Page 48 of Face Me Off
“That’s it, baby. You’re doing so good.” He groans a low guttural moan, pumping faster and harder, chasing his own orgasm.
He collapses on my back, chest heaving. “Damn, that was…”
Spectacular. Impressive. The most intense orgasm I’ve ever had. I settled upon “Awesome.”
Bringing his mouth to my ear, he whispers, “I knew I’d get you to beg.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
MADISON
“I think you’re ready.”I shuffle the loose papers Ryan and I used to study from and place them inside the notebook. We’re spending this late afternoon tucked inside a private study room at the library. It’s not an ideal time to study, but it’s the only time we could get together before tomorrow’s major test.
“Thanks to you.” Worry mixed with appreciation coats his eyes. He reaches across the table and intertwines our fingers. “I don’t know what I would’ve done had you not helped.”
“You’re a smart guy, Ryan. You would’ve figured it out.”
His mouth lifts to a smirk. “I figured out how to give you orgasms.”
“Oh my God. Be serious,” I say through a laugh. But I’m half joking. Ryan needs this relief. He’s put a lot of pressure on himself.
“I’m always serious when it comes to you.” His thumb rubs the back of my hand while those gray eyes darken like a stormy overcast.
My body sizzles from that look alone. But I tamp down my desire because he just seems, I don’t know,off. It’s as if something other than this test weighs on him.
“Are you okay?”
His thumb stills at my question. Apprehension replaces the flirty vibe we had moments ago. I hold my breath, awaiting his answer.
“Why?”
I pause. That isn’t a yes or no. It’s a deflection. But I don’t press. This isn’t the time or place, not with this test looming over us.
“I just care, that’s all.”
His gaze drops to where our fingers join, brows furrowed. His thumb begins to draw circles again. “They say scouts are coming to the next game.”
“Really?”
He nods but doesn’t seem as happy as I would’ve thought.
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“Yeah, but…” Ryan’s gaze meets mine as his grip tightens around my hand. His face is drawn, worry lines etched deeper into his forehead. “It doesn’t do me any good if I don’t plan on going pro.”
“But you still love hockey?” I’m skating on thin ice, trying not to push too hard.
“I do.” He looks down at our entwined hands again. “But I can’t let myself be blinded by the glitz and glamour of it all. The scouts, the offers … they’re alluring. But they come with high risks.”
The offers.I wasn’t talking to Ryan when the Maine Pine Skaters offered Blake and Ryan a verbal agreement. I always wondered why Ryan passed on the deal but never had the inclination to ask.
“Why did you turn down the Pine’s offer?”
“It’s best if I stay close to Dad.” His voice is low and thick with emotion. “A verbal agreement doesn’t guarantee playtime. After his fall, he was left with an injury that never healed rightand a pile of debt. I can’t afford to live with a Junior’s salary, not with the price of healthcare.”
“If you had a choice, if money wasn’t an option, what would you choose?”
Another pang of silence follows before his gaze lands on mine. “Hockey.”
