Page 110 of Hat Trick

“This,” I whisper, guiding his mouth to my nipple. When he closes his lips andsucks, I stutter out a breath. “Perfect.”

“Move back on the bed,” he says against my skin, and I hate to pull away from him. “Now, Lexi.”

The firmness in his demand has me scooting across the sheets, pulse jumping as I lean back on the pillows and watch him. He stands, another grimace dancing across his face, before he climbs on the mattress and taps my foot.

“Shoes off. Jeans off. Underwear off.”

I nod, delirious as I kick off my boots, slide the jeans down my legs, and add my underwear to the pile of discarded clothing on his floor. He’s still fully dressed, cheeks bright red and his eyes on me, and the power imbalance sends a shiver racing up my spine.

Thisis what I want.

Someone who knows what they’re doing, not a mediocre attempt by a guy who read one Reddit thread and thinks he has everything figured out. Riley’s hand rests on my thigh and teases his touch across my stomach, dipping lower so his knuckles brush against my entrance before he moves up, fingers at my throat.

“You liked this,” he says, applying the hint of pressure to my neck. “Is it still okay?”

I close my eyes and sink into the gentle way his grip tightens. “Yes.”

“Last time we did this, we moved fast. Orgasms. Fucking. That was it. It’s going to be slower tonight, and I’m going to check in with you. You have to communicate with me, Lexi. I can’t change anything after we finish, but I can change it in the moment.”

“Right. Yeah. Communication. That’s very important,” I say, but it feels like my head is in the clouds.

“And we’re going to have a system. Green means you like what’s happening. Yellow means you need to take a second before we keep going. Red is a firm stop. The second you tell me red, whatever we’re doing ends. Do you understand?” Riley asks, and when I nod, he pinches my nipple. My eyes fly open and my back arches off the bed. “I need you tosayit.”

“Yes,” I stammer, and he smiles.

“Good. Now give me your hands. Please.”

THIRTY-ONE

RILEY

Months ago,I thought the universe was trying to fuck me over.

A car accident, losing my leg, and not being able to play hockey again all in one night.

Now it’s like I’m being rewarded for being sofucking patientwith everything that’s happened in my life, because Lexi Armstrong is naked on my bed. She’s holding out her hands, blinking up at me with dark lashes and wide eyes, and it’s a goddamn wonder I haven’t already finished in my pants.

Her body is fucking unreal. Soft curves at her hips. A toned stomach from years of exercise. Strong, long legs that would look best wrapped around my head.

She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

“I’m going to do a double column tie,” I say, proud of myself for being able to get actual words out. “It’s the same thing I did earlier, but with both of your wrists.”

“I didn’t mind that,” she tells me.

“You were wearing clothes and not tied to the headboard. This is going to be different.”

I get started on the knots, making sure to watch Lexi’s face every second. She’s busy watching my fingers, and after a few seconds, I pull the rope tight to lock the knots in place, satisfied with how it looks.

“Finished?” Lexi asks, and I nod.

“That’s it.” I slip my fingers between the ropes and her wrists, checking to make sure nothing is too tight. “How does that feel?”

“Weird, but…” She trails off and lifts her hands in front of her, examining them. “Good.”

“Any pain? Too much pressure? Hands are the first thing to lose circulation, so if it’s uncomfortable, I need to know.”

“No.” Lexi smiles. “I like it.”

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