His eyes darken for a moment, and he runs a hand over the curve of my hip. “You’re not skinny…you’re perfect.”
“You think so?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Our mouths move together, and I’m swept up in his touch. The warmth of his body. His strength. The gentle way he caresses me coupled with the arousal he elicits. It’s exciting and passionate but also terrifying. Because once we cross that line, I don’t know that there’s any going back.
Warm fingers slide beneath my blouse in the back, softly skimming the skin there. He shifts so he can pull me onto his lap, and my arms wind around his neck. His mouth is possessive and greedy while his touch remains gentle.
Even when fingers skim the side of my breast, sending tiny shocks of pleasure through me.
When he cups my breast, kneading softly, and rubbing his thumb lightly over my nipple until it’s a hard, needy little peak.
And when my legs part, because I’m so desperate for more.
Fuck.
Not yet.
I can’t.
Emotionally, it’s too soon.
So, as much as it pains me?—
“I’m not…” I pull away reluctantly. “I’m not ready, Jordan.”
“Okay.” As always, there’s no irritation or frustration, just simple acceptance.
“Once we make love, I think everything will change.”
“For sure.” His eyes search my face. “If we’re being honest, I may not be ready either.”
This right here is one of a zillion reasons I fell in love with him in the first place. He’s so tough and burly on the outside but so damn considerate and patient on the inside. He never rushed me into giving up my virginity, and I know he’ll wait as long as I need him to now. It’s not the first time, but it’s a new beginning for us, one we have to be infinitely careful with.
“Soon,” I whisper, pressing my forehead to his.
“However long it takes, we’ll figure it out together.”
Yup. I’m in trouble.
I’m already falling for him. Hard and fast.
Just like last time.
Chapter 13
Jordan
Long road trips are usually fun for me. I love to travel, and at this point I have places in most cities that I enjoy when I have a little free time. Restaurants, bars, even museums I’ve come to appreciate. We tend to stay busy with hockey—games and practices, team meals and travel—but we almost always can sneak in some time for fun.
This week we’re playing in multiple cities in and around New York, which means my parents are going to be at all the games. I come from Rochester, so while it’s closer to Buffalo, they’re coming to the game in Manhattan tonight. As well as the one against the Islanders tomorrow night. And they’ll be at Sunday’s game in Buffalo as well. It’s fun to see family and friends but sometimes it’s a distraction.
My dad always wants to come into the locker room and see everyone, which is fine, but then Mom feels left out. My older sister can’t take the whole week off work so she’s constantly texting me, asking what our parents are up to. And my brother, who’s still in college, is bummed he can’t get away to be with us.
They act like this is a fun vacation and even though they know intellectually that I’m working, they don’t act like it. The demands on my time and attention are frustrating, especially after a hard game when all I want to do is take a hot shower and relax.
Instead, we’re out at a fancy Manhattan restaurant having a late dinner. Thankfully, we won tonight, so conversation is light and we’re having a good time. Jude, Milo, and Aiden came with us so my dad is enjoying himself and Mom just likes being able to spend time with me.
