“What happened? Because it can’t be just because I’m home again.” His grin deepens.
“Well, that’s part of it, but I got a part-time job and,” I flip the iPad for him to see. “Look,” I point to the screen.
“You were accepted? Jade, that’s great! You really have had a great day. I’m proud of you. Congrats.”
“I know. Isn’t that crazy? I did it. Well, I mean, I applied and they said ‘yes’. I’m still in shock.”
“Time to stop being shocked and time to celebrate because you did it. What do you want to do?”
“Really? Anything I pick?”
“Anything at all.”
“Then we’re going to Burger King and getting milkshakes.”
I give him a quick kiss on the lips before taking his hand and racing out to the truck. I’m bouncing in my seat, telling him all about how I applied for the job and how the manager seemed really nice. I also let him know I got all the food for the dinner. Valo doesn’t seem to be nervous at all and tells me that everything will be fine. I’m still a wreck, but I guess it’ll be okay.
He tells me all about his away games. I did watch them and they have been playing better. I’m not an expert or anything about hockey, but I do know Valo is in the top ten of scorers so far this season.
We go through the drive-thru because he’s tired and wants to rest. I order my large strawberry milkshake and suck it down on the way back.
When we arrive home, I figure Gus is asleep and I’m thankful I don’t have to hear any of his dumbass comments tonight. I’m too happy to have him be my Debbie Downer.
We head upstairs and I know I want to spend all night in Valo’s arms.
My Finny.
My boyfriend.
I head into the bathroom where I hid one of my baby doll nighties. It’s red and very see through. I fluff up my hair and touch up my makeup. Valo will like it. I step out of the bathroom and Valo is sitting on the edge of the bed, looking down at the floor. He looks tired and the road games didn’t go the way he wanted. I notice the bruises on his shoulder, a gift from the Portland game.
I walk over to him, pull his chin up, and wink at him. He grins. Without saying a word, I lean down and kiss him. He moans and I realize exactly how much I missed his lips on mine. Valo digs his nails into my hips and it almost makes me smile.
I break the kiss and kneel in front of him. “Stand up,” I softly command him. He does and I pull down his boxers, freeing his erection. “Step.” He does with each foot and I toss them across the room. “The maid will get those later.”
Valo chuckles.
I lick my lips and inhale him into my mouth. I hear him gasp as I begin to stroke him with my mouth. He grabs my hair. Before, I wouldn’t let guys touch me at all, but I’m craving for Valo to do whatever he wants to me. I need more of him. He’s saying something to me in Finnish and I don’t have a clue what it is and I don’t care as I take him deeper. I grab his hips and I begin going faster.
“Jade,” he pants my name and I know he’s close. Now, I’m not the type of girl to swallow. I usually stop long before that, but not with Valo. I want this connection with him. My desire for him is overwhelming.
“Jade.” His hips jerk faster and I feel him explode in my mouth. I continue sucking until he forces me to release him. “Come here.” He picks me up, fireman style. I yelp a little as he places me on the bed. Valo removes the thin, almost non-existent G-string and tosses it over his shoulder. “The maid will get it.” He winks as he hovers over me.
“Don’t you want to play with me?” I really wish he would go down on me again.
“We can next round. But right now,” he kisses me, “I need to bury myself in you.”
Yes. That is the last coherent thought I have that night.
~
This is what a panic attack feels like. I keep shaking out my hands and looking myself over in the mirror. Valo keeps saying I look fine, but I’m not sure.
Is my top too low?
Are these jeans too tight?
Why the fuck is my hair so curly today?
Ugh, Valo’s parents will be here at any moment. We have been cooking all day and thankfully, I didn’t burn a single thing. That’s one positive of the day.
I’m pacing in the kitchen, waiting for Valo to come back. Gus is keeping his ass in the living room and Honeybun is staring at me in the threshold of the doorway. I think I finally have her trained not to step a paw into the kitchen.
I almost trip over my own feet when the door opens and Valo calls for me.
Oh, shit.
I take a deep breath and head around the corner. With Valo are his parents. His mother is a little taller than I am in a tan pair of pants and a soft cream sweater. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes. However, Valo’s father makes me stop. If I want to know what Valo will look like in thirty years, I’ve seen it. They are identical and it’s almost scary. They’re even almost dressed the same in jeans and polo shirts.
“Jade, this is my mom, Ela, and my dad, Oliver.”
“Very nice to meet you both.” I shake their hands.
“We’ve heard so much about you, Jade,” Ela smiles at me.
Their accents are much thicker than Valo’s and if she talks fast, I’ll never understand her. Oliver smiles and asks Valo something in Finnish. Valo shakes his head and rolls his eyes. Gus comes over and hugs them both and I’m thankful for the momentary break.
“Are you ready to eat or do you want to relax first?” he asks his mom.
“Let’s eat.”
We all agree and head into the kitchen. Valo and Gus help me get the food over to the table. Most of food is traditional Thanksgiving themed items, minus a few of the veggies Ela doesn’t like.
Everyone oohs and ahs over the turkey and ham and compliment me on the good job I did. I don’t take all the credit since Valo did help.
“Jade, Valo tells us that you’re going to school soon.” Oliver looks over at me. He seems to be quiet and I don’t know if it’s because he’s eating so much or if he’s always this way.
“Yes, I start in two weeks and I start my new job this week, too. I’m excited.” I pick at my food because it’s hard to eat with my nerves still shaking.
“Sounds like you’re about to be very busy.” Ela smiles.
“I can’t wait though. It’s a first for me.” I smile at them.
Valo jumps in and begins to talk about the hockey season. His mom and dad only see bits and pieces of the games. I find out that they watch online, but with the time difference, it’s usually in the middle of the night. As they continue to talk, everyone finishes up their food. They all keep telling me how good it is and I even receive a small kiss from Valo.
“Mrs. Manner, I love your nail color,” I tell her as I dry the dishes. She’s next to me sipping on a glass of wine.
“Please call me Ela and thank you. I like yours as well. Do you do them yourself?”
“Oh no, I’m not that talented. I like going to get them done.”
“Me too. I call it my ‘girl time’. I make Oliver stay home and I even shut off my phone.” She smiles brightly at me.
I laugh. “I do something similar to that, too.”
“The next time we’re in town, we should go together and leave these silly boys at home.”
I smile again. “I would like that.”
Is this what boyfriend’s mothers do with their girlfriends? Do they have spa days and talk about nail colors while sipping on wine?
When I was younger, I thought about Mom and I doing things together, but I learned that wasn’t ever going to happen. Maybe with Ela it will be different.
I can’t believe I’ve had a boyfriend for month and I’m thinking about mom-daughter days off.
Wow, my life has changed a lot.
Chapter Fourteen
Valo
I grab Jade’s wrist and pull her back to me and back onto the bed.
“Valo, I have to get ready,” she laughs.
�
��I’m not sure I like you being so busy,” I say, placing kisses along her shoulder. “How am I supposed to come home and run into you if you aren’t here? We have to be like normal people and see each other after work. That’s no fun.”
“Well, we can’t all play hockey in the morning and then sleep all evening,” she laughs.
“Fine. Go get ready then. But it’s going to be you, my bed, takeout, the TV, and me tonight. We should get home around the same time.”
“I’m only working a few hours a week, Finny. I need to have some of my own money. I can’t keep taking from you.”
“I’m not complaining,” I reassure her. “I’m happy for you and I’m glad you’re the kind of person who wants to have your own money.”
“Good.” Jade gives me a soft kiss before disappearing into the bathroom. I really am proud of her and all she’s doing. She seems to be in love with everything, too, which makes me happy.
Tossing back the covers, I get out of bed and change my clothes. Jade and I have created a routine of sorts. She uses the bathroom first and once she’s closer to finishing up, she’ll crack open the door, and I’ll go in and get ready. I like that we have a routine. I like watching her get ready. Today, though, I’m not paying much attention.
Honestly, hockey has been on my mind more than usual lately. I want us to do better than we are, and I know we’re capable of that. We’ve been up and down lately with our playing. We need consistency. Maybe an improved frame of mind as well. It doesn’t help that a few of the guys have been injured and are out of the lineup for the time being.
Jade kisses me, leaving only a few minutes before I do. I make sure to say hey to everyone I pass and to smile, sending out good vibes. After changing, I make my way to the ice. Russell is already skating; practicing one of the shots he struggles with, and looks as if he’s still having some issues.
He notices me and asks, “What the hell am I doing wrong? I’ve made one goal in twenty minutes and if you haven’t noticed, our goalie isn’t here yet.”
I chuckle. “Do it again,” I tell him, skating closer to him, so I can watch.
Russell swings his sticks three times, missing the net each time. He turns to look at me, frustrated.
“Try dropping your hand more on your stick,” I advise. The first two times he tries, he misses, but his aim improved. “Third time’s a charm,” I tell him when he finally makes it. He repeats the shot a few more times, scoring each time.
“Thanks, Valo.”
My teammates and coaches slowly start trickling onto the ice. In between drills, I end up next to Derek, who is participating in his first full practice since he was injured not too long ago.
“Glad to be back and seeing my pretty face?” I grin.
He laughs. “If I have to look at your ugly ass to play hockey, then I’ll suffer. It does feel good to be back though. My wife is glad to have me out of her hair, too, so it’s a win-win for us all.”
“Well, so far, you look to be in good shape. Hopefully, you’ll be with us to play Utah. It’ll be good to have you, especially since you play so well with Gus and Jay.”
Derek gives me a shit-eating grin. “Is that your way of saying you miss me and the team easily suffers without me?”
“Absolutely.”
Gus skates up to us and Derek says, “I think Valo has a crush on me, Gus. He says he’s missed me.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. He’s got his head so far up his girl’s ass, I’m surprised he can see the puck coming.”
“Don’t you need to work on your stickhandling?” I say, narrowing my eyes at him.
“Yeah, I do,” he admits. “You were helping me with that.”
His tone throws me off. Maybe Jade was right and Gus is pissed I’m not around him as much. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Gus. I’ll stay late and we’ll work on it.” Maybe then he’ll lay off Jade completely, though I think now their bickering is sort of a friendship.
Gus smiles. “Really? You don’t have to go meet Jade?”
“Not until later.”
“Sweet.”
We get through the rest of practice, workouts, and a few meetings before Gus and I hit the ice again to work on his handling. We stay for about an hour or so. Afterward, as we’re untying our laces, I say, “You’re doing good, you know.”
He lifts his head and glances at me. “What?”
“You’re one hell of a rookie. You work hard and it’s been showing.”
A small smile appears on Gus’s face. We shower and change, and thankfully, it seems as if Gus has plans with the three stooges, Russell, Jay, and Marshall. I’m glad he’s finally socializing more with the team. We go our separate ways.
Before I go home, I make a pit stop to pick up dinner for Jade and me. I’m really excited about kicking back and simply relaxing with her. Plus, I think it’s Jade’s favorite thing to do together.
“Jade,” I call out when I walk in. “Please tell me that you’re already in my bed. Bonus, if you’re naked.”
“Sorry to disappoint,” she says, walking into the living room from the kitchen.
“You could never disappoint.” I smile and add, “Grab some drinks and c’mon. I’m starving and ready to sit down.” She nods, so I make my way to the bedroom. “Down, Honeybun,” I say when I see her sitting on the bed. She tilts her head at me, meowing once. I place the takeout on the nightstand, then shoo her off the bed. I’m pretty sure she glared at me, too. Before I get into bed, I strip down, change into basketball shorts, and finally climb into bed.
Jade comes in and we get ourselves situated. She starts looking for a movie while I start opening the Chinese takeout I brought home.
“You’d have a good day?” I ask.
“Yeah, it was busy, but a good busy. Yours? You were a little late getting here. Where’s Gus?”
“I stayed late to help him out with something and he’s off to the bar with some of the guys. My day was good. What are we going to watch?”
“Thought we could pick up where we left off with Friends.”
“Sounds good to me.”
We lean back against the headboard, start the next episode, and begin to eat. All the work from today slowly starts to settle in. I’m more tired than I thought. I might not make it for too many more episodes or to have a little fun with Jade later either.
“I’ve been thinking,” Jade states matter-of-factly.
I glance at her with a raised eyebrow. Her tone doesn’t indicate if this is a good thing or a bad thing, so I brace myself for both.
“We need to discuss how I’m going to pay you back.”
After I set my empty containers on the nightstand, I lean back into my comfy pillow, turning my head so I can see her. “Okay. How do you want to do it?” It’s pointless to come up with a plan and have her follow that. She most likely already knows how she wants to pay me back in a way that makes her most comfortable.
“I want to give you $300 a month starting next month. Is that okay with you?” She’s finished her food, placing the containers on the nightstand on her side, and cuddles up against me.
“However you want to do it, Jade.” I pull her closer. My eyes start to droop with a full stomach, my heavenly mattress, and Jade next to me.
“You aren’t going to argue even a little bit, Finny?” she jokes.
“Nope. Saving my breath.”
Her giggle makes me smile as I kiss the top of her head. This may just be my favorite way to spend an evening with her as well. Jade is one of those people who make you wonder how you ever made it through life before you met them. I can’t imagine life without her. One of these days, I’m going to make all her dreams come true.
Chapter Fifteen
Jade
I had class and then work. Now, I’m ready to crawl into bed and fall asleep, but I promised Valo I would go to the game tonight. He’s already at the arena and I need to hustle to make it for warm-ups.
I run up the stairs and almost trip over Honey
bun as I begin stripping off my clothes to jump in the shower. I scrub off the smell of grease and in record time, I’m in the truck and heading to Valo. I hate this truck, but with all the snow on the ground…well…the Porsche isn’t made for that. I’m not even made for this shitty weather. You’d think I would be used to it since it’s all I have ever known, but I’m not. I park the truck and follow the crowds into the rink. I find my seats with ease, but the warm-ups are already over.
Shit.
However, I don’t miss any of the game. Valo has been practicing harder and the team has been looking better. Nonetheless, they are still low in the standings even though Valo is ranked high. I heard Gus and him discussing Valo being part of the All-Star team this year. Valo played it off as if it isn’t a big deal, but he told me later that it is. The fans vote on the All-Star team and it’s the only way you can make it on the team. I don’t care how many email accounts I have to create, I’ll make sure he gets the votes to be on that team.
I watch the face-off and see Ashton Campbell, the captain of the Utah Bears, run over Valo as if he’s nothing more than a speed bump.
Oh, that’s going to hurt in the morning.
The battle of the puck continues through two full periods and it remains scoreless as the third begins. Valo wants to score. I can see the determination on his face. Even though I like the playful, sweet Finny at home, there’s something about this bad ass on the ice that makes my breathing shallow and my sexual desire rev into overdrive.
Damn, he’s hot.
He speeds past me and Gus drops behind him. I know this play. It’s their play and it’s a sure thing. As I watch them, Valo slides the puck behind his legs and Gus picks it up and shoots it.
It connects with the back of the net.
All the Eagles’ fans, including me, cheer for the spectacular play. As Valo and the guys cheer, he catches my eyes. Valo winks a blue eye at me and taps the glass as he passes by me.
That’s our thing.
We have a thing.
I like that we have a thing.
As the third period continues, Valo assists in another goal and when the buzzer goes off, the Eagles win two to zero. I stay in my seat until all the Eagles leave the ice and they announce the three stars of the night. Of course, Valo is in the top three. He skates out, waves his stick, and heads down the tunnel. I send him a quick text and let him know which parking lot I am in and I go wait for him.
Tainted (Oh Captain, My Captain #7) Page 10