Page 95 of Scores Of The Heart

“I loved it, Ty. You’re very big though, so I might have sore lips in the morning.”

He chuckles. “I’m sorry about that, but not sorry.”

“I can’t believe this is what I’ve been missing out on.”

“Maybe you were waiting for the right one.”

“I think you’re right. This feels so good.”

“I always want you to be comfortable.”

“I am with you. And we have this suite the entire weekend.” I’m excited about the possibilities.

He rumbles a laugh underneath me. “We fit so well, baby.”

“Let’s hope we’re still saying that when we have sex.”

“Baby steps,” he reminds me.

“I think we’ve gone flying past those.”

“True. But there’s nowhere else I want to be right now. In your arms feels safe, Cindy. So fucking safe.”

I’m shocked at his words because I’ve felt that from the start. “I feel the same way.”

“I think I’m falling in love with you,” he whispers into my neck. “I know it’s early on, we don’t know each other well… but that's how I feel, baby.”

I swallow hard, my mouth running dry. “I’m falling in love with you too,” I whisper. “I’ve never felt anything like this before, Tyler.”

He kisses me again. “Me either.”

We lay for ages in the dark, just enjoying the closeness. Until he peels his sticky chest from mine and I giggle again.

“You know we should really shower, Ty.”

“I want to hold you a moment longer, if you don’t mind.”

I laugh from under him, my body shaking and trembling from what we did tonight.

These baby steps seem to be coming thick and fast.

“I don’t mind at all.”

* * *

The next day goes in a blur and so does the charity game at the Miami Stadium. They’ve come up with two teams of mixed NHL players, the All Stars and the Super Jets. Tyler is playing in the All Stars team.

It’s an amazing charity game where the kids really get involved. After the two teams play, as well as showcase their skills in a more friendly game than during the professional season, a shorter game ensues with the kids playing one on one with the pros.

Ashton and a kid called Joey steal the show as Joey mimics everything Ashton does, including a surprise goal where he slides across the ice with his stick outstretched.

It’s a feel good day all round. And I’m reveling in everything that happened last night. Even though I’m keeping things to myself and not letting the cat out of the bag just yet. Even with Em and Maddison in Miami with us, as they flew back after the cup.

It’s after the game when we’re having tapas that Ashton gets called back to Seattle early with a family emergency and he and Mads race to the airport. It’s all pretty hazy after that, but we go back to the hotel and wait to hear from Ashton.

Tyler has been pretty quiet, even though he’s happy the All Stars won the game, but more importantly, that they had fun with the kids and it raised a lot of money. He still seems a little off.

I know for a fact Ashton donates large sums of money to causes like these every season. Tyler mentioned to me he was making a sizable donation himself to the cause, and I know he has supported other local charities in the past. With the wealth professional athletes accumulate, I really admire the ones that give back to the community.

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