Page 91 of The Players We Hate
Relief flickered in his eyes, subtle but real, like the ground beneath us had steadied. He searched me again, softer now. “Do you remember the last time we were in this room?”
The memory hit instantly. The heat of his mouth on mine. The urgency of his hands on my skin. The way we’d fallen into each other, not realizing how much it would change. My pulse thudded hard as I nodded. “Of course I do.”
His jaw clenched, but his eyes never left me as he lowered himself, sinking to his knees in front of me. The sight of his broad shoulders bowed, hands braced on my thighs, looking up at me like I was the only thing in the world, knocked the air from my lungs.
My fingers twitched in my lap, fighting the urge to thread into his hair, to anchor him there.
It started slow at first, his hand sliding up my thighs, reaching for the button of my jeans. When a low moan escaped me, his movements turned more frantic until he tugged them off my legs, taking my panties with him in the process.
“Lie back, baby.” Talon’s voice was low, rough. “I’ve missed this too much to wait any longer.”
I sank onto my back, head tilting as I watched him spread my thighs wide. His gaze was molten, dragging over every inch of me until it landed between my legs.
His fingers slid through my slick folds, and he groaned. “So fucking wet.” The words rasped out of him before he pushed a finger inside, making my back arch off the mattress in a helpless search for something to hold on to.
The sheets bunched tight in my fists as his mouth replaced his hand. He licked and sucked at my clit, then dipped lower to tease me with his tongue before sliding back to meet the thrust of his fingers. Each flick, each stroke, sent me spiraling higher until I was clawing for more.
“Talon—” My voice broke into a plea. “Stop making me wait. I need you inside me.”
That was all it took. He pushed up quickly, shoving his pants down and fumbling for a condom. Hiscock strained hard against his palm as he rolled it on, lining himself up without hesitation.
“Jesus, fuck.” His breath was ragged, eyes locked on me. “Baby, I don’t think I’m gonna last long this time.”
I grinned through the haze, rolling a nipple between my fingers. “Good. I want you to lose yourself in me.”
A rough grunt tore from his throat as his gaze snapped back to mine.
“Oh, and Talon,” I whispered, my lips curving even as my chest heaved. His eyes darkened. “This time… don’t hold back.”
His jaw tightened. Then, like he’d been waiting for permission, he thrust into me hard, driving deep until the air left my lungs. When he bottomed out, a violent shudder ripped through me, leaving my whole body trembling beneath him.
His mouth claimed mine again, harder this time, his tongue sliding against mine as his body pressed me back. Clothes became nothing but obstacles we shoved aside with desperate hands. His skin burned against mine, every inch of him surrounding me, consuming me.
“Talon,” I gasped as he thrust into me, hard and sure. His groan filled the room, rough and needy. Each movement was raw, like he’d been holding back too long. He kissed me through it, swallowing every sound, until nothing existed but the rhythm of us.
I clung to him, nails digging into his shoulders, my body shattering around him as he drove me higher. He followed me over the edge, his forehead pressed to mine, both of us trembling and unwilling to let go.
For a while, we just stayed there, tangled up and trying to catch our breath. The hum of the fan filled the quiet, pulling me back to that first night we’d spent here—and how different this time was.
When we finally pulled apart, both of us still breathing hard, he collapsed onto the bed beside me and pulled me into his arms. His forehead rested against mine, his voice low. “I leave soon,” he murmured.
“For the Frozen Four,” I whispered, still catching my breath.
“Yeah. First round’s in Braysen.” His thumb dragged slowly across my jaw, holding me there. “I need you there with me.”
The words hit harder than I expected. “Braysen?”
He nodded, eyes locked on mine.
“I’ll be there. They’re busing in fans. I’m going with Alisa.”
A grin broke across his face, boyish but edged with heat. “Good. I need you in that crowd. Knowing you’re watching me… it’ll keep my head right. I’ll play harder. Better. For you.”
My chest tightened, my breath catching at the raw conviction in his voice.
“I want you in my jersey,” he said, thumb brushing my jaw, voice low and rough.
I hesitated, pulse thundering. “You know what that means, Talon. Once I do that… word’s going to get around about us.”
