Page 97 of Pucking My Grumpy Roommate
"Challenge accepted," Austin whispered, his eyes darkening as he backed me toward the bed.
Somehow we made it to the charity gala with five minutes to spare. My hair was only slightly disheveled—a minor miracle considering how Austin's fingers had tangled in it while I'd ridden him to a mutual climax that left us both gasping.
"Stop thinking about it," Austin murmured in my ear as we entered the grand ballroom of the Minneapolis Hilton.
"Thinking about what?" I asked innocently, though the slight throb between my thighs was a constant reminder.
"About how you came so hard you nearly broke my zipper when you collapsed on top of me." His voice was low enough that only I could hear, but my cheeks flamed anyway.
"You're terrible," I hissed, smacking his arm lightly. "I'm about to meet the head of the National Institutes of Health, and now all I can think about is your cock."
He grinned, the expression transforming his usually serious face. "Mission accomplished."
"Dr. Ellis! Mr. Callahan!" A photographer appeared, camera raised. "Could we get a quick photo for the Science Today website?"
Austin's arm slid around my waist as we posed, his body a solid anchor beside me. Before, I would have panicked at the attention. Now it felt almost normal—almost.
"There's Dr. Barnes," I said, spotting my mentor across the room. "I want to introduce you properly."
We made our way through the crowd, stopping frequently as people congratulated both of us—Austin for his team's playoff run and me for my recently published research.
"Katherine," Dr. Barnes greeted me with her customary formality, though her eyes held genuine warmth. "And the famous Mr. Callahan. Pleased to finally meet the man who has my star researcher leaving the lab at reasonable hours."
Austin shook her hand. "The pleasure's mine, Dr. Barnes. Kate speaks very highly of you."
"She should. I've been pushing her toward greatness since she arrived." Dr. Barnes turned to me. "The Dean is quite impressed with the funding you've secured. Your lab expansion has been approved."
I squeezed Austin's hand so hard he winced. "Really? Even the additional clean room?"
"All of it. Construction begins next month."
I could have screamed with joy. Instead, I maintained professional composure—barely. "Thank you for your support. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."
"And your hockey player's connections," she added with uncharacteristic humor. "Science and sports make surprisingly effective allies."
After she moved on, Austin pulled me behind a massive floral arrangement. "Did I just witness the great Dr. Barnes cracking a joke?"
"I know! I think she might actually be human." I couldn't stop grinning. "My own lab, Austin. My name on the door."
"You deserve every bit of it." His eyes softened. "Ready to watch me stumble through my speech?"
The announcement came shortly after, calling Austin to the podium. I watched with my heart in my throat as he took the stage, looking simultaneously terrified and determined.
"Good evening," he began, his deep voice steady despite his nerves. "I'm better with a hockey stick than a microphone, so bear with me."
The audience chuckled appreciatively.
"A year ago, I thought my career might be over. A knee injury had sidelined me, and recovery seemed impossible." His eyes found mine in the crowd. "Then I met Kate Ellis—brilliant scientist, chaotic roommate, and the woman who changed everything."
My eyes welled up as he continued, describing how my "brilliant chaos" had transformed not just his recovery but his entire perspective.
"What I've learned from Kate is that sometimes the most incompatible elements create the perfect reaction. She organized my recovery while I ordered her sock drawer. She taught me about bacterial resistance while I showed her how to defend against a forecheck."
The audience laughed, and I brushed away a tear.
"That's why this research wing means so much to me—because it bridges our worlds. Athletes need science, and sometimes scientists need a little reminder to get out of the lab." His smile widened. "Even if it's just to yell at a referee who clearly doesn't understand the offside rule."
As Austin stepped offstage, a familiar cheer rose from the back of the room—his teammates.
