"Move," she whispers. "Please."
I do, slow and steady, watching her face for signs of discomfort. At first, her face scrunches in pain. Then it relaxes,pleasure building. Her eyes are going dark, her lips parting with small gasps that make my control splinter.
"Is this okay?" I ask.
"Yes. You're perfect."
I'm not. She’ll find out when I tell her about the King deception.
But I try to show her how I feel about her with every thrust, every whispered endearment. I try my best to make her first time something worth remembering.
I shift the angle, finding that spot inside her that makes her back arch off the bed.
Her moans fill the room, a symphony of pleasure that mixes with the sound of skin slapping skin and the wet, obscene squelch of my cock reaming her pussy.
Her nails dig into my shoulders, her legs wrapping around my hips, and I can tell she's close.
"That's it," I encourage. "Let go. I've got you."
When she comes, it's with my name on her lips and her body clenching around me so perfectly I nearly lose control. I work her through it, my movements steady, prolonging her pleasure until she's trembling beneath me.
Then I can’t hold back anymore. I groan, my balls tightening, the pressure building, and I thrust into her one last time, my cock pulsing as I come, my cum shooting deep inside her, filling her completely.
“Fuck,” I pant, my body slumping over hers, my forehead pressing against hers as I try to catch my breath.
I pull out, my cock twitching, and collapse beside her, my arm draped over her waist as I pull her close, her head resting on my chest.
Her breath comes in soft, even gasps, her body relaxed and sated, and I smile, a small, private smile that’s just for her. “Youokay?” I ask, my voice soft, and she nods, her eyes fluttering closed as she snuggles into me.
“Better than okay,” she murmurs, and I chuckle, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
For a long moment, we just breathe together, tangled and complete.
"I’m falling in love with you," she whispers into the silence.
My heart stops. "What?"
"I’m falling in love with you." Her brown eyes meet mine. "I know this was supposed to be practice, but I needed you to know."
I should tell her that I've loved her for weeks. That’s why I took my time to give her pleasure before finally making love to her, even though I didn’t realize what I was doing then. That’s why I’ve been attentive as King, even though I thought I was simply finding out about her because I was only attracted to her.
I should tell her that King and Declan are the same person loving her in two different ways.
But the words stick in my throat.
"I’m falling in love with you, too," I say instead.
Too.
It’s the lamest way to tell a woman you love her. But it’s all I’m able to admit at the moment. We fall asleep tangled together, and I realize I've found home in Ivy's arms.
***
The game the next day is magic.
I'm unstoppable on the ice. First goal in the opening period, second midway through the second, third to seal the hat trick in the final minutes. Two assists on top of that. Every play feels effortless, instinctive, like my body knows exactly where to be before my brain catches up.
It's the best game of my career because Ivy is sitting in the research section watching me play.
