Page 80 of Uniquely in Love

But she was here, and I wanted to take full advantage of that.

“Do you want to meet the guys? The rest of my teammates will start getting back from class soon. I don’t have a game tonight, so normally we hang out at the house. We have one tomorrow night, though.”

“I didn’t even think about your game schedule,” she said. “I hope me being here isn’t imposing. I just?—”

“It’s fine,” I promised. “Better than fine, actually. I’m so damn happy you’re here. I get you for the whole weekend?”

She nodded. “I have to drive back down Sunday afternoon, but my parents gave me the okay for the weekend.”

God, they trusted us so much. Maybe a little too much.

I dipped down my head, brushing my lips over hers. “I know of a few ways we can spend our time.” I grinned at her. A weekend with my girl,andshe’d get to watch my game? I couldn’t think of anything better. Except maybe taking her on the ice and skating with her.

She surged upwards, claiming my mouth, kissing me with a fervor that I matched, stroke for stroke. The world melted away, and it was just us. I washome. It was a feeling onlymatched out on the ice. One where I knew exactly where I was meant to be. Who I was meant to be with.Hers.

God, I loved her. I loved her so damn much. More than might have been normal, considering how young we were. But we’d both grown up with parents who loved each other—loudly and visibly. They were as close as it came to soulmates on this planet, I was pretty sure.

And Ellie was mine. We were made for each other. I knew that, down to the depths of my soul. Who cared that we were only nineteen and seventeen? I knew I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life.

“Ellie,” I murmured, pulling back after another deep kiss.

“Owen…” Her voice was hardly above a whisper as she ran her hand up my chest. “Let’s have sex.”

“Are you sure?” My eyes widened. I’d wanted to wait until we were ready. Untilshewas ready.

She nodded. “I want you. I want to…” She blushed. “I’m ready.”

“Only if you’re sure,” I said. Because fuck, I wanted it too. Losing my virginity to the only girl I’d ever loved? There was no way I would turn that down.

“Yes. Yes, I’m sure.” She dipped her head.

I gave her a soft kiss on her lips before grabbing one of my UW Hockey crewnecks and handing it to her. She was dressed in a cute top and tight jeans, looking adorably innocent, but also hot as fuck.

“What’s this for?” She wrinkled her nose, but then brought the fabric up to her nose, sniffing it. “I tell you I want to have sex, and then you give memoreclothes? I think you’re supposed to take them off of me, Owen.”

I smirked. “I want to feed you first. Show you around campus and introduce you to the guys.” I dragged a finger down her spine. “We have all weekend, after all.”

She sucked in a breath, and then nodded, slipping my sweatshirt on. It was chilly outside, and I wanted her to bewarm. Plus, I liked that it had my name on the back and everyone would know she was my girlfriend.

The crewneck engulfed her frame, reminding me how much smaller than me she was. At five-seven, Ellie wasn’t short, but she was built like her mom—a thin dancer’s frame with long, elegant legs. And I was built like my dad—broad shoulders, plus the defined muscles thanks to all the hockey and working out. I needed to be careful with her. Take my time, so she wasn’t in pain.

Though it would be both of our first times, I’d listened to the guys in the locker room talk about their conquests. I didn’t judge them for hooking up—we were in college, after all—but that just wasn’t me. Still, I’d noted some things they’d said. Especially what to do with my fingers and tongue.

“I should get condoms while we’re out, too,” I said, curling a hand around her waist and squeezing.

She giggled, and I raised an eyebrow. “Sorry, I was just imagining you asking one of your teammates, or that there was some communal box.” Her cheeks were pink again.

Damn, I loved it.

“I’m not taking any chances. Not with you.”

Something flashed in her eyes, and Ellie nodded. “That’s probably smart.”

Definitelysmart. Neither one of us was ready for the complications or risks of going without. Especially not at the current place in our lives.

Slipping my shoes on, I tightened the laces before pulling a hoodie on over my t-shirt and jeans.

“Ready?” I asked her, grabbing my lanyard with my student ID. Luckily, our house had a digital lock, so I didn’t need to carry around a key.

---