Page 22 of The Flight Risk

My head whips around and I see that my lipstick is smeared all over his lips. In the chaos of Lottie’s ambush, I didn’t even think to check what Oakley looked like. “I’m sorry. My lipstick is all over.” I rub my thumb against his lips, attempting to wipe off all the markings of the hottest makeout session I’ve ever had in my life.

He grabs my wrist, stopping me in my progress, “You need to stop touching me, Tess.”

“Why?” My heart plummets. I don’t want to stop touching him and I am fairly certain he doesn’t want me to stop touching him either based on what just occurred in that closet. This is the most insane rollercoaster I’ve ever been on with a man. Just when I feel like I’ve cracked some sort of code with Oakley, he has another block or level that I need to unlock. And although it’s an insane ride, I have no intention of getting off of it.

Before I can protest, he says, “Because now that I know what it feels like, I’m never going to stop wanting more.”

13

It’s been a few days since that incredibly hot kiss with Tess and it’s literally the only thing on my mind. I was so distracted in practice today, I could barely block any pucks coming my way. I bolted home so fast out of frustration and embarrassment. That’s never happened to me. Ever.

Just like I’ve never met a woman like Tess before. Someone who is so unabashedly herself. So confident. She fucking radiates.

Even though I told her otherwise, I want her to touch me again. My body is aching for it. It’s like she imprinted her touch on me and I am forever marked by her. We definitely crossed a boundary the other day, but I’m not mad about it. I’m more mad at myself for not being able to focus on my job because all I see when I look out to the ice is her.

I unlock my door and am greeted by Pippa, jumping all over the bottom half of my legs. “Hey, sweet girl.” I kneel down and pet her. It’s nice to have something to come home to, or someone to come home to. I didn’t realize how lonely I was until Tess and Lottie came to stay with me.

“Oh, hey!” Tess calls out from the living room. She pauses whatever show she’s watching and turns her head to look at me. Pippa returns to her rightful owner and snuggles up next to her. “I can go upstairs and give you some alone time.” She takes off the blanket draped over her immaculate bare legs and starts to run away like my own personal Cinderella escaping the ball.

She’s been avoiding me like the plague, and I know she thinks that’s helping. But it’s doing the opposite. I’m craving to be near her even more. She is depriving me of her presence and now that I’m around her every day, I don’t want that to change. It’s become my new normal and I thrive on the familiar.

“No.” I drop my bag behind the couch. “Stay. You were in the middle of watching…” I gesture to the TV and notice it’s paused on Emily in Paris. “Whatever this is.”

She relaxes her body and I’m acutely aware of how her dark brown hair falls between her shoulder blades and reaches her mid-back. She is practically in her underwear and this is going to be the greatest challenge of my life–-not to stride over to that couch and run my hands all over her beautiful, perfect body.

“Are you sure?” She cocks an eyebrow and now I’m locked into her jade eyes.

“Of course. Mi casa es su casa.” I wince. “Okay, that sounded stupid. Just…you can stay where you are. I’m about to jump in the shower anyway.” Translation: Now that I’ve thoroughly made a fool of myself, let me go hide away for a good ten minutes so maybe you’ll forget I said any of that.

Her face flushes as she smiles. And dammit if that smile isn’t the most beautiful fucking thing I’ve ever seen. “No. It wasn’t stupid. It was kind of cute. You attempting to speak Spanish with your Chicagoan accent.”

“Is it really that strong? The accent?”

“It’s noticeable. And I like it. I’ve always been surrounded by the Texas drawl. Something different is nice.” She points the remote toward the TV and asks, “Did you maybe want to join me? It’s one of my favorites. Fair warning, it is a rom-com series and… it’s on the spicier side.”

What Tess doesn’t realize is I’d burn down the world for her if she asked me to. I’m happy to do whatever she asks of me. Other than hockey, pleasing the hell out of Tess has become part of my life’s purpose. If I could bottle up the feeling I get when I see her smile or hear her laugh, I’d share it with the world to make everyone happier.

“Yeah, and I can order some food if you want. I don’t know if you’ve eaten yet?”

She beams. “I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Cool. Any preference?”

“Surprise me.” Pippa licks her nose and Tess lights up with so much adoration for her dog.

“Great.” I hate not knowing exactly what to get for her. I don’t want her to be disappointed in my food selection. Fuck. Trying to hide my internal freak-out, I say, “Be down in a little bit. You’re going to have to fill me in on the plot for this show when I get back.”

“Sounds good. Buckle up.”

I take the steps two at a time and make it to my bedroom. I shut the door and lean back against it. Shit. There is only one person who can help with this.

I pull out my phone from my pocket and call Lawson.

He answers on the second ring. “Oaktree! What’s up man? We didn’t get a chance to catch up after practice. Are you okay, bro?”

“No, I’m freaking out.”

“Ah, it’s all good, man. So you couldn’t block a shot today. No big deal.”