Page 23 of Down to Puck

“Good, because I always need you,” he replies. “Now, as much as I don’t want to let you go, you need to go stitch up the boys. Coach wants me in on the press conference too. Parker doesn't have any media coaching, and I need to be there to rein him in.”

I give his hand another squeeze, leaning in close.

“I’m sorry. In case I never said it before, I’m sorry you got hurt. It should be you out there, leading the team to victory. It’s not fair, and I’m sorry.”

Emerson wraps his arms around me, pulling me back in.

“I’m not. I needed some sense knocked into me. If I hadn’t been forced to take a step back, I might not be here with you. This is where I want to be, Yasmín. With you.”

I hug him tight, blinking back tears.

“One more kiss for good luck?” He asks, smiling down at me.

I lean up, pulling his mouth down to mine. A sweet kiss that I end before either of us gets carried away.

“Go on. Time for us both to go to work.”

Emerson

One Month Later

“How was practice?” Yasmín asks by way of greeting.

“Parker is coming along. You should come watch.” I lean down to drop a kiss on her cheek. “You could hang with Sofia. She’s been at the ice a lot lately.”

I’m pretty sure the new photographer has a crush on the newest Snowhawk.

Yasmín sighs and leans back in her chair, one arm rising up to tangle in my hair.

“I would, if you boys didn’t keep me so busy.” She shakes her head. “I swear, every hockey player is made of bruises and breaks, only held together by medical tape and sheer force of will.”

Her voice is playful, but there’s a tinge of real exhaustion there. My hands move to her shoulders to massage them. Yas moans and leans back into me.

“Tell me you brought lunch,” she says, her eyes fluttering closed. “I don’t have time to go out. I’ve got a video call in five minutes.”

I take one hand off her shoulders to slide a plate in front of her. My Angel is picky about her sushi, but I make it a point to pick up some of her favorite rolls and nigiri a couple of times a week. I take one now and pop it into her mouth, my thumb lingering on the pillow of her bottom lip.

“Delicious. You’re a lifesaver, Emerson,” Yas says, relaxing back against my hand on her shoulder.

We pass minutes in relative silence as I feed her and ease the tension of the morning away.

“Oh no, Emersom —” Yasmín glances down at the empty plate in front of her. “You fed me everything. What are you going to have for lunch?”

I smile wickedly, sucking my fingers clean as I move to my knees in front of her chair.

Yasmín’s eyes go wide as I ruck her skirt up around her hips. She fills my senses as I lean in close and breathe in the scent of her arousal. Yas is always wet for me, but I never get tired of feeling it, seeing it.

“I’ve got everything I want to eat right here,” I purr as I move my mouth against her.

“Emerson, I have a call. Don’t you dare —” her hissed admonition is cut off by the ringtone of her desktop. “Good afternoon, Doctor Rashidi here.”

Her voice becomes perfectly controlled, a flawless mask. I know she’s amazing at keeping herself cool and professional. It’s part of what makes this game so fun.

Last week, she teased me for hours in the gym. In clear violation of our own rules. I wasn’t about to let an opportunity for a little payback pass me by. I’d never actually do this in front of her peers, but I already checked the schedule. This is just a call with Sawyer.

My tongue parts the seam of her lips as I lick her from bottom to top. Her fists yank on my hair, but I don’t budge an inch. I’m exactly where I want to be.

“How soon until we’re calling you Dr. Stone, Yasmín?” Sawyer asks, amusement lacing his voice.