As I continue to scan the room, I notice the pictures that line his walls. Many of them are professional shots of him in the NHL, some are with his teammates, some are by himself, but there’s one picture that really captures my eye. Right in the center of them is a picture from the day he was drafted to the Blaze. It’s of him, holding his brand new jersey with his last name, surrounded by Coach Davenport and his dad who has such a bright smile on his face. Next to it is another picture of him and his dad. I’m assuming from the very first game he scored in based off the puck that he’s holding.
Jake lets go of my hand as he steps even closer and places his hands on my waist pressing closely into my back. “He was so proud of me for making it into the NHL. It was the happiest I had seen him in a while.” The softness in his voice tells me that this conversation means a lot to him, so Isink back into his muscular chest and let him know I’m here for whatever he wants to say.
“It wasn’t long after that he was diagnosed with cancer, and it took everything from him.” His voice trembles. “I wanted to quit, stay home, and be with him. I hated that I was away when he was sick and needed me, but he told me that he didn’t want to see me give up my dreams just to watch him slowly whither away. When I made my first goal, I remember he was sitting in the family box. I looked up to see him jumping up and down, screaming about how excited he was. It was because of everything that he did, every sacrifice he made, every job he worked and practice and game he took me too that I got to where I was.”
Tears wet the top of my head as his arms tremble, so I turn around to face him, hurt in his deep brown eyes. I reach up and wipe at his cheeks, holding him to me and giving him all of my strength, because I know how important his dad is to him. “He was so incredibly proud of you. You were his pride and joy, and even though he’s not here to see you play or live out your dreams, he’s right here, in your heart and he’s watching you from wherever he is, smiling and probably telling everyone he can that his son is an NHL superstar.” That earns a small chuckle from him.
Any game that his dad could attend during his high school years, he would tell anyone and everyone, strangers included, that his son was going to be an NHL superstar one day.
“I just miss him so much. Not a day has gone by that I haven’t missed him.”
There’s not much I can say in a situation like this. The pain someone can feel when losing someone they love is heartbreaking and devastating. I wish I could take that pain away from him, bring his dad back, but I can’t. All we cando is keep his memory alive and remind ourselves of how proud he was. How much he loved his son.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get all sappy on our date.” He releases me to wipe away the tears coming out of his eyes.
“It’s okay. I’m glad you got to share those memories with me.”
“Me, too. I never really talk about him with anyone anymore. I’m grateful I get to have this moment with you.” He smiles at me, and then leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips. “Come on, dinner’s ready.”
We walk over to the kitchen where he has a bottle of white and red wine sitting on the counter, as well as plates and set ups. He bends over to pull the pan out of the oven, and the savory smells of fresh garlic bread and alfredo pasta waft into the air, making my mouth water.
Setting the pan down, he turns to me and starts to plate the food. “I hope this is okay, I know it used to be one of your favorites.” He smiles sheepishly as his movements slow, and I take a step forward, placing a lingering kiss on his lips.
“This is perfect. And yes, it’s still one of my favorites.” Smiling, he finishes plating the dishes before he reaches into the cupboards, grabbing two wine glasses. “I also wasn’t sure which one you’d like. I texted Lainey to ask, and she said either a moscato or a red rosé, so I got one of each. She also told me that sometimes alcohol affects your PMOS, so if you don’t want any, I have plenty of other options.”
This man is so thoughtful and so perfect. If I wasn’t already in love with him, this would definitely seal the deal.
Because I am in love with him. I never stopped being in love with him, even when I thought the worst of things after we ended. Even when I was at my lowest, I still held JakeSpencer in my heart, because deep down I knew no one could ever fill that space like he could.
“The red is perfect.” I smile at him.
He pours us both a glass before handing them to me and then grabbing the plates as we make our way over to the sofa where we set up and snuggle in under the soft blankets and tuck into our food. Our conversations are fun and light, just talking about anything and everything. It feels natural, easy to sit here and be with him, like no time has passed.
“Can I tell you something?” With our plates and glasses on the coffee table, we’re snuggled together with my legs thrown over his lap as he gently massages my calves.
“Always.”
“I was really nervous about tonight.”
“Really? How come?” I can sense the curiosity in his gaze at what I just said.
“I know we have so much history, but tonight kinda felt like a reset. I wanted it to be perfect and special, especially after everything that’s happened recently. You mean too much to me to mess this up a second time, and I want us to get it right.”
He smiles at me before pulling my legs so that I’m now straddling him, one leg on each side of his hips. Lacing my hands in his hair, I gently play with the ends as our noses brush together. “I was nervous, too. Tonight was meant to be everything we didn’t get the first time around.”
I bite my lip in nervousness at his answer before he leans in for a long, slow kiss. His hands glide up my legs, stopping to palm my ass underneath my dress as he guides me over his obvious erection. I sink down into him, grinding my already soaked core against him. There’s too many layers between us, but there’s also no rush. I’m his, and he’smine. I get to have him all to myself tonight and every night after this.
He pulls back, his hands playing with the fabric of my underwear on my ass. “Tonight has been one of my favorite nights in a long time.”
“Me, too.” I lean in and capture his mouth with mine, grinding harder and faster into him, my hands gliding down the hem of his pants as I untuck his shirt and practically rip it off of him.
He releases me to help take it off and then I’m right back on him, our kiss becoming a heated mess of teeth and tongues.
This man is so beautiful, and I hate that I went so long without being able to stare at him or have him as mine. He’s only gotten hotter over the years, more rugged, and I can’t stop the way my eyes trail over his features, specifically the curve of his jaw and the intensity of his eyes. The fact that he has his ears pierced is one of the hottest things about him, and I can’t stop looking at them.
“I want you, Jake. All of you.” Taking my mouth from his, I lay out my desires for him right here. Tonight is the night that I finally give myself fully to him after so long. My nerves and insecurities are starting to creep in, but I close my eyes and remind myself that I have all of the power.
That I’m beautiful and worthy. When I open my eyes, the way that he stares at me with so much love and desire only bolsters my inner thoughts and sends a surge of confidence zipping down my spine.
