Page 199 of Rookie Attraction

“I can’t wait! But Sel, this is too much.”

“No it’s not. It’s just the start.”

“Thank you, baby.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

“Hurry up and open yours,” I encourage.

Sel reaches for the last box on the bed. Unlike me, he slowly pulls away the wrapping, inch by inch, and carefully folds the paper when he’s done. Ugh, how can he take so much time? I could never.

When he finally sees the print on the box, I wait for his reaction. Is he going to like it or think it’s ridiculous?

“Special edition Scrabble,” he whispers.

I can’t help but grin.

“Remember when you showed up at my place at one in the morning and told me you couldn’t stay away?”

Sel nods.

“And you spent the night, and the next day you cooked breakfast and proceeded to brag that you were the best at Scrabble, and I challenged you? Maybe it’s ridiculous, and it’s not nearly as nice as what you got me, but I thought the game would be a fun holiday tradition we could share. Something only for us.”

He doesn’t reply, but I notice how fast he’s blinking. One stray tear slips down his cheek before he can stop it. I gently swipe his face with my thumb.

“Sel?”

“That night changed everything,” he whispers into my palm and kisses it.

“It did.”

He locks eyes with me, and like always, I’m shaken by the emotions in his gaze.

“This gift is perfectly us.” He offers me a smile. “I love it, and I love you.”

“I love you too,” I reply and kiss him soundly. “Remember that when I win the first game.”

“Cheeky brat,” he chuckles and swats my hip.

“What can I say? It’s a gift.”

The next morning

I’m not bragging when I wake up the next day and wince at the soreness of my muscles, especially my ass. Sel reaches over and rubs a soothing hand over my hip. Gingerly, I sit up. Okay, it’s more than a twinge of pain, but once I get moving and have a shower, I’ll be fine.

It’s nothing this hockey player isn’t used to.

Rushing to prove my point, I roll off the mattress and stand up, taking a few experimental steps. Jesus, my hole’s throbbing like it’s on fire, but I’m into it. My thighs and hips, however, are so tight that it’s going to take me a while to stretch things out.

“Are you sure that was a good idea the night before practice?” Sel murmurs behind me.

“No regrets.” I turn around, hands on my hips. “Bet I play harder than you.”

“So young, so cocky.”

“Cocky is right,” I waggle my eyebrows.

Opting for a sexy swagger, I pad back toward the bed, but every step is stiff, and it feels like I’m walking through cement.