But at the end of the night, Leo left me with some cautionary words. “Just don’t fall for him too hard, Tavi. It’ll only hurt that much more when it’s time to end it.”
I fell silent as his warning settled upon me. I hated how conclusive and predetermined it sounded—as if Dakota and I had no chance, because things would end someday soon, because theyhadto. Most of all, I hated that he was right, and no amount of wishing otherwise would change my situation.
That night, I tossed and turned in bed for hours, unable to sleep. In two short weeks, I’d come to expect to be lulled to sleep by Dakota’s strong arms wrapped around me, his comforting scent, his warm presence. One night away from Dakota showed me how attached I already was. I couldn’t believe how badly I missed him. What’s more, I was angry at myself for trying to “get space” from himwhen our time was already so limited. How foolish was I, wasting what little time we had together?!
I didn’t care if that meant Leo was right. I didn’t care if I had to suffer a heart-rending pain two months from now.AllI wanted was to be with Dakota.
The first thing I did the next morning, as the soft light of a new day streamed through my bedroom window, was reach for my phone. My heart skipped a beat when I discovered a sweettext from Dakota.“I miss you. When are you coming home?”I must’ve read and re-read those words a hundred times—but especially the last one.
Home!That one word had rays of happiness bursting from my heart. It served as confirmation that he saw his home as my home, too.
“I missed you too! I’ll come home after my shift,” I replied.
He tapped the heart react, loving my message.
“Can’t wait.”
After I got off work that evening, Dakota greeted me at his door, his lips instantly claiming mine with a possessive kiss. Our kisses burned hotter as we made our way to the bedroom, and our hands eagerly tore off each other’s clothes, leaving a trail of garments down the hallway. But we needed each other so badly, we never even made it to the bedroom. Dakota gently spun me around and pushed me up against the hallway wall, the hard surface cool against my pointed nipples. He swiped at my thong, the item falling between my ankles with aswish,and took me from behind.
Afterward, we lay on the hallway floor. The cool hardwood floor on our backs grounded us in the present moment, our bodies still flushed and our chests rising and falling. With fingers intertwined, we held each other’s gaze. We didn’t need to speak; we simply basked in the bliss we’d created.
“Parker asked me what was wrong today,” he said once he’d caught his breath. “He thought I’d been boozing last night. He didn’t believe me when I told him he hadn’t.” He let out a small chuckle. “I had to swear on the future of my NHL career to convince him otherwise. Even then, I’m not sure he believed me.”
“Why’d he think you were drinking?”
“Because I was weak as hell today,” he said. “No power. No explosiveness. No stamina …”
“Oh no,” I said, running my nails along his muscular arms. He certainly didn’tlookweak. “What happened? What was wrong?”
“I slept like shit last night.”
“Me too,” I whispered.
He blew out a breath. “It’s got me thinking, maybe Rust and all the older guys are right.”
I tilted my head. “Right about what?”
“Settling down. How it makes you a better player. Funny thing is, I never even thought I partiedthatmuch. But …” He shook his head, a smile playing at his lips. “Hell, I can’t deny it. When I’m with you? All I want is to be my best. And it’s so easy, too—because you make me want to be the best.”
I touched my palm to his cheek. “Aw, Dakota. That’s so sweet.”
“I know you said it’s healthy to spend time apart, but …” He trailed off, a vulnerable tone in his voice. “Ihatedlast night, Ottavia.”
“Why?” I asked. I had an idea, of course, but my heart badly needed to hear it come from him.
“Because.” He stared into my eyes, his knuckles gently grazing my cheek. “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you, too,” I whispered.
He seemed surprised. “Yeah?”
“Yeah! Why wouldn’t I?”
“I dunno.” He paused. “I mean, I guess, because you wanted to leave in the first place?”
“Poor boy,” I said, frowning. “I only left because I was worried you might get sick of me.”
“Why?” He seemed surprised. “Did I do something to make you think that?”
