Page 152 of Face Off
“Okay. Tell me if you need a break, and we’ll stop.”
“Want to make a bet, pretty boy?” Emmy whispers, and the rest of the guys climb back on their machines.
“What are the terms, Red?”
“If you make it through the rest of the workout without stopping, you get to do whatever you want to me tonight.”
“And if I stop?”
“I get to do whatever I want to you tonight.”
“It sounds like I win either way.”
“Are you sure? I might want to tie your hands above your head. I might want to blindfold you too.”
I lean forward and give her a slow grin. Her breathing hitches, and I touch my thumb to her cheek. “Either way, I’m with you,” I murmur. “That’s a win in my book, and I think you like it when I win, Emmy girl.”
“Yeah.” Her throat bobs, and her eyes stay locked on mine. That pressure is back, and this time, I welcome it. “I think I do.”
FORTY-THREE
MAVERICK
“Areyou sure it’s okay I stay over?” Emerson takes off her sweater and jeans and exchanges them with one of my old T-shirts. “We’ve never had a sleepover before a road trip, and I don’t want to mess up any of your pregame rituals.”
“The only pregame ritual I have these days is touching you. Besides, we don’t play until the day after tomorrow. There’s plenty of time to make sure my routine is right.” I pull back the sheets and pat the spot on the bed next to me. The pillows have started to smell like her shampoo—citrusy and flowery like on a warm summer day. “Please stay.”
“Okay.” Her mouth twists into a pretty smile. I know she’s trying not to look too excited, but I see the cute little wrinkles around her eyes. The way she hurries over to the mattress and plops down next to me. She wants to be here just as much as I want her here. “Only because you said please.”
“I can be very persuasive.” I open my arms and she nestles into my embrace, her head on my shoulder and her hair all over my bare chest. I sigh at the press of her body against mine, her skin still warm from the shower we shared after we cooked dinner and split a bowl of ice cream. “Where does Piper think you are tonight?”
“Oh.” Emmy hides her face. “I may or may not have told the girls we’re seeing each other,” she admits. “There was wine and pizza, and everyone else was sharing parts of their lives. I wanted to share something, so I kind of let it slip that we’ve been sleeping together for months and now we’re dating.”
“I don’t care that you told them.” I smile and trace the freckles on her shoulder. I spell out the wordmineand add a little heart at the end. “I’ve been wanting to shout from the rooftops that you’re my girlfriend for a while now.”
“You’re not allergic to that word, are you? Do you understand what it means?”
“Says the woman who told me she doesn’t date hockey players. I know what that word means. It means I’m yours and you’re mine. You make me happy, and I hope I make you happy too.”
“You make me happy,” she says softly. “You make me happier than anyone else ever has.”
Pride swells in my chest. It takes everything in me to not grin like a total idiot, and it feels like I’m flying. “I can’t lie and say I’ve ever looked forward to going to Detroit, but I am this time. Are you excited to see your dad?”
“I am. I’m also nervous. I want him to have a good time, and I want to play well. But then I know I won’t be too mad at myself if Idon’tplay well, because he’s still going to be proud of me no matter if we win or lose. It takes some of the pressure off.” Emerson tips her chin to look up at me, and I kiss her forehead. “Does that make any sense?”
“Perfect sense. At the end of the day, him being there is more important than the outcome of the game.” I rub my palm down her arm and smile. “But we’re going to win.”
“You really might be the most confident hockey player I’ve ever met.”
“Trust me, it’s a curse.” My hand falls to the middle of her back, and I sigh again. I don’t know what kind of magical powers Emmy has, but whenever she’s in my arms, I’m totally at peace. “We’re all set with the van. I convinced Coach to push morning skate back to ten thirty, so we can leave around six, grab your dad by eight, then be back in time to ride the team bus to the arena.”
“Do any of the guys know you’re coming with me to get him?” Emmy asks, her sharp green eyes watching me.
“Hudson does.”
“Does that bother you?”
“What? That he knows you and I are spending time together?”
