Page 177 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“Fuck, I want you all over again,” he mutters, resting his brow against mine. “I always fucking want you.”

The feeling is entirely mutual.

“Go, Hayden. Go be a kick-ass hockey player. I’ll be watching.”

“You got my jersey to wear yet?”

I roll my eyes. “Do you know how serious it is for a girl to wear your number?”

His eyes search mine. “Fully aware, Hails.”

My breath catches. His confidence in me, in us, blows me away.

There is no doubt in Hayden’s mind that we’re it.

I hate that I’m such a cynic and always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Everything this far has been so easy. I always thought relationships took time and effort, but with Hayden, it’s all come naturally. He’s slotted himself into both my life and my thoughts, and he’s found himself more than at home in both. I’m also very content with him staying there.

“You’re mine, baby. I want my name and number across your back, and one day, you’re gonna have my ring on your finger, and that name…it’ll be yours, too.”

Holy shit.

If any other man said something like that to me, I’d knee him in the balls.

I don’t belong to anyone. I am my own person with my own thoughts, wishes, and dreams. But hearing that declaration from Hayden, well, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t do things to me.

It’s crazy to be talking about rings and futures already. Our relationship is still a secret; we’re still sneaking around, hiding it from the world. But it also feels right.

I can see it. All of it. And for the first time in my life, I truly want it.

“You’re something else, Hayden Monroe.”

“The only thing I am is yours, Hailee Caldwell,” he counters before dropping a kiss on my nose and finally pushing himself from my bed.

“I’ll message when we’re there.”

“Okay,” I say, pushing myself up so I can watch him walk toward the door. The sheets fall from around me as I do so, leaving my breasts exposed. “Hayden?”

He spins around, his eyes finding mine for a beat before they drop.

“Goddamn it, Hails,” he groans as I shamelessly arch my back.

“I’ll miss you,” I breathe.

“I’m gonna retire so I never have to leave you,” he mutters, dragging his hand down his face.

I can’t help but laugh.

“I’ll be waiting for you,” I tell him.

“Like that?”

“Maybe,” I tease, biting down on my bottom lip seductively.

“This trip better be fast,” he says, rearranging himself. “See you soon, baby.”

“Not if I see you first,” I call, aware that I’m going to be watching every second of tonight’s game to get my Hayden fix.