Page 49

Clothes spill out of his closet and a rack of scuffed barbells sits in the corner.

“This is…” I start, but I’m at a loss for words.

“A lot, I know.” He runs his hand through his hair, making his tattooed bicep bulge. On anyone else, I’d side-eye the gray sweats and black tank at a party, but on Axel, it’s ridiculously hot. “I wasn’t allowed to really decorate my room growing up, so when I finally had my own space, I went a little overboard.”

“I like it.” I’ve been in my share of athlete’s rooms, dorms and apartments, and you can tell the guys don’t do much in there other than sleep and fuck. “It’s chaotic. Kind of like you.”

I turn, taking in the three hockey jerseys pinned to the wall near the bathroom, but the main feature, hanging over the headboard is a massive Texas state flag and a cowboy hat hanging on the bedpost.

He jumps into action, tossing items of clothing off his bed and onto the pile by the closet. “The sheets are clean,” he says, fanning a comforter over the top. “Jefferson’s mom insisted we get a cleaning lady in here twice a month.” His teeth drag over the ring in his lip. “And, you know, I haven’t had any women over.” His eyes meet mine. “Until now.”

“Right,” I say, unsure of where to go next. With other guys I would know. There was only one reason they brought me to their room. Is Axel any different? Finally, I exhale and admit, “I don’t know what the expectations are here. You just gave me an earth-shattering orgasm and–”

“First, I don’t believe in transactional sex,” he says, jaw locking tight, his eyes on mine for a long moment. He nods downat the canvas bag. “Second, I really want you to show me what you brought in that bag.”

“Oh.” I smile and lift it up. “Yes. I call it my Axel Rakestraw No More Epic Fuck-Ups SOS Kit.”

“That’s quite a mouthful, T.” He climbs onto the bed, legs crossed. He pats the empty space in front of him. “Let’s see it.”

When I got the SOS text, I packed the bag with whatever I could find in the house. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Axel being surrounded by hot puck bunnies wasn’t a stretch. What did surprise me was my reaction. I’ve been jealous before. Shanna, the woman Brent traded up for, comes to mind, but this was different. I wasn’t just jealous. I was territorial. Enough so, I didn’t hesitate staking my claim.

“Okay,” I say, settling across from him. I reach into the bag and start pulling out items. “First we have a 500-piece puzzle of the Wittmore campus.” He picks up the puzzle and studies the front. “Twyler’s mom bought that for us when she came to visit.”

“Cool. The arena’s on here,” he points out.

“I also have two decks of cards, one is normal playing cards, the other UNO.”

“Do not let Reid see those UNO cards.” He shakes his head. “Dude is fucking rabid.”

“Over UNO?”

“Yeah. Something about high stakes competition growing up. He’s got a bunch of siblings.” He smirks. “There’s even a story about someone getting stabbed with a fork during one particularly dramatic game.”

“Wow, okay.” I take the UNO cards and drop them back in the bag. In its place, I pull out a long box. “There’s also Scrabble, or…” I rummage around for my laptop, “I’ve downloaded the complete second season of Springfield.”

“You’re offering me the choice between a puzzle, some games, or soft core porn?” His eyebrow lifts. “Obviously, I’m choosing the puzzle.”

“Bullshit,” I challenge, grabbing the laptop. “You already sacrificed yourself once tonight. You deserve a little soft core porn as a reward.”

“Thank god,” he says, falling back on the pillows. “If I don’t get to see at least some sideboob tonight, I may cry.”

I set the laptop in the middle of the bed. He grunts, grabbing it and placing it on his lap while reaching for me with a strong arm. He pulls me against him and I’m engulfed in his scent. His skin is warm and he smells so good, spicy and clean. My body reacts to him even more than it did before–now I know for sure how good he can make me feel.

“You think Bryce and Tess are going to take another shower together?” he asks, breath hot on my ear.

“Brock and Jess,” I remind him, but his smirk tells me that he’s fucking with me. “And no, I don’t think they’ll take another shower, but I’m sure they’ll up the ante somehow. Maybe the hot tub? Or a threesome?”

“Awesome.” He leans over and turns off the light, shrouding us in the dark other than the screen. I lean back, marveling at how this all happened–this easy relationship with an orgasm giving, trashy-TV-watching, super star goalie.

For once in my life, I don’t want to overthink it. Wrapped in his arms I settle against him and just enjoy the moment.

The noise jolts me awake.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

“Ugh, not again.”

The voice is rough with sleep, and attached to a very hard, very warm body. I’d fallen asleep for the second time in Axel’s arms. This time we’re both fully clothed.