Though he wrapped his arms around me in a hug, I knew it was Killian he was looking at.
“Looking beautiful as always,” he said when we pulled apart, giving me an approving look. “And I should know who you are,” he said, turning to Killian. “Your face is so familiar, but I can’t place you. Are you an actor?”
“No, sir.”
“Don’t tell me,” Dad said, studying him. “I know it’ll come to me. Just give me a minute.”
I looked up to see my mom approaching, she was almost running in her heels. “Sidney, you made it!” She squeezed me close and then stood back to look me over. “There’s a glow about you, dear. You look lovely.” She turned to Killian and pulled him into a hug, too. “It’s wonderful to meet you…?”
“Killian. Killian Bosch,” he said.
“Bosch,” my father declared. “The hockey player?”
“Yes, sir.”
Dad’s bushy brows lowered and he looked directly at Killian. “You were let go from Boston before you even played a single game for them.”
“Dad,” I cut in. “That was years ago.”
My father’s gaze was on me now, the wheels in his mind turning. “He’s a Fenway Flyer. He’s on your team. You’re dating one of your players?”
“Yes, that’s how we met.”
The look on my father’s face was one of displeasure, and I knew he had made his final judgment of Killian. And he’d done it in less than sixty seconds. Bluntly, he continued, “This is just another act of defiance, isn’t it? Surely you don’t have serious intentions with a minor league hockey player.”
Knowing she needed to step in, Mom put her arm on Killian’s. “I think it’s rather romantic. Killian, we’re so pleased to meet you. Please forgive my husband – he doesn’t think any man is good enough for our daughter.”
The relief I felt in that moment was so overwhelming I had to clear away a lump in my throat. My mother had always been the more critical of my parents, but this comment of hers made up for all the times when I’d thought she was being unreasonable.
“When will the dancing start?” I asked, looking at the empty wood dance floor, and changing the subject.
“After dinner, Dear,” my mom said, frowning in confusion. “I never knew you were interested in dancing. When did that start?”
“Since I met Killian. His mom was a dance teacher and he’s an excellent dancer.”
I could tell Dad wanted to make a smart comment, but he felt the pressure of my mother’s hand on his arm and he said nothing. His glance at Killian spoke volumes, though.
“I see some friends I want to introduce Killian to,” I said, taking his arm. “Excuse us.”
“It was a pleasure to meet both of you, Mr. and Mrs. Stahl,” he said. “Congratulations on your anniversary.”
My father grunted, still giving Killian the evil eye.
“I could really go for a beer or ten right now,” he said in a low tone.
“I know what you mean. I’m sorry about that. That’s just the way my dad is—it’s the way he’s always been.”
“Look, I understand him wanting the best for you. Any father wants that for his daughter.”
I tugged on his arm and stopped near a drink station. “He doesn’t realize it, but I’ve already got the best. No matter what I do, I’ll never meet my dad’s standards. He’s judgmental and he thinks he’s always right. Don’t let it get to you.”
Killian nodded, but he wouldn’t meet my gaze. We’d barely gotten our feet under us as a couple, and my dad was a lot for any man to take in. Had I made the right decision in bringing him here?
We grabbed some drinks and then mingled with family and friends. There were a lot of people here I hadn’t seen in a while and every single one of them congratulated Killian and me on the success of the Flyers. Even my brother Daniel was happy to see me doing well personally and professionally.
When dinner was served we were seated at the head table next to my parents and Daniel. Despite the fact that I knew both of us weren’t exactly at ease I was pretty sure we looked like a happy couple to anyone who glanced our way. Killian’s fingers were laced through mine beneath the table throughout the entire meal. He never let go. Finally, the orchestra began to play some dance tunes. Killian stood up and led me out to the dance floor.
He pulled me close, leading me around the floor. I laid my head on his chest but it was bittersweet, because I knew something wasn’t right. He’d been closed off since my father’s rude comment and had barely said a word all night.
I was near tears by the end of the night. The restless feeling and sense of unease I’d had all evening had grown into a sense of foreboding.
Mercifully the evening came to an end and we said goodnight to my parents then walked outside, hand in hand, to wait for the valet to bring our rental car around.
“Everything’s not okay, is it?” I asked, my nerves on edge.
A deep exhale was his answer.
“I wanted you here,” I said. “I want you in my life in every possible way. Please don’t let my parents’ lavish party and critical comments put you off. My dad can be such a jerk sometimes and I’m so sorry tonight was one of those times.”
He turned to face me, taking both my hands in his. “Your dad wants what’s best for you.”
“Don’t,” I said, tears clouding my vision. “He does not get to decide what’s best for me and please don’t say you’re not the best for me. You’re good and loyal and strong, Killian. I don’t care what league you play in. I don’t care if you collect trash for a living. You make me happy in every way that matters.”
I blinked and the tears escaped my eyes. Killian gave me a pained look and wiped them away with his thumb.
“I’m not as good for you as I could be, Sidney. But I plan to change that. I need to prove a few things to you, to your family and, most importantly, to myself. I need to go back home and be alone for the rest of the weekend.”
“You’re leaving?” I was incredulous. New tears welled in my eyes.
“I’m not leaving you. I’m not leaving what we have. Don’t doubt that for a second, please. I’m trying to do what I need to do to be deserving of you.”
I shook my head with frustration. “You’re completely deserving. My dad was a jerk to you.”
He put a finger to my lips, silencing me. “I want to be deserving of you in my own eyes, Sid. Do you trust that I’ll be faithful to you?”
“Yes.”
“Then kiss me and let me go. You take the rental and I’ll catch a cab to the airport. Can you bring my things back with you when you head out tomorrow?”
I nodded, absolutely certain that the sadness I felt right now was about to swallow me whole. Killian raised my hands to his lips and kissed them. Somehow, I forced myself to lean up and kiss him back.
He walked me to the rental car, holding my hand and getting me settled until I was looking up at him from the driver’s seat.
“I’ll talk to you soon,” he said, releasing my fingers. “I’ll text you.”
I watched his back as he walked away, already missing the warmth of his presence. Much as I wanted to believe everything would be okay, the unsettled feeling wouldn’t go away. Only time would tell if we’d make it and, right now, I was worried sick. I knew Killian needed time, but patience wasn’t my strong suit.
Chapter 12
Sidney
My weekend had been surprisingly relaxing. I’d had lunch with my mom the day after the party and she had tried to reassure me that Dad only wanted what was best for me, and that sometimes his brain didn’t always catch up with his mouth. I was grateful for her sensitivity and she helped me feel a bit better about how things had gone the previous evening.
Instead of catching an early flight back to Fenway, I stayed in the hotel and spent some time working and reading before catching the red eye home.
Now it was Monday.
But the trepidation had returned this morning when I watched the prac
tice from a seat high in the stands, hoping no one would spot me. Killian’s smile had made my heart pound, even though it wasn’t directed at me. The sight of his powerful body moving up and down the ice made me miss his warmth next to me in bed.
Why had he texted me and asked me to come to his place after practice instead of just coming up to my office?
Killian’s apartment was at the end of a simple red brick building. This was the first time I’d seen player housing. It wasn’t bad, but it needed some landscaping. My real estate developer wheels were always turning. I made a mental note to have it taken care of in the spring. My frazzled nerves welcomed any thoughts that weren’t about Killian right now. I was walking up the sidewalk to ring his doorbell, though I still didn’t know why.
I reached for the small round bell and rang it. I was about to find out what was on Killian’s mind.
He opened the door and before I could get out a greeting, he grabbed my hand and pulled me inside, pushing the door closed behind me.
I gave a small cry of surprise as he wrapped his arms around me, his mouth warm and familiar on mine.
“I’ve missed you,” he said.
“I missed you, too. It’s only been two days!”
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off you if I came up to your office.”
He slid my coat off my shoulders and tossed it on a worn brown sofa. I got my first look at his place. The walls were bare and white. There was just a couch, a coffee table and a television in the living room. Open boxes were spread out on the floor.
He was packing.
“What’s this?” I asked, gesturing at the boxes.
“Let’s sit down,” he said, leading me to the couch.
He kept my hand in his as he turned to face me as we got comfortable.
“I talked to Orion and the coach of the Indy team. I’m leaving tomorrow to take that spot on their roster.”
He was leaving. I’d never thought about what this decision would feel like. And now I knew—it was like my heart was being pulled from my chest.
I realized I had a death grip on his hand and I released it. The tears were back. The woman who never cried was apparently making up for lost time. I swiped my fingers beneath my eyes, embarrassed by yet another emotional display.
“Hey.” Killian slid down from the couch and got to his knees in front of me. He wrapped his arms around me, one warm hand grazing across my lower back. “I want to be with you more than ever, Sidney. I’m doing this because of you. Before we met, I was bitter and afraid. But you’re fearless. I love that about you. If I can be fearless too, I’ll be deserving of you.”
“I want you to be happy,” I said. “Whichever team you’re on, that’s all I want.”
“I hate the fact that I became a guy who backed down from a challenge. That’s not the kind of man I want to be. You were a challenge, but I was too crazy about you to back down. And now I’ve never been happier. So I want to face the challenge of playing for Indy. Maybe I’ll stay, maybe they’ll cut me. But I’m ready to give it a shot.”
I smiled, his enthusiasm warming me. “I’m so proud of you. I know you’ll be amazing.”
“Promise you’ll be watching. Even if it’s on TV.”
I reached for his face, cupping his scruffy cheeks in my hands. “Always. I will always be watching.”
“I love you, Sid.”
This time my tears were happy. “I love you, too.”
He closed his arms around me, pulling me against him. I wrapped my legs around his waist, kissing him with all my pent up feelings.
“You love me,” I said, my well of happiness spilling over.
“I do.”
“So…we’ll make it work. I’ll come to Indy whenever I can.”
“The schedule’s a bitch for the next couple of weeks.”
“I’ll do the traveling,” I said. “You need to focus on your game.”
“We won’t get to see each other as much.” Killian pulled back to look at me, his eyes soft.
“We’ll make it work. This is a good thing for you.”
Winding his fingers into my hair, he kissed me, his tongue demanding against mine. He pulled at my clothes and I pulled at his until they were scattered on the floor. I laid back on the couch, my body humming with need for him.
He tore his mouth from mine and looked down at me. “It’s a good thing for us,” he said.
My heart swelled with love for him. He pushed my thighs apart, about to make up for the sex we’d missed over the weekend, when I stopped him with a palm on his chest.
“Mr. Bosch, you know I believe in incentivizing,” I said.
His gray blue eyes darkened with arousal. “I’m well aware, boss. What’d you have in mind?”
“Score a goal with the new team and I’ll give you the one part of me you’ve never had?”
“Your ass?”
“That’s right. And you know me, Killian. I’ll want it hard.”
“Fuck. I’ve never wanted to score a goal so bad in my life.”
My smile turned into a moan as he thrust himself into me.
“Like that?” he asked, pausing while buried all the way in me. “Or … maybe like this?”
He pounded into me, pushing my thighs up near my shoulders to give himself a better angle.
“Oh, God,” I cried, panting. “Like that. Killian…don’t stop.”
“Have you missed this, baby?”
“Yes.” I closed my eyes, relishing the fullness of him inside me.
“I’ve missed your wet pussy,” he said, wrapping an arm around the back of my shoulders to hold me in place as he fucked me even harder. “Fuck, baby…so good.”
He lowered his lips to my nipple, circling it lightly with his tongue. I cried out and dug my nails into his back. I was desperate to come, and he was teasing me with the one thing he knew would send me over the edge.
“Your nipples taste so good,” he said in a low, sexy tone. “I could just lick and suck them for hours.”
He sucked one lightly then went back to circling it with his tongue, his hips still pounding into me mercilessly.
“Killian, please,” I begged. “Please let me come.’
I felt his low groan against my nipple. He grazed it between his teeth lightly and I cried out with frustration. An instant later, his teeth locked onto my nipple and tugged it hard, sending me into a deep orgasm that spread through my whole body in powerful waves.
He groaned against my neck, his body tensing for a few seconds. When he went limp, I wrapped my arms and legs around him.
“I love you so damn much,” he said in my ear. “No matter where I’m at, you’re my girl. Don’t ever forget that.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back tears of happiness. This next stage of our relationship wouldn’t be easy, but nothing worth having ever was.
Killian
Two weeks into joining the new team, I was finally hitting a groove. I’d been too worried about screwing up to enjoy my first few games, but tonight’s had been fun. I was already analyzing the mistakes I’d made, but I knew I’d done more right than wrong.
My teammates and I were meeting for a late dinner. I was sitting in the back of a cab on the way to the restaurant when I pulled out my phone to call Sid. A text from my former coach was waiting for me.
Orion: Nice game tonight.
I wrote back my thanks. It felt good to know that he’d watched it. Bennett and Liam were catching as many of my games as they could, and I knew they were in my corner despite all their pissy text messages. I missed everyone from the Fenway team like hell. Now I was a small fish in the pond, and my swagger was on the back burner.
I missed Sid more than anyone. In Fenway, there’d been small reminders of her everywhere. I’d be pulling on a hoodie and realize I could smell her perfume on it. I’d gotten used to the cinnamon toothpaste at her place, and now the mint kind at my new apartment just wasn’t the same. I still pulled two coffee mugs out of the ca
binet in the morning, forgetting I was only pouring coffee for one now.
When I dialed her number, the sound of her voice on the other end of the line soothed away some of the ache.
“Killian, you were amazing tonight,” she said.
“Thanks. I wish you were here. Or I was there…or something”
“Me, too.”
“How was your day?”
She sighed, the few seconds of silence telling me something was up. “You know, the usual.”
“I like hearing about your usual.”
“Just work stress,” she said dismissively.
“You sound upset.”
“I’m fine.”
I shifted in my seat, restlessness settling over me. “You don’t sound fine, Sid.”
“I’m just tired.”
“Will you be able to make it to Chicago tomorrow night for the game?”
“I can’t. Something came up.”
I waited for her to explain, but she didn’t.
“Why are you being so cryptic?” I asked.
“I’m not being cryptic.”
This wasn’t the warm conversation I’d been hoping for. But then, it was close to midnight. I’d been held up after the game with an interview.
“You want me to let you go so you can sleep?” I asked.
“Yeah, I do need to sleep. I’m sorry I’m cranky.”
“It’s alright. Don’t worry about it.”
“I love you, Killian.” Her voice was almost pleading, though I had no idea why. Was she feeling insecure about us?
“I love you too, baby. Miss you every minute.”
We said goodbye and hung up. I passed the rest of the cab ride staring out the window, wondering if I’d made the right decision in coming to Indy. I didn’t want to play in the NHL if it meant losing Sidney. Chances were good I’d never meet another woman who’d captured me the way she had. I’d never forgive myself if I lost her due to the strain of a long-distance relationship.
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