Page 56 of The Cutting Edge
I’m surrounded, swallowed under a dogpile of teammates.
I race to the locker room, shedding gear as I go. By the time I hit the showers, I’ve already texted Coco.
Thank you!!! I’m coming over. Is that okay?
I don’t have to wait long for her reply:
You’re welcome. Now get up here and collect your reward.
A laugh bursts out of me, echoing off the tiled walls. Trust Coco to cut straight to the chase.
There’s only one reward I want. And for the first time, I let myself believe I might just get it.
Coach Rocco slaps me on the back, shaking his head in disbelief. “Gravy! Where did that come from?”
I grin. “I don’t know, Coach. Just got lucky tonight.” I finger Coco’s necklace resting against my skin and give silent thanks for her belief in me when I needed it most.
"I might know something about that," he grins.
The guys are heading out to the Sandbar to celebrate the fact that we're suddenly back from the dead, but all I want to do is go see Coco.
I take the stairs to Coco's hospital room two at a time, pulse still racing from the game. When I push through the door, she's waiting for me with a grin that could light up a city block.
"The hero!" She throws her arms wide, and I cross the room in two strides to envelop her in a hug. She's warm and soft against me, smelling of vanilla and something floral.
"We seriously couldn't have won without you," I say into her hair. I give her one last squeeze before pulling back, suddenly reserved. I rub the back of my neck, clearing my throat. "Here, this is yours. You don't want to lose it, because I’m pretty sure it’s actually magical."
Her laugh is my new favorite song.
I lift the necklace over my head, the green pendant catching the light. Her eyes go wide, and for a second I worry I've made a mistake. But then she bites her lip, gaze dropping to my mouth, and relief washes over me.
"Keep it for now," she says softly. "It suits you."
"Coco, I can't—"
"Please?" Her fingers brush mine as she takes the necklace, looping it back over my head. The barely-there touch sends a shockwave through me. "Consider it your championship totem."
I swallow hard, searching for the right words. "What if we don't win the championship?"
Her eyes meet mine, glinting with the challenge. "Then I guess you'll just have to work harder next season."
"Is that right?" I ask, leaning in close. She doesn't back away, just lifts her chin, daring me to close the distance.
"Mmhmm." Her lips shape the words more than say them. I can't look away from her mouth. "Maybe you'll need a different kind of...incentive."
"Now that," I murmur, "sounds promising."
And then I kiss her.
Her lips are soft and sweet, tasting of pineapple lip balm. For a second she freezes, startled, and I start to pull back—but then her hands are tangling in my hair, pulling me closer. I groan into her mouth, wrapping my arms around her waist to lift her up. Her legs lock around my hips and she kisses me fiercely, like she's been waiting for this, like I'm made of oxygen and she can finally breathe.
Heat races through my veins. I stumble blindly toward the wall, pinning her there with the weight of my body. She arches into me, her soft curves molding against all my hard lines and angles. I kiss along her jaw, nibbling at her ear, reveling in the little gasps and moans I elicit from her.
"We should stop," she pants, even as her hands slip under my shirt. I suck at the pulse fluttering in her neck and she whimpers softly. "Nurse Barb is on shift tonight."
"I don't care." I lift my head to meet her gaze, dark with desire. "Do you?"
She bites her lip, gaze dropping to my mouth again. I can see the indecision in her eyes, the battle between passion and propriety. I rub my thumb along her jaw, a gentle reminder that there's no rush here, that I'm happy to wait until she's ready.
