For You, I Will: A Shots on Goal Spinoff (Shots On Goal Standalone Book 7)

by Kristen Hope Mazzola

  There wasn’t a second to waste. Curiosity and lust took over as I scooped my wife into my arms and marched upstairs to the bedroom. Helping her out of her heels, I locked my eyes on her emerald greens.

  “You’re my favorite person,” I declared for the hundredth time.

  “And you’re mine.” Stormi pulled at the buttons of my dress shirt, stalling.

  “Off with it,” I lightheartedly demanded, pointing at her dress.

  She sighed. “How’d you know?”

  “I know you better than you think.”

  Shimmying out of her dress, Stormi revealed a new black lace and silk teddy that made my mouth water.

  “Holy hell.” I twirled her so I could get a better look. “You’re too good to me.”

  “You deserve it,” she teased before putting her hand on my cheek. “I like reminding you why, after all this time, you still find me attractive.”

  “Baby, you don’t need to remind me. Wear a garbage bag for all I care. I’ll never forget how magnificent you are.”

  Laying her on the bed, I let my fingertips glide over every inch, every curve. Taking her in, I breathed deeply. I wanted to take my time, but patience was not my strong suit when it came to Stormi. She was intoxicating in every way. The sound of her voice got me drunk. The taste of her skin soaked my brain. The sight of her sent me into a tailspin of love colliding with lust—even after all this time.

  “Kiss me like you missed me,” she requested as her breath hitched from my gentle touch.

  “I did miss you, babe.”

  Letting my lips dance over hers as I gripped her sides, I could feel her back arching toward me. I loved feeling that her need matched mine. Unsnapping the clasp between her legs, I gave in to my thirst, quickly and completely. There wasn’t anything better than hearing her soft moans and the quickening of Stormi’s breath as she cheered me on. Her fingers knotted into my short hair as my name escaped from the back of her throat. I sucked and teased her swelling bud as her legs shook on either side of my bristled face.

  “Fuck, babe. You’re too good at that,” she cried as her first climax took over.

  As my wife rode out her ecstasy, I stayed focused on my mission, making sure to send her into hyperdrive.

  Panting, Stormi smiled up at me. “You’re incredible.”

  I let my pants fall to the floor as I watched her for a second.

  “What?” she asked sheepishly as blush danced over her cheeks and neck.

  “Just admiring how beautiful you are,” I confessed.

  She grinned. Rendering her speechless was a feat I aimed to accomplish quite frequently.

  “Take that off,” I demanded.

  Stormi instantly did as I’d asked. Lingerie was sexy and all, but nothing compared to the sight of her naked and raw. She was simply stunning in all the best ways.

  Shifting her to lie completely on the bed, I climbed on top of her. “God, I missed you.”

  Her fingers ran down my arm as she responded, “I missed you, too, handsome, so fucking much.”

  Finally, I filled her, consumed with the most incredible feeling in the world. She was my undoing and my salvation. With every movement, every thrust, my world faded, and all that was left was Stormi and what we had together.

  Stormi

  Waking up in Cason’s strong arms was something I would treasure forever. A simple thing, most people would take it for granted, but I cherished it deeply. I loved the smell of his shampoo, the way he sleepily woke up, how he always kissed my shoulder before getting out of bed, the way he looked at me when he thought I didn’t see him.

  “Morning, beautiful,” he murmured before stifling a yawn.

  Kissing his scruffy cheek, I curled up into his side. “Do we have time for breakfast before you have to head in for your meetings?”

  He checked the clock on the nightstand and frowned. “Sorry, sweetheart. I’ll be home for dinner, though.”

  It was part of the deal, but I didn’t like his answer.

  “Fine,” I whined, pulling the covers over my face.

  “You need to get your notes to Tanya, anyway. You know how pissy she gets if you dilly-dally.” He hugged me tight before scooting out of bed to grab a quick shower.

  “When you’re right, you’re right,” I conceded, grabbing my laptop from the floor to check my emails from the warm comfort of the bed.

  My morning went like it always did when I was home: check emails, respond to as many as I could stomach, chug coffee, send in notes, write as much as I could before writer’s block and self-doubt crept in, and then call Cierra to check in.

  My twin sister had moved to California after she graduated from college. She was taking the political world by storm in Sacramento, working on campaigns and following her dreams. I couldn’t have been prouder of her, but I hated how far away she was. It had always been us against the world and that part really hadn’t changed much, but the distance sucked.

  My sister’s bright voice answered after the first ring. “Hey, chica! How were the playoffs?”

  “Amazing, like usual. How’re you?” I chugged from my oversized mug as she responded.

  “Busy and working my ass off, but I think my candidate has a real shot at this one, so no complaints.”

  “Slave driver for the win,” I teased.

  “Something like that. How’s my hunky brother-in-law doing?”

  “So great. He really pulled out all the stops with this one.”

  “Ten years! Damn, where has the time gone?”

  “Hell if I know.”

  “Just think, if I hadn’t forced him to talk to you in the subway that day, you wouldn’t be in this marital bliss. Where’s my damn present? I should be the one who gets a gift on your anniversary.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  The house phone started ringing.

  “Who the hell calls on a house phone these days?” I remarked as the answering machine picked up.

  “So strange. I don’t know why you still have one, to be honest.”

  “Cason thinks it’s the grownup thing to do.” I rolled my eyes even though no one was there to see it. I had been telling him to get rid of the damn thing for years, but it wasn’t a sword I wanted to fall on.

  Just as I was about to continue the conversation, a woman’s voice started leaving a message. “Cason Bennett, this is Cindy Hughes from the Office of Children and Family Services. Please give us a call back…”

  “Stormi? Earth to Stormi?” Cierra’s voice broke into my shock as the woman left the phone number and her direct extension.

  “Cierra, I’m going to have to call you back.” I was frozen. Why in the world would the Office of Children and Family Services be calling for Cason? To my knowledge and his, he was not a father—neither of us had hardly any family.

  “Stormi? Are you all right?”

  “I think so. Love you, sis. Talk soon.”

  I hung up the phone and just sat on the balcony for what felt like hours. I knew I needed to call Cason, but I didn’t want to fuck up his day with worrying when he was going to be in meetings for hours on end.

  It can wait.

  It has to wait.

  Chapter 5

  Cason

  A few days later

  “Mr. Bennett, are you okay?” Cindy Hughes asked from the other side of her desk.

  I ran my hand over my face as disbelief took over. “I’m sorry, I just don’t understand. I cannot possibly be that boy’s father.”

  “Natty Fitton claims you are, and you’re his only living relative,” the woman explained again.

  My mind raced back to twelve years earlier. I hadn’t thought of the one night-stand with the bartender in forever. The sensible side of my brain knew it was possible, knew it only takes one time to produce a child, but I couldn’t believe Natty had gone twelve years without telling me.

  Cindy continued, “We will be conducting a blood test to confirm paternity, but sir, you’re all this child has ri
ght now if you are in fact his father.”

  “What’s his name?” I finally choked out.

  “Jacob. He’s a very sweet boy. Would you like to meet him?”

  My eyes grew ten times. “He’s here?”

  She nodded.

  “Wouldn’t it be better to wait for the test?” My heart raced. My palms were clammy. My mouth instantly dried out.

  “That is entirely up to you.” She offered a sweet, close-lipped smile. “How about just coming with me to the play room. He’s in there watching television. Just take a look from the window.”

  “I guess there’s no harm in that.” I shoved up from the chair onto shaking knees.

  “Right this way.”

  I followed Cindy down the hall and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw him.

  “I don’t think we’re going to need that blood test,” I acknowledged as the reality of the situation took hold of me. There was no mistaking it—the kid was my damn doppelgänger.

  “We’ll still run one. It’s protocol. If you would follow me back to my office, there are a few more things we need to discuss.”

  I did as she asked and my head spun.

  “His mother stated that there are no other living relatives, like I previously mentioned. I just want to be clear: taking on a child, especially one of Jacob’s age, comes with a lot of responsibility and hard work. I would understand if this is something you feel is not right for you and your wife.”

  “What would happen to him if he didn’t come stay with us?”

  She fidgeted with loose papers in front of her. “While his mother is deemed unfit and unable to care for him, he would be placed in a group home.”

  My heart twisted in my chest.

  “When could he come home with us?” The words spilled out before I knew what I was saying. I hadn’t even talked to Stormi yet.

  “I would have to come by for a home visit, check the place out and make sure it is suitable for Jacob. After that, I can push the process along rather swiftly—once the judge grants you temporary custody, that is. We aim to have children placed as quickly as possible.”

  “What happened to Natty?” The question had been nagging at me, and finally I’d grown the balls to enquire.

  “She was arrested for a hit-and-run the night before I called your apartment. She has been processed and is awaiting her court date at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. To my knowledge, she has not posted bail, and that’s really all the information I am at liberty to discuss.”

  “A child? And he’s how old?” Stormi sat on the couch next to me as I told her about my meeting with Cindy.

  “Twelve.”

  “We met twelve years ago.” Her face contorted as the timeline hung heavy in the air.

  I grabbed her hand. “Stormi, right before I met you, I had a one-night thing with a bartender. Apparently, she got pregnant that night and never told me.”

  She took a sharp breath in. “What do we have to do?”

  “I have to take a paternity test, and if it comes back that I am this kid’s father, we have to make a decision. He can come stay with us or he will be placed in a group home.”

  Stormi violently shook her head as tears welled up rapidly. “Look, I know children were never part of the plan. We were going to live our lives, have our busy jobs, and make time for each other the best we could. Life doesn’t always go to plan, though, and over my dead body will your child go into the damn system to be pushed around and not cared for the way he deserves. I love you, Cason. If this kid is yours, we have to make this work. We’d never forgive ourselves if we didn’t.”

  “How’d I get so lucky to have you? I agree, but I know how huge this is. It’s not like a child can come out of the woodwork and claim to be yours. I am so sorry.”

  She shifted on top of me, gripping both sides of my face in her hands. “Do not apologize for not knowing you had a son out there. That is on his mother, not on you. Yes, this isn’t ideal, but we will get through it. Besides, it’s only temporary. As long as Natty deals with her charges and everything, she can regain custody.”

  “You’re right.” I kissed her soft lips, pulling her into my arms. “You’re the best.”

  “You better never forget that.” Stormi rested her head on my shoulder, still cradled in my arms. “What’s his name?”

  “Jacob.”

  “Jacob. That has a nice ring to it.”

  I smiled down at my wife. “It really does. Thank God he isn’t named Thor or Blanket.”

  Stormi giggled. “But how is he going to fit in at a New York school without an uppity name like Apple or Emperor?”

  “Fuck if I know. Maybe we should give him a nickname like Miso just to help him adjust.”

  “I hope he’s cool,” Stormi said softly as she exhaled.

  “How could he not be with Bennett blood coursing through his veins?”

  “Do you really think he’s yours?”

  I could feel her body tense as her words echoed in the living room.

  “It was like looking in a damn mirror,” I admitted.

  Chapter 6

  Cason

  A few weeks later

  The paternity test had proven what I’d already known. After a meeting with a judge, the home visit, and an extensive interview, Stormi and I were getting the spare room ready for our new arrival.

  “I wish we knew more about this kid other than him loving basketball and being halfway decent at math.” Stormi was putting the new sheets and comforter on the queen bed as I cleared off my desk.

  “We’re fast learners. Let’s just hope he isn’t into Marilyn Manson and goth makeup.” I cringed a little at the thought.

  “Oh crap, what if he doesn’t like hockey?” The fear that took over Stormi’s face was comical.

  “I have a feeling one second with you could change any young boy’s mind about hockey even if he loathes the sport.” I took her into my arms, staring down at her. “Thank you.”

  Cocking her head to the side, she raised an eyebrow at me. “For what?”

  “Being so amazing about all of this. I don’t know if I could do it without you.” My lips brushed her forehead as I took in a deep breath of her sweet shampoo.

  “You know I’m leaving for Pittsburgh in two days for my interview with Sidney Crosby.”

  I nodded reluctantly. “I still don’t know why you can’t just do a phone interview with him like a normal reporter of this day and age.”

  “You know Tanya gets finicky about that sort of stuff. She believes there is power in looking people dead in the eyes.”

  “Fine. Just know you owe me one.”

  “We are going to have to do a lot of juggling going forward, and I will talk with Tanya. She has a soft spot for kids, so I’m sure I’ll be able to work it out.”

  The thought of being alone in the apartment with a kid I didn’t know was terrifying. I had decided that no matter how much I didn’t want Stormi to leave, I wasn’t going to let the burden of my past hinder her life any more than it was already going to. Jacob was my son and I had to man up, simple as that.

  A sharp knock sounded on the front door.

  Stormi gripped my hand tightly, bouncing on her heels. “Showtime. Do you feel like you’re going to puke?”

  “Yep.”

  “Good. Glad I’m not the only one.”

  Together, Stormi and I answered the door. Cindy’s grin spanned from ear to ear as she ushered Jacob in.

  “Stormi, Cason, it is my pleasure to finally introduce you to Jacob.”

  Stormi leaned down a few inches to be at his eye level. “We’re so happy to welcome you into our home.”

  With his chin tucked and his lips pursed together, all Jacob offered was a quick wave.

  “Here are his belongings and his book bag. Jacob’s school starts at eight on Monday.” Cindy set his stuff down by the door before turning to him. “These are very nice people, Jacob, and they will take very good care of you. I’ll be back in a week to ch
eck in. Does that sound okay?”

  He nodded, only uttering, “Yes.”

  “It’s been a pleasure getting to know you. See you all soon.”

  We said our goodbyes and that was it. Cindy was gone and we had a child to care for.

  “Want to see your room?” I asked, grabbing the few bags from the floor.

  Jacob looked up at me. “I have my own room here?”

  “Of course you do.” Stormi put her hand on his shoulder. “We just finished getting it all ready for you. Once you’re settled, we’ll work on getting it decorated however you want. We want you to feel at home here.”

  “Thank you.” The look on Jacob’s face was heartbreaking. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what he had gone through. All I knew was that I wanted to protect him from anything bad happening ever again. It was a flood of mixed emotions. I didn’t know him, but I loved him, and I knew that love would only grow stronger.

  He followed us into the small bedroom that would be his.

  “The bathroom is just across the hall, and our bedroom is on the other side of the living room,” I explained as I put his bags into the closet.

  “Okay. I have some homework.” Jacob grabbed his school bag, taking out a history book and a notepad.

  “How about we leave you to it and you let us know when you’re hungry. How does Chinese takeout sound?” Stormi was doing great. The way she kept her calm and was so gentle wasn’t surprising because that was how she always was, but it was still heartwarming.

  “I’d like that.” Jacob’s timid voice was barely audible.

  “I’ll get the menu out and whenever you’re ready, we’ll be in the living room.”

  We ducked out of his room, leaving the door cracked.

  Stormi pursed her lips and shot me a I hope we’re doing this right look with a shrug.

  I pulled her into my arms; it was my comforting move.

  “This might actually be great,” I whispered.

  “I think you might be right.” As she agreed with me, I felt part of the stress of the situation leave my shoulders. We were in this together, and I knew as long as I had Stormi in my corner, everything was going to be all right.