Page 135 of Pinkie Promise

I think this is the happiest that I’ve ever felt in my whole entire life.

Hunter’s large palms hold me securely against his chest and he kisses me adoringly, my arms tight around his neck.

“Can’t give you a proper introduction to my parents tonight,” he says gruffly when he finally pulls back, easing himself over the barrier as someone hands him a pair of skate guards. He releases me only until he’s finished slipping them on. “Gonna need a good week’s worth of just you and me time before we make that happen.”

Warmth spreads in my belly as I imagine what he’s thinking about right now.

He gives me an appreciative once-over and then murmurs, “Actually, let’s make that a month.”

I hide my face in the nook between his biceps and his pecs, and Hunter smirks as he squeezes me against his body.

“You want some you and me time, baby?” he asks when I finally lift my face to peek up at him. He smiles smugly, palming me possessively over my skirt.

I move so that I’m in front of him, walking backwards as I rub my hands up over his chest and batting my eyelashes flirtatiously. His grin gets even cockier and he hauls me up by my ass, grunting quietly in satisfaction when I wrap my legs around his middle.

My feet waggle happily above the floor as we join the large crowd of Hunter’s teammates who are all making their way back to the locker room. The corridor is lined with their closest friends and family members, although most of the supporters are still in the stands. The celebrations for their huge win are nowhere near even starting yet.

“Heading back to our place,” Tanner announces loudly to the exodus, and he’s met with cheers and knowing smirks, probably because, with Tanner being Tanner, every pretty girl at Carter U will already be attheir place.

Tanner claps Hunter on the back and says, “That includes y’all, by the way. No sneaking off to her condo on win night.”

“Doesn’t matter where we are, as long as she’s with me,” Hunter says.

My heart thunders in my chest and I hold onto Hunter more tightly.

When we reach the entrance to the changing room Hunter helps me dismount from his body, jerking his chin at his guys to saygive us a minute.

He walks us just past the doorframe and cages me protectively against the wall.

His back is to the locker room, shielding us from view, and he pulls me up against his body, smiling self-assuredly.

“This has been the best year of my life,” he says, and my heart bursts in my chest. I duck my chin to hide my blush but he tips it back up with two warm fingers. “Wouldn’t be where I am right now if I hadn’t had you by my side. Making me want to do better. Making me want to be better. All of this right now, it’s all because of you.”

I shake my head although I’m still smiling. He grins down at me and rubs the apple of my cheek.

“You okay coming to our place tonight? ’Cause it don’t matter what Tanner said – if you wanna go straight to your condo, I’m down as fuck for that.”

I laugh at his countryism and nod my head excitedly. “I want you to celebrate with your team, Hunter, of course I’m okay with that. I am very, very happy to come to the hockey house with you. If you want me to.”

He squeezes my waist, yanking me closer. His eyes are so molten that they’re making me dizzy.

“Ireallywant you to. And I’m gonna give you a real thank you for how fucking beautiful your performance was tonight.”

I’m so happy right now that I can feel my dimples puckering my cheeks. “You liked it?” I ask, toying with the front of his jersey.

“Liked it?” he asks, his eyes on fire. “Watching you up there on centre stage, showing everyone how talented you are withmy numberon your back?” He huffs out a laugh and borderline growls, “Yes, Fallon. It’s safe to say that I liked it.”

I kiss happily at his stubble and he cups the back of my head in his hand, a content rumble happening deep in his chest.

“We practiced some of those positions together,” I remind him when I drop back down from my tip-toes.

“We’ll be practicing a couple more tonight.”

Oh Lord.

As I stumble and swoon dizzily up against his chest, one of his teammates clomps out of the changing room and says, “Uber’s here in three. You gonna get changed before we head?”

Hunter turns his head and gives him a nod before refocusing on his limp girlfriend who has just lost control of her knees.

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