I smiled, eyes watching his. “Make love to me.”
“Baby,” he said, shaking his head as his thumb moved to my chin, fingers curling around my neck. “We checked that off the list long ago.”
And then he kissed me, his hips withdrawing before thrusting in again, and I felt him fill me like he’d always been the missing piece.
“I love you, Em,” he murmured, withdrawing and sliding in again with intent.
“I love you,” I echoed.
He sealed that promise with every movement of his body — every flex, every moan, every tender kiss against my flesh. And even though the playoffs were still weeks away, I couldn’t help feeling like the real game was finally over.
And we were the biggest winners of all.
Emily
Christmas
Snow fell in slow, lazy drifts outside the massive windows of the cabin, blanketing the Rockies in a sacred, blissful quiet.
Inside, there was nothing quiet about it.
Laughter bounced off the vaulted ceilings, mixing with the crackle of the fire and the faint hum of Christmas music playing on a speaker. The tree in the corner glowed warm and golden, overloaded with ornaments that didn’t match but somehow still worked — just like the group gathered around it.
Just like me and Braden.
I leaned against the kitchen island, sipping spiked hot apple cider that Julep had insisted I try, and watched the chaos unfold.
“I’ll teach you pole,” she promised me, her dark hair pulled into a tight ponytail as she mixed up another hot apple cider. This one she handed to her husband Holden, who swept by with a swift kiss. Their eyes lingered on each other long after before she turned to me. “But it’s not as easy as people make it look.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it. I’ve seen videos. The upper body strength is insane,” I said.
“Just wait until you get thepole kisses,” Giana said with a shiver. “Don’t let the cute name fool you. They’re just bruises.”
I chuckled, sipping my drink as the girls gabbed on.
It was my first time meeting the whole crew — all the people Braden went to college with, plus Kyle’s wife, Madelyn. They were a big group of eleven rowdy, loving friends.
I made twelve.
We’d all been able to miraculously slip away for three days in-between games. None of our teams played on Christmas, and the timing worked out just right to have a Monday night, full Tuesday, and Wednesday before everyone would have to report back for practice.
I hadn’t been exactly nervous, but it did feel just as big as meeting Braden’s family — which had turned out to be a breeze when we flew out to see Ginny once she was settled at home again. They were so lovely it was impossible to feel nervous after the first few minutes.
It turned out this North Boston University crew was the same.
“I don’t expect to be good instantly,” I said, grinning. “I just expect you to teach me your ways.”
Julep nodded. “That, I can do. And I’m glad you have patience, because you’ll need it.”
From the living room, Braden snorted.
I shot him a look over my shoulder, but he only lifted his hands in surrender. “Just saying, patience isn’t exactly your brand, Em.”
“Wow. Bold of you to say that when I know all your weaknesses,” I fired back.
“Name one.”
I smirked. “Me.”
