Goal One.
For Dad.
We do it three more times.
Twice, Liam scores, and I get one more myself. On two of our goals, the puck actually looks like it’s flying wide of the net, but then at the last second, it snakes inside the crossbar. It almost looked like someone’s hand gently nudged or guided it there.
I’ve never believed my father was watching our games before, but apparently, I haven’t paid close enough attention.
When the game ends, Murph and Dean wrap their arms around my brother and me.
“What the hell got into you two tonight? I’ve never seen you both perform like that on thesamenight,” Murph says.
“Retribution,” Liam says simply.
“Redemption,” I add.
He and I look at each other and then up at the ceiling.
I think my father was here with us tonight. Maybe he always is, and I haven’t taken the time to feel his presence.
* * *
Winter’s lips are on mine the second I walk into my townhouse at an ungodly hour the next night. Hell, it’s really morning.
“It’s after three a.m.,” I say to her between kisses. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”
“I was waiting for you,” she says simply.
That’s all I need to hear.
Everything I’ve felt the past forty-eight hours, all the emotions that I’ve been keeping to myself…they all come out.
I put my mouth over hers in an urgent kiss and back her up against the wall. She meets me more than halfway, giving as much as she’s taking.
I lift up the t-shirt she’s wearing of mine and tug at her underwear. As I slide them down her legs, she pulls at my tie.
I practically tear the tie off of me before unbuttoning my dress shirt. I don’t even bother to take it off as I unbuckle my belt and unsnap my pants.
Winter releases my erection from my boxer briefs, and I lift her up. She fits perfectly with me, and her legs lock around my waist as I brace her against the wall.
I want her so badly I’m shaking. I can’t wait to be inside of her, but I need to make sure she’s ready.
“Do you want this?” I ask as I run my finger through her wet center.
“God, yes.” She grips my waist tighter with her legs.
I try to go slowly, but she’s so wet that I slide all the way inside of her in one motion.
And fuck, I’m so hard that with just one thrust, I feel close.
I force myself to slow down and look into her eyes. Her beautiful, blue eyes that see all of me. Not just Hunter Storm the hockey player, but Hunter Storm the boy who lost his parents, and Hunter Storm the man I am now.
Our gazes stay fastened on each other as I drive in and out of her. Every time she moans, I get closer, and I grip her hips to angle her more tightly against me.
“Hunt…” Winter’s eyes grow unfocused and more dilated. “I’m going to…oh God, Hunt…I’m…” Her fingernails dig into my shoulders as she cries out her release.
Her eyes never leave mine.
