Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(81)

 

"We deserve each other. We always have."

 

"All those years wasted."

 

"Not wasted. Never wasted. We grew up. We learned more about ourselves. What's really important to us. And here we are now, in the time and place where we're supposed to be."

 

He groaned, and they stood holding each other for long moments.

 

The words of the TV announcers eventually sank in, talking about Hughie's trade, and Tanner and Katelyn parted to stare at the TV. She turned back to him. "Was it hard losing Hugh?"

 

"It sucks." He released her but kept his hands on her hips. "But it's happened before and it will happen again. I shouldn't have let the trade talks get to me so much. I definitely shouldn't have let it come between us. Fuck." He squeezed her again. "I'm so fucking lucky to have you."

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"Yes. You are."

 

They both laughed.

 

"Make me breakfast, woman."

 

She snorted but it turned into a chuckle.

 

"Then we can watch the rest of this trade bullshit in bed."

 

She tilted her head and moved back to the stove. "That's a brilliant idea."

 

They listened to the TV as they ate eggs and toast and the cut-up fruit Katelyn had bought. Then, ignoring the dishes, he took her hand and led her to his bedroom.

 

"The trade talk can wait," he muttered, setting the remote for the TV near the bed, still holding her hand. "This is more important."

 

He backed up toward the bed, sitting cross-legged, bringing her onto his lap so she straddled his hips. He set his hands on her waist and met her eyes. "I love you."

 

Her smile was slow and lovely.

 

He slid a hand up her back and into her silky hair to bring her mouth to his for a kiss. He poured it all into that kiss, everything he felt, all his admiration and gratitude and love for her. Her hands moved over his chest, his shoulders, the back of his neck as their mouths joined in slow, clinging kisses of worship and promise.

 

He caressed her neck, his thumb sliding up in front of her ear, brushing the corner of her mouth, and she turned her head to suck his thumb. Heat darted straight to his groin, his dick getting harder and thicker. Smiling, he nudged her mouth back to his again, opening her to him, licking inside to find her tongue, so warm and sweet. Then he slid both hands into her hair to hold her head as they devoured each other.

 

Sensation burned and twisted through him, his heart hammering against his ribs. His hands moved over her body, everywhere he could reach-her back, her waist, her breasts. He slowly unwrapped her soft sweater and parted it to see her. He sucked in a breath at the sexy lingerie beneath, purple lace and satin so low cut it barely contained the swells of her breasts. "Gorgeous," he rasped. "Look at you, gorgeous girl."

 

He pushed the sweater off her shoulders, letting his hands linger on the soft skin of her shoulders and arms. He leaned down to kiss her collarbone, then the soft upper curve of one breast. Her breathing hitched and her nipples puckered.

 

"Beautiful. So perfect." He eased her farther back so he could bend and kiss her breasts. He tugged the lace cup down and closed his lips over one tender tip.

 

She clutched his shoulders and gasped. "Tanner. That's so good."

 

"Yeah," he mumbled against her soft flesh. "So good. You taste sweet, Katie." He tugged the hard little nub into his mouth once more, then lifted his head and met her eyes again in a long, wordless look of love. They smiled.

 

He tipped her lower until her back met the mattress, and moved over her. He unbuttoned her jeans, drew down the zipper, and then peeled the tight fabric down her legs, leaving her in her purple bra and lace thong. "Matching," he murmured, remembering the crazy conversation Saturday night at the Red Boot.  

 

"Um, yeah."

 

"I love it," he said with heartfelt appreciation, though it was more about her than her underwear.

 

He nuzzled her throat, her breasts, sucked on her nipples, loving how they fit on his tongue and how they tasted. Her soft whimpers of pleasure filled his ears, and he slid a hand beneath her to find the fastening of her bra and flick it open. "This is pretty, babe, but I want you bare."

 

She bit her lip, gazing up at him with big, glowing eyes as he pulled the sexy lace garment away and tossed it aside. Then he got rid of her panties too. He admired her flat stomach, slender hips, and smooth thighs. "There we go. All naked and gorgeous for me to touch. For me to taste." He kissed her lower belly.