Page 78 of Golden Goal

She blinks up at me, a huge smile on her face when she sees my name and number on the back. “Did you get me your jersey?”

“I did, sweetheart.” I stand and round her desk, and she meets me halfway.

“Are you trying to claim me?”

I chuckle. “Trying? I think I already did.”

Her gaze darts back to the jersey on her desk. “Everyone will know you’re mine after this. You know that, right? Is that what you want?”

Her words play over in my head, and I swear no sweeter words have ever been said to me. If that makes me a love-struck fool, I don’t give a fuck.

You’re mine.

“Yeah, sweetheart. They already know, but now there won’t be any doubt in anyone’s mind that I’m yours.” I haul her into my arms and kiss the shit out of her.

She grips my shirt, pulling me closer as I devour her mouth. We get lost in each other for a few minutes before I reluctantly tear my lips away. I rest my forehead against hers, trying to regain control of myself before I push her onto her desk and devour her. Nope, I won’t do that. Regardless of how hard my cock is right now.

She deserves better.

We deserve better for our first time together.

“Thank you,” she whispers, smiling up at me.

“Of course. I should go.” I give her one last chaste kiss before forcing myself to walk out of her office and down the hall to the weight room.

“He’s smiling. Like a fool.”

“I know. You think he’s okay?”

“I’m not asking him.”

“I can hear you,” I say, turning to my teammates huddled around Hunter’s stall, watching me.

Wes gives me a sheepish grin and runs a hand through his hair. “You have news you want to share with the class?”

“No,” I snap, closing my eyes and going back to the breathing exercises I always do before a game.

“A little birdy told me there’s a certain woman in the girlfriends and wives section tonight with your name and number on her back, and you two are officially a couple now.” This comes from Elias.

“And?” I open my eyes, shooting them what I hope is a good shut the fuck up expression.

“I, for one, am happy for you.” Hunter leans forward so he can see me around the other guys.

“Thanks, Cap.” I wink at him.

“Took you two long enough,” Wes mutters, shaking his head.

“We’re happy for you is all,” Elias says, clapping me on the back before walking back to his own stall.

The others nod and disperse to get ready for the game.

“Pretty sure she’s your one,” Wes says, taking a seat next to me.

I shake my head. “How do you know this?”

He leans away from me, giving me a once-over, before saying softly, “Because in all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you this happy.” He points at my face. “Bitch face certainly didn’t make you smile like that.”

I consider his words. He has a point. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way. Maybe the day I was drafted or the day I played my first NHL game. But never because of a woman.