Page 34 of Dario

Rhodes skates up behind him and slaps him on the head. Dario dances unsteadily, trying to stay on his feet. Rhodes smiles as he skates away, leaving Dario to regain his balance with a playful grimace. I don't miss the rude gesture he gives Rhodes.

Chuckling, I look behind me and see Dodge grinning. "I wish you would sit with me."

He shakes his head. "When your father and his girlfriend are caught, I'll watch a game with you if you want."

"I do. It'll be fun." I raise my eyebrows and wave to Levi when I notice him directly across from us.

"You look better today. Not so down," Dodge observes.

I feel myself blush and notice Dodge's raised eyebrow. I clear my throat. "Even though my father is still out there, I feel like a weight has been lifted.

I know where the threat is coming from now. And I refuse to let it ruin what is good in my life."

His gaze sweeps across the arena, but he says, "That's the best way to look at it. I understand that your guard is up, but the best thing to do is to keep going. Do not let them win."

I nod in agreement, grateful for Dodge's understanding and support. As his words linger in my mind, I feel a new drive tostand strong and not let the threat overtake me. Besides, Dario is on my mind so much that I was shocked I could move when we finally got out of bed.

I turn to face the ice, so Dodge doesn't see my flushed face and watch Dario move. He has a solid, powerful body. His thighs are sexy as he glides across the ice. The way his shoulders move as he dodges another opponent. He has moves. And those movements make me react in a way that I must control because my mind is back in the bedroom with my hands and mouth on his naked body. I swallow hard and keep my eyes on him. I admire his grace and skill and feel a surge of pride knowing he's all mine.

There must be something in my gaze, because when he looks over, his eyes go wide, and he stumbles. I love the look on his face as he narrows his eyes and waggles his finger at me. I giggle and enjoy the moment.

"You've got him wrapped around your little finger," Dodge chuckles.

"I think it might be the other way around."

Dario avoids looking at me for the rest of the workout, which I find amusing. When he finishes, he returns my gaze with a slight smile, his eyes softening. I feel warmth in my chest.

With Dario by my side, I can do anything.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

DARIO

With Gemma’seyes on me, I’ve been practicing with a semi-hard cock. The cup pinch will leave marks. I'll let my girlfriend kiss it better. I wince because these thoughts don't help my situation. At the end of the workout, I think, fuck it, and skate in Gemma's direction. When she sees me approaching, her face breaks into a wide grin and her eyes sparkle with joy. I look into my girl's eyes, and it takes my breath away.

I'm six inches taller in my skates, so Gemma looks even smaller as I approach. She approaches the edge of the ice. I grab her hips and lift her up. "Wrap around me, baby." The moment the words leave my mouth, I capture her lips in a kiss with every bit of my heart behind it. Gemma eagerly accepts my kiss, her fingers tangling in my hair. The sound of my skates gliding across the ice is the only thing that breaks the silence between us, but it's beautiful. I smile as I skate with her. "Hi, babe."

"That move was hot, Dario." Her hands grab my face, and she holds me still as her mouth captures mine. I pull her closer, feeling the fire rise between us. Gemma's laughter fills the air, until one of my idiot friends’ interrupts.

"Get a room!" Bradford follows with a wolf whistle.

I laugh as Gemma buries her face in my sweaty neck. “Babe, you don't want to do that. I need a shower."

She moans loudly and deeply. "I love you all sweaty."

"You're killing me." I hold her and skate back to where I left Dodge. The guy does not seem pleased.

He raises a brow as I help Gemma to her feet, but he remains silent. I kiss Gemma's forehead. "I have to go…I don't want to."

"I know, but you know I'll be safe with Dodge and Levi." She reaches up and pulls me down for another kiss before whispering, "Be careful, okay?"

I nod and take a deep breath and go to where I left my skate guards. Slipping them on, I look around the rink, but Gemma is already gone.

As we walk outonto the ice, the crowd is buzzing with excitement. Tonight's game will be tough after last night's fight. My ribs still ache, as do the scrapes on my palms. My knees only hurt a little. I won't let anything bother me.

Gemma is in the arena tonight, along with Juniper, Willow, and Rosie. Despite Gemma's objections, the girls insisted on joining her. I even spoke to their other halves, Lake, Nikoli, and Rhodes. They were unhappy, but they understood their partners' desire to be there for Gemma. She wasn't just a team member anymore; she was family. I got it. Gemma got it. I suspected she was secretly happy to be considered family by my teammates. We both wished the circumstances were different.

I let out a breath and told myself to stop worrying. I have a game to play well. As I take my place as center forward, I focus on the ice. As the puck is dropped, the crowd roars. I take control.

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