Lenny is shaking with laughter on top of me.

“I’ll be right out! Ten minutes!” I yell out before my sister comes with the key.

“One, two...” all three of them start counting, not knowing the difference between minutes and seconds.

“Are you ready for this? We have about five seconds before they start banging again.”

Lenny grins up at me. “I didn’t quite think this through. But I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Good. Let's get dressed.”

I know she probably didn’t plan on meeting my entire family. I could see that by the way she almost ran out of here when I first saw her. But I’m actually really excited to introduce her to everyone. I know they’re going to absolutely love her.

Dad isn’t happy when he sees us emerging from my locked bedroom, but with mom’s help, he relaxes. And I was right. After the awkward stares and confusion about why she’s here, everyone takes right to her.

The girls rope her into playing games and later we all sit around watching the hockey game.

“Shoot it!” Lenny yells at the TV right along with my granddad and me.

She jumps up when a bad call is made and I pull her into my lap before she can sit back down on the couch. She shifts nervously, but I don’t care that we’re in front of my family. I don’t care who sees. Lenny belongs comfortably on my lap and in my arms.

Epilogue

Lenny

“I’ve missed you so much.” Nick groans as he stares at me lying on my bed. It’s only been a week, but I can’t deny I’ve missed him like crazy too. “Are you sure about this?”

After Nick came to visit my family, he headed back to school to start more training and conditioning before the road to the championship games. We texted and had phone sex a few times, but our late-night confessions and deep conversations were my favorite part. He admitted to a fantasy he had of me being strapped down and using a riding crop.

I was upset when he said he’s done it with Cora, but I couldn’t get too mad when he said he pictured me the entire time. I wanted to wash whatever memory he has of being with Cora out. So here we are, me completely naked, strapped to my bed. Nick is still in his boxer briefs with the riding crop in hand.

“Yup. I’m ready.” I squirm, nervously anticipating what he’s going to do. I’m not scared. This is Nick, he will never hurt me.

I want to do this for him, not just to wipe out the memories of Cora, but also because the team just won the Frozen Four championship game and I wanted to do something special for him. I want him to know how much I love him and how proud I am of him.

I went to the games as a journalist for Drexton Hall, but it was chaotic and besides a quick hello and hug for good luck, there wasn’t any time to see him. The hockey house was in full party mode tonight, but I grabbed Nick aside, whispered about what I bought for him, and then he dragged me out of the house. Wasting no time at all.

“I love you,” he says before kissing with a force full of lust.

“I love you.” I breathe out, relaxing into my bed.

“So, fucking much.” Nick moans as he slides the leather riding crop up my torso.

The cool leather has my nipples puckering up for him. With a flick of his wrist, the crop slaps down on one.

I gasp from the sting as my back arches.

“Was that ok? Did it hurt?” Nick asks, soothing my sore nipple with his palm.

“No, it felt good.” It did. I wasn’t expecting it, but the sharp sting caused an electrical current straight to my core. “Again.” I whimper and plead for him to keep going.

Nick’s mouth descends over my nipple, sucking, and licking it before slapping the crop down on it again.

“Ohhh, Nick.” I cry out feeling the sting of the cool leather mixed with my cool wet skin.

With a grunt, Nick moves over me, opening my legs to him.Whack.The leather contacts my hip with a jolt.

“Again,” I moan, urging him on.