Page 192 of Cross Check

“You’re so good,” she croons, and an inferno burns inside me. “I’m so full, Grant. You’re going to make me come.”

“You first, Lia. You’re always first.”

Amelia meets me thrust for thrust, an incoherent mess of words tumbling out of her as she tightens around me. I’m somehow both suffocating and floating, and I loop an arm under her when her orgasm hits.

Her body convulses while she whispers my name. While I continue to pound into her, taking every goddamn burst of pleasure she’ll give me. The same high hits me square in the chest, the best sensation I’ve ever felt in my fucking life jolting through me from my shoulders down to my goddamn toes.

I can’t see. I can’t hear. I can’t fucking think as I fill the condom with my cum, close to passing out, but I do know this is heaven. I’m a permanent resident now, and I’m never, ever going to want to leave.

My legs tremble. Sweat stings my eyes. I put a hand on Amelia’s back, the two of us landing on our stomachs on the mattress. I pull out of her with a wince and peel her hair away from her neck, planting a kiss between her shoulder blades.

“Oh my god.” Amelia trembles beside me. “Forget the glow in the dark condom. I’m already in outer space.”

The last bit of my energy turns into a laugh. I flip onto my back, staring at the ceiling and trying to regain my composure.

“The fan does look like a planet if you squint hard enough,” I say, reaching over to brush my fingers along her jaw. “You’re going to turn me into an addict, Lia. A few minutes in your pussy, and I’m converted to whatever sin you’re selling.”

“Greed. Lust. Gluttony. You’re going to make it difficult to want to do anything but stay in bed with you.” She throws a leg over my waist, smiling. “But we must persist.”

“I can’t believe I get to have you in my bed all night.” I work the condom off my cock and tie it in a knot, chucking it in a trash can under my desk. “I’m glad my first time was with you.”

Her face softens. “Really?”

“Really. You’re my favorite person in the world.”

“And you’re mine.” She wiggles toward me, not stopping until she can rest her chin on my chest. “You always have been, Grant.”

We stay there for a few minutes before heading to the bathroom. I clean her up in the shower, washing her hair and scrubbing her body, then carry her back to my bed wrapped in a towel. Under the sheets, we spend hours talking.

Morning comes. Sunlight slips through the curtains, but I’m not thinking about practice or any of my other responsibilities.

I have Lia in my arms, and I don’t give a damn about anything else.

FIFTY-NINE

GE

Miss you.

AG

I miss you too. Can’t believe the playoffs start tonight. Wish me luck.

GE

I want to wish you good luck, but I’m conflicted.

I love seeing you succeed, and I want you to win another Stanley Cup. But I also want you in Baltimore sooner.

Guess I’m just greedy for a second of your time.

AG

I’d never do anything that would make the Goldminers intentionally lose, but I’m also ready for this next step in my journey.

GE

You want the recognition you deserve. Makes perfect sense why you’re torn on how you’re feeling.