Page 46 of The Import Slot
“Why did you post that picture?” she asks as she butters the toast.
“The picture of us?”
“Yeah.”
“I like it,” I shrug.
I wasn’t sure what I was thinking when I posted it; maybe it was my way of admitting that someone has finally got into my head and I’m ready to break down barriers. Shit, am I ready for the world to know that? I think I am.
“Yeah, but you don’t post any personal photos like that. It’s strictly hockey,” she says.
She’s right, of course, it’s all been strictly business or hockey until that moment. But I wanted to share that photo because it says a lot without saying anything. A picture is worth a thousand words and all that.
I get the eggs out of the pan and drain the water away, setting them on the plates Jen has laid out.
“I guess I’m ready to change that,” I say as I lean down and kiss her again.
“The eggs will get cold if you don’t cut it out,” she says, nuzzling me away. I can’t help myself; I can’t get enough of her, and I worry that she’ll change her mind and tell me she wants to just be friends after all. What if that was my last kiss?
I peck her again before grabbing the plates and setting them down at the counter where we sit and eat.
“So, why wouldn’t you give me a good-luck hug the other day?” she asks, breaking the silence. She gives me a playful nudge and I can see that there’s fire in her eyes. She won’t let this drop.
“C’mon, you know why.”
“No, I really don’t.” She bats her eyelashes at me.
“Well, Jen, let’s just say I’m incredibly attracted to you. So much so, that you bending over was too much for me,” I say.
“I’ve bent over many times before, and you’ve never had to hide from me,” she says. Damn, she’s right. I’ve had semis from it before, but it’s never been that embarrassing.
“Okay, but no judgement,” I say, “And you asked for it. So Bettsy told me he’d met a few girls. One was that redhead Danny mentioned, and he was trying to get me into it, but I told him I wasn’t interested. Then he mentioned she did anal, and all I’ve been able to think about since is anal sex, but not with the redhead.” I leave it at that. Let her fill in the blank.
“Oh, right, that’s why you’re low-key obsessed with my ass,” she says and leans over and kisses me, leaving me wanting more.
“Low-key? I think it’s a bit more than that,” I tease. “Do you need a ride back to the station before I head to practice?” I offer, “Or do you want to come with me?”
“I’ve got plans, but thanks for the offer.”
By the time I’m saying goodbye to her at the station, I’m already planning what I’m going to say to her when I see her next.
I’m smitten.
Jenna
“You’reinagoodmood,” Travis says, his eyes twinkling with wonder.
“Nice to see you, too,” I say, taking a seat opposite him. We were supposed to meet for a drink, but I couldn’t face it after last night so we’re meeting in a cafe near my parents’ house instead.
“Yeah, yeah, all of that too,” he says. “What’s new then?”
“Remember, Ryan?” I start, and he nods, accepting his cup from the server. “Well, I’ve given in.” I say, filling him in on recent events. “Before you say it, I know I probably shouldn’t.”
“So, are you guys getting serious then? I thought you were strictly against hockey players,” Travis says.
“Well, we’re not serious because it’s still very early days and he’ll be going back to Canada at the end of the season. I know what I said about hockey guys, but I haven’t felt this way before.” Saying it out loud makes me sound like a giddy teenager with a crush but then my mind drifts to the kisses we’ve shared and I realise it’s definitely more than that.
“Shit, are you sure you want to get into that then? Starting something when it’s time-boxed?” Travis gives me a look that has pity written all over it.
