Off Sides (Off 1)

I let out a shaky breath and mentally put my head back on straight. "You're right. Why am I even listening to her?"

"That's my girl."

I turn my attention back to the ice and let my thoughts focus on Ryan again. I'm so proud of him out there and at the end of the game, he comes over to the glass with a big grin on his face. They have won 3-2 and he is responsible for a goal and two assists. He pulls his helmet off and his hair is soaking wet. It's amazing he can look utterly gorgeous while being covered in sweat. He taps his stick to the glass and winks at me. I grin at him, my heart getting more deeply entrenched in all things Ryan Burnham. He nods his head to the right and I see he wants to meet me over at the railing to the tunnel that leads onto the ice.

Paula gives me a quick hug goodbye and says she'll see me at home later on. I pick up our garbage and throw it away, and then make my way over to the rail. I quickly climb over it and jump to the concrete.

Ryan is waiting for me and as I get closer to him, I appreciate just how enormously tall he is in his skates. I sure hope he's steady in them because just a few feet from him I launch myself into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist. He's wearing too much gear for my legs to wrap all the way around him but his hands are firmly gripping my ass to hold me in place. I plaster my mouth to his and he kisses me back with abandon, squeezing me tight.

I move my mouth to his neck and nibble there. "I'm so proud of you, Ryan."

He groans but says, "Danny...I'm all gross and sweaty."

"I don't care," I say as I work my way back to his mouth. After kissing him lightly there, I murmur against his lips, "I plan on getting sweaty with you a lot in the future."

Ryan whips around and crushes me to the wall with his body and thoroughly claims my lips with his. Eventually, he pulls back and I'm thankful no one has walked by us yet. "You know it makes me crazy in lust with you when you say things like that."

I smile coyly at him and stroke his face. "Ryan...what are we waiting for?" I know my eyes are full of yearning and I hope he understands the depth of it.

He looks at me deeply and then puts his forehead against mine. "Fuck if I know. Can I stay with you tonight?"

"God yes," I whisper and kiss him again.

CHAPTER 11

Ryan

Apparently, tonight's the night. I hope it's not happening too fast for Danny. It's certainly not happening too fast for me but I feel like a teenage boy getting ready to have sex for the first time. I'm apprehensive and excited all at the same time. And I don't mean horny excited, although I'm sure I'll get there. I'm excited to be with Danny in this way because then she'll be truly mine.

Danny opens the door to her apartment and we walk in. She flips on the lights and lays her purse down. I stand there with my hands in my pockets watching her. She turns and the look on her face is one of nervousness and it makes me doubt what we've set out to do tonight.

I walk to her and cup her cheek. She takes in a shaky breath and smiles at me tremulously.

"Ryan..." she whispers.

"Sshhh...we don't have to do this tonight," I assure her.

She gives a slight shake to her head, closing her eyes briefly. When she opens them back up, the anxiety is gone and in its place is desire. It makes my heart trip over and my body harden with anticipation.

"I was going to say that I want you so much it scares me," she murmurs as she reaches on her tip toes to place a soft kiss on my mouth. My eyes close and I inhale deeply. I clench the fist that's still hanging down by my hips, otherwise, I might grab her and throw her over my shoulder like a caveman. I let my breath out in shaky spurts.

Danny

My entire body is trembling over the way Ryan is looking at me right now. With nothing more than a soft touch to my face, I'm already a hot mess of firing nerves. I want this so badly that the depth of my need scares me. If I could crawl into Ryan's skin right now, I would...just to be closer to him.

Ryan puts his hands on my hips and draws me closer to him. My hands go to his chest and curl into his shirt. He's wearing a light blue, button down shirt and dress pants since the players have to wear formal attire on game day. His jacket and tie are in his car, tossed haphazardly in the back. He smells of spicy body wash and I put my nose to his chest and inhale deeply.

"Danny?"

"Mmmmm?" My lips are to his chest so I can't give a more complete answer.

"Is this your first time?"

My cheeks flame a little red as I nod. "Am I that obvious?"

Ryan tucks his hand under my chin and draws my face up to look at him. "Not at all. I was merely hoping I'd be your first."

My mouth curves into a smile because the look he is giving me is one of possessiveness and craving. "It's the right time, Ryan. I want you to be my first...my only."

Ryan groans at my words and captures my mouth. It's demanding and sweet all at the same time. Pulling back he looks at me, bringing his fingers to graze over my lips. "I'm a little nervous. We'll go slow because I don't want to hurt you."

I shake my head and giggle. "I'm a twenty-one year old virgin who has been fairly athletic most of her life. I doubt I have much of a hymen for you to shred."

Ryan chuckles as he swoops back down for a quick kiss before he pulls back. "Stay right here and then come back to your room in about five minutes, okay?"

I nod my head. He starts down my hall but then turns to look back. "Where's Paula?"

I shrug my shoulders. "She said she'd see me back here but she may have decided to be scarce. I think she knows I plan on seducing you tonight."

"Is that so?"

"That's so. Now hurry...your five minutes is ticking."

Ryan

Danny is a virgin and she's chosen to give that sacred gift to me. I'm beyond honored and now ridiculously nervous all over again. I don't want to hurt her and I want to make sure I pleasure the hell out of her. The responsibility is heavy but I'm up to the task. Literally.

I get busy setting up her room. I turn on her lamp with the red scarf over it and turn the rest of the lights off. I pull out my iPhone and hook it to her alarm clock stereo. I scroll through my playlists, finally choosing some Jill Scott and turn it down enough so we can just hear the beat. Putting a condom on the bedside table, I sit on the edge of the bed and put my head in my hands. I want this to be so fucking perfect for her.

Danny

I slowly open the door and my breath catches. Ryan is sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. I'm fearful that he is r

egretting this but then he looks up at me and my knees almost buckle from the heat in his eyes. They seem to be glowing like new pennies in the soft red light from my lamp.

He holds his hand out to me and I walk toward him. Locking his hand around my wrist, he pulls me forward until I'm standing between his legs. Placing a kiss on the palm of my hand, he releases it to wrap his arms around my waist and lays his head against my breasts. My arms automatically come up and wrap around his head, holding him tightly to me.

I don't know how long we stay like that but I tune into our mutual breathing which is slow and heavy. Finally, Ryan pulls his head back and looks at me. His hair flops boyishly over his forehead and is hanging over his eyes. I brush it back so I can see him.

"Danny, I'm falling in love with you. I just...need you to know that."

I smile at him and I can feel my eyes misting. "I'm already there. Glad you caught up."

I say those words without hesitation because the realization hits me overwhelmingly that I am hopelessly and completely in love with Ryan. And I could give a shit that we have known each other for only a week. There are no doubts for me. I may choose to regret the speed with which this is happening later in my life, but I won't regret it now.

Ryan

My chest literally swells and expands to the point where I think it might explode. Danny loves me? Danny loves me! And that realization makes me happier than any moment I can even remember in my entire life. About the closest thing I can compare it to is when I got recruited to play at Northeastern and even that feeling fizzles compared to this.

Standing from the bed, I hoist Danny up to my waist and her legs grip me tightly. I turn and kneel on the bed, taking her with me. Covering her body completely, I begin to kiss her. Long slow strokes, rimming the inside of her teeth, licking her lips, pulling on her tongue. She is moaning softly and her fingers are dug firmly into my shoulders. I want her to dig harder so I move down her throat, lightly sucking on her collarbone.

Danny turns her head to the side so her lips are near my ear and whispers, "More." She flexes her fingers into me a bit harder.

I pull away from her and kneel between her legs. Reaching down to cup the back of her head, I pull her into a sitting position and whip the jersey and her t-shirt over her head in one swift move. She's wearing a black bra made of lace and it looks sinful.