We call in our order, and then I hand him two ice packs.
Surprise registers in his eyes. “How did you know I needed to ice down again?”
“I saw that late hit in the third. You okay?”
He rubs a hand over his face. “Yeah. It just knocked the wind out of me for a bit. Need to ice my left lats, though.”
“I figured you’d need to ice something.”
We watch some sci-fi thriller, and I thoroughly enjoy being wrapped up in Rider as we snuggle on the couch, but we’re not even twenty minutes in before he’s fast asleep.
When the movie’s over, I turn in his arms and stare at him unabashedly.
He looks so young when he’s relaxed. His hair is getting long and hangs in his eyes, disheveled from the long day. Stubble lines his rugged jaw.
His arms tighten around me, and his deep, gravelly voice sends chills down my arms. “Are you watching me sleep like a little creeper?”
I laugh. “Maybe.”
He makes a deep sound of contentment and pulls me closer. “I hate away games,” he whispers. “I hate leaving you and Poppy.”
I drag my finger over his eyebrow. Over his cheekbone. Over the bridge of his nose. “It was just two days.”
“Two days too long.” He gives me a long, somber look. “You know it’ll be worse after I get drafted, right?”
I still. This is the first time he’s mentioned anything down the road. Since the idea of relationships seem to spook him, I’ve been cautious not to make any long-term plans.
“You take it one day at a time. One game. One practice.” I pause, my heart suddenly racing. “We, uh, can FaceTime.” With how crazy our schedules have been, I’m surprised I haven’t considered it sooner. “You can see Poppy whenever you want.”
“And you? Can I see you too?”
A blush heats my cheeks. “I’m all yours. You can see me whenever you want.”
Those aren’t the words I really want to say, but I’m not sure he’s ready to go there yet.
But it’s probably all over my face—I’m in love with Rider Kingston.
And if I’m being honest with myself, I have been for a while.
His forehead touches mine. “I’m sorry we haven’t been able to spend more time together. Do normal things. Go on dates.” He speaks against my lips. “I promise I’m gonna make it up to you. You mean so much to me, Gabby.”
Euphoria fills my heart.
I curl my hand into his hair to pull him to me for a kiss.
We don’t say anything as our clothes come off and he slips on a condom. With just the flickering light of the TV behind us, we come together. Side by side, he lifts my thigh over his. Shifting between my legs, he rubs himself against me until I’m trembling.
“Gabriela.” He says my name like a prayer when he finally pushes into me.
I’m used to our combustible chemistry. To breathless rounds where we tear our clothes off each other to have sex.
But I’m not prepared for the intimacy of this moment and the way he watches me as he thrusts into me.
I clench my eyes shut and drop my forehead to his chest, afraid to get any closer. I want to tell him how much I love him. That I’m scared he’ll leave after the draft. That I don’t want to lose him to his career.
He gently cups my chin and lifts my lips to his. “Don’t hide.”
My eyes tilt up to his, and the connection between us is almost overwhelming.
