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  “I’ve never heard of a man doing that before.” Her voice was soft, and I smiled as I kissed her neck.

  “I’m not like every man, and you are certainly unlike any woman that I’ve ever met.” I nibbled on her ear, and she shivered, making me smile as I ran a hand down her body. “Get some rest. I’ll make us something to eat later.”

  “Okay.” Elyse smiled as she closed her eyes and curled towards me, pressing her mouth to mine. I watched as she fell asleep, softening in her slumber. Elyse was beautiful, and I stroked her hair back as I took her in. Complex with many layers that I wanted to discover with little time.

  I knew that I had a practice in the morning and that we both needed sleep. I’d find a way to make this work like the other guys on the team. It couldn’t be that hard.

  Chapter 9

  ELYSE

  AT SOME POINT, I woke and blinked slowly to see where I was. There was a warm body pressed against me and I could hear his soft breathing behind me, and my mind raced as I tried to piece back together the night, smiling when I remembered everything. I took this so much further than planned, but my body felt like it found the missing piece as I lay curled in his arms.

  It was my heart that feared this new and heady emotion as I breathed him in. There was a lingering scent of sex in the room, and I shivered at the memory. It was rough and soft all at once with Ryder listening to what I wanted. I had so many orgasms before he was inside me, and the one that exploded as he took me was intense and exhausting.

  I shifted slightly to look around the room. The sun was starting to rise, and I clocked it as being early in the day. I needed a bathroom, moving slowly so as not to wake Ryder. I knew that he must be tired, and I did my business before looking in the mirror.

  My hair was a mess, and I had a stupid grin on my face. This was much more than sex.

  I ran some toothpaste over my teeth before opening the bathroom door and finding my clothes. I dressed enough to go to the kitchen and made my way through the quiet condo. I found some water in the fridge and sipped it slowly as I considered what to do.

  I didn’t do casual sex in the form of one-night-stands. I had slept with a couple of men, but they were more along the lines of informal or short-lived relationships. I tried to make them work, but I just felt too broken inside to do so. Was I any better now? I didn’t have my parents, but I had support in the form of my boss and best friend. I was headed towards an exciting future in art, thanks to Tori, if all went well. Was there room for a man larger than life in all of that?

  I walked to the living room and gingerly sat on the couch. I had my car here and could easily slip out, but I didn’t want to. I rested against the cushions and tried to work through my racing thoughts as I kept drinking the water. The wine last night didn’t help at all as I rarely drank, and I closed my eyes wearily.

  I woke to someone shaking me gently. I looked up at Ryder as he grinned down at me. “Hey, baby. Something wrong with the bed?”

  “I just came out here for water. I didn’t want to fall asleep.” I blinked and pushed myself up. “What time is it?”

  “Seven. I can make us some breakfast before practice. How does that sound?”

  “Good.” We went to the kitchen, and he made me a cup of coffee before fixing tea for himself. “It’s a habit in the morning. I’ve grown used to coffee, but a hot cup of tea in the morning is perfect.” He was making a leisurely breakfast of eggs and bacon, and it smelled amazing. “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Yeah. I feel great.” I was honest, and he looked into my face for a moment. I had questions for him but no clue how to ask. I was inexperienced in relationships and sex for the most part.

  “I have practice today and a game tonight. We leave in two days for a travel week, but I’d like to see you as much as I can before I leave.” His deep, green eyes seemed sincere as he gazed at me, and I smiled.

  “I’d like that.” I assumed he wanted to continue this but still hesitated to press the subject.

  “You need to know that I am not the kind of guy to sleep around on or off the road. I focus on the game when I’m on the ice, and I’ll see you when I’m not. I like this thing between us.” He gestured as he spoke before plating the food and taking the plates to the table. I followed with the cups and sat down, feeling giddy.

  “That’s going to be great, because I’ll be working on my upcoming show a lot. I’m cutting back my hours at the bookstore and planning to spend a lot of time in the studio beyond that.” I wanted to assure him that this could work.

  “Come to the game tonight?” he asked. I smiled. “I know that you have issues with it, but I’d love it if you were there. We could do something after.”

  “Perfect.” I was going to try to move past my issues with his game. We ate breakfast, and he tenderly kissed me goodbye before we went our separate ways. I drove home tired and dazed at the events of the last several hours. I glanced around to make sure that no one was watching me do the walk of shame. My neighbor Perry would be horrified, and I wanted to keep Ryder to myself right now. I locked my door behind me and went to change into some leggings and a spotted T-shirt, making my way into the studio with more coffee.

  I was feeling inspired and looked at the blank canvas in front of me as I smiled. Excitement about the art show filled my veins, and I dabbed the brush into a vibrant orange before my first stroke against the canvas. When I was into my art, I could paint quickly. It just seemed to flow, and I sat back a few hours later to look at the start of my newest painting. It was vibrant and full of life with the vague silhouette of a woman in the background that I would work on next once the paint was dry. Everything I painted seemed to have something to do with Mom, and in this one, she was looking over me as I felt like I was moving forward.

  Tori called to see if she should pick me up for the game, and I agreed. I showered and slipped on some distressed skinny jeans and a loose shirt in the team color, scrunching my hair into loose curls. I felt different today, and I thought it showed as I brushed a light powder over my skin.

  I walked out to Tori’s car, and she looked carefully into my eyes. “Well, shit. You slept with him.”

  “What?” I said as I slipped the seatbelt on.

  “It’s all over your face. You look beautiful, Elyse.” Tori could see through anything I tried to cover up, and I giggled. “I need to get into your studio.”

  “Oh, God.” I leaned back as she pulled away and sighed. “I couldn’t help it. He’s so… intoxicating.” I shook my head.

  “I’m glad that you’re with him. I know that you have your concerns where Ryder is involved, but I think he’s perfect for you.” Tori was all smiles, and I gazed at her.

  “I’m going to try.” I could promise that, and looked forward as we drove into the city. The lights were bright, and I felt great as we parked among the crowd that acted pumped for the game. I hoped that I would have a different reaction to Ryder tonight when he played out there. I still felt good when the crowd screamed for the team and the guys moved out to the ice. Ryder stood out, and I watched as I remembered my hands on his ass pulling him deeper inside me, blushing. Tori glanced at me with a knowing smile, and I pressed my lips together. I needed to rein this in.

  Ryder played with the same force tonight. He was one of the more skilled players out there, and I watched mesmerized, slightly wincing as he shoved someone into the boards. Ryder straightened, not seeming to be affected at all as he skated forward to pass the puck to another player who just missed the goal.

  I felt myself shifting in the seat as the game went on. I was aroused by Ryder this time, and that scared me. Any violence normally terrified me, and I wasn’t ready to be comfortable with that. I tried to tell myself that later when I was being rushed into Ryder’s home after we had a late dinner with everyone. He’d been all over me through the meal, and we couldn’t wait to be alone.

  “I loved that you were there for me tonight. I love it more that you’re this hot for me.” He lift
ed me and pressed me to the wall as I wrapped my legs around him. I needed him, and confessed that in the car on the way here. A few stolen kisses at dinner in dark corners only fueled the fire that was burning in my body.

  Ryder kissed me, and I clung to him for dear life. He dressed in black slacks and a button-up that matched his eyes and drove me crazy all night. I felt his hands cup my ass as he moved his mouth to my jaw and told me all the naughty things that he wanted to do to me. I moaned and felt him carry me across the room, tightly clinging as I closed my eyes.

  I felt the bed underneath me and looked up as Ryder stood. He slipped off his shirt, and I gazed at his flawless, muscular chest as he dropped his pants to the floor. I moved to unbutton my fitted jeans, and he slid them down as I gasped. “Your ass looks amazing in these.” Ryder kissed my thigh as I blushed, and his fingers stroked the lace covering my pussy. “You’re so wet.”

  I smiled and felt him shove the material aside to stroke me. Ryder told me to take my shirt off, and I eased it over my head, revealing the sheer black bra that matched the underwear. He took one look and plunged a finger inside me as I jerked back.

  “Like it?” he asked.

  “Yes,” I moaned.

  Ryder found my clit with his tongue as he finger fucked me, and I lost myself to the pleasure. I came within moments and trembled at the force of it as desire flooded me. It wasn’t enough, and I needed more.

  “More. Please, Ryder,” I moaned as he pushed my legs back, thankful for the occasional yoga classes I did with Tori as my muscles strained. Ryder pushed my feet against his chest before he looked across the room. The condom drawer felt like it was miles away, and I bit my lip as I tried to think my way through this. Before I could say something, Ryder grabbed a condom from the nightstand drawer and quickly rolled it on.

  Ryder thrust inside me, and I cried out. He pushed hard and deep into me, and his warmth made me tremble.

  “This… You feel so fucking good,” he gasped.

  He moved faster, and I reached out to hold him wherever I could. I wanted it this way, and rocked with him as Ryder reached down to open the front of my bra. His hand cupped one breast, squeezing and pinching as I clawed to his neck. After several thrusts, he knew I was close and urged me to come. Why did it always feel so good when I did with him?

  He watched me as I came before giving into his own desire. I gasped at his heat and kissed him as he let my legs go to drop over me. We were both breathing heavily, and I marveled over the night. Something felt different, and I reached up to stroke his damp hair slowly.

  Ryder turned to look at me, and I smiled weakly.

  “Are you okay? That got a little crazy,” he asked.

  “I’d tell you if it didn’t. It was incredible.”

  He smiled and kissed me. I remembered that he was leaving for a week and tried to push it away, but he frowned.

  “It was one of the best nights of my life, Elyse. What’s wrong?” he asked as he rolled away from me and turned my face to look at him.

  “Nothing. I think I’m overwhelmed.” I smiled, and he stared at me for a moment before cleaning me up.

  We fell asleep for a while before waking up hungry. Ryder suggested snacks and I agreed, making us popcorn and some appetizers from his freezer. We didn’t talk about the away games, just snuggled and ate. I smiled as he took me back to bed and left the mess behind, giving me another good memory for the time that he was gone.

  I kissed him goodbye that morning and walked to my car. He had some packing to do before he left, and I wanted to paint. I was thrilled with the newfound rush of creativity, but it confused me as well. I’d been hiding behind my wall for a long time, and Ryder slowly seemed to be breaking it down.

  I spent most of the day in my studio working on another vibrant piece, finally breaking when Tori called to ask if I had dinner plans. I told her what I was doing, and she offered to bring something over. I agreed. I pulled my hair up into a bulky bun and waited for her in the living room with some water.

  Tori knocked and I let her in, loaded with bags of Thai food. It was our favorite, and I smiled at her.

  “Thanks. That smells amazing. I always forget to eat when I’m working.”

  “I know.” She shot me a sympathetic look. “Justin said they’re going away for a while. Are you okay with that?”

  “I should be since I have so much work to do. It’s perfect except that I feel good with him. Safe. I don’t know.” I stared at her as she raised an eyebrow.

  “Justin said he’s a good guy. I know that athletes get a bad rap a lot, but they’re not all bad. You can trust Ryder.” She patted my hand and looked at her empty plate. “How about another glass of wine and I go look at your work?”

  Tori always came over and went to look at the studio. It was how she got the idea for my show, though I still don’t know how she got it for me. She was my biggest cheerleader. I filled our glasses and followed her into the room, smiling as she slowly looked everything over.

  “These new pieces are different. Brighter… but so gorgeous. Keep this up, and you’ll have too many pieces for the show.”

  “You’re sure that I can do this?” I asked, and she nodded.

  Her eyes were stern, and I shook my head at her. “You’re an amazing artist, Elyse. I wish you’d see that.”

  “You know that creative people rarely do.” My reminder made her laugh.

  “You’ll see the night of the show. Everyone is going to love you.” She looked at the last painting again. It was a sunset with several colors and a figure on the beach. We didn’t have that here in Colorado, but good memories of Mom were flooding me now. I just kept them under the surface on the days I missed her the most.

  “Not a lot of time. It’s crazy, isn’t it?” she said.

  “I need to paint a lot.” We both knew that wasn’t an issue since I worked fast when inspired by something. I had a lot of older paintings to sell as well. I was feeling something new bubbling inside me.

  “You will. I’ll feed you for that entire time. I’m planning something great for that night.” She clapped and ran over to hug me. “Don’t overthink any of this, Elyse. Just do what you love and let life happen. You’re growing now and finally moving on. I love that.”

  “I hope so.” We took our wine to the couch and watched Mean Girls for the hundredth time, nibbling on a bowl of popcorn. It reminded me of last night when Ryder was feeding it to me in between kisses. I took a slow breath and focused on Tori as she spoke. I had a week to get through.

  Chapter 10

  RYDER

  I USUALLY LOVED road trips. I didn’t have many ties in Denver, and lived on the rush that playing hockey gave me. We traveled as much as possible when I was a kid, and I grew to love it.

  This time was different. I was restless when I wasn’t on the ice. I sent Elyse a few texts, and we had short chats, but there wasn’t a focus on missing each other. She admitted to watching the games on TV and learning more about hockey online. I was impressed by Elyse’s effort after hearing how much time she was spending painting.

  I still didn’t know a great deal about her. Ever since the night we almost ended things, I felt like there was more to Elyse than she was willing to reveal. I still thought about the officer who seemed to almost warn me off from her. I could search her online, but I was more of a talking kind of man and I didn’t feel that what was on the internet about myself was who I was. I wanted people to reveal what they wanted to in truth, but I was confident that came from the media following us around part of the year. They made athletes look so bad, and a lot of it was embellished or a lie. They used every possible way to sell a story.

  I hoped that Elyse didn’t look me up. I had a few women trash talk me when they didn’t get what they wanted from me. I sounded like a real man-whore based on their stories, but I was upfront from the beginning. I treated women well, but I didn’t let them spend all my money as some of them wanted to. I didn’t offer them a future. I just offered a
good time with no strings attached.

  I knew that my parents raised me to respect myself no matter what the consequence, but damn it if the media didn’t test that belief.

  The games went well. We won all but two, but they were against the best team in the league. They played hard and well the entire time, and I was exhausted when it was over. We were all more than happy to go to our rooms for some rest, and I had the most extended chat with Elyse that night. She confessed that Tori was there, and they were drinking wine as they watched the game. She sounded light and giggled a lot, and I longed for her to be alone. I just settled on seeing her happy and told her I might call her later before setting the phone down.

  My roommate woke me up for breakfast the following morning, and I cursed out loud. I meant to stay awake and take advantage of Elyse’s penchant for wine. Ryan left for a bit and I had the room to myself. I showered last night, so I just threw on some jeans and a Henley before following him down to the lobby to join the guys.

  Justin was helping himself to some eggs, and I joined him, smiling as he glanced at me. “Have you been in touch with Tori this week?”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “We’re not like that too much, but once or twice. She was watching the games when she got a chance. Why do you ask?” Justin took his plate and shot me a suspicious look for a long moment. “Shit. You want info about her friend.”

  “I’m seeing Elyse. I don’t need you to spy for me or anything like that, mate,” I defended myself as he nodded slowly. We walked to a table and sat down to eat, and he looked me over.

  “Is there trouble in paradise?” Justin asked, and I chuckled as I reached for my tea.

  “It hasn’t been long enough for that. I think we’re still getting to know each other.” I picked up some bacon.

  “What’s her name again?” one of the younger guys asked, and I glanced at him. He was about Elyse’s age, and jealousy rushed through me as I wondered if he was interested in her.