Page 21 of Well Played

I grinned, feeling more settled now we were back on neutral ground and his tongue wasn’t in my mouth. "No, you didn’t?" I whispered to him, as I peered at him through my lashes, wondering if it was too soon to kiss him again.

Seth chuckled, as his hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing over my kiss-swollen lips. "You know what this meansright? This means war. I know your moves Hazel and I’m going to use them against you."

I arched an eyebrow. "Oh really? My moves? And how exactly will you use them against me?"

Say sex. Please say sex.

He leaned in close, his lips grazing the shell of my ear. "Let's just say, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. And I'm not just talking about on the ice."

Sex.

My breath hitched. Can I just say yes to know to anything he wants. Or maybe I should add in what I want as my thoughts are pretty X-rated. I’ve had a long time to think about what I want Seth to do to me. Every single detail mapped out a dozen times in my head. The thought of Seth's hands on my bare skin, his lips trailing over my body, his weight pressing me into the mattress - it was enough to make my toes curl within the confines of my mascot suit.

"Bring it on, Defenseman," I finally said, trying to play it cool.

Seth's eyes darkened, the blue irises nearly swallowed by the black of his pupils. I licked my bottom lip. I wasn’t overly experienced, but I knew what dilated pupils meant. He was coming in for the kill. I whimpered as Seth captured my lips in our second kiss, his tongue delving deep, demanding mine to meet his.

Seth's hands slid beneath the fur of my suit, his fingers skimming over the sensitive skin of my waist, as goosebumps started to form, from the need that was building in me.

I forgot I was in a storeroom surrounded by used equipment. I forgot that Seth was off limits as he was my brother’s friend. And I forgot that Seth is the second person who now knows my secret. I couldn't help but think that Seth catching me wasn't such a bad thing after all. In fact, it might just be the best thing that had ever happened to me.

3

The next fewweeks were a blur. Seth and I had started to see each other secretly, and it was becoming increasingly difficult. I paced nervously around the kitchen, glancing at the clock for the hundredth time. Seth would be here any minute, and my stomach was in knots. I was nervous, as this was the first time I had invited him over to my house. The first time we would be truly alone together.

I straightened the placemats on the table, then immediately rearranged them again. I was being ridiculous, I knew that. But I couldn't help it. Seth was everything I had ever wanted. Gorgeous, kind, funny - and completely off-limits, according to my brother, which only made him more attractive to me.

Mason had made it clear to both me and the Blizzards, that he didn't want any of his teammates dating me. I guess he had seen what fame and money can do to some of the players and he wanted better for me. Better than being a puck bunny. I wonder if he thought a puck mascot was better? Mason always was fiercely protective of me and be default, Josie. The thought of one of his buddies getting close to his little sister was enough to make him see red. But what Mason didn't know couldn't hurt him, right?

The sound of the doorbell chime made me jump. This was it. Alone time finally. I smoothed my hands over my dress, taking a deep breath before opening the door. Seth was standing there, a smile on his face and bottle of wine and flowers in his hand.

I stepped aside to let him in, my cheeks heating as his arm brushed against mine. "Thanks," I managed to say, taking the wine and flowers from him and leading him into the kitchen.

As I busied myself putting the flowers in water, I could feel Seth's eyes on me, tracing over my body like a physical caress. So, is it wrong to invite him to see my bedroom straight away? Should I feed him first or would a full stomach be a problem. Well, time to make my smooth moves.

"So," I said, turning to face him. "What do you want to do?"

I had prayed again this morning because last time it was a little delayed but still came true.

Seth took a step towards me, and I found myself backing up instinctively until I hit the kitchen wall. Seth kept coming, his body caging me in, his hands braced on either side of my head.

It looks like the first portion of my prayer was going to be granted.

"Hazel," Seth murmured, his breath hot against my ear. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"

I swallowed hard, as I shook my head. I sort of knew by the hard lump sticking into my stomach, but I didn’t want to speak in case I broke his moment.

Seth smiled as he ran his nose up the column of my throat. "Let me show you."

Holy toledo!

His lips found mine, soft at first, then more insistent. I kissed him back, my hands coming up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer. Seth groaned, his body pressing against mine, and I could feel the evidence of his need hard against my stomach. I let my hands slide down his back, my fingers slipping beneath the hemof his t-shirt to trace over the warm, firm skin beneath. Seth hissed in a breath, his hips rocking forward, and I couldn't help but smile against his lips.

Then, in a move that was so typically me, I somehow managed to knock over the flowers, the vase tipping and the water and flowers scattering across the floor.

I froze. I ducked my head, my cheeks flaming. "I'm sorry. I'm just. I'm nervous."

Seth laughed, his hands coming up to cup my face, before his expression softened, his eyes searching mine. "Hazel, we don't have to do anything you're not ready for. I like you, a lot. Enough to take my time with you."

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