Hard Checked: Ice Kings, #4

by Lynn, Stacey

  “It’s new. We’re taking it slow, but yeah. I think so.”

  “Then I suppose I should invite the boy over for dinner sometime. Get to know the dad of my first grandbaby better, huh?”

  I laugh at Dad calling Sebastian a boy. There’s nothing boyish about him. Nope. My guy is all man. In body, in manners, and in heart.

  “I’m sure he’d like that. I’ll mention it to him when he gets here.” Taking a quick glance at my watch, I crinkle my nose. “And speaking of, I’m running late. He’s going to be here any minute and I still have to get changed.”

  “Go.” Dad waves me off. “I’ll keep an eye out for him at the bar and invite him myself.”

  “Thanks Dad.”

  I leave the bar and head up to my apartment through the storage room. There’s a party tonight for the team at Jude and Kate’s house about fifteen minutes away and Sebastian’s asked me to go with him. At first, I balked, but when he asked me again, I realized how important it is to him for me to be seen with him and meet his friends. Of course I said yes. They’re his family, too.

  But, it’s my first time hanging out with them outside the bar, so I’ve been fretting ever since he mentioned it. What in the heck do I wear to a party put on by professional athletes getting ready for the playoffs where they all make millions and drive cars like Sebastian’s Maserati?

  I have three dresses I threw on my bed earlier today, all black, all pretty casual. I grab one with loose sleeves, a wide boatneck collar with a thick band of waist. The bottom is short, barely covering my butt as I tug it down over my hips and drag my hair from beneath the dress, I’m grinning in the mirror.

  In honor of playoffs and their first two games in round one being at home, I updated my hair to a brighter teal, streaks of blue and blond mixed in. My hair is the color of the team.

  Sebastian laughed his ass off and then kissed me senseless when he saw it the other day.

  Dressed and ready to go, I head back to the bar through the storage room. I already told Sebastian to meet me at the bar when he picked me up, but that was because I figured I’d be there already so I’m not the least bit surprised when I find him, sitting on the stool, chatting with my dad when I walk down the hallway toward him.

  Like always, my breath stalls and restarts upon seeing him. He’s dressed in dark blue jeans and a simple gray dress shirt.

  His hair is down and wavy, brushing beneath his dress shirt color.

  My heels click, click, click on the wood floor, getting his attention. Feminine pride suffuses my chest at the way he looks at me.

  Like he’s already mentally picturing stripping me out of the dress later.

  Yeah. I made the right choice.

  “Have a good night, Dad,” I say as I reach Sebastian.

  He’s already standing from his stool, arm and hand outstretched to take my hand in his.

  “You too. Be safe.” He glances at Sebastian. “We’ll see you Sunday then?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. Have a good night, George.”

  “You too, son.”

  Sebastian’s eyes widen and then he blinks. When he refocuses his attention on me, whatever caught him by surprise is gone. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” I flush under his praise. “Ready when you are.”

  “I’m ready. Absolutely.”

  For what, remains the question.

  * * *

  Jude’s house is spectacular. Kate has given me the tour which has led to a movie room similar to Sebastian’s, a library I could live in for days and forget to come up for air. The home, while as big as Sebastian’s, is so much warmer. Kate has gone on and on how she had found some super cute antique and refurbished boutique stores on the Main Street where she lives. She said when she first moved in, Jude had a couch and television and the basics, but she’s been spending time getting it decorated exactly how she wants it. Paisley joined us, claiming she needed to be walking so Angelo, her son in her arms, can fall asleep.

  When I ask how old he is, she gives me the strangest response. “His birth certificate says July sixth. Mikah and I are planning a huge Fourth of July party for him, so make sure you and Sebastian are there.”

  “His birth certificate?” I ask. Let’s hop right over the hope Sebastian and I are still together in three months.

  “Oh, you don’t know?” She flips a hand in the air and laughs. “That’s how we met. Angelo here was dropped off on Mikah’s doorstep and I was his neighbor.”

  She trails off, telling me the entire story of how they met, fell in love while bonding over the baby Mikah hadn’t known existed with some puck bunny. My eyes grow so big during the entire thing they must be the size of saucers. Possibly dinner plates.

  Wow.

  “And you’ve made it work?” If I could suck back words before they reach someone’s ears, I’d grab the closest vacuum. What a stupid question. Obviously they’ve made it work. She’s sitting there with a ring on her finger and a baby in her arms but…

  It’s so oddly strange and crazy that more hope builds.

  It is possible Sebastian and I can make this work, even if nothing has gone the way we originally thought.

  “Well, yeah.” Paisley kisses the top of Angelo’s head and leads me toward the kitchen. “I mean, I love the guy. And that accent? Ha. It gets me every time.”

  She wiggles her brows and I laugh. My stomach hurts I’ve laughed so much tonight.

  I’m enjoying spending time with the team and their girlfriends, wives, fiancées. No one seemed surprised when I walked in, hand in hand, with Sebastian, so I’m guessing he told them to expect me. The women have made me feel welcome ever since we walked in hours ago and Katie told me where I could stash my purse and shoes if I wanted. Between the tour, hanging out on the patio with Sebastian for a while, and spending time with the girls I don’t see nearly as often as the rest of the team, I’m having an absolute blast.

  It’s been so long since I’ve had good friends to spend time with, I’ve forgotten how much I love being social.

  I’ve been carrying around a bottled water the entire time I’m here, but now that we’re back in the kitchen, unease forces me to bite my lip.

  “Do you like red or white wine? Or beer? We have a whole bar if you want something.” Katie’s standing behind the counter, uncorking a new bottle of red.

  I stare at all the alcohol for a moment. “Funny. Usually I’m the one asking that question.”

  “I bet.” Katie grins.

  Hannah, the goalie Byron Maddox’s wife, comes up and slides next to me. She reaches for a white wine bottle and holds it out for me. “Wine?”

  “I’m good with water, but thank you.”

  She eyes me curiously. “Not much of a drinker?”

  “Never really acquired the taste.” Which is true. Also, I’m not exactly screaming I’m pregnant. Sebastian didn’t say anything about mentioning it to his friends, so I’m not going to be the one spilling the beans by any means.

  She winks at me and brings the glass to her mouth. “How odd. I don’t know if I could survive.”

  “Then it’s people like you who keep people like me in business.”

  “Happy to do my part for the economy,” she says, both of us chuckling.

  “Oh thank goodness,” a new voice says, entering the kitchen, gaze on me and a bottled water in hand. I met her briefly before but don’t remember her name. “Another knocked up woman who has to stay sober with me. Thank goodness I’m ready to pop. I need a glass of wine like seriously bad.”

  “Um.”

  Every person in the room has laser-focused on me. Every single one has eyes the size of Texas.

  “You’re pregnant?” Katie asks, the first to seemingly remember how to breathe. Or speak.

  “Oh shit. Y’all didn’t know?”

  “No Debbie and now you’ve made her look like she’s going to puke.” That comes from another woman, Paisley, I think. I’m too frozen to say anything.

  “Mayb
e it’s morning sickness,” Debbie - is her name, says. “I puked all the time.”

  A warm arm wraps around my shoulders coupled with the familiar scent of Sebastian’s cologne. “That was supposed to stay a secret, Debbie. Sawyer and his big freaking mouth.”

  “Oh. Oops.” She shrugs nonchalantly and takes a drink of her water.

  Katie is still staring at me. “You’re pregnant? For real?” Her question ends on a squeak and then she slides her gaze over everyone who’s now in the kitchen. “What the hell? You guys are too damn fertile for your own good!”

  There’s an awkward laugh. Not from me. I’m still frozen silent. I’ve become an iceberg in the middle of the kitchen and Sebastian squeezes me.

  “Little does she know,” he murmurs in my ear. “You’re freaked. I didn’t mean for this to come out. Not tonight. But it’s good. They’re happy for me. For us, I promise.”

  I nod although it feels forced.

  “So when are you due?” Debbie asks like she hasn’t dropped a bomb at my feet. “This guy is coming in May and I hope like hell it’s not when Sawyer’s playing an away game.”

  “December,” I croak. “I’m due in December.”

  “We’re due in December,” Sebastian stresses in my ear and then kisses my cheek.

  “Well holy hot damn!” Katie cries and throws her hands in the air. “This party just got even better. Congratulations!”

  She gives me a fierce hug, pulling me from Sebastian’s hold and protective gaze. I stumble from her hug only to receive similar well-wishes and congratulations from most of the players and wives who have now heard.

  Among them is Jason, standing back, surveying the scene with lips lifted in a small grin but his dark eyes are so serious. Still holding that concern and worry he’s been doing for a long time. While the attention turns to Sebastian, I go to Jason.

  He tips his chin down when I get close. “Congratulations.”

  “You don’t mean that.” I say it nicely, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t. “And I get why. I also want you to know I really care about him and I know where he’s at. I’m not pushing for anything or hoping for anything. I’m okay to see where this goes.”

  Essentially… you don’t need to be worried about your friend, Jason. I’ve got this.

  He must sense what I mean because he tugs me tight to his side. “You’re good people, Gigi. I’m glad he has you. But take care. It’s only been a few months.”

  “Trust me, I’m aware.”

  Madison is never far away even if she’s living a half country away. I still sit in shock that Sebastian took this so easily.

  Although, I’m giving him something he always wanted and something he stopped believing he could. Why wouldn’t he be thrilled even if the circumstances make it seem insurmountable for us to work.

  “I’ll take care of him, Jason. Promise.”

  “Good. He’s a good guy.”

  “One of the best.”

  He drops his arm from me and places his hand on my back, pushing me toward where Sebastian is headed our way, brows yanked close together, lips pushed down.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. Happy for you is all.” Jason slaps his shoulder.

  “Just talk.” Based on Sebastian’s look, I doubt he’ll be happy hearing his friend is concerned or giving me warnings about him.

  “I think I’ve had enough talk for one night. Ready to head out?” He leans down to my ear and whispers, “And go do something that involves very little talking?”

  Sign. Me. Up.

  * * *

  “That’s it, Gigi. Slide it in nice and slow. Two fingers on your clit.”

  “Sebastian.” My hips are rolling. He’s driving me crazy with need and drawing it out to make sweat slicken at my hairline and down my spine. I’m on the edge of losing all control.

  I have hit the jackpot for sexiest man I get to have in my bed.

  Or in this case, on the FaceTime screen on my iPad. Propped against a stack of pillows at the end of my bed, Sebastian and I are currently mirror images of each other.

  Him, on a hotel bed in Buffalo after their third game where they’ve won all three so far. He’s also naked, propped against pillows and knees bent with his feet planted on the bed.

  And let me tell you… the view is one I will remember forever. The light dusting of his hair on his chest that trims to a thin line between abs that are currently flexing. The muscles on his forearm while he works his thick, hard cock. The heavy weight of his balls beneath.

  God.

  I could watch Sebastian pleasure himself every day, all day, and never stop being turned on by it.

  His teeth are gritted, eyes narrowed and layered in on me, sitting so much the same way as him, my vibrator shoved deep inside of me as I use it on myself, doing exactly what Sebastian commands.

  “Please. Let me move it faster. Harder.”

  “No. I like the way you sound so needy.”

  Shit. This is hot. Nerve-wracking when we started as soon as he winked and told me to grab my toy from the nightstand. I didn’t even know he’d found it until he told me to use it. Then he told me to strip and every piece of clothes that fell to the floor, he removed one of his.

  I have to bite my lip to hold back my cries. At this point, I’m feeling so unhinged the people in the bar downstairs might be able to hear me.

  “You’re so damn sexy. I can see how wet you are for me. You like this, don’t you? Love thinking of me while you fuck yourself.”

  “Yes,” I cry out. “I like it more in person.”

  “Me too. Now be a good girl and move faster. Work your hips. Let me see how much you need to come, honey,” he croons. He tightens his own grip and curves his other hand around his balls.

  God, I want that in person. My mouth waters to taste him. My body craves the feel of him.

  It’s only been two days.

  Sebastian has turned me into a sex-starved maniac in less than two months.

  I close my eyes, picturing him taking me slow like this. Long, deep thrusts that hit the end of me while he presses my hand to the bed at my sides. When he uses his hips to put pressure on me so I can’t move.

  And God, the visual alone has me speeding up my movements, flicking on the vibrator.

  “Sebastian—”

  “That’s it. Faster. Harder. Open your eyes and look at me when you come.”

  I manage to pry them open, gasping for breath, choking down my ecstatic cries and when I see the look in his eyes, from so far away but feeling so close, I fall over the cliff.

  My orgasm hits, making my sex clench around my vibrator. My hips buck on their own volition, stomach tightens while I force my gaze to stay on him until he pumps his hand once, twice, and three times.

  He grunts out a curse, jaw hard and tight, nostrils flared and he comes all over his stomach, leaving a trail of cream I wish I could lick up and taste.

  Hot damn. My Hotshot should make covers for sexiest man alive. Except then I’d have to share him, and that’s not gonna happen.

  Ever.

  I’m keeping the hockey hotshot who scored one goal tonight in his team’s three to two victory.

  “Well,” he sighs, rolling to his side and peeling off some tissues in a container on his nightstand. “That was damn entertaining.”

  I laugh, tossing my vibrator to the side and sit up. I drape my bed covers over my lap and smile at the view.

  Possibly it’s better than any photograph I have hung on my walls.

  Once he’s cleaned, he tugs on his black boxer briefs and brings his phone close to him, running a hand through his hair. His cheeks are flushed, beard thick and messy due to playoffs.

  I still want to slide my fingers into it and yank him down to my mouth.

  “How are you feeling?” he asks, and while I know he’s not talking about my orgasm, I can’t resist.

  “Sated. And still horny.”

  “I’ll be home in a few days, until then, use
that pretty pink toy of yours and think of me.”

  “Oh. I will.” My voice goes deep and seductive.

  He shakes his head, chuckling at my tone. “Seriously, Gigi. How are you doing?”

  I’m roughly eight weeks. Other than extreme exhaustion and a sudden hatred of chicken, I’m feeling pretty well. And lucky, given the stories I’ve read about morning sickness.

  “Tired. All the time. I almost fell asleep at the bar tonight and Dad made me take a nap in the office.”

  “You’re not working tonight, are you?”

  “Dom’s here. I have some notices and ads out for another part-time bartender. I think once I’m through the worst of it, I’ll be fine, but Dad and I still think I need someone else.”

  “I agree. You need to take care of yourself.”

  “I am. I promise.” Man, he’s so pretty. Some mornings I wake up and imagine the last several months have been one wild dream. Then I get a phone call or text from Sebastian and have to pinch myself to make sure I’m awake. “I really miss you.”

  Warm, lovely emotions rumble through me. This might be the first time I’ve shown him how much he means to me. It’s not a love declaration, but it feels the same.

  “Hey.” Sebastian’s face grows closer as he moves his phone and he frowns. “You okay?”

  “Hormones, I think. I’m feeling sappy.”

  “I miss you too. A lot. More than I think should be possible, but you need to know that. When I’m here, or when I’m with you, you’re all I’m thinking about. Well, you and the baby.”

  Somehow, I needed to hear this. I’m not sure how long I’ll need the reassurance he’s happy with me, not wishing this would have been him and Madison. No way am I asking either. I’m okay with being a chicken.

  “I’ll see you soon, right?”

  If they win in two days, sweeping four games in the series, he’ll get a small break before the third round.

  “As soon as we win, I’ll be home. And then we can do more shopping.”

  In the last two weeks, Sebastian and I have already started making lists of what we’ll need. Two of everything since I’ll be living alone.