Blake takes advantage of the way I’ve leaned back, his lips finding mine again, this time softer, slower, but no less consuming. His fingers brush up my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake, before settling at the nape of my neck, holding me firmly in place as he deepens the kiss.
I feel everything at once—Chase behind me, his hands exploring, his lips sending sparks through my body, while Blake is in front of me, his mouth molding perfectly to mine, his touch grounding me.
I gasp when Chase’s teeth scrape against my collarbone, just enough pressure to send a bolt of heat through my veins, straight to my core. Blake smirks against my lips, his fingers flexing at my waist before he whispers, “You like that, don’t you, Little One?”
I nod, swallowing hard.
Chase hums, his mouth curving against my skin. “We’ll keep that in mind.”
The way he says it, the way they both say things like that—like this isn’t just some fleeting thing, like they plan to commit every little reaction of mine to memory—makes something inside memelt.
Blake pulls back just enough to look at me, his expression softer now, searching. “You okay?”
My chest tightens at the care in his voice.
I nod, reaching up to trace my fingers along his jaw. “I’m perfect.”
Chase presses one last lingering kiss to my shoulder before resting his chin there, his arms still wrapped snugly around me. “Good,” he murmurs. “Because we’re just getting started at rebuilding us. But let’s take a breather; we don’t want to go further than this. Not tonight anyway.”
I stiffen and sit back, both of them feel the change in my body language.
“No, wait. Shit, that didn’t come out right.” Chase groans.
“What he means is that I’ve talked to him about this. Chase and I have not taken the step toward a more intimate relationship. We’ve kissed, made out, but we haven’t had sex…made love yet. I told him until we do, I didn't want to cross that line with you. When the three of us connect again on that level, I want all three of us to be willing and participating, in all the ways.”
It’s not me. They just want to take that step first and I understand that completely.
“I feel the same way.” My voice comes out softly and they smile Both of them take one of my hands and we snuggle into each other.
Chapter 31
Chase
One month. One gloriousmonth.
Things have been amazing. Blake and I have gotten closer, and he’s slowly been breaking away all those barriers that were still firmly in place. He’s truly showing me how remorseful he is for what happened. How much he regrets the betrayal of our relationship. Even now, when he thinks I’m asleep, he whispers apologies into the quiet of the night—over and over—until his voice cracks, raw with emotion.
God, I love him.
Tonight’s game is big. We’re up against the Iron Valley Titans, and when we win—because let’s face it, we will—I plan to celebrate by making love to Blake. He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m ready to take that final leap in our relationship. No more hesitation, no more lingering doubts. Just us. Together. Ready to shout to the world that we’re committed to each other.
The only thing that would make tonight even better? Seeing Ginny in the stands, cheering us on. Maybe wearing some ridiculous, custom-made jersey with our numbers stitchedacross the back—claiming us publicly, making it known to the world that she belongs to us just as much as we belong to her.
But that’s just a fantasy.
Coach Lein is her father. And for now, we still have to keep our relationship hidden.
The locker room hums with tension, skates scraping against the floor, tape being wound tightly around sticks, the faint scent of menthol from muscle rub lingering in the air. Carter sits beside me, his knee bouncing up and down, radiating energy like a live wire. Blake is quieter, methodical as he tightens the straps on his goalie pads. His expression is unreadable, but I catch the flicker of focus in his eyes—he’s locked in. His head’s in the game, he’s in his zone.
Coach Lein stands in front of us, arms crossed, surveying the team. His gaze shifts between us one by one, until he makes it to Carter, then finally Blake.
“This is a big game,” he says, voice firm, commanding. “The Titans are no joke. They’re aggressive, they play hard, and they will try to get in your heads. But you know what?” He smirks slightly. “They’re not you. You’re faster, you’re sharper, and you play with your damn hearts. So get out there and show them why the hell we’re at the top of this league.”
A few guys let out cheers, smacking their gloves against their pads. Carter nudges me with his elbow, and I give him a small grin. Blake doesn’t move, but I see his fingers flex where they rest on his knee. He’s ready.
We’reallready.
Coach starts calling out line rotations, and then we all head out of the locker room.
