Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 43
Louisa
The look on Ciaran’s face was worth me begging my peepaw to fly me to Nashville in his small private jet. My grandfather was reluctant, not wanting me to distract Ciaran, but I was insistent, needing to be here for him. All the stress, leaving the shop with Eliza, and hauling ass is worth it all with the way his eyes hold mine. I swear his eyes are glossy with tears at the sight of me, but surely that’s just the lights. I lean on the glass, flashing my widest and brightest smile for him as he drinks me in, leaving nothing but heat and want in my gut for him. When his lips slowly tip up at the sides, I slap my palms on the glass, screaming his name.
Austen giggles beside me, but I don’t pay her any mind as Ciaran’s gaze stays locked on mine. “You didn’t tell him you were coming, did you?”
I shake my head, unable to look away from his heavy blue gaze. “Nope. I wanted to surprise him.”
“Oh, he’s surprised.”
Tears suddenly burn in my eyes, pleased that I was able to surprise him. I hate that there are glass and ice between us, but I hope he knows how proud of him I am. How impressed that he’s made his dreams a reality. God, I love him. I’m so fucking honored to be his. I watch as he starts skating toward me, and my breath catches in my chest.
What is he doing?
I watch as he tears his gaze from mine and skates toward the doors that lead to the tunnel for the players to come out of for the start of the game. He opens the door and then comes through it, leaving me confused. I angle my head so I can see him, and he’s standing at the bottom of the stairs that are guarded by security to keep fans from going into the tunnel. He points to me, and then the guard looks over at me.
“Lou!” he calls, and I bend forward so I can see him better. “Come here.”
I don’t even think twice. I hurry past all the onlookers, and as I reach him, he throws his gloves down before holding his hand out to me. I take it eagerly as he guides me down the stairs and into his arms, his gaze heated just for me. Our lips instantly crash together, as do our bodies. He’s huge in his gear, and I hate that all the padding keeps me from feeling his body against me, but his lips devour mine. Soon, thinking isn’t even an option. He moves his fingers up the back of my neck and into my hair, holding me in place as he feasts on my lips. Our tongues are a tangled mess, and I am lost in the kiss, the rest of the world fading away, leaving just us.
Together.
Just how I love us.
When he releases my lips, we are both panting, and I can faintly hear people’s cheers and catcalls, but my eyes are focused on Ciaran’s. Nothing else matters but us. He presses his head to mine, which is a feat with how tall he is with his skates on. I reach up, moving my thumb along his cheek, and I say, “Surprise.”
His lips twitch as he gathers me closer with his other arm. “The best surprise of my life.”
I beam up at him, brushing his nose with mine. “I wouldn’t miss this. I am so proud of you, and I had to be here to cheer you on.”
“I don’t think you realize how much this means to me.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I promise, stroking my fingers along the back of his neck. “Plus, you score so much better when I’m around.”
Ciaran’s eyes burn for me, and he drops his lips to mine. He squeezes me to him, feeling as if he wants to become one. I wouldn’t complain; I’d willingly be an extension of him. He parts from me, only a mere inch, before whispering, “Lou.”
His voice is so hoarse, so full of emotion as our gazes lock.
“Ciaran.”
He swallows hard, his jaw ticking as his eyes search mine. My heart starts to pound in my chest, and something shifts between us. I’m not sure what it is, but I’m so trapped in his eyes, I can’t even try to figure it out. In a way, it doesn’t matter as long as he keeps looking at me like this. Like no one is here, like he shouldn’t be warming up instead of holding me. Then it dawns on me that he probably does need to get back on the ice. As much as I don’t want to, I say, “I have missed you so much, but don’t you need to get—”
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “I need to say something.”