When Maya wakes up, she always makes a grumpy sound before opening her eyes, like it’s an offense to be pulled from sleep. It’s so fucking cute it makes my chest feel funny. Once she’s up, she’s what I’d consider a morning person, but those first moments she fights consciousness are my favorite to watch.
She’s cuddled close to my side and has one leg hooked around mine. She nuzzles my arm, nose scrunching. Then she makes the little sound I love before exhaling sleepily.
“Morning,” I rasp.
“Mhm,” she responds, still keeping her eyes closed.
I draw her closer, arms tightening around her when she shifts to lay on top of me. My dick is already awake because it’s morning and that’s what it does, but with her naked body pressed against mine it throbs with another pulse of heat, growing harder.
Still not fully awake, she moves against me with torturously sensual movements, her body naturally seeking out what it needs. I groan, fingertips moving down her spine to grab a handful of her delectably thick ass.
“Keep that up and I’m going to slip it in.” My mutter is rough, tinged with sleep.
“Mm, please,” she murmurs.
“Fuck, Maya,” I say hoarsely when she scoots down so she’s straddling me to grind her pussy against my cock.
She lifts her head, eyes hooded and brimming with desire. “You woke me up from all those touches. I was dreaming your mouth was everywhere.”
“It will be in a minute.”
With a rumbling noise, I roll her over and slot my mouth over hers with a hungry kiss. Before things heat up further, the cat interrupts us with an affronted meow. She snickers, holding out a hand.
“Sorry, kitty. Are we bothering you?”
Kit-cat stays at the end of the bed by our feet, where she spent the night curled up until we woke her up. The cat surveys us both, meowing again before she hops to the floor.
“Ah, shit. That’s her feed me meow,” I say.
Maya grins. “You know her different sounds. I love that about animals—the ways we learn to communicate with each other.”
I go for another kiss, but she pulls away with a frown.
“I still taste last night’s drinks. Do you have an extra toothbrush?”
“Yes.”
I rub my cock against her tempting body for another moment before I let her up. Collapsing against the pillow, I muffle a jagged sigh at the loss.
“Aren’t you coming?”
My head pops up. She stands at the edge of my bed, capturing my hand. Her chin dips in a mimic of my mannerisms.
“Want to shower?”
I scramble out of bed so fast. She laughs at me when I almost trip from getting tangled in the sheets.
“I’m going to finish what you started.”
“What you started,” she sasses. “I don’t think you realize how much you touch me all the time.”
Kit-cat stops me in my tracks, winding around my legs.
“You want to be fed,” I say. “Okay. C’mere.”
Before I follow Maya to the bathroom, I let the cat into the hall. She races down the steps, acting like we don’t feed her as much as she wants. Cameron nods to me with his chin, scratching at his stomach on his way out of the room we used to share.
“Morning. Can you feed the cat?”
“Yeah.” Before going downstairs, he yells at the top of the steps, “Breakfast will be ready in twenty minutes. Be downstairs fast if you want any.”
Damn, that doesn’t give me as much time as I want to worship my girl.
Maya’s already in the shower when I come in. The thought of her smelling like me from using my stuff sends a rush of possessive satisfaction racing through me. I brush my teeth quickly and join her beneath the warm spray, running my hands over her wet, sudsy skin as my body presses against hers.
She tilts her head back. “Oh, hi.”
“Hi, beautiful. Give me that.”
I take the shampoo bottle from her and squirt it into my hand. Steam envelops us while I massage it into her hair, enjoying the way she sways against me with cute little blissed out moans.
“This is the life,” she says.
“Keep your eyes closed.” I guide her beneath the water to rinse, carefully checking there’s no soap left before I tug her against me. My arms wrap around her and I drop a kiss on her head. “This is how it will always be, baby. Even when I make the pros, you’re my priority. I’ll take care of you no matter what.”
She doesn’t quite smother a surprised gasp at my serious promise, angling her head to stare at me wide-eyed. I turn her around and lean down, needing to feel my forehead resting against hers.
I can already tell what’s going through her head. I’ve learned to read her. Her features are torn, wavering between that radiant smile I’m obsessed with and her practical side that’s probably saying some shit about how it’s too soon to be talking about the future when we’ve only been together for a short while.
But I don’t need an arbitrary length of time to confirm what I already know: I love her.
“Easton…”
“You don’t have to say anything. I just want you to know that I’m all in with you. This isn’t just for fun while I’m in college. You’re my forever.”
Her throat convulses with a swallow. She nods, eyes shining.
I stiffen as she lowers to her knees without breaking eye contact. My cock appreciates the view of her plush lips parting.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s my turn to take care of you.”
My arm braces against the wall and a garbled curse flies out of me when she takes me into her mouth. Fuck, it’s wet, hot paradise.
“Maya.” With a wrecked groan, my hand cups the back of her head, fingers sliding into her wet hair. “God, you’re so—”
The words die because she bobs her head, stretched lips sucking me deeper. She manages to fit most of my cock into her mouth and it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced.
My thighs tense from her gripping the base and swirling her tongue. She’s bringing me right to the edge, but I don’t want this to be over yet. I want to make her come.
Tightening my grip on her hair to stop her, I pull her to her feet and kiss her hard. She holds my jaw between her hands and opens for me with a wickedly sexy noise in her throat. Tearing away, I press two fingers against her lips, my eyelids growing heavy when she sucks on them.
Both of us are panting with need when I reach down, rubbing through her slippery folds before sinking inside her. She looks gorgeous, cheeks flushed, eyes closed, mouth open with a silent cry while I spend a minute fingering her.
Her hand flies down to tug insistently at my forearm. “Okay. Come on, I want to feel you.”
“I’ve got you.”
Gripping her by the thighs, I lift her. She chokes back a surprised sound, locking her legs around me when I press her back to the tiles. Capturing her gaze, I line up and drive my cock into her pussy in a long, continuous thrust.
She clamps around me, her moan echoing off the shower walls. All she can do is hold on while I fuck her with sharp strokes that hit her nice and deep.
When she throws her head back, I nuzzle into her bared throat, kissing and biting to leave my mark. My fingers dig into her and the force of my thrusts makes her body shake.
Her lashes flutter, then her eyes find mine. We’re locked in a stare that kicks my heartbeat into the next gear.
It blows me away how intense every single touch and kiss is with her. Each sensation is overwhelming, blinding me to anything except her existence.
“I’m going to come,” she murmurs.
Our hold on each other tightens. My mouth slams against hers when I feel her pussy fluttering with her orgasm just before I sink into her one last time, my cock throbbing in divine fucking ecstasy.
We kiss through our shared pleasure until she melts against me.
“Can I take you somewhere today?” I whisper against her lips.
“Okay. Where are we going?”
My hum is full of contentment. “It’s a surprise. Not telling.”
“Yet,” she teases.
I grin at the word I used whenever I wanted to convince her to give me a chance. “Yet. Come on, let’s go eat. Otherwise the animals in this house will leave us with nothing.”
We finish showering and make it downstairs just in time. Maya wears my clothes so she doesn’t have to go downstairs in that hot little dress I peeled off her last night.
Reeves has a dish towel draped over his shoulder and mans two pans at once on the stovetop while everyone else who’s up early enough to eat is spread around the kitchen.
Madden balances plates, trying to get the utensil drawer open at the same time. Maya goes over to help him while I clap Cam on the shoulder.
“Smells great, man.”
“You always say that when you’re hungry,” he replies with a smirk.
“Who’s having coffee?” Noah counts the hands that go up with a round of jumbled responses.
“Rookie, books off the table. It’s time to eat,” I say.
“Okay, I just have to finish this part. My professor has been on my ass about citing my sources.”
His tongue sticks out from the corner of his mouth and his face scrunches in concentration while he jots down a quote in his outline for a paper. Maya ruffles his hair on her way around the table with Madden to set it.
Theo and Hutch trail in one after the other, hair standing on end from sleep. They both mutter good morning, heading straight for the coffee pot Noah brandishes.
When we all sit down, it feels like a family meal. One that Maya fits right into.
She has no trouble fighting hungry hockey players to fill her plate with her share. I rub her back with a stupid smile on my face, pride unfurling in my chest.
“There’s no room for me?” Brody stumbles in, leaning around occupied chairs to steal food.
“Grab a plate and sit with me.” Hutch pats the back of the couch where he’s perched.
“Here.” Maya scoots her plate closer to mine and slides onto my lap.
Humming contentedly, my arm winds around her waist. I finish a sip of orange juice and kiss her shoulder.
Noah pretends to pout. “Why don’t any of you sit on my lap?”
Several of the guys ball up napkins and toss them at him. He bats them away with a laugh.
After we finish breakfast, I wash the dishes with Madden’s help. The others scatter through the house with the assignments they need to finish up before our next roadie to take on Elmwood for our second matchup of the season. Elijah and Cameron share the kitchen island while studying.
They all know they have to finish early to turn them in to their professors while we’re away. I’ve got it on lock, but it’s Cam who worries me. Out of all of us, he has to put the most effort into his classes.
He sinks his fingers into his hair, making it messier before he crams his worn baseball cap onto his head with a sigh.
I lean against the island next to him. “You good?”
“I’m struggling,” he admits gruffly.
“You know I’m here if you need help. All of us will make sure you get through it.”
“Me too,” Maya says when she joins us. “What’s the class?”
He pinches the bridge of his nose, rubbing his eyes. It’s rough to see him so torn up when he’s the team’s rock. He always has our backs.
“Calculus. I tried to see if I can drop it, but apparently it’s a required course for the major I picked. The other classes are full, so I’m stuck.” He shakes his head and blows out a breath. “I already scrape by to maintain the GPA required to stay on the team as an active player.”
“Shit,” I mutter. “We need you. Holland is a decent backup, but we’re not making it to Frozen Four without you.”
“I know,” Cam laments. “I’ll make it work. I swear.”
Maya frowns. “I wish I could do more for you. Math and I don’t get along. Any other subject and I’m there.”
He shoots her a grateful smile. “Thanks. It’s okay.” He checks his phone. “Actually, I need all of you to clear out. Go do your shit elsewhere.”
My brows wrinkle. “Why?”
He squeezes his nape. “I’ve got someone coming over that agreed to help me study.”
“Why are you all shifty about a tutor?”
“It’s a girl,” Maya guesses.
Reeves turns to her with a harassed expression. I chuckle, slipping an arm around her waist.
“Oh, that changes everything,” I say. “You think she’s cute, huh?”
“I—well,” he stammers. “Shit. Look, she’s really quiet and shy. Hockey players freak her out. She thinks we’re too intense and it took a lot to convince her to help me. So I need everyone to fuck off for an hour if you want me saving goals for us.”
As he talks, he strides between the kitchen and living room until the guys clear out. They put up mild complaints, but pack up their stuff and move elsewhere. Maya exchanges a glance with me, both of us bouncing our brows in amusement. He comes back to herd us away.
“Relax, we’re going. We’ve got plans anyway,” I say.
We go up to my room to get Maya’s purse and my keys. I change into jeans and layer a hoodie over my t-shirt. On our way back downstairs, Reeves blocks the open door, talking to someone.
“No, it’ll be just us,” he says. “Not like a da—no. I need to pass this class. If I don’t, I won’t be able to play.”
The response from his mystery tutor is too muted to hear, but his shoulders slump in relief. He moves aside. A girl with curly brown hair and tan skin bundled in a fuzzy cream coat with bear paws on the sleeves steps through the door. She pauses when she sees us on the stairs.
Cameron clears his throat. “That’s Easton and his girlfriend Maya.”
“Hi,” Maya says in a welcoming tone.
The girl shifts closer to Cameron, as if she trusts him more in the face of the unfamiliar. “I’m Elodie. From his calc class.”
“Nice to meet you. Don’t mind us, we’re just heading out,” Maya says.
I follow her down the steps and give Cameron a supportive pat on the arm. “Good luck with studying.”
When the door closes behind us, Maya hugs my arm. “She’s so pretty.”
I hum in agreement. “Ready to go?”
She threads her fingers with mine. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Nope. Not until we get there.”
We stop at her apartment for a change of clothes. Reagan is still asleep when she pokes her head in to check on her. She sets out a fresh bottle of water for her and writes a note to say she’s out with me before we go to her room.
I sit on her bed while she rummages for an outfit. “If you don’t let me know what we’re doing, I don’t know what to wear.”
“Dress warm,” I advise cryptically.
She levels me with a look that’s a mix of exasperation and affection, swatting me with a stray pair of leggings. Once I deem her bundled enough, we get back in the car. During the ride, I rest one hand over the steering wheel and tuck the other between her thighs, thumb brushing her jeans.
When I pull up at the Heston Lake public rink, she grins.
“We’re going ice skating,” she says with certainty.
I squeeze her leg. “You know how to skate, right?”
“Of course I do,” she answers with an amused huff. “You think I let Ryan learn to skate by himself? As soon as he got his first pair of Bauers, I wanted them, too. I remember being so mad my dad got me figure skates instead of what Ryan had because I thought his were cooler.”
“That’s my girl.”
Once we rent skates for her, I sit her on a bench and tie them for her before I put mine on. I squeeze her ankle.
“How’s that feel?”
She wiggles her feet. “Good.”
Stepping onto the ice is ingrained in my muscle memory. Maya takes a minute to find her balance, cheeks coloring as she clutches me.
“Don’t laugh. I can skate, it’s just been a while. I’ve been too busy for stuff like this.”
I rub her elbows encouragingly, supporting her until she gains confidence. “I’m not in a hurry. We could spend the whole date like this if we need to. I just wanted to get you on the ice with me.”
The last of the stiffness leaves her. With a slight push, she coasts right into me. My arms circle her waist as I lower my head to meet her kiss.
“I’m pretty sure for an ice skating date, you’re supposed to skate,” she says when we part.
“I’m good with this.”
“If you want another kiss, you’ll have to come and get me.”
She pushes away, keeping just out of reach when I follow her.
My brows lift at the challenge. “Is that so? You know you’re asking an NHL draft prospect to chase you, right?”
The prospect rankings won’t be released until next month, but I’ve seen sports blogs talking about my plays this season. After each game we have more sports journalists wanting to talk to us. This time I know my name will be on that list.
She grins. “I dare you.”
“Oh, baby. When are you gonna learn?”
I keep my speed slow and easy while she skates off. When she has a far enough lead, I fly across the ice to close the distance between us. I scrape to a stop with inches to spare, using the slowed momentum to wrap her in my arms smoothly.
“I’ll never stop chasing you.” I tip her chin up for a kiss. “And I’ll always catch you.”
“That’s one,” she whispers.
I let her escape my grasp, eager to chase her down and capture her again and again. She hides behind giggling kids using the penguin aids for balance, weaving through the bustling rink.
By the fourth time I catch her, she knows she doesn’t stand a chance against me on the ice. I pin her against the boards separating the rink from the frozen lake to kiss her until we’re both dizzy. We rest our foreheads together, our thick warm breaths fanning our mouths.
When our game stops, we join the general flow of other people circling the outdoor rink.
After several loops of easy skating, the wind picks up. She typically doesn’t mind the cold, but the biting February chill cuts through our layers, making both of us shiver.
“Want some hot chocolate?”
“Yeah, I could use something to warm up.”
I glide closer and take her by the hips, muttering low words meant only for her. “I know how to warm you up.”
“Shh.” She covers her laughter with a hand. “Save it for later.”
“Come on.”
Holding her hand, I lead us to the cabin-style hut. It has a rough-hewn wooden bar open to the rink for skaters to take a break. I order drinks for us, adding on a cone of waffle fries because I know she’ll want them.
Once we have our food, we move to an open spot at the end of the wooden counter where it’s quieter. She digs into her fries, trying to eat them even though they’re freshly made.
“Don’t hurt yourself.”
“I’m okay. They’re too good to wait for them to cool down.”
“You have ketchup. Here.” Warmth spreads through me when I thumb it away from the corner of her mouth.
She murmurs a thank you, then moves closer to lean against me. I rub her back, sipping my hot chocolate while we take in the beautiful view of the lake.
“Thanks for today. I haven’t done this in forever,” she says.
“It’s nice to get on the ice for fun. Brings me back to the reasons I fell in love with it when I was a kid.” Nostalgia washes over me. “The first time my dad put a pair of skates on me, it changed my world.”
“You skate like you belong on the ice. I can’t imagine you doing anything else.”
I huff, raising my eyes to the sky. “He used to say that, too. You would’ve liked him.”
And he would’ve adored her.
She presses closer, resting her chin on my chest. “I wish I could’ve met him.”
“Me too.” A ghost of a smile twists my lips.
“So even though you’re earning a degree, it’s hockey all the way?”
“That’s the goal.” I rub my jaw. “If I don’t make the draft cut this summer…”
She hugs me when I trail off. “You can still get there after college if not, right? Ryan never shut up about it before we found out he was drafted after last season.”
“Yeah, as a free agent. The contracts aren’t as good, though. First round picks have it made, then for each one after it’s less money and a lower chance of ever seeing game play. Out of seven rounds of picks from the pool of players within the eligible age range, it’s only about sixty players that go all the way every year. Even less that actually go on to have an NHL career.”
“Wow. That’s more intense than I realized.”
“Yeah. I still won’t give up on it, though. My dad built this dream with me.” I rub my chest. “I always feel like I have him with me when I play. I want to make it there for me and for him. So I can take care of my mom and my little brother.”
My gaze shifts to her. I want to take care of everyone important to me.
“I still have a chance this year. For some guys it still works out, like Elijah’s older brother was a third round pick. He was traded after his team didn’t make the playoffs. Now he plays for the Seattle Kraken and he’s gone from two minutes of game time with his previous contract to a regular on Seattle’s roster. And you know Alex Keller.”
“So Heston has produced choice players.”
I lift a shoulder. “We’re definitely up there with the top schools draft picks tend to come out of. I just have to keep working hard to get there.”
She hugs me again, resting her cheek on my arm. “I’ve seen how you play. I believe in you with my whole heart.”
Something loosens in me knowing I have her support.
It doesn’t matter what we face. I’ll work to keep this because she’s too important to let go. It’s not her or my dreams. There’s no choice to make between the two—she’s become part of my dreams.
If anything, I have more to fight for to earn my spot on NHL ice. One more important person in my life to take care of.
I turn to her. “There’s something else I learned because of my dad.” My heartrate kicks up in anticipation. “I love you.”
It comes out simple and easy.
Her lips part. “You—?”
“Yeah.” Smiling, I cup her face and brush my lips against hers. “I love you, Maya Donnelly.”
She blinks rapidly, beautiful hazel eyes glimmering. “I—why now?”
“Why not? It’s how I feel. When I lost my dad, all I wanted was to tell him I loved him one more time. After that, I decided to always make sure the people I care about know it. I don’t need to wait to tell you when I already know.”
Her expression melts. She throws her arms around me with a strangled noise.
“You are the most infuriating, stubborn, ridiculous guy I’ve ever met. You drive me crazy.”
My embrace tightens at the affection filling her tone. “That’s a funny way of saying you love me.”
“Yeah, I guess it is.” She laughs thickly. “Because somehow you barreled into my life whether I wanted you to or not and made me fall for you. I need you.”
I hover my mouth over hers, unable to stop grinning. “You have me, baby. Now and always.”
