Page 7 of Let Me Love You

I’d laugh at how ridiculous it sounds if it wasn’t cutting Ash so deeply. But we’ve dealt with enough drama for one season. If I'm being honest, it’s been nice. The break we’ve had since the hockey season ended. I’m not ready to face the inevitable backlash once the draft ends and the next season starts.

No.

I’d rather hide away in the shower with Ash, living in our own perfect little bubble no one can pop.

“Love you too,” I tell her, well-aware of how little justice the words do to portray how I feel about her. How much she means to me. How she’s my entire world.

I massage her breasts with body wash, loving the little whimper as I slide my hands up and down her smooth skin.

“You’re perfect,” I murmur. And she is. Inside and out. What she does to me. It’s simply the person she is.

Once she’s rinsed off, I grab a fluffy towel from the hook outside the shower, wrap her in it, then take her to our room.Ourroom.

As she lays on the comforter, sprawled out and naked, I can’t help but stare.

“Perfect,” I repeat.

“Lucky,” she replies quietly. “Now, get over here and make love to me, mister. You owe me an orgasm or two.”

With a laugh, I spread her thighs and pay her back. Twice. Like she deserves.

* * *

I wake up with a yawn,my phone vibrating on the nightstand. It’s late. The room is blanketed in darkness. Slipping my arm from beneath Ash’s head, I pick up my cell and squint as the bright light from the screen makes my eyes feel like they’re bleeding. I close my eyes and try again, letting my eyes adjust. There’s a text from an unknown number. My brows furrow as I open the message.

935.555.4246

Hey. We need to talk.

Me

Who is this?

935.555.4246

It’s Eleanor Elshner.

Fuck.

I sit up fully and walk to the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind me.

Me

What do you want, Eleanor?

935.555.4246

Geez. Someone’s snippy tonight.

Me

You’re texting me in the middle of the night, and we haven’t talked in almost two years. You’ll have to cut me a little slack.

935.555.4246

Look, I’d prefer if we didn’t do this over text. Can you call me? Please? Or we can even meet up for coffee.

Me