Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
We woke up in the morning, and she moved over me, taking me in her mouth first thing. I moaned as I slipped my hands into her hair, and she rocked over me.
“Elyse, you feel so good.”
She whimpered against me, and the vibration of her voice made me come hard. Elyse swallowed every drop, and I stared down at her as she lifted her eyes to mine.
“I love you.” The words just slipped out, and she looked at me with wide eyes. It felt like I’d said it a million times to her.
“You do?” Elyse asked weakly, and I gestured for her to join me. She moved beside me, and I pulled her into my arms.
“I think that I have from the moment we met,” I admitted, kissing her hair.
“I’ve been scared of how I feel about you. I haven’t been serious about anyone before,” Elyse told me softly and let out a shaky breath. “I don’t want you to leave me.”
“No plans to, baby. I need to travel for work, but apart from that, we’ll be together. You could even come to some away games. Tori’s been talking about it,” I told her as she giggled. “Get a room, watch the game and hang out. That’s why you should paint. The shop holds you here.” She froze in my arms, and I knew I’d said something wrong.
“I love that job. Gloria is like a mom to me, and I enjoy helping her out.” Her voice was defensive, and I pulled her closer.
“I know, I know. I don’t want you to spread yourself thin, and I might be a bit selfish. I want to see you as much as possible.”
“Fair enough. I’ll do the best I can.” Elyse raised her face to mine, and I kissed her slowly before pushing her back down and taking her again.
We made coffee and toast once we were in the kitchen. She was wearing a large T-shirt of mine, and I pulled some shorts on for the trek across my house. She told me that she was coming to the game with Tori and sitting with the other girls with a shy smile on her face.
When I drove her home and she kissed me gently, Elyse giggled. “I never said anything back.”
It hit me that she was right.
“I love you, Ryder. I feel a little scared sometimes of the way it feels.” She looked into my eyes and smiled as I stroked her face. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“You will. I love you.” I watched as she hopped out of the car and watched her walk to the door, smiling. I hadn’t said those words to a woman ever, apart from my mom and my sister when I was younger. My parents had an incredible marriage, and that was what I wanted. I drove away once she was inside and went to the morning skate to get ready for the game.
I stayed with the guys for the afternoon and dressed for the game after a team dinner. I listened to the coach and felt adrenaline rush through my veins as the puck drop grew closer. We skated on the ice, and the fans went insane as I looked around, peering to the seats I gave everyone I knew. Tori and Elyse were sitting there, and she waved at me as I sent her a wink.
I made a mental note to get her a jersey with my name soon and went to shoot pucks into the net. The game started and moved fast, and we each tried to keep the puck where it didn’t need to be.
The game ended with a one-goal lead on our part, and I celebrated with the guys down the hall. We showered and dressed before our interviews with the press, sharing their enthusiasm for the win.
I finished and went to meet Elyse, smiling as she watched me approach her. It was apparent that Tori knew what happened between us based on her approving smile at me before Justin pulled her into his arms. We decided to get dinner at a Mexican place that we liked that closed for us as a team.
I was driving an intoxicated Elyse home a few hours later. She’d enjoyed some margaritas with Tori, and who was I to stop her? I watched her closely and made sure that nobody bothered her but let her loosen up and have some fun. She was giggling when I pulled into my complex, and I smiled at her after parking. “Come on, baby. Let’s go inside.”
I made sure she was okay as we made our way to the door, locking it behind us. Elyse kicked off her shoes and walked across the floor as she stretched. Her inhibitions were gone, and I loved seeing it before she turned to face me. “You need to let go like this more often. It’s gorgeous.”