I climb on and lie down, rolling to my side to watch him as he reaches behind him and yanks his T-shirt over his head. Our eyes meet and hold with a sizzling connection as he shoves his shorts down his hips along with his boxer briefs. He kicks them aside, and my gaze tracks down over his muscled chest and abs to his erection, so bold and beautiful. I swipe my tongue over my bottom lip.
“Christ, Kate.” He groans, taking the two steps he needs to reach the bed where he joins me, sliding his big, hot body against mine. My skin tingles voluptuously at the sensation. He rolls me to my back and moves over me, kissing me again. I hold on to him, parting my legs so he fits between them, so perfectly, and kiss him back with everything I have.
“I love you,” I whisper as he moves his mouth from mine.
“Love you too.” He kisses his way down my neck, then my chest, then he closes his mouth over the nipple of one breast and tugs at it.
My eyes fall closed and I give myself over to his touch. With his hands and his mouth, he draws a veil of magic and warmth and devotion around us, shrouding us in heat and light and love.
My hips lift into his, aching with need for him. “Please.” I slide my hands into his hair. “Please. I need you.”
“Say it again.” He lifts his head, and I open my eyes to see his gaze fixed on me with his singular intensity.
“I need you.” It feels so good, so liberating and giving, so I say it again. “I need you, Hunter, so much.”
His eyes warm and his lips curve into a sexy smile.
“And I need you inside me.”
His smile deepens. “Yeah.”
He moves up on me, his knees pushing my thighs wide, and I watch as he fists his cock.
He hesitates and meets my eyes again. “Okay with no condom?”
“I’m okay. You okay?”
He nods. “Yeah.”
He doesn’t need to say more. We understand each other, understand that this is about trust and intimacy and deepening our relationship, and I love him so much for asking.
My body closes around him, pulling him in, and I wrap my arms around his back and my legs around his waist as he moves against me. Our bodies push together, seeking more, finding a rhythm that matches the beating of our hearts. His breath rushes hot over the skin of my neck.
Sensation spirals inside me, a taut coil of pleasure and heat, everything inside me tightening, pulling hard, up and up.
“Yes,” I urge him. “Yes, yes…oh God.”
He rises up again onto his knees, spread wide between my thighs. Once more our eyes meet, his blazing at me, full of adoration. He’s letting himself feel everything, I can see it, I can feel it, and I love it. I love this gift of trust he’s giving me. I love him.
Emotion swells and rushes through me. He reaches for my hands and holds them, and I tighten my fingers around his, still holding his gaze. I never want to let him go, never want him to let me go, and I grip his hands as my climax bursts upon me, an explosion of sparks and heat, pleasure sliding outward from my core, lovely and warm and sweet.
“Love you,” I gasp. “Oh God, I love you.” With our clasped hands at my chest, his eyes fall closed, his body tenses and stills for long, pulsing moments, and then once again he stretches out over me.
“Love you, too,” he groans against my neck. “I love you, too.”
Epilogue
KATE
Swift Current Warriors survivors encourage men to be open about mental health issues.
* * *
I smile at the headline on the article I’m reading on my phone.
“Easton Millar, Josh Heller, and Hunter Morrissette all played for the Swift Current Warriors. They were all expected to be drafted into the NHL after outstanding careers in major junior hockey. They were all on the bus the night of the crash that killed nine of their teammates, along with their coach, assistant coach, the bus driver, their athletic therapist, and a local radio broadcaster.
“Now, nine years later, all three former Warriors are playing together again…with the New York Bears. It’s their dream come true, but it’s been a long, painful road. Now they’re ready to share their stories as a part of the NHL’s initiative to raise awareness about mental health.”
I pause scrolling on my phone and lift my head, pride and love swelling in my heart, then resume reading.
“It’s hard in the beginning,” Hunter Morrissette said. “Opening up and talking about it is the biggest, bravest step you can take. There’s no shame in showing emotion.”
* * *
Tonight’s game at the Apex Center is dedicated to promoting local mental health resources and to dispelling myths about mental illness. Hunter, Josh, and Easton have been making appearances and doing interviews. With the three of them together, it’s easier for them to speak up about their experiences. Hockey players are the toughest athletes on the planet, but even tough guys can struggle.
I’m so proud of Hunter and even more in love with him than ever.
And he loves me too.
Even though he’s no longer my client.
Vern got the okay to return to work about a month ago. He contacted a few of his old clients. Hunter and I had a good honest talk about the future. We’ve only been together about nine months, but both of us feel like this is forever. I don’t want to lose a client, but I think it’ll be better for our relationship if we’re not also agent and client. And I trust Vern.
So we parted ways…business ways, ha…and in January we’re moving in together. At first, Hunter said he wanted me to move in with Hakim and him, so he didn’t have to desert his buddy. I was… alarmed. Turned out he was just joking. They easily found another roommate for Hakim, a new guy on the Storm. Hunter’s going to move in here and we’ll start looking for a bigger place. With his big, beautiful new three-year deal with the Bears, he can afford it.
I smile and mentally pat myself on the back for that contract.
Hunter emerges from my bedroom, yawning and rubbing his bare chest.
“Hey. How was your nap?”
“Good.” He stretches, showing off that incredible lean and muscled body, his abs and obliques enough to make me drool. “I need my snack now.”
He strolls over to give me a long, scorching kiss before moving to the kitchen to make his sandwich.
I accommodate his game day routine. I know it’s important to him. After his nap, he eats a peanut butter and banana sandwich (whole wheat bread only) and downs a bottle of water. Then he dresses in his sexy game day suit and takes the train to the arena.
Today I’m going with him. I’m meeting Lilly and Sara and we’re going to grab an early dinner before going to the game. There’s going to be a special ceremony that Hunter, Easton and Josh will be part of, and we want to see it in person.
The guys have become close friends again, and I pretty much love Easton and Josh, too. And their girlfriends. Lilly and Sara are both amazing women. Also, I love Otis.
“I’m reading an article about you,” I tell him.
“There’s enough of them.”
I ignore his sour tone. He hates the attention, but he loves the cause they’ve been working for.
“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” I stand and move to the island. I want to steal a piece of banana, but that might wreck his groove. I respect the game day routine.