Page 74 of Hat Trick

“Yeehaw. Please send me a photo after. Who needs a horse when you can ride a cowboy?” I say around a yawn. “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?”

“Morning skate for the guys. A game. Hanging out at a bar. Watching some other guy flirt with you only to be the one to make you come.” Riley matches my yawn and pulls me tighter to his chest. “I could sleep for hours.”

“Want me to leave? We have an early flight tomorrow.”

“Nope. I’m not letting you out of my sight until I get this underwear off.” He snaps the elastic band against my skin, smoothing over the sting with his thumb. “It’s pretty. Do you always wear stuff like this?”

“I like to spoil myself,” I admit. “I’m in an industry with barely any women, and I don’t want to appear too girly out of fear the men in power won’t take me seriously.” I roll my eyes. “Even though what I wear and how I do my hair has no impact on how well I do my job.”

“You know what we say to that? Fuck ’em.”

“There you go with that feminism of yours. It’s very attractive.”

“Shucks, Lex. You’re going to make me blush.”

I tilt my chin and gaze up at him. His eyes are closed, glasses sliding down his nose. He looks relaxed, blissed out with the hint of a smile on his mouth and stubble on his jaw. I reach up and put my hand on his cheek, stroking over the rough hair.

I can’t believe he made me come like that. The girls and I have joked before about who we thought would be the best in bed, but I’ve never given the debate a lot of serious thought. After tonight though, I know the answer to that question.

None of them could compare to Riley.

A shred of regret races through me after remembering the conditions of our time together. It would beso easyto see him again, and that’s the problem. Easy never stays easy for long, and I value Riley’s friendship. I like our time together on the treatment table and all the moments in between. Anything more than a few hours together could ruin that, and I don’t want to push him away.

“You’re thinking hard.” He runs his fingers through my hair, careful when he gets to a knotted section. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. Yes.” I kiss his pectoral muscles and drop my chin to his chest. His eyes open, and I bite back a smile. “I’m fine.”

“Anything you want to share with the class?”

“No. Only that you look tired. And you’re half asleep,” I say.

“You gave me the best blowjob I’ve ever had.”

“Ever?Careful, Mitchy. You’re going to give me a complex.”

“You know you’re good at that. You know you’re sexy.” His hand skims up my leg and stops on my hip. My breath catches when he teases his fingers along the lace of my underwear. “Right?” he rasps. “Or do I need to show you?”

“You can show me,” I whisper. “I’ve always been a good learner.”

“I need another minute. Athlete, recovery, out of practice, all of that. But I want to make you come again.” He yanks on my underwear, pulling them down just far enough so he can almost see my pussy. “Can I take these off?”

When he’s teasing me like this, whispering in that low tone with heavy-lidded eyes that look like he’s about to pounce, I’m helpless. A proud patriarchy supporting woman, because who am I to deny him what he wants?

Especially when what he wants isme.

“Please,” I tell him, not embarrassed by the way it comes out like a beg.

“I’m going to fuck you after.” Riley pulls away and pushes his palm into my shoulder to get me to lie flat on my back. I’m not sure anyone’s ever been so gentle with me while also having fire behind their eyes, and the juxtaposition makes me shiver. “Sound good to you?”

“I’m so glad I didn’t stay downstairs.”

He laughs and switches positions, finding his way back between my legs. I see the wince flash across his face when he gets settled on his stomach, the way he reaches down and does something with his prosthetic, and I want to tell him he can take it off if it’ll make him more comfortable because I don’t like to see him in pain.

“Me too,” he agrees.

Riley drags my underwear down in a torturous pull. When he gets them off, he keeps his eyes on me when he shoves the pair in his pocket with a sheepish grin.

“Saving those for later?” I ask.

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