Page 14 of Hot for the Hockey Player
Luckily, Renée and Logan were cool, and let me hang out with them after they locked the doors behind the last customer while they tidied up the pub for the night.
Then Renée cranked the tunes, and the kitchen staff slowly trickled out, getting their after-shift drinks.They sat around at one of the tables, shooting the shit until their beverages were finished.Almost all of the kitchen staff knew who I was.I had to sign some autographs, while others said they’d be back with a jersey or something for me to sign tomorrow.So I had to promise to return.
It was eleven forty-five by the time I staggered my way back to my cabin, not being nearly careful enough to watch where I put my feet, but I clearly had some horseshoes up my ass—finally—because I didn’t trip or eat gravel.I made it to my front door unscathed, unlocked it, and stepped inside.
I was used to being alone.Alone in my condo, alone in my hotel room, alone with my thoughts.
But for whatever reason, tonight I was not just alone, I was lonely.
Being back with Gabrielle and the kids, then tonight at the pub with new friends, filled me with so much … joy.These people had zero expectations of me.They just wanted to be around me, for me.That was it.Not because I was some famous professional athlete, or their teammate who they were forced to be with.They could have told me to pound sand and fuck off, but they didn’t.They invited me in, they invited me to stay; and even more, they invited me back.
I left a trail of clothes through the small, clean cabin until I was naked in the bathroom.I turned on the water and waited until it got nice and hot—maybe a little too hot—then I stepped inside the shower.
Since I didn’t usually drink, I was a bit of a lightweight.Even at six-foot-four, and two-hundred-ten-pounds, the booze hit me harder than I expected it to.It all just tasted so good.I couldn’t say no.
The water pressure in the shower was surprisingly good, and felt incredible against my back as I faced the taps and hung my head, my chin to my chest.Thoughts of Gabrielle flickered into my mind, slightly out of focus, but they were clear enough to make my cock swell.I took it in my palm and stroked myself root to tip and back, knowing full well it was wrong to imagine her this way, but unable to stop myself.Nobody had to know how I felt about her.It could remain my little secret.
Platonic friendship during the day, and unbridled pining and lust at night.
Until I left the island and went on with my career.
Which would be when, by the way?
I told the sensible part of my brain to shut up and just let me have this.
Gabrielle’s face came back into focus—sort of.Every heart-shaped inch of it.Those alert, hawk-like amber eyes—always seeing, always watching, always knowing.And the subtle way she would smile, like she didn’t want the world to see her enjoyinganythingbut she couldn’t contain her delight, so she allowed a sliver of a smirk to break through.Even her hair was gorgeous.Dark and thick chunky curls just past her shoulders.When she hugged me—which surprised the shit out of me because she wasn’t normally a hugger—I inhaled deep when my nose briefly brushed her hair.
Cherry and almonds, just like I remembered.
Damon invited me back over tomorrow after school, and I already said yes, but I was beginning to think maybe being around Gabrielle so much wasn’t a good idea.
But I couldn’t disappoint the kid.
And avoiding them wasn’t an option.
My lower belly tingled with warmth with the need to come, and my balls cinched up tight against my taint.
I continued to work my palm over my cock, my strokes growing more erratic as my orgasm grew more imminent.
Gabrielle’s face became clearer, and when she smiled, that half-smirk—in this case, it was just for me—and I exploded.
Hot, thick spurts painted the shower wall in front of me, sliding down the tile and circling the drain.I exhaled heavy and loud, continuing to stroke myself, finishing off my release.
When my cock stopped twitching, I grabbed the removable shower nozzle and sprayed the remaining bits of my cum from the tile.I’d sleep well tonight now.
Seeing Gabrielle tomorrow and being normal was a problem for future Maverick.Right now, I was content, tipsy, and relaxed.
No matter what, San Camanez was going to be a place of rejuvenation for me.I could just feel it.
Now all I had to do was figure out how to keep my feelings for Gabrielle to myself.Otherwise, my time on the island would be shorter than I hoped.
CHAPTER FIVE
Gabrielle
Laurelwasstillatthe elementary school which went to the seventh grade, but Damon was at the high school and took a different bus.He also got out half an hour later, which meant he got home half an hour later.My days from when I woke up to when the kids got home from school were pretty standard.Up at 5 a.m., a home Pilates workout with a video for an hour, followed by a shower, and thirty minutes to myself to drink my coffee and sit in peace.Laurel’s alarm went off at seven, but I usually had to go rouse Damon a few times before he finally dragged his ass out of bed.
Then we all had breakfast together, and either one or several of my cousins and I walked the kids to the bus stop at the end of the road.Damon didn’t like that we walked them, but I didn’t give a shit.I let his teenage moodiness and embarrassment to have a parent that loved him dictate a lot in this house, but not me seeing my children off to school.These days were fleeting, so I was going to soak up every second of them.
