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"I don’t feel like talking about it right now," she whispers against my skin, and I know better than to push.

Without thinking, I flip her onto her back, letting the urgency between us take control. I press my lips to hers, deepening the kiss until she parts her legs, welcoming me. I settle between her thighs, my body flush with hers.

"Are you sure?" I pull back just enough to look in her eyes. Her lips part, and she bites her lower lip before nodding slowly. She rolls her hips up into me, and a low groan escapes my throat as I lean down to trail my mouth along her neck.

"Just to double check that was you saying you're sure," I murmur against her skin, my fingers creeping up her thighs to the waistband of her underwear. I pause, waiting for her answer.

"So sure," she breathes, barely audible but filled with desire.

I let my fingers slide over her clit, circling gently, and she instinctively moves her hips to meet me, her need pressing against my hand. I lean in, capturing her lips in a kiss full ofpromise and need. Our tongues entwine, and her kiss is deep and hungry.

Her hands move boldly, sliding down my sides to the waistband of my jeans. With a teasing smile, she wraps her fingers around me and strokes me slowly, driving me wild.

Her impatience grows, and with a soft laugh, she pulls her dress over her head, tossing it aside. I follow suit, shedding my clothes quickly, eager to feel her against me. Within seconds, she’s sitting in my lap, my cock nudging the wet heat of her entrance. We both moan, breath hitching with the sensation.

Reaching for my jeans on the bed, I find a condom in my wallet and roll it on quickly, my hands trembling slightly as she rubs herself against me, her soft moans distracting me.

The instant I push inside her, everything else fades away. We’re both lost in the overwhelming sensation, fast and hard, letting her set the pace, so i know shes comfortable. Her moans fill the room.

When she finally crashes over the edge, trembling, I flip us over. I take my time, watching her; her chest rises and falls, her breath still ragged as she takes me inch by inch beneath her, before I follow, gripping her hips tight as I lose myself in her, the heat of the moment, and the unmistakable connection between us.

Once we've finished, and I've disposed of the condom, she snuggles against me, and I pull her as close as I can.

"I didn't think you would be such a cuddler," she giggles, and I laugh. I won't mention that I've never cuddled with anyone after sex before, only her.

"Hey, Brooke?" I whisper into the dark after a while. She hums in response. "Do you remember when we were talking about pressure?"

"Yeah." Her breath tickles my ear as her hand cups the side of my face, her fingers rubbing circles at my temple, and I sigh as it relaxes me.

"I was having panic attacks," I say, swallowing nervously. I've only ever told my parents about this. They would happen after we lost a game or I had a bad practice, and I hid them well. She doesn't say anything, just lets me speak, still rubbing circles.

"My coach found me in the locker room during one. That's when he got my parents involved, and they took me to see a therapist."

"Did it help?" Her voice carries through the dark, and I nod, even though she can't see me.

"It did. I just want you to know that if you ever feel like that's something you might want, I'm here to help you. If you want me to." I swallow hard.

I feel her lips brush my cheek. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I'll think about it, okay?" She leans her forehead against my cheek, and I nod, pulling her in closer, brushing my fingers up and down her back.

It's a time in my life I hate thinking about. I was supposed to be enjoying high school, but instead, I was trying to stretch myself in all directions.

I don't tell Brooke that Grace put a lot of pressure on me, wanting me to take her on dates when I should have been training or studying. I just couldn't keep up. It didn't break us up, but it certainly didn't help.

That might be why the thought of a relationship scared me.

I mean, it scares me?

Chapter Thirty Four

Brooke

After Thanksgiving, we are straight to studying for our winter exams, which are more stressful now that I've officially switched majors to business and photography.

Even with exams coming up, the boys still have hockey, and it's an away game this weekend. They left yesterday for their game but won't be back until tomorrow afternoon.

I'm sitting on the sofa with a blanket and trying to edit images. It's looking good so far. Gunnar's mom sent me a load of stuff that she had from when he was younger, and she also ran a collection at their local hockey rink, which bulked out what could have been a sparse month for me. She turned up the morning after Thanksgiving and took me for coffee just the two of us. After our first cup, I felt comfortable enough to talk about things with my mom. She looked up a couple of local therapists for me to call when I'm ready, after I mentioned that I might want to explore that route.

I gave her and Mr C the biggest hug when I said goodbye.