They stop over my heart.
Her breath stutters, and she presses her palm over her mouth as if she’s trying to prevent every emotion from spilling out as she sits up.
Her shaky hand reaches out, but she pauses and then looks at me, seeking permission.
“You never have to ask to touch me, baby. I’m all yours.”
Her fingers trail over my second tattoo.
The first one I got was dedicated to Jack.
This one is for her.
Her fingertips follow the ink and trace the small black outline of an open book etched over my heart. From its pages, a jagged but alive heartbeat line spills before curving into the shape of a heart.
I tap the spot twice—right over my heart—then point at her.
Her eyes lift to mine.
And she smiles.
Not confused. Not surprised.
Knowing.
Every game. Every goal.
It’s been for her.
“When did you get this?” she whispers, her voice barely steady.
“Right after you put Jack’s name on the ice.”
Her gaze snaps to mine.
“I wanted something permanent,” I tell her. “Something that says this heart beats for you.”
She raises herself up onto her knees. My eyes fall shut as her lips press a kiss over it. When she pulls back, I circle my arm around her waist and claim her lips.
She opens for me when I lick, letting me taste her. A soft, guttural noise escapes her when my hands slip down to her ass, letting me feel how little of her is covered. It makes me go feral. I pull her so that she’s straddling me.
“I want to see you,” she whispers breathlessly.
Fucking finally.
“Yeah? What do you want to see?”
“I want to see all of you. I-I want you to be my first, and if you’ll have me, my last.”
“Fuck, baby.” I groan when the realization of just how unprepared I am for the moment I’ve been waiting so damn long for hits me. “Erin, I don’t have anything.”
She frowns, and then it clicks. For a reason I can’t explain, my lack of protection in the bedside table has a laugh vibrating from her, causing her to wriggle on my lap.
The movement shifts her so we’re lined up perfectly. She gasps when I spank her. Using my other hand, I tighten my hold on her hip to keep her from moving.
“Don’t. Do. That.”
Her eyes widen, and I know she feels me twitch against her core.
