Forever Wild (Wildcat Hockey Book 5)

EVERLY

The final road game for the Wildcats is on Saturday, only a few hours away. Bridget and Jade are both going, so in a last-minute decision, I decide to make the trip to watch the team. To see Tyler, of course.

“Does he know you’re here?” Jade asks as the three of us settle into our seats.

“No,” I say immediately then realize she means Tyler and not Jack. “I mean, yes. I texted him earlier.”

“It’s nice that you’re so supportive of your brother.” She stares at me like she’s trying to see into my soul.

“Yeah. I’m really proud of him.” I squirm a little. The guys are warming up. It’s not as exciting when they’re the away team, but Jack looks as sexy as always. I flush as I watch him. He mouths, “Atta boy,” to someone and all I can think about is him praising me as I got myself off.

“So are you seeing anyone?” Jade asks.

I laugh quietly. It seems like an odd question. Jade and I are friends, but she doesn’t usually grill me out of nowhere.

“Nothing serious,” I say noncommittally. My pulse picks up and I keep my stare on the ice instead of Jade. My flee instincts kick in to get out of this conversation. “Does anyone want anything from the concession stand?”

“Oh my god. I know you and Jack are fucking,” she says finally.

“What?” The blood drains from my face.

“Relax. I haven’t told anyone.”

“How did you know?” I look past her to Bridget who holds up her hands.

“I didn’t say a word,” she swears.

“She didn’t,” Jade confirms. “I’m just unusually observant. Plus, the writing is slow lately so I have to entertain myself somehow. You two have been acting weird around each other since summer break. Nice. Polite. It’s odd.”

Jade is a writer. She’s working on her first book, which she has been very tight-lipped about. “What’s going on with the book?”

“Uh-uh.” She shakes her head. “We’re still talking about you and Mr. Captain.”

“We aren’t fucking,” I say quietly. “Not exactly.”

“Interesting.”

“Why is that interesting?”

“The guys have been talking about his stats this season. They think it’s because he’s not dating anyone for once, but I was banking on the opposite. He’s found someone he’s serious about.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I look between my friends for answers. I’m not sure which part of that I find more confusing. The idea the guys think Jack is playing well because he’s celibate or that Jade thinks we’re “serious.”

The starting players are taking the ice and Jack heads to the middle for the puck drop.

The crowd around us is noisy, forcing Bridget to lean in as she says, “There’s a theory going around that he’s focused and locked-in because he’s keeping his dick in his pants. It’s not just the guys. Some reporter mentioned it after the last game too.”

Laughter spills out of me but trickles off. “I mean technically they could be right. We aren’t having sex.”

“Really?” Jade asks, surprise lifting both brows. She hums. “Maybe the theory isn’t bullshit. Unfortunately for Declan, I’m not sure I have the willpower to test it.”

I focus on Jack on the ice. He leans forward, stick across his thighs as he waits. He looks so damn good. We aren’t having sex, but my sex drive is working overtime.

“How have you not had sex?” Bridget asks. Jade stares too with rapt interest.

“I don’t know. It hasn’t been going on that long and I’ve been away.” I shrug. “We just haven’t.” Hopefully tonight that changes.

“I’m surprised it took this long honestly,” Jade says. “I thought you might be secretly hooking up the past couple of years.”

“What? No way. We could barely be in the same room together before.”

“Yes, I know. I assumed that was due to the sexual tension.”

“No.” I shake my head adamantly. “Jack and I have been at odds with each other since he caught me drinking at a party years ago. He tried to scold me, and I took to that about as well as you can imagine.”

I had been in Minnesota for just a few months when Tyler dragged me to some team thing he couldn’t miss. I occupied myself with a bottle of Fireball until Jack stumbled upon me drunk. He was so pissed, and I couldn’t fathom why he cared.

I understand now that he was worried my actions would impact Tyler and by extension, the team, but back then I just thought he was being a controlling jerk. I’m sure his dad being an alcoholic also had something to do with it.

“So now you’re…what?”

“That’s a loaded question,” I say, smiling at her and then turning my focus back to the ice.

If I wasn’t a believer at the beginning of the game that Jack’s stats had improved by not having sex, I am by the end. He puts up three goals for a hat trick, plus an assist. And he’s not the only one affected. The entire team looks better when he’s on top of his game.

I head to the hotel with Jade and Bridget to wait for the guys. I didn’t book my own room because if he isn’t excited to see me, I’m just going to drive back the way I came. And if he is, then I don’t need my own room.

“Are you going to see Ty?” Bridget asks.

“No. He’ll want to have dinner or something.”

She fights a laugh. “How terrible.”

“I know. I know. I’m the worst sister ever but all I want to do is stay in.” I waggle my brows suggestively and get another laugh out of her. I hug her and then Jade, and then head into the bar area of the hotel where I’ll be mostly hidden.

I fire off a text to Tyler to tell him congrats on the game.

Tyler

Thanks. Are you still here? We’re almost back to the hotel now.

My stomach flutters with nerves.

Me

I’m going to head back. See you next weekend!

The guys have a home game and I need to get in some Charlotte snuggles.

When I’m finished texting with him, I see the bus pull up out front. The guys file in a lot like they do when they’re stepping onto the ice. Maverick and Tyler are at the front and the rest of the team fills in the middle before I spot Leo, Declan, Ash, and then Jack.

My pulse speeds up, heart pounding against my chest. He’s in his game suit, a dark blue jacket and pants with a crisp white shirt that’s unbuttoned at the neck. No tie and tennis shoes complete the look. He has his duffel bag slung over one shoulder and a water bottle in one hand.

Me

Congrats! You were fire!

I watch as he puts his free hand in his pocket and grabs his phone. His lips curve into a smile as he reads my text. His thumb taps on the screen and the bubbles appear on my end.

Jack

Thanks. Wish you were here.

I read the words twice, reaching for some bravery.

Me

Oh yeah? How badly?

Jack

Not enough to ask you to drive here, but enough that I’m going to spend the rest of the night wishing my hand was you.

He disappears down the hallway toward the elevators. The lobby is empty now except for a few of the equipment managers.

Me

Maybe you should go to the bar instead of your room and pick up a woman.

Jack

Only if that woman was you.

I snap a selfie and send it, then wait.

He comes back into view, scanning the bar area with a focused, almost frantic gaze. I lift a hand when he spots me. My heart is pounding as he closes the distance between us.

He looks like he’s going to kiss me, but then glances around.

“Surprise!” I say, hoping that I didn’t just reach stalker level.

“What are you doing here?” He grabs my hand and pulls me with him back to the hallway, but instead of going to the elevator, we stop behind a half wall that blocks us from view.

“I just wanted to see you,” I say before he can tell me this was dumb or reckless or whatever else he’s thinking. “I don’t have to stay if you don’t⁠—”

His mouth crashes down onto mine. He tastes like mint and smells like body wash. All the anxiety I was holding melts as I press into him and let him devour my mouth.

Noises around us come more into focus and Jack pulls back and hugs me into him, blocking me from view, as a few final Wildcat staff members pass by to the elevators.

“I wasn’t sure you’d be happy I was here.”

“Are you kidding? I’m fucking ecstatic, but I have no idea how I’m going to get you up to my room. Your brother is across the hall.”

I fight a laugh. Of course.

“I’ll buy another room if I have to,” he says.

“You go up and I’ll follow in five.”

He kisses me again like he just can’t wait that long, then pulls back with a low growl. “Room 713.”

“Go.” I urge, not removing my hands from the side of his waist. He’s hard and warm through his dress shirt.

He nods and steps away, then comes back. “Take this.”

He reaches into the front pocket of his duffel and pulls out a black beanie.

I put it on with a grin. With my hair short now, maybe it’ll keep me from being recognized.

Waiting five minutes is painful. Each second ticks by and my nerves ramp up. By the time I’m getting off the elevator on the seventh floor, I’m almost more anxious about spending the night with Jack than Ty possibly catching me.

What if everyone is right? I know it sounds unbelievable but is it possible that he’s playing so well because he’s kept his dick in his pants? Well, mostly. We haven’t had sex, but I have no complaints about the many orgasms we’ve shared.

My hand lifts to knock on the door, but it swings open before I make contact, and I’m pulled inside.

He captures the giggle that tries to break free. He’s stripped out of his suit jacket and shoes. I wrap my arms around his neck and he picks me up, holding the backs of my thighs to keep me in place.

His dick presses through his pants and my leggings onto the ache building between my thighs.

He groans when I tilt my pelvis to increase the pressure.

Jack sits me down on the bed. We’re both panting with need. He pulls the beanie off my head and throws it onto the floor, then runs his hands through my hair. His gaze shifts and he fingers one diamond hoop.

I had every intention of still giving them back, but then I made the mistake of trying them on.

“Thank you for the earrings,” I say. “I love them.”

They’re somehow the most “me” jewelry gift I’ve ever received, while still being something I would never pick out for myself. Mostly because I could never afford them.

His reply is to pull the hem of his dress shirt out of his pants and unbutton it. Which, let’s be honest, is maybe better than an actual “you’re welcome.”

His movements are slow but steady as he takes off his shirt, all while watching me. I am captivated. His body is big and chiseled. A few bruises mark his skin along his ribs and one up high on his right bicep.

The pants go next and as he stands in front of me in just his boxer briefs with a giant bulge in the front, my mouth is dry.

“Sorry I don’t have my gear in here for you to play out your fantasies.”

“You’re my fantasy,” I say, wondering if maybe I shouldn’t admit that so freely to a man like Jack. Is he going to get freaked out and call things off?

He doesn’t really do relationships. He’s had a casual string of women, a month or two at a time, the entirety that I’ve known him. And what if everyone is right? Maybe not hooking up is the key to his success.

He pushes my coat off my shoulders and takes it from me, then his fingers find the hem of my sweater and lift it up. My mind reels as I consider the possible impacts of us finally sleeping together. I could survive without sex until after the playoffs next year. Maybe.

Jack kneels in front of me and takes off my boots. He’s undressing me so meticulously and with such care that my heart both loves that he’s taking his time and hates that it’s giving me so much time to think.

“Are you on birth control?” he asks as his hands graze up my leg and hook around to my hips. His thumbs stroke the skin above the waistband of my leggings.

“Yes.”

“Good. I don’t have condoms here.”

I already trusted that he wasn’t sleeping around, but that he didn’t even bring a condom makes that realization hit a little harder.

“Wait.” I place a hand on his chest and can feel his heart beating as rapid as mine.

“I’ve been tested,” he says. “I’d never put you at risk.”

“No, that’s not it. I trust you.”

His brows pull together.

“What if us not having sex is helping your game?” The words sound even more ridiculous as I say them out loud. But I’m still not ready to dismiss them. He’s having the most amazing season, and I would do anything to keep from wrecking it. He deserves it after the hell he went through to come back.

“You heard about that, huh?” He chuckles. “I’m pretty sure Ash started that rumor.”

“Sounds like him,” I admit. “Do you think there’s any truth to it?”

“Do I think that keeping my dick in my pants has helped me play better hockey?”

“When you put it like that it sounds dumb.”

His grin widens. “Because it is.”

He hovers over me, pushing me onto my back and staring down at me with humor and lust in those dark blue eyes.

“I know, but…” I trail off. I want this man so badly I should just shut up, but he means so much more to me than my next orgasm.

“I’m playing well because someone kicked my ass into gear all summer and made sure I was ready.”

A slow smile curves my lips. I like the reminder that maybe the summer isn’t tainted in only bad memories.

“I promise you, sweetheart. I can fuck you tonight and still be at the top of my game tomorrow.” One of his long fingers trails down the center of my chest and hooks underneath the front of my bra. “Unless, you don’t want that.”

He kisses my stomach gently, then flicks his tongue out and drags it to just above the top of my leggings.

“You’ve got plenty of fallback careers anyway.” I pull him down on top of me.

His light chuckle turns to a groan as I hook a leg around him. He thrusts, digging his hard length over my clit through our clothes, while devouring my mouth.

His hands roam over my face, through my hair, and down my body. Tenderly and then more forcefully.

He pulls me onto my side while lying in front of me and unhooks my bra, trailing kisses down my chest and then taking one nipple into his mouth. He bites and licks until I’m squirming and panting. My eyes flutter closed, and I revel in the warmth of his mouth and the sting of pain followed by the soft flick of his tongue over the same spot.

“Jack.” My fingers slide through his thick hair and I lightly scratch my nails over his shoulders. I squirm, trying to line up my center with his hard dick so I can rub myself up on him.

He glances up at me, dark eyes lit up with need and amusement. “Impatient, baby?”

My answer is a strangled moan as he pulls away. His mouth drops to my hip and he works my leggings and panties down my legs. Every touch has my sensitive skin buzzing with need.

His stare darkens as he looks at me naked and splayed out on the bed next to him. “I’m going to take my time, if that’s okay with you.”

I want to tell him it really isn’t okay and that I’d like to be fucked hard sooner than later, but then his hands are back on me.

“On your hands and knees.” His voice is low and commanding. Usually, I’d want to fight against being told what to do, but not now. I do exactly what he says.

“Atta girl,” he says next to my ear. He nips the lobe and then kisses my shoulder. His chest drapes over my back and one of his knees goes between mine.

One hand skims down my spine to my hip and then cups my sex. I jolt at the contact and am ready to arch into him for the friction I crave, but he doesn’t make me wait. Jack’s fingers slide from front to back over my clit and pussy. His thumb goes higher, rubbing against my other hole but not pressing in.

“So wet. So perfect,” he murmurs in my ear. His hand moves back up to my hip and he guides me down until I’m sitting on his thigh and then nudges me gently until I’m rubbing myself on his leg. “Good job.” He hums. “Just like that.”

As I start to increase my pace, his hands stop guiding me and come around to my breasts. He pinches my nipples and kisses my neck and continues to lavish me with praise as I chase my orgasm. It hits quickly, like it’s been hovering all day waiting for the slightest bit of Jack. His words, his body, his mouth. His leg, apparently.

“Fuck that’s hot, baby. You should see how good you look soaking my thigh.”

He kisses my shoulder and then I fall onto the mattress. He finally strips out of his boxers and climbs back over me. His hands brace himself up on either side.

“Last chance to run.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Because I fully intend to ruin you. No other guy will fuck you like me, Ev.”

A smirk tugs at one corner of my mouth and I lean up, brush my lips over his and say, “Do your worst.”

With a cocky grin, Jack lines up the head of his dick at my entrance. He nudges into me slowly, inch by inch. When I think I can’t take any more, he lifts one of my legs and settles farther until I’m so full of him, I can’t breathe.

“Goddamn,” I whisper. He hasn’t even moved and I can feel my next orgasm building.

“This tight little cunt belongs to me.” He pulls out almost all the way until the head rubs against my clit and then pushes back in. I moan as he buries himself so deep inside me again.

“Jack,” I cry.

He works himself in and out of me in a slow, steady rhythm. His thrusts are hard and deep, but he doesn’t rush. Each time he fills me up, he hits a spot so deep that I don’t doubt he truly is ruining me for anyone else.

“I’m so close,” I say. “More.”

“You want me to fuck you harder?” he asks. His tone is tightly controlled but I can tell he’s struggling not to spiral right along with me.

“Yes.” I dig my nails into his shoulders.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, Jack.”

“I love the way you say my name, but I had something else in mind.”

My brain, foggy with lust, struggles to comprehend his words, but then it hits me.

“Yes, Cap.”

He growls and then rewards me by slamming his hips down and pushing his dick even farther. He fucks me with all the strength and stamina I knew he was capable of. I’m falling apart and squeezing him as he continues to piston in and out, and as soon as one orgasm trails off, another one is right there. I feel like I could fly and combust at the same time. Jack finds his release, burying his dick inside me and his head into the crook of my neck.

“Yours.” His voice is little more than a growl. “I’m yours.”

We lie together naked in bed for a while after, talking and kissing, and then have sex again. Eventually, we put on clothes and Jack orders room service.

Over salad and turkey club sandwiches, I show Jack the pictures of the house all staged and ready to list.

He takes my phone and flips through the professional photographs that will go up with the listing first thing Monday. I’m a nervous wreck, but happy with how it turned out.

“This is incredible, Ev. You did such a good job. I love the furniture in the living room.”

“You do?” I ask, beaming at him. His approval makes me giddy. If Jack likes it, then other rich people with money to purchase a three-million-dollar lake house will too.

“Yeah. It’s perfect. What’s the listing price?”

“Two point nine, but they’re going low and hoping for multiple offers to drive the price up. They want to sell quickly.”

“Really?” His brows lift. “It’ll go for well above that.”

“You think so?”

He nods, still flipping through the photos. “Definitely.”

I beam.

“I love it. Truly.”

Something in his words makes me pause. The look on his face is one I’ve seen many times: determination and interest.

“No,” I say, suddenly realizing his curiosity isn’t just because I staged it. “You can’t buy this house.”

I swipe my phone back from him.

“Why not?” he asks with a small laugh. “I’ve been thinking about investing in another house, something on the water not too far away so I can use it in the summers while still having quick access to get back if needed.”

“You can’t buy my house,” I say.

“Technically it’s not yours, and I think I can.”

“No. I’m not even supposed to show these photos to anyone.”

He takes another bite of his sandwich.

“I’m serious. This is important to me. My career depends on this, and I want to do it on my own.”

“You’re talented, Ev. Whether or not this house sells, doesn’t change that.”

“Promise me you won’t buy this house. It wouldn’t be fair. How would you feel if I bought the Wildcats?”

He arches one brow.

“Pretend I’m rich enough to do that.”

“Fine,” he says, still smiling. “I promise not to interfere with your job.”

He leans forward and kisses me.

“Thank you.” I finally laugh. “Why can’t you behave like a normal boyfriend?”

“Normal sounds boring, but I’ll give that some thought. First though, we have another problem to deal with.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Mhmm…” He picks up a fry and holds it out to me. I bite half of it, and he takes the rest.

“Sounds serious.” I climb over the food and onto his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Oh, it is.” His palms flatten on my lower back. “We need to tell your brother.”