It’s not a bad idea to ask Stella if she’d go with me though. But we just had coffee, so how do I get her from that to a night out in the city dressed up as a superhero? My second chance needs some accelerant.
Sean,Tyler, and Mason head up the behind-the-scenes tour at the arena with the Boulder group. The kids are with them, wearing their oversized Aspens jerseys, and excitedly taking it all in. Their parents stroll along. Stella and I bring up the rear, our hands and arms brushing now and then. Every spark I want to grab her and kiss her lips until they’re swollen and greedy for more.
“That was our locker room,” Mason calls out and rounds them all up. “Now, who wants to sit in the sin bin?”
“What’s a sin bin?” cute little Tessa calls out.
“It’s the time-out place for hockey players, but it’s way cooler,” Aiden supplies the answer.
“That’s right. So who wants to sit in it?” Mason repeats the question.
A chorus of hands shoot up, and little voices chime, “Me! Me!” They set off for the next stage of the tour.
Seeing Stella here brings back all those college hockey games where she was my biggest fan. Her eyes flick up and catch mine with a glimmer in them, and I imagine the same memories are playing for her there. In fact, we pass a supply closet, and I tilt my head toward it, wiggling my eyebrows. She laughs under her breath, the smile reaching her eyes.
Everyone is far enough ahead, and I doubt they’ll miss us for a few minutes. I make a snap decision and pull her into the closet with me, locking the door behind us.
The space is tight, with a utility sink and shelves stacked with clean towels and extra gear. The faint hum of the arena vibrates through the walls.
“Wow,” she whispers, looking around, amused and breathless. “Just like old times.”
“So you remember the good parts, too, and not just the breakup?”
She faces me, her red ponytail whipping around. I want to gather those locks in my hand… “I never forgot a second of us, Eli. I just thought letting you go was the right thing to do.”
No, her ex convinced her of that. I’m certain she would have eventually told me everything and kept me around if not for his interference.
I step closer, yearning to touch her, the heat multiplying between us in this small space. I search her face. “You were so wrong. The life I wanted was with you.”
She chews her cheek. “I couldn’t wrap myself up in everything good happening to you when so much bad family drama was all around me.”
“Were you even upset after our breakup? When I saw you a week later in Jerrod’s arms…” I shake my head, wanting to look at her with reproach in my eyes, but turn away instead.
“He was the friend I turned to during a rough time. Believe me, I can’t be more sorry about that now. Except one thing led to another, and Aiden was born. I won’t apologize for having him. He’s my entire world.”
I glance back at her, softening my stance. “I would never ask you to. Aiden is special. I just wish it were me… I think the wrong man was by your side through all of that.”
She drops her gaze. “We should go before Aiden misses us.”
“He’ll be fine for a few more minutes.” I step between her and the door, my hand settling at the curve of her waist. “Stella, back then… You were mine and I was yours. I was certain nothing would tear us apart. It should have been me with you going through everything.”
“Eli… I-I’m sorry.”
“I’m sorry too…”
I dip my head to her forehead, then I drop lower, nuzzling into her neck, whispering into her ear again, for emphasis. “It should have been me.” I brush my mouth along the sensitive spot beneath her ear—the one that always undid her. She gives herself away by leaning into it, goosebumps gathering there.
“Did your ex ever take care of you the way I did?”
Her breath stutters. “No. He never could.”
“He never kissed you here?” I ask, doubling down.
“No.” She inhales sharply, fingers curling into my shirt as if she’s holding on.
“How about this…” I pour years of desire into the press of my mouth against hers at last. She melts into me, kissing back, letting me in, toying with my tongue with a quiet urgency. Heat rushes through my veins, and I don’t let go until she lolls her head back, breathless. I continue my pursuit down her neck.
“He never kissed as well as you,” she breathes.
