He opens those beautiful brown eyes of his, and there’s a softness in them that I rarely get to see. It’s beautiful, and I take a mental picture of it, wanting to treasure that look forever.
“I don’t hear any complaints now about that being fast.”
I laugh and he smiles lazily. “No complaints from me,” I say and run my hands down the front of his shirt. Even through the material, each ridge of his muscles is defined and prominent.
He places a light kiss on my forehead that makes me want to melt into a puddle on his lap. But instead, he reaches down to grab my underwear from around my ankles. I lift up on my knees, disconnecting us, and he slides them back up my legs and slaps the side of my thigh. “Don’t change these, and don’t clean yourself up. I want to know that while I watch you out there tonight that you’re still dripping with me between your legs. Understood?”
My core pulses and I lick my lips. It’s so filthy, but the thought thrills me. “Yes, Coach.”
“Good girl. Now get back in your seat. We have a game to get to.”
Later,when I walk down the tunnel toward the ice, Luke stands to the side. He makes a few comments to my teammates as they pass, and I hold back for a moment, letting them pass through.
Then, once the coast is clear, I walk forward. My thighs that were trembling earlier as he railed into me are steady beneath the weight of my pads. Focus and clarity for the task lying ahead on the ice tunnel my vision.
But as I pass Luke, I can’t help myself from winking at him through my mask. He looks confused for a moment, but then understanding heats his face. I listened to his order, and as I help the team win 4–1, he’s still dripping between my thighs the entire time.
33
Lennon
Luke drops me off for practice this morning around the block before he goes to grab a coffee so we don’t walk in at the same time. I’m sure no one would notice if we arrived at the same time, but they might if we rolled up in his car together.
It’s a Saturday morning, and we don’t have any games this weekend. It’s a nice reprieve after we’ve had a few jam-packed weeks in a row. But of our last six games, we’ve won five. The team is riding high as we near the Frozen Four, but if anything, it’s kicked the coaches into overdrive.
Luke has been relentless in our workouts, and each night I barely make it into bed without wanting to cry at the ache in my sore muscles. And Coach Maver has been colder than normal, more lethal, and I know it’s because she wants this win for us as much as we do.
“Morning, Killer,” Charlotte says as I pass her in the hallway. She’s already dressed with her stick in hand.
“Morning. Just couldn’t wait to get going again, huh?” I wink.
Heavy bags sit beneath her eyes, no doubt mirroring my own, as she hangs her head. “We’re going to need a week at a spa or I think we’ll all fall apart.”
“Amen.” I chuckle and pass her to head toward the locker room. But as I approach, Coach Maver rounds the corner and waves.
“Ah, there you are. Did you just get here?” she asks.
“Yes,” I answer then glance toward the clock on the wall. “I’m not late, am I?” I very well could be with the amount of things in my brain I’m trying to keep straight these days, but I doubt that Luke would’ve also gotten the practice time wrong.
“No, not at all. I was just curious because when I got here a couple hours ago, your backpack was sitting in the locker room with your keys laying out on top of it.”
My heart instantly drops out of my stomach to the floor. “Oh,” I say and try to keep the panic off my face. “Yeah, I forgot it last night.”
Coach leans against the wall. “I hope you were able to get into your apartment without them.” There’s no suspicion in her voice, but I can’t help but feel like I’m under a microscope.
I was actually over at Coach Holloway’s cooking dinner for him after our workout and then slept in his bed, so I didn’t need my keys.
Of course, I don’t tell her that answer. The honest one.
“Grace let me in. By the time I got home and realized I left my stuff, I was too tired to come back.” It’s partially the truth. But instead I didn’t realize I left my bag here until we got to Luke’s place, and I didn’t want him to turn around to go back when I knew I’d be back at the rink first thing this morning. And Grace was actually over at Bryant’s house, but again, that’s information Coach doesn’t need to know.
She nods. “Coach Holloway has been wearing you out, huh?” My eyes about bulge out of my head, but Coach just laughslightly. “It took him a while to come around, but I’m glad you trusted my judgement on him. The work you have been putting in with him has paid off. Your stamina and focus in the third period is just as strong as the first, and you’re much calmer under pressure. More assured of yourself and your abilities. I’m proud of you.”
Her praise warms my heart and calms my nerves. “Thanks, Coach.”
“How are you feeling about things? Any concerns as we head into the final month of the season?”
“I can’t believe it’s almost here.” I look down at my feet. “When we lost last year, the next chance at the championship felt so far away. But now, we actually have our shot again.”
