Page 65 of Coach's Temptation

Her walls squeeze around me and I bury myself deep inside her one last time and let go.

My orgasm hits me like a freight train, ripping through me with a force that leaves me breathless. I come deep inside her, filling her with my warmth.

For a moment, there's nothing but the sound of our ragged breathing and the pounding of my heart against hers. Iron Ridge fades away until it's just us, tangled together under the stars.

I don't want to move. Don't want to let go of this feeling. This connection that feels so right, so real.

But eventually, reality creeps back in.

I pull out of her slowly, reluctantly, and roll onto my back beside her on the blanket.

Natalie curls into my side, resting her head on my chest. Her fingers trace lazy patterns on my skin as we lie there in silence.

I wrap an arm around her, holding her close as our breathing steadies. The night air cools our heated skin, but the warmth between us lingers.

I press a kiss to the top of her head, feeling a strange mix of contentment and uncertainty settle over me.

This changes everything.

Because this isn’t just sex. It never was.

But for the first time, I don’t think I can pretend it is anymore.

Chapter Sixteen

Natalie

Whatever heavenly pastry Clara’s baking this morning wraps around me the second I step into Summit Café. The air is warm, thick with espresso and cinnamon, the golden fairy lights twinkling above like always.

Outside, snow drifts past the streetlamps, fogging up the windows in a way that should make everything feel… normal.

My body still hums from last night. Hunter’s arms. His bed. The way he pulled me closer every time I tried—and failed—to retreat to the guest room because I felt like this was all some crazy dream.

I should be thrilled to be here.

A cozy girls’ brunch before the team fly out to Vancouver tonight. Normalcy. Sanity. A reality check after the absolute madness on the rooftop of Icehawk Arena last night.

But I don’t feel normal.

I feel like I’mfloating.Like last night cracked open something inside me, and now I don’t know how to shove it all back in.

I spot Lucy and Mia in our usual corner booth, heads bent together in conversation. They wave me over, and I drift across, grateful for the distraction. I need to get my head on straight before I get to the airport.

I plaster a smile on my face and slide into the booth just as Mia’s eyes narrow at me.

“Oh my God,” she says, pointing a perfectly manicured nail at me. “You got laid.”

I choke on the coffee they slide my way.

Lucy gasps. “No.”

Mia’s eyes widen. “YES.”

I groan, dropping my head into my hands. “Can I please finish my latte before you start interrogating me?”

Lucy waves at Clara behind the counter. “Extra shot of espresso for our girl. She’s gonna need it.”

Kill me now.

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