Page 66 of College Hockey Bully

And I feel something more than lust for him.

Our lips meet again as our bodies blend, then pull apart. Merging, then unraveling. Heat swirls around us, contrasting with the chilly winds blowing outside those floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s a storm outside, but in here, in the moment, I feel nothing but total peace.

***

With a soft grunt, I turn on my side, bumping into something warm that makes my eyes fly open. Milo knows better than bunking on this tiny bed with me—

Oh.

Memories of last night come rushing back as I stare at Aiden lying curled on his side, looking so peaceful as he sleeps. Smiling softly, I brush the hair from his forehead. After what we shared last night, I know there’s no going back. I don’t want to, anyway. Aiden asked me to trust him and I’m going to do that. I’m going to allow myself to fall for him.

I settle back down beside him on the carpet, right where we fell asleep after making love. Yeah, that wasn’t just sex. If I had any doubts of Aiden’s feelings for me, they got erased the second he entered me.

A dreamy smile pulls my lips apart. Aiden stirs with a gentle sigh as I throw my leg over him and sniff his neck. The sweet combination of sweat and soap arouses me a little. My hand caresses his middle, moving downward. Round two before departure would be so—

A sudden creak at the front door pushes me into an upright position. My entire body freezes with shock as Aiden’s mom comes storming toward us.

Chapter 24

Aiden

“You have some explaining to do, young man,” Mom demands hotly as I step through the front door. “What the hell were you thinking? Have you lost your mind?”

I drop my car fob in the bowl on the entrance table, then walk past her. She didn’t make a scene at the pool house—thankfully—but her furious appearance was enough to create tension on the car ride home with Scarlett. I hope she believed when I told her this changes nothing between us.

“Are you going to answer me?”

There’s only one reason for taking the front entrance after dropping Scarlett off: to set the record straight. I’m done being a pawn for my parents. As of today, I’m making them aware of everything that’s been going on.

“Aiden, I’m talking to you—”

She stops short as Dad comes down the stairs, taking them two at a time, urgency stamped on his face. “Honey, I’ve got an emergency at the office. Gotta run.”

An emergency, my ass.He’s not even trying to find an original lie.

“Sweetie, Melinda has been toiling over breakfast all morning. Can’t it wait?”

“Emergencies usually can’t wait.” I resist an eye roll as he gives Mom a lingering kiss, then swats her behind. “I’ll be home before you know it.”

He squeezes my shoulder in passing. “Next time, you’re coming with me. It’s high time you start getting more experience for next year.”

“I need to talk to you about that—”

“Plenty of time later, son.” He doesn’t even miss a beat. The door slams behind him as he goes out.

“This is all your fault,” Mom snaps behind me. I turn to meet her bitter expression.

“You know exactly where he’s going, don’t you?” I ask as she walks toward me.

“I’m not dumb, Aiden. Of course I know. Am I surprised? No. After that stunt you just pulled, your father now knows we aren’t even close to getting the connection he needs. Thank you, Aiden for fucking up my life.”

A derisive scoff flies from my mouth. “Imessed up your life, not the guy who cheats with everything that moves—”

My head jerks back as she slaps my cheek. It stings like fuck, but I don’t flinch.

“Don’t you dare speak to me that way. I am your mother.”

Pointing out the truth has nothing to do with her birthing me, but whatever. Her emotions are too high. I’m tabling this conversation until she calms down. “I’m going to hit the books, Mom. Talk to you later.”

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