Kid was funny, though. Every time I looked at him, he’d mouth the words This is horseshit! over and over. No idea exactly what was “horseshit,” but it was damn entertaining.
My enjoyment ended in a flash of black. The black being the puck as it sailed right through Cage’s five hole. No one could fault him for the goal. He was screened by our own players, with no time to react when he finally saw the puck.
At the end of the second, the Sharks were up by a score of three to two—certainly not where we wanted it to be. Coach walked into the room, shook his head, and walked out. Message received.
The first goal of the third period went to the Sharks—as did the second. With a score of five to two, the Sharks beat us and took the Stanley Cup.
To say I was devastated was an understatement. I’d never won a cup in my thirteen years of playing professional hockey. I knew we’d had a tremendous year, but none of that mattered as we congratulated the Sharks on their win and prepared to head home. To have something like Lord Stanley’s cup right in front of you and then ripped away in ninety minutes was pretty fucking awful.
Rio did his thing in the locker room. He was as disappointed as the rest of us were, but reminded us how far we’d come. He tried his best, but there was no consoling that kind of loss. We’d get over it, of course, but not that night.
After showering, I finally grabbed my cell and saw three texts from Jennie and one from my dad. I was so deflated, I didn’t even want to talk to my father or my wife, which made me feel even worse.
Jennie
“Why did it have to happen on an away game?” I knew I was whining. I didn’t care. Poor Magnus. No matter how good their season was, coming so close and then losing the Cup sucked, and I wasn’t there to comfort him.
Izzy sat on the couch next to me, Chunky Monkey in hand, shaking her head in disbelief. “I really thought we had it. They got a little shaky when they hit the finals, but they looked good tonight!” She took in a deep breath and exhaled in a loud rush of air. “Goddammit! I wanted that cup.”
“No more than the Breakers. I hope in a few days they can look back and see what an incredible run they had. I mean think about it: only a select few of them had ever even played together before. For a brand-new team to come so far is very impressive.”
Izzy gave me a knowing smile. “I know that tone. That’s going to be the angle of your next article isn’t it?” As only people in the world of all things written can get, Izzy vibrated with excitement. “Oh my God, Jen. You could make a short series of articles about how far the virgin Breakers came and how they did it. And not to exploit Mags or anything, but they did it with the famed Silent Defender!”
“Who’s not so silent anymore, remember?”
She waved her hand as if pushing something foul away. “Please. He could do a filibuster and he’d still be known as the Silent Defender. You know how people are. Those labels never really disappear.”
“Very true. Oh, but Iz, I feel so bad for him.” I slapped my hand on my thigh in frustration. “They were so good! How cool would it have been if they’d won the Cup?”
She agreed with me one hundred percent. “Beyond cool. Man, this really does suck.”
Izzy’s phone rang. “It’s Pop. Oh, this won’t be good.” She worried that he’d have gone off the rails. Sometimes when things happened that he didn’t like, he fell further into his dementia.
Izzy nodded a lot, agreed with what he was saying, and then smiled. She wouldn’t smile if Pop was having one of his bad days. “I know! Oh, Pop, I know. They should have won.” She was quiet for another minute. “Very true.” Another silence. “I will. I love you, Pop.” After his response, which I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt was “love you too, peanut,” she hung up.
“Phew. I wasn’t sure what I was going to get.”
“Ah, Iz. That sucks too. Even worse than the Breakers losing the Cup. Funny how life continues to put things into the right perspective, isn’t it?” As life-altering as the finals were for him, I knew even Mags would take a healthy life for Pop over a Stanley Cup.
“True that.” My Izzy was so gangster…not.
***
Magnus offered me a big grin as soon as he saw me at the rink when the team got back from San Jose. I couldn’t wait for him at home; I needed to see him as soon as was humanly possible.
I’m so sorry, baby.
He gripped me hard in his strong arms before releasing me. No, babe. I’m sorry. I should have Skyped you. I should have texted you more at the very least. I was being selfish, wallowing in self-pity. I never even asked you how you were doing. Forgive me.
Forgive him? He’d just lost the championship of a lifetime and he was worried about me. He had texted me. It was short and dismissive, but he’d never ignored me. I got that. He’d needed time to digest the loss.
There’s nothing to forgive, Magnus. I understand. Really, I do. What can I do for you?
You’ve already done it. I didn’t expect to see you here. You must be exhausted.
It was early morning. With the time change and their overnight flight, he was the one who should be exhausted. Ah, Mags. I’m so sorry you didn’t get your cup, but you’ll always be a winner to me. Now let’s go home with me. I reached out my hand to him. He took it gladly. Life went on.
Chapter 24
Mags’ surgery was scheduled to take place in less than a week. To say he was nervous was putting it mildly.
What if it doesn’t work? We’d done this more than once since he’d decided to get the implant. Playoffs had helped keep his mind on other things, but now that they were over, he had too much time on his hands to think about worst-case scenarios.
What if it does?
To my delight, Mags’ hair had gotten long enough to blow in the ocean breeze swirling around us on the deck. Since the weather had turned warm, we spent nearly all of our time at home out there. Well into my sixth month of pregnancy, I was much more comfortable sitting in the shade with the ceiling fan whirling overhead than I would be on the hot, crowded beach. Plus, I could get up to pee every half hour or so without having to trek across the scorching sand each time.
You’re right, of course. I don’t know why I keep obsessing over this every day. The decision’s been made. He scratched his head and changed the subject. Is there anything else you need me to do before the baby comes? I touched up those couple of spots in the nursery this morning when you went into the office.
I don’t think so. After my baby shower, I’d have plenty of things to do, washing tiny clothes and organizing the other gifts. I’m assuming my baby shower is coming soon, because Izzy’s been avoiding me at work. She’s an awful secret keeper.
Magnus averted his gaze. I pushed his leg with my toe. You know! You know when my shower is. Tell me.
What? No, I’m not telling you. I know nothing.
He so knew. Magnus was almost as bad as Izzy at keeping secrets.
Fine. Keep your secrets. I could get him to tell me if I really wanted to know, but I was curious to see how they’d go about trying to surprise me.
I will, thank you. He got up and stretched out his body. I loved when he did that. Seeing his happy trail when his shirt rode up made me appreciate all over again what a toned, athlete’s body he had. He caught me staring and held out his hand to me. Interested in some lunch?
Lunch had become our code word for sex—any and all kinds of sexual acts. My lips parted in anticipation of having lunch. I loved having lunch with Mags. Morning, noon, and night. I am always interested in having lunch with you, babe. Take me away.
We didn’t emerge from the bedroom for over an hour, and I was famished. I want real lunch now. How about if I make us grilled chicken salads?
Magnus turned up his nose at my food suggestion. Let’s go out. What about Uncle Bill’s?
I looked at the clock on the bedside table. Uncle Bill’s was a pancake house and they were only open until two p.m. It was already a quarter after one. We’d have
to hurry, but yeah, I could go for a waffle with chocolate ice cream.
Mags shook his head. That’s not real food. That’s dessert.
So? What do you want?
I’m getting the special.
He rarely strayed from the special—steak and eggs and pancakes too. Okay. Let’s go.
Mags took his sweet old time getting ready to leave. He insisted on getting a shower, and a half hour had gone by before we even got out the door. We’re pushing it with the time. I hope they’ll still let us in.
They’ll let us in.
The restaurant was crowded for so early in the season and close to closing time. We did two laps around the block before someone pulled out about a half a block from the front door.
When we entered the restaurant, my friends jumped up with a shouted “Surprise!” I had to give Mags credit. Even though I knew my baby shower was in the near future, I didn’t guess that it was the very day I’d asked him if he knew when it was going to be.
It wasn’t a large gathering, as I didn’t have any family and my circle of friends was small—although it was increasing with the girlfriends and wives of Mags’ teammates.
Surprised?
I am, actually. Good job, Mags.
He shook his head and put his hands up. It wasn’t me. All I had to do was keep you busy this morning and then get you here. And keeping you busy was my pleasure.
My cheeks flushed thinking about how he’d kept me occupied. With my belly growing larger by the day, we’d become quite inventive in the bedroom. Mine too. I reached up and placed a kiss on my husband’s chin. Are you staying?
He took a quick look around the room, eyes blinking rapidly. Hell no. I’ll be back to pick you up at five. Love you. His lips bussed my cheek before he turned around and made his escape.
***
Look at all this stuff! The shower was over, I was exhausted, and Mags had just come back from his fourth trip to the truck, arms loaded with gifts.
How many babies do they think we’re having? With his fists planted on his hips, he surveyed the baby’s room. I hope we still have room for our child.
There were a lot of presents. We’d gotten everything from clothes and blankets to toys and stuffed animals. I was glad we picked a Noah’s ark theme; the abundance of furry friends would fit right in. We will. I just have to get it all put away and organized, but right now, I’m going to take a soak in the big tub.
The big tub, huh?
The master bathroom had a two-person Jacuzzi tub that we rarely used. It felt so good to be able to float around and take some pressure off my swelling body that I’d taken to using it a few times a week. Oh, yeah. The big tub. I could already feel the soothing warmth of the water surrounding me.
How about some company? I’ll rub your back. He got that look in his eyes that meant he wanted to rub more than my back. As much as I loved Magnus’ attentions, and often demanded them, I just wanted a quiet bath.
Before I could let him down easy, he waved me off. Never mind, sweetheart. I can see how tired you are. I have a plan B. You go get in the tub, and I’ll make you a watermelon cooler.
I’d become addicted to watermelon coolers. There wasn’t a time when we didn’t have watermelons, cucumbers, mint leaves, and fresh lime juice in the fridge anymore. A warm bath and an ice-cold drink. There was nothing else I could possibly ask for right then.
I pushed myself out of the slider and let the clothes I was sorting for laundry fall to the floor. Tomorrow was another day, and I only had about half a day’s work to do for the network. Washing clothes could wait. That would be incredible. No wonder why I love you so much. I patted Magnus’ cheek on my way out the door, smiling at the thoughtfulness he constantly showered me with.
I’d just toed off the water when Magnus arrived with my watermelon cooler. My first sip was nirvana. God, I loved those things.
“Thank you, babe. This is perfect.” My hands were too busy skimming the bubbles floating around me to sign.
“You’re welcome. You deserve it.” His hands dipped in the water to caress me. When he rubbed my feet with his strong hands, I sighed and laid my head back in delight.
I didn’t speak to Magnus to tell him how wonderful his hands felt. My body talked for me. His hands traveled up my calves and over my knees, massaging each muscle along the way. Even though I was relaxed and pleasantly sleepy, when his fingers brushed between my legs, I opened them in welcome. The gentle strokes felt too good not to.
I lifted my head and watched as my husband’s arm moved with the stimulating motions he was making under the water. When he dipped one and then two fingers into me, I arched my back and pressed closer toward the building tension.
I reached out to him with the intention of inviting him into my bath after all, but he pushed my hands away. “No, sweetheart. This is all for you. Put your head back and relax.” Arguing with him didn’t even cross my mind. His touch felt too good.
I did, however, object when he removed his hand. Bubbles flew as I flicked them in his direction, wetting his shirt. I should have done that first thing, because he simply took it off, allowing me to enjoy the way his muscles played under his skin as he moved. It never ceased to amaze me how strongly I reacted to Magnus’ body. He was the most gorgeous creature I’d ever seen.
“Patience, Jennie. I won’t leave you unsatisfied.” His hands roamed up over my belly and gently cupped my breasts. He knew my nipples were tender and made sure not to make direct contact with them, drawing lazy circles around each globe that sent tingles to other parts of my body.
His mouth tasted of watermelon and mint when he kissed me. It was over too soon, and I tried to pull him back. Again, he pushed my hands away, running his fingers back down my body causing my excitement to rise.
I was just about to demand that he get into the bath with me when his fingers began to work their magic once more. “I’m not going to stop this time, Jennie. I’m going to stroke you until you come.”
He wasn’t going to have to wait long.
My eyes slammed shut as my heels slid out to the sides of the tub, allowing me to bob up and down in the water while I fucked his hand.
“Look at me, Jennie.”
“Oh God, Mags.” The heat in his eyes was the beginning of the end for me. His thumb bore down on my clit with delicious pressure. I fought to keep eye contact with him.
“That’s my girl. Let me see what I do to you. I’m going to watch you come.”
I tried to keep my eyes on him, I really did, but when my orgasm hit me, I threw my head back and called out his name. After a few soothing strokes while my body let loose with the last couple of shudders, I opened my eyes again.
“I love watching you come apart. You are so beautiful and sexy.” He got up and, still looking directly at me, peeled off his pants and briefs, sporting a very impressive erection. “I’m going to take care of this in the shower. Feel free to watch.”
My mouth hung open. Mags had never done that for me before, and I’d asked. There was something so incredibly hot about watching a man get himself off. “Oh, I will.” He hadn’t heard me.
Watching Magnus soap up his stunning body made me throb anew. The longer he ran his hands over all that delectable skin, the lower my fingers traveled to get relief from the new sexual tension he created in me.
“Are you watching me, Jennie?” He didn’t bother looking at me for an answer as he gripped his cock and stroked it once, twice, three times. I was so turned on I started to pant, moving my fingers with desperate efficiency. “I’m thinking of you. What your body feels like when I run my hands over your soft skin.” His hand moved faster, causing mine to do the same. “Fuck. I swear I can taste you right now. Your pussy is so sweet.”
His head bent back to rest on the tile wall behind him as he continued to pump his cock into his fist. “I’m gonna come. Fuck. Right now.” As the first jet of cum shot out of him, pleasure flowed through my body, filling every nook and cranny. I drew out my or
gasm while I watched Magnus empty himself with erotic jerks of his hips.
We were definitely going to be doing that again.
Chapter 25
Magnus
The morning of my surgery dawned sunny and bright. My nerves were a mess, but I was excited too. It was the beginning of a new life for me. The first step, anyway.
Cochlear implant surgery wasn’t a one-and-done deal. Today the actual implant was being inserted into my inner ear and the receiver coil would be placed in the bone, under the skin behind my ear. It would take three to six weeks of healing after that before I could be fitted with the external microphone and headpiece. That was going to be a long three to six.
Jennie and I drove to the surgical center without speaking. Both of us were in our own heads. When we pulled up to the nondescript, gray building, Jennie reached out for my hand. I held it tight as I parked my truck. We were early.
She squeezed me to gain my attention. “You okay?”
I had to laugh. That was the question I asked her all the time. “Yeah. I am.”
“You’re one hundred percent sure you want to do this, right? Not for me, but for you.”
Jennie had asked me this several times too. “Yes, dear.”
It was her turn to laugh. The tables had turned. “Okay then. Let’s do it.”
***
The surgery took just over three hours. When I woke up the second or third time—anesthesia kicked my ass—Jennie was sitting beside me in the recovery room.
I smiled and rubbed her hand that was holding mine. “How did it go?”
“The doctor said everything looks good. Now we just have to wait for you to heal. You’re going to have a headache, maybe some nausea and dizziness, but that should only last a day or two.”
Silent Defender (Boardwalk Breakers Book 1) Page 21