Page 102 of Second-Rate Superstar

“As soon as I can feel my legs again, I’ll carry you to the bathroom and clean you up,” he vowed.

Slipping my hands through the damp, inky strands of his hair, I whispered, “Take all the time you need. I’m just fine here, held in your arms.”

I did a little happy dance on the inside; the night I gave myself to Braxton had been perfect.

I couldn’t have written it any better.

Chapter 23

Dakota

The last thing Iremember after Braxton carried me to the bathroom—explaining how and why it was vital for me to pee after sex—was passing out in his arms, wrapped in the warmth and safety he provided.

Stretching in bed, a smile curved on my lips before I opened my eyes. I still could notbelievehow Braxton turned on a dime in the middle of sex. I would have never guessed it, but I wasn’t complaining. Bristol would die when I recounted exactly what he’d said to me. Just thinking about it had me clenching my thighs.

“I want to hear my name on your lips when you come around my cock. None of this biting-your-lip bullshit, trying to be quiet. I want to hear every moan, sigh, and scream. I’ve earned every single one of your sounds. They belong to me.”

Turning on my side, I shifted, trying to snuggle closer to Braxton. My smile turned into a frown when my eyes opened to find he was gone. What time was it? Where had he gone?

I sat up and plucked my phone from the nightstand. The display screen read: 10:30 AM. Whoa. I guess losing your virginity really took it out ofa girl. Or perhaps it was the total of four orgasms. That could’ve done it, too.

No wonder he wasn’t still in bed.

Slinking to the bathroom, I freshened up and threw on loungewear, unsure of our plans for the day. I could always change later.

Cracking my door open barely an inch, I peeked into the kitchen, only to find it empty and quiet. In a house with this many people—more than half of them children—I expected to be met with a bustle of activity, especially at this late hour. Curious.

With each step I took, moving into the kitchen, I could feel Braxton between my thighs. It was a pleasant soreness, a reminder of the intimate moment we’d shared. I wondered if the morning after always felt like this or if it was just the stretch of the first time that did it. Either way, I was walking on air. Nothing could bring me down.

I selected a coffee pod and began making myself a cup. Even though I’d slept in, caffeine was needed this morning. As I was bringing the mug to my lips, Natalie entered the kitchen, smiling when she spotted me.

“Good morning,” she chirped.

“It is,” I agreed, hiding my smile behind my coffee mug and taking a sip.

She leaned her hip against the kitchen island. “You two have a good evening?” Natalie chuckled. “Don’t answer that. You were probably glad for the peace and quiet of an empty house. There aren’t as many places to hide here as there are in our place in Connecticut.”

“Your kids are precious, Natalie. I’m sure I can speak for both of us when I say they’re never a bother.”

“Braxton is amazing with kids.” She smirked. “But then again, so is Jaxon. Must be in their DNA.”

I knew whatshe was hinting at.

More than once since we’d met, Natalie had implied that she and Braxton were super close. If I had to guess, he’d probably confided in her about his plans for the future, which included me and a potential family. She wouldn’t get an argument from me that Braxton would make as incredible a father as his older brother. Still, I wasn’t going to say anything to her about our future family before I discussed those ideas with my boyfriend. We had plenty of time. There was no rush. We were both in our early twenties.

“Speaking of an empty house.” I gestured around. “Where is everyone?”

“Ah.” Natalie tilted her head. “They’re out on the lake. Jaxon has been begging me to let him install an outdoor rink on our property back home. He raves about skating in the open air, saying it reminds him of his childhood and how he wants that for our kids. I tried to tell him it’s not always cold enough to maintain it, but then he started talking about a permanent setup with a chiller and being able to convert it into a roller rink in the summer, and I threw my hands up. I give it another year or two before he has one installed. The man lives for those kids.” A soft smile graced her lips.

I could just picture the Slate men out there, acting like kids themselves. It was sweet that they could share their love for the game with the next generation in a more relaxed environment.

“Do any of your kids play?” I asked Natalie.

Light laughter bubbled up from her chest. “They can all skate, as you can imagine, especially having taken Charlie to the rink. Thank you again for that. It was really special for her to get that one-on-one time she so desperately needs with a new baby in the house.”

I waved her off. “It was no problem. She’s a little firecracker.”

“That, she is.” Natalie huffed out a sigh that was a mixture of exasperation and love. “Amelia and Jameson skate well enough for family functions at the rink and, of course, to go out on the lake, which is a rare treat sincewe don’t often make it out here in the winter. But Beau . . . Oh, that boy has been Jaxon’s shadow from day one. I don’t think we could have kept him off the ice if we tried. He and Knox—Benji and Liv’s boy—play for the same youth team back in Hartford. If those two boys had it their way, they’d be legacy players for the Comets. Their dads are not just their personal heroes but their hockey heroes too.”

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