“I want to get them all for you.” I shoot her a wink. “We’ll come back for the other ones you wanted later.”
She’s speechless, her cute mouth parting. I gather our purchases and guide her out of the bookstore. We’ve walked almost a block before she finds her voice again.
“You’re crazy for that. Thank you for buying me books.”
“I want to give you everything.”
Books. Happiness. My heart.
Her frazzled expression softens with affection. “Thank you.”
“Come on. If we keep an eye out, we’ll be able to sneak upstairs without anyone noticing so they leave us alone.”
I set the new books down on my nightstand when we get back and pull her into my embrace. Her chin lifts and I meet her lips in a searing kiss I’ve been craving all afternoon.
We tumble to the bed without stopping, getting lost in each other for a long time.
“Hey, sweetheart?” I finally murmur against her mouth.
“Yes?” she answers breathlessly.
“That wasn’t a pretend kiss.”
“I know.”
She releases a happy little hum, resting her forehead against my chest. I like when I’ve got her tucked against me like this. It makes me feel like she’s protected wrapped in my arms.
“Good, good. And this?”
I roll her to her back. My lips trail down her neck, pausing to kiss her soft skin because I love the way it makes her shiver. I hold her closer, sliding a hand up to cup her nape while I lavish her throat with another reverent kiss.
“Yes?” She tangles her fingers in my hair, angling her head to give me better access.
“Not pretend.” Kiss. “Not fake.” Kiss. “Not an act.”
“Alex,” she pleads.
“Hold on, baby. We have to make this clear. I don’t want you doubting that this is how I feel about you. Never again.”
I plan to take every opportunity to make sure she knows I’m hers as much as she’s mine. I won’t be the reason for her tears again.
My only goals now are to be the reason Lainey Boucher smiles every day and to become her favorite hockey player.
TWENTY
LAINEY
April, Two Months Later
The timeon the clock runs down and I clutch Candace’s hand, yelling my support for Alex as he and Theo fly down the ice. The puck passes between them on a breakaway that could mean victory for Heston if they make this. Each defensive player they evade has us screaming louder.
“Go, go, go!” Candace shrieks. “Oh my god, yes!”
Her enthusiasm is infectious, helping my introverted tendencies adjust to a level I’m comfortable with when I have her as my emotional support extrovert. More importantly, my boyfriend’s about to score and make it to the Frozen Four for the second year in a row. He’s hoping for an NHL draft pick later this summer and I want to see his dreams come true.
Theo passes to Alex with lightning moves. I hold my breath as Alex prepares to shoot. I’ve seen them line up shots like this countless times in the last two months for every game I attended.
Alex slaps the puck and it sails into the net, missing the opposing goalie’s outstretched glove by mere inches. The packedarena goes crazy when he scores the goal. The final whistle signals that Heston wins.
