Page 53 of Cross Check Hearts

“But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t also love the way you gave yourself over to pleasure so entirely with me, and how responsive you were to my touch. The way we seemed to just fit together perfectly.”

Her mouth opens slightly, her eyes locked with mine. She licks her lower lip, and I can feel her swaying toward me like she’s going to kiss me. I want to close the distance so badly, to let my lips say everything in a kiss that a million words never could, but I resist. Because as much as I want to press our lips together, I don’t want her to think that’s all I want from her, now or in the future.

“Do you get it now? I want so much more than sex with you,” I tell her, and she exhales sharply as she stares up at me, her pupils blown wide. “But I promise you this: the next time I fuck you—and I will—it’s going to be because you begged me to.”

Chapter24

Hannah

My mouth has gone dry, and my heart pounds against my ribcage. I just got off in the shower not even ten minutes ago and haven’t fully come down from it, but Declan being this close and saying all these things to me with such raw honesty has my body thrumming like a live wire, throbbing for another release. The blood rushes in my ears, and the edges of my vision blur until all I can see is his beautiful brown eyes holding mine.

I thought taking care of myself in the shower would take the edge off for this session with him, and it did—until now.

I can’t believe I’m even thinking it, but maybe he’s right. This thing between us, whatever the hell it is now, feels so much deeper. The physical intensity has been there all along, but I’ve felt sparks of something more—something real—and it wasn’t until he laid everything out just now that I let myself believe I wasn’t imagining it.

It exhilarates and terrifies me at the same time. Getting all wrapped up in Declan is dangerous in so many ways. It’s like holding a grenade with the pin halfway out, and the voice screaming in the back of my head isn’t afraid to remind me of that, but I’m getting to the point where it’s harder and harder to listen—and next to impossible to care—because I’m ready to pull that damn pin.

The need, the desire I have for him is overriding everything else. And it’s not just sexual. Just like he said, I knew as soon as I met him at Opal and Oak months ago that there was something different about him—aboutus. It was easier to downplay then because I knew I would be leaving in the morning and would never see him again.

There was no potential for it to be anything other than one amazing night.

But he’s here now, and he’s not going anywhere anytime soon. And I don’t know what the hell to do or how to feel about that. With my body screaming, aching for him like this, my brain’s rational voice somehow cuts through all the noise to remind me that I’m playing with fire. Even if everything he just said is true, and I believe him, it doesn’t change the fact that we can’t do this. If word gets out, it’s all but guaranteed to end Declan’s career with the Aces, and maybe in the NHL as a whole, and I don’t even want to think about what kind of price my parents will make me pay.

So as much as I wish he’d take me right here on the studio floor, I take a deep breath and free my wrists from his grip before stepping away. “I think we should probably get started with the session.”

Declan smiles—a gentle, understanding curve of his lips. “Okay. You’re probably right.”

Part of me is glad he isn’t arguing, but another part—a larger part than I care to admit—is disappointed that he isn’t fighting me. I don’t know how I’m going to get through this lesson with every nerve ending on high alert, with every fiber of my being screaming for him, but I’m going to have to find a way.

“Let’s do a bit more warm up,” I say and lead him through a few basic stretches.

He stays quiet, but I don’t miss his eyes watching me in the mirror, and every time they meet mine, I feel an electric current spark inside me. It’s almost unbearable, but having to look him directly in the eye would be even more dangerous, so I keep my back to him as we work through a few more stretches.

“Do you remember the poses I taught you last time?” I ask, and Declan nods.

“I’ve been practicing them at home.”

“Really?” I can’t hide my surprise.

“Yes, really. Want me to prove it?” he asks and starts to move into the first position until I hold out a hand to stop him.

“No, I believe you. I’m glad you remember because we’re going to be building on those today and incorporating them into the routine I showed you in the first lesson.”

“Sounds like it’s going to be one hell of a workout. But I think I could use that right about now,” he says as he lifts his hands over his head to get into the starting pose, just like I showed him.

His form is noticeably better, and I can tell from the steadier, more confident way that he does it that he really has been practicing, but I’m still stuck on what he said. At least I’m not the only one who’s feeling a little hot and bothered, although I decide not to tell him that.

Instead, I guide him through the six or so poses I’ve already shown him in sequence, then move into downward-facing dog. I’m expecting him to say something sarcastic about the last time he tried a pose like this and fell over, but he doesn’t say a word. He just sinks to his hands and knees on his mat and mirrors my movements and positioning. He’s nowhere near as flexible as I am, but I’m impressed with how straight he’s able to keep his legs and how flat he keeps his feet on the floor.

“God, I feel that one,” he grunts between controlled breaths.

“You’re doing great,” I encourage him, watching his reflection in the mirror.

I have to shake my head to chase off the image of myself on my hands and knees underneath him, his thick cock stretching me.

“Just remember to keep breathing,” I whisper, almost to myself as much as him. “It takes about six seconds on average for your muscles to adjust to a stretch.”

Declan smirks in the mirror—a knowing, heated expression that sends warmth pooling low in my belly. “That’s good to know.”

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