Page 87 of Playoff

ROWAN: Play well tonight.

I put my phone away and head toward the dressing room.

Time to put everything out of my mind—including a possible contract in Boston—and think about tonight’s game.

We donotwant to go back to Vegas down 3-1.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Rowan

The next coupleof days are a blur.

The Phantoms win game four, so the series is tied at two games apiece and now we go back to Vegas. That’s a tough, energetic crowd, always hard to play in front of, so the boys will have to dig deep to keep the noise from getting into their heads.

We’re also dealing with a lot more bumps and bruises than usual, so I’ve had twelve-hour days trying to keep everyone as healthy as possible. Taping wrists, ankles and shoulders, icing almost every body part imaginable, massages, stitches—it’s been non-stop, and I’m exhausted.

It’s exhilarating, but now I understand why Gene needs someone like me; it’s a lot for one person. Sunny is great, anxious to learn everything, but that’s just it—she’s still learning and doesn’t know how to do a lot of the things that need to get done.

She can stock supplies and get ice packs and even do some of the massages, but she can’t give stitches and doesn’t know how to tape the way the guys like it. It takes a while to learn eachguy’s needs and preferences, and while I appreciate her, I’ll need someone full-time if Gene doesn’t come back.

By the time we get to Vegas, I’m ready to drop.

My dad decides to hit the casinos, and I go straight to my room. I’m anxious to spend a little time with Blake, but honestly, I just want to relax.

“You look like you need some TLC,” he says when he arrives.

“I need sleep,” I admit. “I’m tired.”

“Then let’s go to bed,” he says immediately.

“I’m probably going to fall asleep on you,” I say apologetically.

He shakes his head. “That’s fine, baby. I’m tired too. Let’s sleep. We have all night and morning since there’s no skate tomorrow.”

“Oh. That sounds lovely.” I nestle into his arms and immediately drift off.

When I wake up, there’s a warm, lovely feeling between my legs, and I sigh happily. Waking up to Blake going down on me is probably my favorite thing in the world. I pry my lids apart, and seeing his gorgeous dark blond head between my thighs is glorious. Not to mention what his tongue is doing.

“Blake…” I breathe out his name in a sleep-addled voice, arching my hips into his face. “Fuck, that’s good…”

His lips are warm and firm, teasing and taunting, licking and sucking. He slides one thick finger inside of me and sucks my clit into his mouth.

“Fuck!” I gasp at the unexpected double assault.

But it feels so damn good.

He adds another finger, curving them up and finding the sweet spot that always makes me squirm.

“Blake!” My orgasm catches me off-guard, and I writhe and wiggle until I can catch my breath.

“That’s my girl.” He lifts his head with a wicked gleam.

“Damn, you are a master,” I sigh.

He crawls over me and lowers his mouth to mine. The taste is tangy and sweet as our tongues collide, and I whimper as he glides into me.

“Too much?” he asks softly.

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