It's Our Time (Carolina Rebels 3)

She’s quiet for so long that I don’t think she’s going to say it. It might be too soon. That’s okay. I’m not going anywhere. I wrap my arms around her, turn my head to kiss her forehead, and decide I can hold her for the rest of the night.

“How does it feel to know that you get to sleep every single night and that you never have to work that shift ever again?” Her last day was yesterday, or this morning, I guess. When she doesn’t say anything, I say, “Babe?”

“I love you,” she whispers. Sydney sits up, her brown eyes finding mine. “I love you, Ian.”

“I love you too,” I whisper back.

She leans in to kiss me. Just like always, it’s slow and tentative at first. The moment her tongue pushes its way into my mouth, I lock my hold onto her and stand. We’re done waiting. I carry her to our bedroom, her kissing getting more frantic the closer we get. Fuck, I’ve missed this. The anticipation of what is to come, of knowing we’re about to get as close as two people can be, and knowing that it is going to happen with the one person in this world I’ve always wanted it to be with.

Once we’re lying on the bed, me hovering over her on my knees with one arm holding me up, I reach for the hem of her shirt. Sydney’s hand shoots out to grab mine.

“You haven’t seen me,” she states.

“Which is why I want to now.”

“It’s not the same,” Sydney replies quietly.

“Doesn’t have to be.” I slip my hand underneath her shirt and start tracing my fingers in a random pattern. “In case you’ve forgotten, I’ve felt your body, gorgeous. I knew it wasn’t the same; just didn’t realize why. I haven’t cared either way. Lights stay on and you’re getting naked. Want me to go first?” Maybe it’ll help if she’s distracted by lust.

Sydney nods. I pull my shirt off, toss it to the side, roll over next to her, and shed the rest of my clothes. Her hands are on me in an instant and I position myself over her once more. I press my mouth to hers and kiss her hard and deep, stealing every breath she takes. This time, it’s me grinning and breaking the kiss because Sydney takes off her own shirt. That’s the last coherent thought I have because it’s all tongues, hands, and bodies moving in sync after that.

“I forgot you had to leave today,” Sydney complains. She slides her still-naked body over mine. I got maybe three hours worth of sleep because she’s been insatiable. “Is Logan taking Savannah to daycare?”

“Yeah.”

“So we have time?” Her hands slide down my chest as she uses it for leverage to sit up.

“A little.”

“Guess what I forgot to tell you yesterday?”

“What?”

“I signed her up. The next set of lessons start next week.”

I grin. Savannah is going to be so excited about learning how to skate. I’ll have to make sure to go down there at least one day. At the moment, with Sydney’s hands wrapping around my dick, I can’t exactly remember what the schedule will be. “Good. Thanks. You’re wasting a lot of time by talking, babe.”

“Good point.” She sinks onto me without wasting another second.

She makes quick work of making us orgasm, and then I’m having to pack for my trip since I was too busy to do it last night. I’m only gone for one game, but we’ll have a game here the day after. Back-to-back games are fucking awesome, especially when you have to travel in between.

“Woah,” Sydney comments from the bed. She got ready faster than I did and is scrolling through her phone.

“What is it?”

“You have nine away games next month, and you are basically gone for a little over a week.” Her frown deepens. “You’re going to miss Savannah’s birthday.”

“Shit, really?”

“Yeah. You’re in Minnesota that day. We can do her party the day after when you’re home. That way you’re here for it.”

That makes me feel better. I really don’t want to miss the first birthday I’m here for. Only calling or videochatting from somewhere else isn’t cutting it this year. I guess I need to start thinking of presents, too, and whether I should ask for Sydney?

??s help or attempt it on my own.

“So, the season ends in April?” she asks.

“Regular season, yes. But we could still be playing after that. It depends on if we can clinch a spot in the playoffs. We’ll talk hockey at some point and I’ll explain the game to you. Right now, I gotta go.” I lean over and kiss her quickly because we’ve talked longer than we should have and a proper goodbye isn’t coming. “See you later, gorgeous. I love you.”