Page 50 of Breaking the Pucking Rules (LA Vipers #1)

CASEY

W atching Kodie on the ice tonight was horrible. Nash was after him. That was obvious almost from the moment the puck dropped.

He was on a mission, and apparently, violence was the answer.

It was the roughest game I’ve seen in a long time. How we didn’t sustain any serious injuries is beyond me.

It wasn’t just Nash. The entire Vancouver team came out as if they had something to prove. It’s not like they lost their exhibition game, either.

Whatever it was, I fucking hated it.

And what I hated even more…there was a very high chance that Sutton was watching.

All I hope is that she went to bed before the third period, so she didn’t have to see her dad fighting.

I don’t know what Nash said to him while he had Kodie pinned to the boards, but I can imagine.

There’s only one thing in this world that Kodie cares about more than his career, and that’s Sutton.

I know a little of the history between Kodie and Cooper. They grew up together. They played on the same team for years until they went to college.

Curiosity to know more burns within me, but I already know I won’t be demanding answers tonight.

I have no idea what kind of headspace Kodie will be in after that game. Hell, for all I know, he won’t be interested in a chat tonight.

Pain lashes at my insides at the thought alone.

I want to be his safe place when shit gets hard. But I understand that there’s a very good chance I haven’t earned the right for that yet. I fucking want to, though.

I lie on my bed, waiting for a response. I messaged him a few times during the game. I knew he wouldn’t read them, but I wanted him to know that I was right behind him when things didn’t go his way tonight.

The messages now show as read, but he hasn’t replied.

What if tonight is going to be the first night after a game that we don’t talk?

It’ll fucking kill me. But there isn’t much I can do about it.

It’s not like we’re together or anything.

We’re…I don’t know what we are.

Fuck buddies?

Each other’s dirty secret?

My cell buzzes and my heart jumps into my throat. But it quickly sinks again when I find Parker’s name staring back at me.

Parker: That game was brutal. Are you ready to brighten Rivers’ night?

Casey: I’m waiting to hear from him. Radio silence so far.

Parker: He’s probably having a drink with the guys. He deserves it after all the hits he took tonight.

Casey: Yeah, probably.

A heavy sigh passes my lips, and I rub the ache in my chest in the hope of abating it.

Parker: Stop worrying. That guy is crazy about you.

“Get out of my fucking head,” I mutter, staring at the screen. It’s freaky how well she knows me.

Casey: Even if that’s true, it doesn’t mean anything. He’s a hockey player, remember?

I don’t know why I’m baiting her. I guess I need the reality check of her telling me that no players can be trusted with anything beyond pussies and orgasms.

Parker: He isn’t just a hockey player, though, is he?

“Damn you, Parker Donnelly. Damn you.”

Casey: We may be about to find out…

Parker: Trust him.

I blow out a breath as I sink lower on my bed.

My Vipers jersey rises higher, exposing more of my stomach. I’ve tied the excess fabric at my side to give me a sexier look, but I’m starting to wonder if I shouldn’t have bothered.

Anxiety wars within me, and I’m on the verge of calling it a night when my cell lights up. Only, it’s not with a message like I was expecting; it’s a video call.

My stomach flips as I reach for it and answer in a rush.

“Kodie?” I whisper when I get nothing but wall on the screen.

“Shit,” he curses darkly.

Just that one word has butterflies erupting within me.

Seconds later, the camera switches and I get my first look at him.

“Oh god,” I groan, taking in his glistening body fresh from the shower. Water droplets cover his taut, inked-up skin and he’s wearing nothing but a towel wrapped low on his waist.

Best sight ever.

The teenage girl with a fierce crush on this man does little backflips inside me.

He’s silent as I roll my eyes up his body. I’m breathless, but the second he lowers himself to the bed and looks into the screen, I gasp.

“Kodie,” I breathe, my fingers twitching with my need to reach for him.“Your face.”

His lip is split and swollen, and his cheek is glowing.The bruising is already darkening.

“I’m okay,” he says weakly.

He rubs the back of his neck as pain and regret flicker through his eyes.

“What happened tonight?” I urge, desperate to take some of his suffering away.

He shakes his head. “It was…it was just a bad game.”

“I know you two used to be friends,” I confess.

He snorts. “Yeah, used to be. Nash is an asshole who’s trying to prove something. I fucking hate playing against him.”

Silence lingers between us. I hate not knowing how to help him, how to reach him.

“I don’t want to talk about him, Trouble,” he says, focusing back on the screen.

This time, there’s something different in his eyes. There’s heat but there’s also a vulnerability there.

“Oh yeah. Did you have something else in mind?”

“You know I do. But we lost…”

“Ah, so you did. You owe me something, Rivers.”

Concern still lingers, but I can’t deny the excitement at his willingness to continue with our game.

“Mmm,” he rumbles, rubbing at the scruff on his jaw.

Fuck, I want to feel that between my thighs almost as much as I need my next breath.

Soon…

“Pretty sure you’ve seen everything already,” he teases.

“Doesn’t stop me from wanting to see it again,” I counter. I move the camera away from my face, allowing him to see what I’m wearing. “Just like this…I’ve worn the same thing every time we’ve spoken. I bet you’re far from bored of it.”

“Fuck no. I’ll never be bored of this sight. I can’t deny that I want more, though. You’ve seen all of me through the screen, and yet, you’ve hidden parts of yourself.”

“Delayed gratification,” I taunt. “How do I know that you won’t lose interest if I show you everything? You might not want to see me when you’re back.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

I shrug, playing innocent.

“I’m fucking dying for you, Trouble. Look,” he says as he stands and allows me to see just how tented his towel is.

Biting down on my bottom lip, I stare at the fabric, wishing I could banish it with nothing but willpower alone.

Kodie looks hot as hell like this. But nothing will ever beat him naked.

“Let me see,” I whisper. “Show me how hard you are for me.”

A thrill goes through me, ending right at my clit.

God, he’s not the only one dying for some in-person action. I swear, I’m going to combust the second he touches me.

“What am I going to get in return? I’ve had a really hard night, remember?”

“Playing the sympathy card, huh?”

“I need distracting from the pain.” He ducks down so I can see his face again, and I burst out laughing at his pout.

“Aw, my poor baby,” I whisper as I drag my hand from my waist and up my stomach.

His eyes track the movement, darkening with every inch.

“I want my hands on your body,” he muses, almost as if he’s talking to himself. “I want to feel those curves, the heat of your skin. I want to drown in your sweet scent with your addictive taste on my tongue.”

“Jesus, Kodie.”

“Keep going,” he encourages as my hand skims over my ribs.

He swallows thickly, and I let my groan break free as my fingertips tuck under the fabric of his jersey and graze my boob.

“More. Let me see those perfect tits, Casey. ”

Oh god. My hips roll and desire blooms within me as he rasps my name.

Sexiest sound ever.

I keep going until my hand is entirely under the jersey.

His jaw tics with desire and irritation.

“Oh my god,” I moan, my back arching as I squeeze myself.

“Casey,” he snaps.

“So good. My nipples are so hard for you. Begging to be sucked on.”

“Casey Watson, if you don’t show me your tits right now, I’ll?—”

I pause, my eyes locking on his.

“You’ll what, Daddy?”

He shakes his head, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“Test me and find out.”

Oh god. I want it all. Every single thing he can give me. The good, the bad, and everything in between.

“Lose the towel, big boy,” I tease. “You’re the one who lost tonight, not me.”

“Fucking brat,” he mumbles as he takes a step back, allowing me to see all of him.

Good boy.

My breath catches as his hand goes to the fabric around his waist.

“Please, Kodie. Show me what you’ve got,” I rasp, hoping like hell I sound sexy and not wanton.

He tugs at the towel, and not a heartbeat later, the fabric flutters to the floor, leaving him standing there deliciously naked.

“Jesus,” I mutter, and it gets even worse a second later when he wraps his hand around himself and strokes slowly.

He is my every fantasy come to life.

“You’re so much hotter than my imagination ever was,” I blurt.

He smirks, more than a little happy with himself.

“Now, your turn, Trouble.”

Adjusting myself a little, I squeeze my boob again and pinch my nipple.

“Kodie,” I gasp, driving him wild.

“Casey.”

I smile at him innocently. “Oh, sorry.” Propping my cell against my pillows, I shift around again so I’m on my knees in the middle of my bed. It’s my favorite position to tease him in.

Releasing the tie at my ribs, I wrap my hands around the hem of his jersey and pull it up.

I swear, he stops breathing as he watches me inch it up my body.

Fuck, I love the power that shoots through me in moments like these.

This strong, powerful adonis of a man needs me.

It’s a heady experience.

“Holy shit, you’re beautiful,” he says in a rush as I expose myself to him.

His eyes are focused on my tits as he drags his bottom lip between his teeth.

“When can I see you in person?”

“Name a time and date, and I’ll be there.”

“Tomorrow,” he blurts, his movements getting faster as he continues to stroke his dick. “We land about twelve. Can you get the day off? Work from home? Anything.”

Oh my god. He’s serious.

He wants to see me the second he lands.

“Yes,” I agree without even considering if I actually can.

I’m too lost in Kodie to know what day tomorrow is, let alone if I can get time off for a dick date.

“Fuck, yeah. I’m gonna come for you, Casey. I’m gonna come for you, and I’m gonna spend all afternoon fucking worshipping you.”