Page 70 of Pucks and Books

“I know that feeling,” I say, before grabbing tape to tape my legs. “I wasn’t ready for Lou. Though, I don’t know if I could have been ready.”

“Right?” Dimitri agrees, shaking his head. “I didn’t want any distractions, but Austen came, distracted me, and made me hers.”

“Sounds familiar.”

We share a knowing look before I return to taping my legs. When he clears his throat, I look over to find that he’s sat back down. “I’m not trying to fuck with you or anything like that before your game, so don’t think too hard on this, but Louisa has been through a lot.” He pauses, his eyes searching mine, and I don’t know what to say or even how to react. “You know about…er…it?” He doesn’t say it, but I know what he is implying. I nod, and he exhales. “Okay, good, so you know it wasn’t the greatest for them, but Louisa took the worst of it. The girls wouldn’t have gotten out without her taking all that she did.”

Louisa’s mangled back comes to mind, and my heart drops. As anger courses through me, I hold his gaze. “Do you know where they are? I’d love to go kick ass.”

Dimitri grins in agreement. “No, but let me know if you find out.” A bond forms between Dimitri and me, and I am thankful for his support to kick the asses of the people who hurt my love. “She’s a gem and deserves the world. Remember that.”

“Not a problem,” I promise. Though, I don’t know why I’m promising him that. Maybe because I want his respect.

Louisa is everything and more for me, and I’ll protect her at all costs.

The next few minutes go by in a blur. I dress on autopilot. I cast aside the thoughts of Louisa and what Dimitri said, getting my head in the game. I walk quietly with the team down the tunnel to get ready for warm-ups. I can already hear the crowd. Can already feel their cheers and chants all over my skin. I rock back and forth on my skates, my stomach in knots as I stare at Aiden Brooks’s back. He’s the captain. Everyone has been so welcoming, but I have to admit, meeting Aiden was a highlight. Super cool dude and welcomed me with open arms. I don’t ever want to leave.

I want to be an Assassin.

My heart is in my throat as the horn sounds and the guys start for the ice. I follow behind, and when I hit the ice, the strap of my helmet flaps against my neck as I pick up speed. I round the goal, once then twice, before I notice her. How I went even this long without knowing she was here is beyond me. Louisa stands at the glass behind the goal, sporting my Knoxville Bears jersey and a pair of tight black leggings. She has on boots that come to her knees and a purple beanie on her head, her hair in waves along her shoulders. Her eyes are on me, a small, proud smirk sitting on those beautiful lips of hers.

My heart stops dead in my chest as I take her in. On her face is the number four in purple, along with the Assassins’ logo on the other cheek. Her face is bright, her eyes glistening just for me, and I’m amazed to see her. She came. She’s here. For me. We didn’t think she could make it because driving would have taken too long. She must have caught a flight, and no telling how much that cost.

But she’s here.

For me.

If I thought I couldn’t fall for her any more than I already have, I was completely wrong.

CHAPTER 43

Louisa

The look on Ciaran’s face was worth me begging my peepaw to fly me to Nashville in his small private jet. My grandfather was reluctant, not wanting me to distract Ciaran, but I was insistent, needing to be here for him. All the stress, leaving the shop with Eliza, and hauling ass is worth it all with the way his eyes hold mine. I swear his eyes are glossy with tears at the sight of me, but surely that’s just the lights. I lean on the glass, flashing my widest and brightest smile for him as he drinks me in, leaving nothing but heat and want in my gut for him. When his lips slowly tip up at the sides, I slap my palms on the glass, screaming his name.

Austen giggles beside me, but I don’t pay her any mind as Ciaran’s gaze stays locked on mine. “You didn’t tell him you were coming, did you?”

I shake my head, unable to look away from his heavy blue gaze. “Nope. I wanted to surprise him.”

“Oh, he’s surprised.”

Tears suddenly burn in my eyes, pleased that I was able to surprise him. I hate that there are glass and ice between us, but I hope he knows how proud of him I am. How impressed that he’s made his dreams a reality. God, I love him. I’m so fucking honored to be his. I watch as he starts skating toward me, and my breath catches in my chest.

What is he doing?

I watch as he tears his gaze from mine and skates toward the doors that lead to the tunnel for the players to come out of for the start of the game. He opens the door and then comes through it, leaving me confused. I angle my head so I can see him, and he’s standing at the bottom of the stairs that are guarded by security to keep fans from going into the tunnel. He points to me, and then the guard looks over at me.

“Lou!” he calls, and I bend forward so I can see him better. “Come here.”

I don’t even think twice. I hurry past all the onlookers, and as I reach him, he throws his gloves down before holding his hand out to me. I take it eagerly as he guides me down the stairs and into his arms, his gaze heated just for me. Our lips instantly crash together, as do our bodies. He’s huge in his gear, and I hate that all the padding keeps me from feeling his body against me, but his lips devour mine. Soon, thinking isn’t even an option. He moves his fingers up the back of my neck and into my hair, holding me in place as he feasts on my lips. Our tongues are a tangled mess, and I am lost in the kiss, the rest of the world fading away, leaving just us.

Together.

Just how I love us.

When he releases my lips, we are both panting, and I can faintly hear people’s cheers and catcalls, but my eyes are focused on Ciaran’s. Nothing else matters but us. He presses his head to mine, which is a feat with how tall he is with his skates on. I reach up, moving my thumb along his cheek, and I say, “Surprise.”

His lips twitch as he gathers me closer with his other arm. “The best surprise of my life.”

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