom I share with Jamie is clean, before I drag her inside. She sits on top of the toilet lid, watching as I turn on the shower and fidget with the knobs until I have the perfect temperature.
Bex licks her lips as I remove my boxers. “I can’t believe you’re mine. This still doesn’t feel real.”
Her words take me by surprise. “Why?”
“Because I never thought you’d like a girl like me.”
I drop to my knees in front of her and place my hands on her thighs, staring into her eyes. “What kind of girl is that? Beautiful, smart, caring, athletic, sexy… I can keep going if you want.”
She smiles, and then reaches up to touch my face. “You’re so perfect. It’s like you always know the right things to say when I need it.”
“What’s wrong?”
She sighs. “I was just thinking about tomorrow’s game.”
“Are you upset because of Kellan Lehane?”
“No… I don’t know. It’s weird, don’t you think? I know it bothers you. My dad hates playing his team because of it. You’ve been so sweet and never said anything about it, but every time you mention Boston College or Kellan, you get this insane look on your face like you’re about to Hulk Smash everything around you.”
“I’m not gonna lie. That’s how I feel. I want to beat the shit out of him. I want to make him pay for what he did to you. I even asked my dad to pull a few strings to get him kicked off the team. But even he can’t make that happen.”
; She strokes my cheek with her fingers. “It won’t change the past, Preston. I don’t want you to do anything stupid that could jeopardize your career.”
“I won’t, baby. I promise.” I pull her down to me, kissing her so hard I’m breathless by the time our lips separate.
As much as I want to destroy Kellan, I have to keep my word. That’s what you do for someone you love.
“Now, get your sexy ass in that shower,” I command, and she squeals with delight.
Chapter Twenty
Bex
“I can’t believe you talked me into this.” Taylor clutches the steering wheel so tight her knuckles are white. “Why does Boston have to be so damn far?”
She hates driving, but at least she has a car. I have a license and haven’t driven more than a few hundred miles since I got it my senior year of high school. And the fun part… Preston has no idea I’m surprising him. He thinks I’m staying behind, waiting for him to come home on Saturday.
“It’s not that far from Philly.”
She gives me an annoyed look. “We’re three hours into a five-hour drive that has turned into longer because of traffic. You better get the best sex of your life or an engagement ring out of this.”
“Maybe you’ll get the best sex of your life instead.”
She cocks her head to me. “What are you talking about?”
“Drake will be there. Duh, silly. He has a crush on you. He asked me about you a while ago.”
She huffs. “Yeah, I know. I’ve talked to him a few times, but he’s acted like a pig every time. So, now I ignore him to see how much it wounds his precious ego.”
I laugh. “Are you into him?”
“Hell, yeah. Have you seen him? I mean, my God, it’s like he bottles up sex and carries it everywhere with him. His arms, those legs… Don’t even get me started. He’s like a wall of muscle I want climb. Drake’s so hot. But guys like him are used to getting what they want, and because of that, he’ll never get me.”
Pucking Parker (Face-Off Legacy Book 1) Page 14