“Say it again, baby,” he breathes, his voice low and intense.
I look him in the eye and repeat myself, making a promise for our future.
“I love you, Damon Hawk. I love the way you support me. I love the way you hold me and make me feel safe. I love that look you get in your beautiful blue eyes when you see me first thing in the morning, like you just won the Stanley Cup. I love that you remember things I mention in passing weeksago…”
I stand up and hold out my hand. He takes it, and, standing up, he wraps me in his arms, just the way I like. My voice is low and intense when I continue.
“I love how you always know when I need a hug. I love the way your lips feel when you kiss me.”
His brilliant smile is everything as his mouth covers mine. I melt into him, surrendering to this amazing thing between us. We kiss until we’re breathless and needy.
“Time to go, beautiful. I don’t think I can wait much longer to be inside of you,” he growls, and I’m so glad we already paid the tab, because I can’t wait to get him home.
We walk quickly to the entrance, where we giggle like teenagers while waiting for the valet to bring the car around. I snuggle into his arms, letting my joy flow through my body like a wave. Anticipation and love are lighting up my life like never before. For the first time since I was eighteen years old, I let myself really feel that happiness down to my soul, and it’s fucking incredible.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Epilogue - October First Game - Damon
“Oh God, what if they can’t do it?” Joslyn wonders, biting her lower lip as she paces back and forth in front of the owner’s box window. We’re attending the first game of the season, and I’ve never seen her this worked up. I’m keyed up too, but I’m better at hiding it, and I’ve got pride on the line here. I’ve been doing it for years. I move behind her to rub her shoulders. They’re like rocks.
“You’ve got to relax, beautiful. There are over eighty games to go, so save some tension for the rest of the season.” I try for a joke, but all I get is a wan, half-smile. Okay then. I keep kneading the tense muscles in her neck. Finally, I see them droop a bit as she sighs.
It’s the end of the second period, and we’re tied at two going into intermission. We’re playing the Philadelphia Panthers, her son’s team. I thought that Joslyn would be conflicted, but nope. We both hate losing, so we’re all team Wolves today. I know we feel that we have something to prove this season.
Lucky for me, Lainy appears next to Jos. I’ll let her work on distracting her while I take the intermission to socialize around the suite. The GM is the face of our organization, so it’s just part of my job, and most of the time, I enjoy it.
“Have we decided who has the best ass on the team yet? Or do we need a fan vote?” Lainy asks with cheerful candor.
I shudder at the thought. That would be a PR nightmare.
“You’re a menace, Lainy.” Jos laughingly responds.
I shake my head. Lainy is something else. While I do enjoy spending time with her and her husband, Scott, maybe leaving Jos with her isn’t such a good idea. I let it go because I’ve been dying to check in with our new yoga instructor, Madison King.
Her brother, Walker, is our second-line center and one of our captains, but it’s Madison’s guest that I’m eager to meet. She’s dating Kenji Lee, also known as the Steel Dragon, a three-time MMA featherweight champion, and I’m a huge fan. Watching UFC is my guilty pleasure, so I almost dropped my whiskey when they arrived together. He’s one of my favorite fighters, and I’ve been following his fights for years. Yup, I’m fangirling here.
“Ms. King. Glad you could join us today,” I say with what I hope is a subtle push for her to introduce her date. She gives me a smirk and a knowing look before turning to her date to introduce him.
“Hey, babe, let me introduce you to my new boss.” I’m not technically her boss, but I let it go. She tugs on Kenji’s arm, and he turns to greet me. He’s incredibly fit and much taller than I expected. It shouldn’t surprise me. I work with hockey players who are, arguably, some of the fittest athletes around, but this guy has muscles on top of muscles. It’s impressive.
“This is Damon Hawk, the General Manager for the Colorado Wolves. Damon, this is Kenji Lee.” Madison is still smirking, and I don’t care. I get to meet Kenji Lee, so she can make fun of me all day long if she wants.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Lee. I’m a huge fan,” I say, trying to keep it together so I don’t look like a complete idiot.
“Pleasure to meet you, Damon. Please call me Ken.”
He shakes my hand with a welcoming grin that softens his hard features. He’s calm and quietly confident, entirely at odds with his UFC character persona, the Steel Dragon. I get that, some of my best defenders are teddy bears off the ice. When you’re competing, it’s not the same as regular life.
“Looks like you’ve got quite the team here. I look forward to seeing what they can do this season.”
“I had no idea you were a hockey fan, Mr….Ken.” Now I’m intrigued.
“I’ve been a Wolves Fan for years. I grew up not far from here, in Arvada, close to Madison and Walker, so I’ve been a fan since junior high. Maddi and I’ve been watching Walker play for years. It’s been challenging to be a fan over the last few years, but I must say, I love seeing what you’re doing here. Walker’s been telling me all about the changes you’ve been making. A positive culture is so important.”
I practically preen at that last statement. Yup, I’m officially ridiculous.
“Thanks, man. We’ve been working hard to change things around here. Nice to have some supportive feedback.”
