Collide: A Hockey Romance

COLLEGE IS A lot more fun when you’re not buried in textbooks.

When I left my dorm this morning, anxiety was eating at my bones, but just entering the hockey house has eased it.

“You wear glasses?” I ask Dylan who’s in the living room reading a book.

Dylan lowers his glasses. “Why? Is it turning you on?”

I give him a blank look. “How could you possibly come to that conclusion?”

“You didn’t answer the question.”

“Neither did you.”

He smiles. Damn it, he does look good in those glasses. “Nah, just put them on because you were coming over. I heard you like romance books.” His brows raise suggestively.

My face feels hot. “I am going to kill Aiden.”

“For what?” Aiden descends the stairwell, wearing a white tank and black trousers, his hair damp from a shower.

“Somehow, Dylan here knows about my book collection.” I narrow my eyes.

“It’s not like you hide it. You left one of your books on the couch. He’s literally reading it right now.”

What? When I see the blue illustrated book cover, I blanch.

Dylan rolls his eyes. “Don’t be a prude. You two are not as quiet as you think you are.” Mortified, I turn to Aiden, who only shrugs. “Besides, it’s a good book. I got Kian to buy a copy. We might have to raid your library for more once we finish.”

The words process slowly in my brain. “You and Kian are buddy-reading a romance book?”

“What? Men can’t read romance? Selfish of you to deprive us of this gold mine of information. Aiden, you gotta read one too, she’s onto something.”

“I have.”

That shocks the hell out of me. “When?”

“Babe, you fall asleep twenty minutes into every movie, and you made me promise not to watch them without you. I gotta do something to keep occupied.”

“So you’ve been reading my books?”

“Yup. I’m a big fan of the ones that have all the red tabs.” My eyes widen when he smirks and drops a kiss on my lips. “Let’s go upstairs so I can show you what I learned.”

Hypnotized, I follow Aiden. When I hop on his bed, I sit with my legs crossed to watch him get dressed. The view doesn’t get better than this, especially when his back muscles flex to show all those rolling hills and valleys that make me want to drag my nails down the smooth skin. Though when my eyes catch on something yellow beside me, my thoughts pivot.

A bouquet of sunflowers wrapped in paper and tied with a small bow sits on his bed. Something in my chest rattles, and my eyes sting. I stare at his back, my bottom lip quivers with a river of emotions. My breath is wobbly as I try to gain composure and not show my lunacy over getting flowers.

“Sunflowers? You don’t think I’m a Venus Fly Trap?” I ask.

Aiden turns, smiling when he sees the flowers in my hand. My eyes must still be misty because he watches me with a look so soft I’m afraid it might break me.

“They were sold out.” He grins when I glare. “You’re my sunflower, Summer.”

The light kiss he leaves on my nose sits heavy on my chest. “These are a step up from your funeral flowers,” I say, making him chuckle. “I’m surprised you’ve never been in a relationship with all the cheesy things you say.”

“Only for you.” His earnest look has me lifting my head for a kiss. He kisses me until I’m flat on my back, still clutching the flowers. They’ll have to pry them from my lifeless hands.

Our heated kiss leads to wandering hands and heavy breathing until it’s cut short by his ringing phone. Aiden kisses me a final time before twisting to grab it off the nightstand. From the immediate smile on his face, I can tell that it’s his grandma. I move to sit up as he leans against the headboard to talk to her, eyes still dark around the edges.

It’s a short call, and when he hangs up, he asks, “Have you decided what you’re doing for break?”

The question catches me off guard, but last week, Aiden asked if I wanted to come home to Providence with him. My original plans were to spend spring break in a hotel with room service and books. I’m hesitant about Aiden’s sweet offer because meeting his family is a big deal. Especially if they’re normal and not as dysfunctional as mine.

“I don’t know.” I take a breath. “I’m nervous.”

“Summer, they already love you,” he says. “If you feel uncomfortable, we’ll leave. We can get a hotel, and I’ll take care of you all night.”

My heart swells. “As amazing as that sounds. I’m not going to make you miss time with family.”

“So, is that a yes?” he prompts.

“Yes, Aiden. Any place that made you who you are has to be the closest thing to heaven on earth.”

He grows quiet for a long second. “Shit, you’re making me blush, Preston.” He chuckles. “You’re getting spanked for that.”

“It’s a compliment! I can be romantic too.”

His pitying look is irritating. “Babe, you are not the romantic one in this relationship.”

I shrug. “I guess I can’t have too many talents.”

“I can.” He rolls me onto my back but taps his phone to text his grandma that I’ll be coming with him. Slowly, the reason I’ve been so anxious all day flutters back into my mind when he’s not distracting me. Aiden seems to notice my nervous fidgeting because he lifts my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His eyes do all the asking, and my words spill out automatically.

“My dad invited us to dinner.”

The silence that follows the statement has me on edge. “Lukas Preston wants us to come over for dinner?”

“You don’t have to say his full name every time.”

He throws me a sheepish smile. “Sorry. Habit. Are you okay with this?”

“No, but I figured if you’re there, he’ll just talk to you about hockey all night.”

“Babe, I don’t want to intrude on your time if you need to talk to your dad.”

I fiddle with my flowers. “You’re telling me you don’t want to meet a hall of famer?”

“That’s not what this is about. I’m meeting my girlfriend’s dad. How you feel is the most important to me.”

There goes that heartburn-y feeling again. “It’s fine. I only agreed because of my mom.”

He nods, though he doesn’t voice his opinion on my nonchalance. “When is it?”

“Next week.”

Two rapid blinks tell me he’s freaking out, but he masks it quickly with an impressively calm smile. The action makes my heart melt a little. “Okay. I’ll pick you up after practice. Is it at their house in Boston?”

“Something like that.” He stares at me for a better explanation, but I’d rather not discuss my parents’ extravagance. “Let’s go. It’s our first official date, and I want to soak up every minute.”

“Are you sure it’s not because you want to hurry back so I can show you what I learned from your books?”

“Definitely not.” I smile. But I file away that information to thoroughly explore later.

“NOW THAT I think about it, it’s cold, and Ferris wheels aren’t my fondest memory.”

The surprise location for our date that my very ridiculous boyfriend had in mind is the Hartford Spring Fair. The event takes place the week before break, and it’s usually filled with locals and college students. As I stare at the stupid rotating wheel, my insides go for a slow churn.

I successfully dragged Aiden to every game and even onto the tea cup ride for toddlers he barely squeezed into. The attendant gave us some serious side eye when I shoved Aiden’s legs inside, but luckily we got away with it. We went to every food stand I saw, in hopes that a warm sugary funnel cake would make him forget about the ride, but none of it worked.

“Think of it as exposure therapy.”

“Great idea. Except you’re not my therapist, so it’s just torture.” I try rooting myself in place when Aiden pulls me forward. My strength is no match for him, and he easily drags me to the steps.

“I can sweeten the deal,” he whispers, wrapping his arms around me from behind. There isn’t much he can do about the outdoor temperature, but man do his arms make a huge difference.

“How?” His firm hold sends goosebumps traveling down my arms. “This isn’t exactly what I pictured when you mentioned a date, Aiden.”

“You’re not having fun?” His expression swims with worry. It’s kind of endearing, and it makes my heart hurt.

“Of course, I’m having fun. I’m with you, aren’t I? I feel like we’re finally a real couple.” The worry on his face melts away. “But this is pushing it.” I point to the evil ride.

“I told you I’d save you a Ferris wheel ride. I always follow through on my word, Preston.” He presses an index finger between my furrowed brows to relax the tension in my face. “We’re creating a new memory. I promise by the time we touch the ground again we won’t remember any of that.”

Seeing Crystal all over him tainted the memory for me, but he saw Connor kiss me. We’re both in the same boat about Ferris wheels.

I let him take my hand and seat us in one of the cars. The cold metal stings my thighs, and I shiver as the ride attendant gives a thumbs up and pushes the lever. The car swings, and Aiden’s hand intertwines with mine.

“See, this isn’t so bad,” Aiden says. “I’ll have you warmed up in seconds.” His warm hand skims my leg, going beneath my skirt to let his knuckles graze the thin fabric between my legs.

“There are people all around us, Crawford.” My words are too breathy to hold any weight.

“I can make you finish before we even hit the ground.”

He talks a big game, but I would be stupid to think he couldn’t do it. As he watches the answer float around my head, he removes his letterman jacket and drapes it over my legs. The stolen warmth of his body kisses my cold skin, and I hum in pleasure. Aiden takes the moment to press his fingers against me, the fabric of my panties wet from just the touch.

“I can already feel you heating up, Summer. Let me between these pretty thighs, baby.”

You’d think he was getting a blow job with how desperate he sounds. He kisses me slowly and thoroughly. Pulling away to catch my breath, I look around to see if anyone’s watching, but none of the other riders are visible in their small pods.

I wrap my arm around Aiden’s bicep, snuggling closer as he nuzzles my neck. The sun sinks into the Hartford Skyline and I whisper, “You’re missing the view.”

He focuses on my face, and his smile makes my stomach dip. “No, I’m not.”

He kisses my nose and sends my heart into a frenzy. I part my thighs and Aiden’s smirk grows as his finger hooks my panties to pull them aside. We rise higher into the atmosphere and before I can prepare myself, he slides two thick fingers into me. A strangled moan flutters past my lips.

He threads his other hand through my hair and pulls my mouth against his. “Come on. Let me hear those pretty moans. Tell me how good I feel.”

Stubbornly, I keep my jaw locked. He’s too good at this, and I won’t give him the satisfaction of proving me wrong about this ride. He moves his fingers slowly, going so deep I can feel his knuckles. The atmosphere feels much warmer up here. I’m so far gone my surroundings wilt away. I could be launched into the clouds for all I care. Every nerve ending in my body focuses on the hand between my legs.

My body jolts when our seat swings, sending my heart racing. The fading carnival music gives way to the wet sounds of Aiden’s fingers pumping in and out of me. Soft lips dust kisses on my blazing hot skin. Whether it’s a cool spring or a scorcher in the middle of August, I have no idea.

“I’m going to…” My words flutter away with the wind when his hand cups my breasts over my sweater.

He continues to pepper innocent kisses on my jaw as if he’s not making me delirious. “We’re not even halfway, baby. I have all the time in the world to make you come all over my hand.”

My orgasm floats right at the surface, and I’m desperate to reach it. Like a fish out of water, I need to go under his spell again. “Crawford, do it or I’ll do it myself.”

“Say please.”

There are times when I don’t mind begging. Usually on my knees with Aiden’s hand wrapped around my neck. But right now, I feel stubborn. The orgasm that will likely rock my fucking world can wait.

“You say please,” I counter. His brows raise as a low chuckle spills past his lips. “I might take pity on you and let you make me come.”

My reverse psychology tactic doesn’t work as I hoped because he scissors his fingers in retaliation, then curls them, causing my nails to scratch the metal bench to keep from giving him the satisfaction. I swear I could tear through it at this moment. “You’re not going to win this one, Summer.”

“Try me.”

He dips his head, and his lips find the sensitive spot between my neck and ear.

“That’s cheating!” I gasp.

“It’s winning,” he whispers.

The sensory overload all but fries my brain to a pea. He continues palming me through my sweater and flicks a thumb over a sensitive nipple. His tongue swirls a pressure point on my neck that I’m sure only a ninja would know existed, and the throaty groan that vibrates against me is so deep I think it may be a loose current in my body.

Aiden sucks and bites until I’m panting so hard I’m sure the other riders can hear me. I don’t care if they witness my wound-up expression as long as I can find my release.

The wheel moves again, and I manage to open my eyes to see that we’ve reached the top. Aiden whispers, “Make a mess on my hand, Summer. Let me taste you off my fingers.”

I shatter with his dirty words pressed roughly against my ear. Then he slides his fingers out of me and sucks each one clean.

“Did I change your mind?” he asks.

Have I mentioned how much I love Ferris wheels?