Page 171 of Cross Check

“I like you too,” she says, her voice dropping low like she’s afraid to admit it. “I just need you to know that we can never be open about a relationship. Not with your teammates or sister, not with my friends. If someone were to find out and tell the wrong person, that’s it for me. My career is over, and I don’t want that.”

“I understand your hesitancy, Lia, and if you don’t want anyone to find out about our relationship, no one finds out about our relationship. We’ve kept our friendship quiet for years, and we’ll do that now.” I cup her cheek, stroking my thumb along her jaw. “I want all of you. Every single piece. Can you give that to me?”

“I’m going to try.” Amelia swallows, leaning into my touch. “But are you positive you want to do this with me, Grant? One night was fun, but if anyone finds out, the media will crucify me. You’ll be caught in the crossfire, and bad publicity could cost you your contract or sponsorships.”

“The damage to my reputation would be worth it.” I tuck a piece of hair behind her ear. “We’ll be careful.” I kiss her forehead. “Safe.” I move my mouth to her neck. “I promise.”

“There’s something else I need to tell you.”

“Anything.”

“I love kids, but I don’t want any of my own. That’s a relationship dealbreaker for most people, and I need you to know that early on. My stance isn’t ever going to change, and if kids and a big family are things you see for yourself down the road, I don’t want to waste your time.”

I take a beat to consider what she said.

I always imagined I’d have a big family, but maybe a family can have different definitions. It doesn’t have to be children who call me Dad—it can be teammates and best friends and their kids who I get to spend time with.

The older I get, the more I’ve realized dreams change over time. What I wanted then isn’t what I want now, and I’m really fucking happy right now.

“Thank you for letting me know,” I say. “It’s not a dealbreaker, and I appreciate you being honest about what your future looks like.”

“Really? I was afraid to tell you. When you were in Vegas, you mentioned wanting ten kids. I’m not going to be the woman to give you that.”

“Can you imagine ten kids in this economy? No way.” I chuckle. “That was me being a drunk idiot. I like my life, and I like who is in my life. I’m an uncle, and that’s an honor I’m happy to have. I don’t need any other titles.”

“I’m happy being an aunt to as many nieces and nephews as the world wants to give me.”

“Sounds like we’re making this official. That we’re ready to keep what’s happening between us a fun secret.”

“A secret. That’s hot.” She straddles me, her hands resting on my shoulders. “Say it again.”

“I’m going to like sneaking around with you, Lia.” I drag my tongue up the line of her throat. “Especially when no one is going to know I’m showing up to practice with your cum on my fingers.”

“Hm.” Amelia lowers herself, her pussy brushing against the head of my cock through my shorts. I grip her thighs, letting out a slow breath. “Did you like getting me off, Grant?”

“More than anything else I’ve ever done.”

“Was that more fun than winning the Stanley Cup?”

“I don’t need another accolade to my name if I get to do that with you again.”

“Can we try something?” Her lips brush against my ear. She bites my earlobe, and I know I’d do anything she asked. “I want you to call me Coach.”

“Right now?” I ask, trying to form a full sentence at the exact moment she rolls her hips. “Fuck. Okay. Yeah. Yes, Coach.”

“You’re so good at listening.” She moves her body against me, dragging herself up and down my length. I look between us and find a wet spot on my gray shorts, and I’m never washing these again. “Will you tell me what you like, Grant?”

“Listening to you talk. Being told what to do.” I squeeze my eyes shut when she rubs her clit on the head of my cock. “Seeing you naked. Big fan of that, Coach.”

“You took care of me. It’s only fair that I take care of you too.”

“This isn’t an orgasm treaty. You don’t have to reciprocate every—fuck,” I moan. She’s not using her hands, and my dick is as hard as a rock. “Lia, listen. No one’s touched me like this in—shit.” My eyes roll to the back of my head when she rolls her hips. “I’m not going to last long. I’m already struggling, and there’s a layer of fabric between us. If you got me naked I would⁠—”

“I don’t think we even need to do that.” Her spine straightens, and I wrap my arms around her. My hand rests on her ass, and she sighs. “Could you come like this, Grant?”

“Twenty seconds is all it would take,” I say.

“You can do better than that.” Amelia cups her breasts, pushing them together so she can show off her cleavage. “How about fifteen?”