Page 93 of The Game

I nod, trusting every word that comes out of his mouth. This is it. We’re end game. If I turn down this grant, I’ll find another. He’s my forever.

Chapter 34

Epilogue

Cole

My girl looks sohot, smoothing her apron down over her lush hips. Underneath it, she’s wearing a simple black dress with yellow daisies. Perfect. Easy access for later. Or for now.

I step into her, slipping a hand up her smooth thigh. She slaps it away.

“Stop it. My staff is going to be here any minute.”

“My girl has staff. That’s so hot. You can be the boss of me any day.”

“Not right now. Back off.”

I sigh but can’t resist wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her against my body. I need to feel her soft curves.

“Are you hard again? Don’t you ever get tired?”

“Not of you, that’s for sure. It’s really your fault. You’re too damn sexy. I can’t keep my hands to myself or my dick downwhen you’re around. And that dress. It would be so easy. I could just press you up against that counter, slide inside. I bet you’re wet for me. I’d be quick, I promise.”

“How did you know every girl’s dream?”

I trace a line up her arm. “Don’t try to lie to me. I know you like it quick, dirty, and hard just as often as you like it slow and sweet.”

“But not right now. On the opening day of my cafe, when my staff is about to arrive. Keep your hands to yourself.” She giggles when I kiss her neck, so I know she’s not actually angry with me. She couldn’t possibly be.

“Fine. I guess I’ll have to wait until the boss lady gets home.”

She grabs my arm, twisting around to look at me, and there’s panic in her eyes. “You’re not leaving, are you?”

“Of course not. I told you I’d be here.” I went to practice this morning, but I’ve got the rest of the day off. She worked her ass off to get her new cafe ready to open before the hockey season kicked off so I could be here with her. I wouldn’t dream of letting her down.

There’s a rap on the door, and I catch someone peering through the window. Autumn. I’ve met all of her employees while we worked away, setting everything up to her specifications. I even got some of my new teammates to pitch in. It’s been a great bonding experience.

The petite woman has her mass of curly blonde hair piled on top of her head and she’s wearing all black for opening day. Jazz wanted to really show off the jersey aprons on her first day open, so she asked the staff to wear all black.

I can’t keep my hand from rubbing circles on her back as I follow her to the door to let Autumn in. Kyle sneaks in behind her.

“Welcome to our first day. I’ve got the espresso bar all warmed up. Coffee is brewing, and the iced tea and coffee are ready to go. Doors open in half an hour. Normally, this would be time to get all the opening tasks done, but I got here pretty early today, so I already got everything set up.”

“No complaints here,” Autumn says.

“Shots?” Jazz asks.

Her staff nod enthusiastically, but the bitter bite of straight espresso is still too much for me, so I shake my head.

“And a pumpkin spice latte for you?” she asks me.

“You read my mind.”

She swishes off, and I’m content to stand back and watch her. She looks so at home behind the espresso bar and so happy to have a place all her own. Exactly what she always wanted.

I’ve been meshing with my team. It’s been an adjustment. I miss all the guys from the Lightning, but we have a group call every week to stay in touch. Maybe I’ll even swing by to catch the odd Lightning game. See how Hail is doing. But I’m sure I’ll be busy enough with the Wheelers.

There’s a lineup outside even before she flips the sign over from closed to open. She adds a little flourish to the simple action, twirling her hand around, and then bouncing up and down on her toes. As if I didn’t already want to drag her to the back room for a taste of her sweetness, now I don’t think I’ll survive until close.

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