Page 14 of Step Puck

“Say it.” The demands make my heart soar free like I always imagined I would in my dreams.

“Yours. Always yours.” I whimper at another thrust of his hips, I whimper and moan as liquid fire races through my veins like a shot of heroin.

This is my dream come true. Our dream come true.

EPILOGUE

BILLY

Abe, our center and the opposing teams center face off. This is the middle of the game and we’re in the lead by one point. They have the lead in the face off between teams and Abe waits for the first movement.

The goaltender tosses the puck on the ice and the opposing center makes his play. The blade of his stick sprays ice as his blade slices at the puck to start the second part of the game. But when he strikes the puck Abe is right there to steal it away and he’s off to their net. Abe plays the puck back and forth with his stick, teasing the other players as they try to take it back from him. But they can’t. He’s that good, he’s one part of the Triple Threat-the other two parts are Jesse and Hutch. One of them is bad enough but if you happen to up against all three? Watch out.

It’s unbelievable, one of the players on the other team gets his stick in and takes the puck away from Abe and in the turmoil of who has it, takes off and heads to my net. I’m ready.

I grin at the exhilaration racing through me, the puck zooms at me at light speed. I don’t even have to think. I’m working on pure instinct as I slide along the ice on my knees, watching the puck get closer. And closer. A little closer.

I swing my stick in an arc, the blade crashes against the puck, striking it hard enough to send it careening to the middle of the rink in the direction of the opposing team where Alan strikes it with his stick, belinning it right to the the area between the net and the goalie. Jesse slides at the puck, his skates leave sprays of ice behind him. Abe on one side, Hutch on his other. Feared by all players as the ones to try and beat. Jesse strikes the puck hard and the other team’s goalie thrusts his arm out, his gloved hand tries to knock it back but misses by a whisper of space. The puck strikes the back of the net and the arena booms with cheers.

Inside the rink is pandemonium, we’re congratulating each other, the officials come out with the Stanley Cup. I know I should only be interested in what I’ve wanted my whole life. This win will end my career on a moment I will never forget. Instead I concentrate on the family box where she sits with the other families and friends of the players. For me her beauty glows to an ethereal attraction. Not only of the body but also of our souls finally joined together.

The whole ceremony takes forever for me. My grin is plastered on. Yes, this is one of my biggest moments in my life, being with Lorelei is more important for me right now. Finally we head to the locker room and she’s there waiting with the other families to celebrate with cheers and champagne of our own.

Lorelei runs right into my arms, I lift her up over my head, still in full hockey gear except for helmet and gloves and skates. She giggles and I pull her close. Fuck. She feels so good in my arms.

“You did good, baby.” She wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me hard on my cheek in her excitement. Her lips against my cheek makes my dick hard, doesn’t take much around her.

I set her down giving her a kiss on the lips while everyone hoots, hollers and whistles around us.

“That was fast, Billy.”

“Who is she?”

“Give her another.” That’s from Hutch. Clown that he is.

I lead her away from the team members and their families into a secluded area, so we could be alone.

She giggles again, “what’s going on, Billy? Why did you bring me over here?”

I cup her cheeks between my hands staring into her mesmerizing, brown eyes. “Lorelei, I know we haven’t known each other again for long. But I do know you. I’ve known you for a long time. It seems our whole lives and this is something that was always meant to be.”

My hands slip down the expanse of her back in the Bay City Brawlers jersey I got for her, sliding back up her sides until I’m cupping her neck in my hands. The slender column fits between my palms, my thumbs caress along her pulse points, jumping at my touch.

“Bil…Billy.” She starts and licks her lips. The bright pink makes me want to pull her close and close my mouth over hers until she gasps for air.

Voices echo from the locker rooms. The families must have left already.

“I know it’s too soon to talk about marriage.” I’ve never been this nervous before. Well, except for the draft where I was picked by the Brawlers.

She opens and closes her mouth, her face settles into determination, “I’ve loved you forever. You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted.”

“You were always it for me.” I raise a hand and wave it at her. “Not in anyway sexual. I was your protector when you were little. But I had to push you way when I joined the Brawlers. I couldn’t stay. You had to learn how to survive on your own.”

I can tell I screwed up. “I…I don’t mean it that way.”

Her face has fallen in abject sorrow and she spits at me. “Survive on my own? Your father was a better parent to me than my own mother was.”

“Dad was a great guy.” I cast a quick glance at her, trying to think of what I can say right this time. My brain is on warp speed and short circuiting at how fast the neurons have to zip on overdrive trying to think. “I’m glad he was there for you.”

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