Puck Drills & Quick Thrills (CU Hockey 5)

One of the twins starts to cry, and West jumps up before Rhys can say anything. He pulls Hazel into his arms. “You two need to take a breath. Asher’s not going anywhere. Do you really think he’s waiting to leave? You’re crazy. He loves the shit out of all of you.”

“But he’s going to play hockey …”

“Yeah, once he’s finished college. But he’ll visit so much we’ll all be sick of him. Hey …” West ducks down so he’s her height. “Is that what your issue with Jasper is? You think he’ll scare Asher away?”

She nods, pointedly not looking at me.

“That isn’t something you ever need to worry about. No matter what, Asher and I are here for you all.”

“And if Asher doesn’t want me here,” I say, “then I won’t come around. It’s his home.”

“Promise?” she asks.

“Of course.” I hold out my pinky, and she gives me a look that’s so much like West when he’s humoring me, I almost laugh.

“Nobody does that anymore.” But she reaches over and links her finger with mine.

Success.

I don’t leave West’s side the whole next day. We drop Rhys at his girlfriend’s and take the twins and Hazel shopping, which is … an experience.

Emmett sticks to my side like glue the whole time while West keeps an eagle eye on Bennett, and Hazel insists she needs new clothes because she’s sick of dressing like a child. Ah … junior high. Look out, West.

When the three of them are occupied in a games shop, I step closer to West. “I’m impressed.”

“About?”

“You’ve been dealing with all this and you’re somehow still keeping it together.”

“Do I need to remind you of my breakdown?”

“That was nothing in the scheme of things.” I drop my voice. “But there’s no need to remind me because I think about that night a lot.”

Last night everyone wanted to stay up late watching movies, so we were all tired by the time we went up to bed, and then this morning, we were woken by kids stampeding through the house. Holding him last night was incredible, but I’m hoping for something more tonight.

“Which part exactly?”

“I don’t think it’s appropriate to say with so many people around.”

West leans in next to my ear. “Is it the part where I was begging you, Professor?”

I groan. “Damn it. Do not get me worked up here.”

“What are you going to do about it?” he taunts.

“Keep going and you’ll find out.”

“Wow. You need to work on your threats.”

I narrow my eyes. “You’ll find out tonight, then.”

“Great. Now who’s getting who worked up?”

“Just remember who started this.”

The day goes way too slowly for my comfort. While we’re out, I don’t touch West much, but I’m quickly learning he’s an affectionate guy. His hand on my back, leaning into my side while we’re waiting in line, surprise, quick kisses on my neck, shoulder, cheek, lips. He never fails to show me he wants me. It’s not something I’m used to, and I’m pretty sure if he keeps going, he’s going to spoil me for anyone else.

Reason three hundred and sixty-two for why I need to make this work.

That night, Zoe sleeps over at a friend’s house, and West gets the rest of the kids to bed at a reasonable hour. The stars must be aligning for us or something, because the twins fall asleep right away. I need to make the most of tonight since Asher will be home tomorrow and I’m not sure when we’ll be able to do this again.

As soon as the door to West’s room clicks closed behind us, he backs me into the wall.

“Hello,” I say, his mouth inches from mine.

“Hey.”

I hear the lock snap into place, and West’s eyes darken as they drop to my mouth. So I fake a yawn. “Wow, I’m tired. Good thing it’s bedtime.”

He presses his body into mine, the hard outline of his cock against my hip. “You sure about that?”

“I suppose I could be convinced otherwise.” Though the level of convincing it would take is next to nothing.

West sucks my bottom lip between his teeth, breath hot against my mouth, and murmurs, “Just tell me how.”

I cup his face, guiding his lips to mine, and kiss him softly. Every other time we’ve been together has been fast and hard, a desperate need to reach the finish line and make the most of our time. Even in the hotel, we’d been driven purely by lust, but tonight, I’m in no hurry.

I take my time, savoring each kiss, licking into his mouth with slow, long strokes of my tongue against his. West whines, but I’m the one in control, and I’m going to worship him tonight.

My hands make their way down his body, following each hard line, and once I reach his hips, I start to back him up toward the bed. Before we reach it, I pull away to turn my attention to the hem of his shirt. Little by little, I lift it, exposing every one of those gorgeous muscles, and once his shirt hits the ground, I pull him to me, lips finding his neck. I kiss down his shoulder, licking and tasting his skin, only pausing once I reach his nipple to suck it into my mouth.