“I am, yeah.” A hand wraps around my waist and rubs across my stomach. I tip my head back to get closer to him and let out a shaky breath. “How are things in California?”
“Fine. Jeremey got sent to the AHL, so that was good news.”
“When will it be your turn?” I ask, and Maverick’s fingers move up my skin. He pinches one of my nipples, and I hold back a groan. “You’re just as good as any of the guys in the AHL.”
“I know I am. It’s easy to get frustrated about when I’ll get my chance, but I keep my head down and play the best that I can.”
Maverick’s other hand brushes over the front of my underwear, nudging my thighs apart. He presses against my clit, and the palm under my shirt moves to my neck.
I cover my mouth and squeeze my eyes shut, so close to crying out his name.
“You’re number one in my book,” I tell Grady, but it’s muffled.
“You okay, Em?”
“I think I might get sick again. Can I text you tomorrow? I need to catch up on my sleep, so it’s going to be an early night for me.”
“Sure. Love you, Emmy. Talk to you soon.”
“Love you too, asshat,” I say, and I end the call. “You’re a goddamn menace, Miller.”
“You took a call from another guy while you’re in bed with me. I had to remind you who filled you up three nights ago. When were you going to tell me you’re fucking someone else?” His lips ghost down my neck. He sucks on the spot on my shoulder that drives me wild, and I lean against him. “Andlove? Emerson Hartwell. Who are you?”
“He’s my best friend.” I squirm when Maverick rubs a slow circle over my clit. “And look who’s talking. You probably have a line of women waiting at your apartment.”
“Hang on.” His hands fall away from my body and he lifts me into his lap. “What are you talking about?”
“What areyoutalking about?”
“You’re not sleeping with him?”
“WithGrady?”I burst out laughing. “He’s like a brother to me. I saw his dick once, and it was traumatizing.”
“Are you sleeping with anyone else?” Maverick asks.
“Areyousleeping with anyone else?”
“No. You’re the only woman I’ve been with lately.”
“I am?” I straddle his hips and look at him. “You haven’t brought anyone to your hotel room? Or your apartment?”
“Between our hookups and the text messages you send me, when would I have time to bring someone to my hotel room? You ride my cock so well, Red, and I can’t keep my eyes open after you’re finished with me. I don’t have the physical capacity to fuck someone else, nor do I want to.”
“We’ve never talked about exclusivity or if we were sleeping with other people. I just assumed based on your past that you’re not a one-woman kind of guy.”
“I wasn’t before, but you’re taking care of me just fine, Emmy girl. Fucking yourself on my thigh? Making me watch you use your fingers before you finally let me touch you? Those pictures of you in my shirt?” He bumps his nose against my chin and nudges my attention to him. Our eyes meet, and I inhale a sharp breath. “I don’t need anyone else when I have you.”
My heart hammers. That same ache from before settles in my chest. I’m too warm, too overwhelmed by the gentle consideration of the press of his hands. How his words sink into my skin and stay there, a key in a lock.
It’s entirely too intimate a conversation to have, but I’m desperate for it.
“What does this mean?” I whisper. “You don’t date. I don’t date hockey players. Are we—” I break off and reach for his necklace, tugging on the chain. “Is there a label for this?”
“Friends with benefits who are exclusive?” Maverick suggests. “Orgasm sharers who don’t get off with anyone else? Teammates who fuck then play together on the ice and help their team lead the Atlantic division without any bullshit like emotions and feelings? You’re enjoying this, right?”
“God, yeah,” I say before I can stop myself, and his smirk is proud. He’s gloating, and I hate it. “This is the most fun I’ve ever had with a guy. As long as we’re both on the same page, why not keep doing what we’re doing?”
“Can I propose something?”
