Page 63 of Make Your Move

Nova’s face contorts, and she pulls her legs away from me as she sits up straighter. “I’m fine,” she huffs, her hands lifting to cup the sides of my face. I watch her eyes as they scan my face. “The better question is whether or not you’re okay.”

“I’m good,” I assure her, ignoring the ache in my leg as I grab her wrist and pull her hand away from my face. Wrapping both of my hands around hers, I lift it to my lips and kiss her fingers. “Did he hurt you?”

Her nostrils flare, and she lets out a deep breath as she shakes her head. “No. It scared me more than anything. He was being belligerent the entire game, but I didn’t expect that to happen.”

Holding her hand to my lips, I kiss her again before I rise to my feet, pulling her with me. It’s a frigid night, and I can feel Nova getting cold already. She follows me as I lead her into the house, closing the door behind us as we slip into the warmer air. My hands find her arms, and I rub her biceps to warm her skin.

Sliding my hand back down to hers, she lets me take her into the living room. There’s a blanket on the couch, and I wrap itaround her before pulling her down onto the couch beside me. “You shouldn’t be out there without a coat,” I tell her, my voice low.

“I wasn’t out there long,” she admits with a soft smile on her face. “I was waiting for you.”

My heart grows in my chest. “Next time, wait inside.”

“Deal,” she agrees as her eyes scan my face once more. Her smile falls, and she lifts her hand, her thumb brushing against the cut in my lip. “I thought I saw blood earlier, but I didn’t see him hit you.”

“He didn’t,” I assure her, reveling in her touch as she explores my lips and face with her fingers. “I bit my lip when I went down on the ice.”

She lets out a breath, her eyes flashing back to mine. “What’s going to happen now?”

“It depends on whether or not he decides to file a lawsuit against me.”

Nova’s eyes widen. “What?”

I suck in a deep breath, my chest deflating as I exhale. “The team and the league will both launch their own investigations and determine my punishment after that.” I was given a rundown of what things will look like for the immediate future and possible outcomes. “If he doesn’t sue, things should calm down sooner.”

Her expression transforms into one of concern, regret, and guilt. “Fuck. I’m sorry, Lincoln. I feel like this is my fault. If I hadn’t been there, none of this would have happened.” The words tumble from her lips and tears fill her eyes.

“Nova, baby, stop,” I urge her, pulling her closer to me until her arms are wrapped around me, and her face is flush against my chest. “None of this is your fault. Seeing you there tonight made my fucking day. It’s that asshole’s fault, not yours.”

“You shouldn’t have climbed into the stands,” she says, her lips moving against my shirt. She abruptly pulls away, disapproval etched across her face. “There are people who work at the stadium to handle situations like that, not you. Your job is on the ice, not crowd control.”

I can’t help myself as I let out a laugh. Nova glares at me, and I shake my head at her, reaching up to cup the side of her face. “You’re crazy if you think I was going to watch someone put their hands on you and not do anything about it.”

“It was foolish, Lincoln. You need to think of your career.”

I scoff. “All of it could go away right now, and it wouldn’t fucking matter to me.” I let out a ragged breath, my eyes desperately searching hers. “There are always other careers in hockey I can do.” I swallow roughly over the emotion welling in my throat. “There isn’t another you.”

Her expression softens, her eyes growing warm as she reaches for me, her lips instantly finding mine. My lips part, letting her in as the kiss grows deeper. Her tongue sweeps across mine before she pulls away. She’s breathless, and her eyes stare directly into my soul.

“I love you, Lincoln.” She pauses, wiping the tears that fall from her eyes as she smiles at me. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. Even when I didn’t think you would ever feel the same way, I still hoped it would happen. Even when I tried to move on, you were still my wish for every full moon.”

My heart thumps in my chest. “Nova, Nova, Nova,” I murmur, pulling her into my lap. Her legs fall on either side of mine, the blanket draping over us as she plants her hands against my chest, and her blue eyes look into mine. “I’ve always been yours, and I think I’ve always known it. I love you,” I tell her, my hands reaching for the sides of her face. “You’re the only dream I want to live.”

Love spills from her eyes, and her mouth crashes into mine. She surrounds me, consuming me as I let every inhibition fall away. She’s tangled in my soul, and I let her into the hole she carved in my chest. It’s where she belongs, tightly wound around my heart.

After all… it has always belonged to her anyway.

EPILOGUE

LINCOLN

One Year Later

The bell on the door dings overhead as I push it open and hold it for Posey to step inside. Her strides are short, but she does her best to scurry inside to get out of the heat. Her eyes light up as she looks around the space covered with different flowers and plants.

Riley ducks her head out from behind an arrangement. “Well, there’s the man of the hour.” She lets out a soft chuckle. “Give me a second to finish this one up, and I’ll be right with you guys.”

I follow Posey around the flower shop as she stops to smell them, her smile widening at the ones that smell good. She’s easily entertained and amused, and I’ve found I enjoy taking her places with me. On the days I don’t have practice or a game and Nova has to work, it just makes the most sense if I watch her.