Page 115 of Second-Rate Superstar

As she sat, extending her left foot for me to slip on her skate, she asked, “You know there will come a time when you can’t outdo yourself, right?”

Repeating the process with her right foot, I placed my hands on her knees. “All I want is to make you smile. Whether it’s grand gestures like this one or a lazy night at home, your happiness is all I strive for. In my mind, it’ll be a game to keep you smiling. The how doesn’t matter.”

Dakota’s hand cupped my cheek. “How do you always know the perfect thing to say?”

Turning my head, I kissed her palm before replying, “You bring it out in me, Firefly.”

She let me lace her up, and then I quickly did my own skates. Holding her hands in mine, we glided onto the pristine ice surface.

Glancing around as we skated in slow circles, she mused, “It’s stunning from this angle.”

Bumping her shoulder, I joked, “Oh, is it not from the stands?”

Rolling her eyes, she bumped me right back. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah.” I nodded my agreement. “It never gets old.”

“Pardon me.” She slowed to a stop beside me. “What happened to the Braxton I met months ago? The woe-is-me-hockey-is-just-my-job Braxton?”

Placing both hands on her hips, I leaned in for a kiss, savoring the taste of her lips before pulling back. “He fell in love, and the world took on new meaning.”

There was a devilish gleam in her eyes, glittering beneath the bright lights. “I think you’re full of shit. Willing to say anything to get the girl. Saw a wounded bird and figured the key to landing her was a relatable story.” She shook her head in mock disgust, scoffing. “Shameful, Braxton. Really.”

Her quick wit was one of the things I loved most about her, and I knew life would never be boring with this woman by my side. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t make it even more interesting.

I arched an eyebrow before throwing one arm straight in the air. “That’s it. To the penalty box, you go!”

“What?”

Her laughter floated behind me as I dragged her to the box and unlatched the door.

As I ushered Dakota inside, she whined, “What was my offense?”

Stepping behind her, I closed us in. She jumped with the heavy thud of the door. “Two minutes for being a smartass.”

She huffed, but I could hear the smile in her voice. “Bullshit call, Stripes.”

Fuck. I love this woman.

Crowding her space, I forced her to step forward until her knees hit the bench. Against the shell of her ear, I said, “Do you know what the players call this place?”

“Nuh-uh.” Dakota shook her head.

“The sin bin,” I whispered darkly. “You’ve been naughty and need to be punished, baby.”

I was rewarded with the sweet sound of her moan as she leaned back against me. “Braxton,” she breathed out.

“Knees up on the bench.” I dropped my lips to her exposed neck, teasing the skin with my teeth.

Following my command, she kneeled on the bench meant for players to sit while they served their penalties.

Scanning the arena quickly with my eyes, I knew there were security cameras everywhere, but with the place empty, likely no one was manning the room with the live feed. And unless there was an incident, it was unlikely that they would go back to review tonight’s replay. It was a calculated risk, but one I was willing to take.

“Hands on the glass.” My voice came out rough as the idea of taking Dakota in this tiny box became more of a reality.

Stepping up behind her, my groin pressed against the curve of her ass, and I groaned. Dakota’s heavy breathing created a patch of fog on the glass directly in front of her face. If I had any doubts about her willingness to perform a very private act in a public place, even an empty one, they flewout the window at the eager wiggle of her backside against my rock-hard dick.

Gripping the sides of her leggings, I slid the stretchy fabric down her smooth thighs until they hit her knees. Using my hands, I positioned them as far apart on the bench as the material would allow. There was just enough space that I could step between her skates, the blades pointing in my direction.

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