The first kiss was tentative, slow, a brush of lips that sent sparks shooting through me. Her warm breath mingled with mine, and I felt the subtle press of her body as she leaned in, just enough to let me know she was there, completely present. I deepened it, tilting my head to meet hers fully, savoring the sensation of her lips, the taste, the softness, the electricity.
She murmured something against my mouth, playful and low, and it sent another wave of shivers over me. My hand slid along her side, just grazing the curve of her waist, and she let out a soft laugh that vibrated against my lips. Every inch of her was magnetic, and I wanted more, but there was a slow-burning, simmering quality to it. A patient kind of fire that made every touch linger.
Especially the one on me. She moved her hand steadily over my pants, stroking my cock until I was so hard it almost hurt. Pulsing, throbbing with how much I needed to be inside her.
“I’m gonna fuck you right here, up against my locker.”
She moaned into my mouth, her tongue relentlessly coaxing mine. “I’m gonna let you.”
We were caught in our own orbit, every brush of skin, every feather-light touch, every playful tease heightening the tension. I could feel the pull of her, the way her body responded to mine, and I was desperate to lean in, to press further, to let the world outside vanish entirely.
A muddle of voices. Then the door swung open.
Holly and I jumped apart, fumbling for decency as reality crashed back in. Coach McAvoy and Mason appeared first, laughing and dissecting the game animatedly. They didn’t even notice us right away. I straightened, forcing myself to breathe normally. She snatched my glove from the bench and handed it to me, eyes darting to the dead giveaway tenting in my pants. I held it strategically, mouthing a quick ‘thank you’.
And not a moment too soon, because–
“You still here?” Coach’s eyes still held that victory sparkle from earlier.
I was getting ready to stammer through a lame response when someone else trailed into the locker room behind them. I could feel Holly’s heart sink along with mine as Bob Trent came into view.
I didn’t need words. One look, the tilt of my jaw, the intensity behind my stare, and his stupid grin fell from his face. My warning at breakfast was still fresh in his mind, and I was sure it was enough to keep him quiet. At least, I hoped it would. Back then, it was only a rumor. Now, with us standing here like this, anyone looking for it would find the evidence they wanted.
Coach McAvoy clapped me on the shoulder again, his voice booming over the tension. “Hell of a game, Hunter. You were unreal out there.”
“Thanks again, Coach.” I tried to be cool about the fact that I didn’t really move. Holly, beside me, didn’t either.
Mason smiled wide as he looked from Holly to me. “Wanna catch aride to the bar with me? Some of the guys are celebrating.”
I glanced at Holly. She caught my eye, a faint smirk on her lips. I didn’t want to leave her though. Not tonight. “I’ll catch up with you guys later. Still finishing up here.”
A fleeting look crossed Bob’s face, but he thought better of saying it out loud. He cleared his throat. “I better get going too. Rain check on that drink, Coach.”
His departure got things moving quickly. Coach grabbed the keys he’d apparently come back for, and he and Mason left after one more round of shit-talk and pats on the back.
“That was close.” She released a drawn-out sigh, sinking onto the bench beside me. “I thought they’d all left for the day.”
Something pulled tight in my gut that had nothing to do with the desire I felt for her. I almost pushed it away but then–
“Holly…” I sat down beside her, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t want to sneak around like this. We shouldn’t have to.”
Finally, with a soft sigh, she leaned in, brushing her lips against mine one last time before settling against my chest. I held her close, hand resting lightly on her back, the soft press of her body a grounding force. The room was quiet again, the echoes of the game fading, leaving only us, and the question she wouldn’t answer.
29
Holly
I pushed my chair back quietly and slipped from the staff table, telling myself I just needed a drink. The glass in my hand wasn’t for me, not really. It was an excuse to wander, to let my eyes sweep over the room without looking like that’s what I was doing.
The banquet hall was electric with pre-game energy, except there’d be no game today. Families clustered around tables, kids laughed and jostled for attention, partners were trying to keep track of camera crews, and a few of the younger players nervously fidgeted with their napkins. I moved to the bar along the far wall, glass clinking lightly against the counter as I poured sparkling water into it.
All seemingly nothing actions to hide the fact I was watching Hunter.
He wasn’t with anyone. He was standing a little apart, leaning casually against the edge of one of the food tables, watching as the other players interacted with their parents and siblings. The faint crease between his brows told me exactly what he was thinking.
I swallowed hard, finding it hard to breathe past the squeeze in my chest. It’s like I could feel the tension in his shoulders from here. Could feel the quiet ache of absence, the way he watched but didn’t participate, like he was on the outside of something he desperatelywanted to be part of.
I should’ve looked away. I should’ve concentrated on the drinks, the chatter around me, the clinking of glasses. But I couldn’t. My stomach sank a little at the sight of him, and I realized how thoroughly I’d let myself care. How invested I’d become.
