Page 104 of Offside for Christmas
His hand slid between them, fingers finding her clit. "I want to feel you come around me. Want to feel how tight you get when you fall apart."
"Close—I'm so close—oh god, right there—"
"That's it. Take it. Take all of me." He thrust harder, deeper, his stamina showing as he maintained the punishing pace. "Come for me, Ellie."
She came with a scream that definitely drowned out the jukebox below, her back arching, her inner muscles clamping down on him. But Cole held on, working her through it, his own control impressive as he extended her pleasure.
"Beautiful," he murmured, slowing but not stopping. "So fucking beautiful when you come."
"Cole—" Her voice was breathless. "I can't—too sensitive—"
"Yes, you can." He shifted his angle, finding that spot inside her. "Remember? Athlete's stamina. I'm nowhere near done with you yet."
"Oh god—"
His fingers returned to her clit, gentle but insistent. Through the window, the Christmas lights kept twinkling. Snow kept falling. And faintly, they could hear someone start singing "Silent Night" downstairs.
"Not so silent up here," Cole said with a wicked grin, his hips still moving. "Think we can make you scream again?"
"I think—oh—I think you're enjoying this too much—"
"Damn right I am. The grumpy hockey player who hated Christmas is making love to his girl surrounded by twinkling lights while the bar below sings carols. This is the best Christmas present ever."
Despite everything—despite the pleasure building again, despite how close she was—Ellie laughed. "You're ridiculous."
"You love it."
"I love you." Her hands cupped his face. "Even when you're showing off your stamina."
"Good." He thrust deeper. "Because I plan to show off a lot more tonight. Now come for me again. I want to feel it."
When she came the second time, it was even more intense—her whole body convulsing, his name a broken cry on her lips. The sight of her, the feel of her pulsing around him, shattered Cole's control completely. He thrust deep, groaning as he came, his powerful body finally giving in.
They collapsed together, both shaking, both gasping for air. From below, they could hear cheering—probably at something happening in the bar, but the timing made them both laugh breathlessly.
"I think they heard us," Ellie said.
"Good." Cole pulled her against his side, his large frame making her feel protected, surrounded. "Let everyone know you're mine."
"Possessive."
"Absolutely." He kissed her forehead. "You made me fall in love with Christmas. With this town. With carols and lights and everything I swore I'd always hate. The least I can do is make sure everyone knows you're the reason."
She kissed his chest, right over his racing heart. "Best Christmas ever."
"Yeah." He pulled the blanket over them, the glow from the Christmas lights outside making everything feel magical. "Best Christmas ever."
They lay in comfortable silence, the sounds of the bar below a distant backdrop—laughter, music, life. Cole's hand traced lazy patterns on Ellie's back, his hockey-conditioned body still radiating warmth.
"Cole?" she said quietly.
"Mmm?"
"Thank you for coming back. For choosing this. For choosing me."
"Best decision I ever made." He tilted her face up to kiss her. "And just so you know—I've got at least one more round in me. Perks of all those years of conditioning."
Ellie laughed, already feeling him starting to harden again against her hip. "Show off."
