Page 43 of Cloudless

NO PEEKING

LILA

I remember how excited my mom was when she found this huge couch. Her words ring through my mind like I heard them only yesterday.

“Now that is a proper movie watching couch!”

Now, this giant couch feels miniature compared to the giant hockey player sitting on it next to me. The glow from the lamp in the corner of the room showcases Kam’s profile like a work of art as he unwraps the box on the coffee table.

I don’t even try to hide the skepticism from my voice as a smile takes over my face. “Are you sure about this?”

His grin only makes my smile grow. “Not even a little bit. This was one of my other ideas for our first date.”

He waves his hand around to overcome the glue-like static that has permanently attached a stray piece of plastic to the side of his hand. I don’t even try to contain my laugh as a paint tube falls to the floor. “You know this will only end in disaster, right?”

His eyes shine as they connect with mine. “Oh, definitely. In fact, I’m counting on it.” He raises his brows as his hand stalls mid-air. “You’re not even going to try to help me? I see how it is. Laugh at the guy who’s losing a fight to a piece of plastic.”

I roll my eyes in mock annoyance as my laugh grows. “I’m having way too much fun to interrupt,” I wave my hand in his general direction, “whatever it is you’re doing. It’s clearly working so well.”

The mischievous look that takes over his face reminds me so much of his sister. “Just remember, you asked for this.”

His speed on the ice makes an appearance as he grabs a handful of discarded plastic and dumps it over my head. It rains down on me like fresh snow as my jaw falls to the floor. “You did not just do that, Kamden Stryker!”

His eyes hold no remorse as his laugh breaks free. “Has anyone ever told you how cute you are when you’re mad?”

I huff out a laugh and groan combo as a piece of plastic sticks to my face like I’ve walked through a spider web. He doubles over with laughter as I try to blow another piece free from its prison in my hair.

The plastic taunts me as it flutters with my breath. In the low light, the movement produces a cascade of shimmering, iridescent sparkles. Our laughter fades as we watch the show. It’s amazing how something so simple can be so beautiful.

The awe in his voice draws my eyes to his. “I didn’t know it was possible for you to be more stunning.” I fight to keep my eyes from falling away from him. A smirk blooms on his face as he tilts his head to the side. “You don’t take compliments well, do you?”

I shake my head as I scrunch my nose. “It’s never really been my strong suit.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” Thankfully, his eyes move away from the blush that’s taking over my face to the now plastic-free canvases on the table in front of us. “Alright, where do we start?”

I shrug as I look over all the painting supplies he just happened to have in his car. “I don’t know. You’re the one carrying around all the supplies.”

Now it’s his turn to blush. “Well, I, uh, wanted to have a backup plan for our first date in case it rained or something and we couldn’t go to our secret place.”

My eyebrows disappear into my hairline as I stare at this conundrum of a man in front of me. “You mean to tell me you’ve had this stuff in your Tahoe all this time?”

He shrugs as he rubs the back of his neck. “It’s not a big deal. I just wanted to make sure everything went okay.”

An oof slips from his lips as I crash into him. He sits as still as a statue as I throw my arms around his neck in a crushing hug. I muffle my voice as I bury my face in his warm neck. “That is so sweet, Trouble.”

After a few seconds, his arms tighten around my back to mold me to his chest. “You deserve that and more. I hope you know that.”

I hope the wobble in my voice isn’t as obvious to him as it is to me. “I may need you to keep reminding me.”

His smile sends butterflies scattering through my belly. “It would be my pleasure.”

My smile doesn’t match the mock aggravation in my voice as I try to use my body to hide my canvas. “Stop peeking! It’s against the rules!”

His firm fingers dig into my side in an attempt to tickle me away from my spot at the dining table. “We agreed to not look at each other’s paintings until we were done. Well, I’m done, so I’m going to look.”

My breathing comes in short bursts as I try to fight off his tickle assault. “Well, I’m not done! So, no peeking!”

The legs of the chair squeak against the floor with my jerky movements. I’m not a fool. I know he could move me if he wanted to. I’m still in my seat because he deems it so. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to fight like hell to stay here, anyway.

Our laughter dies and our movements halt as his warm fingers contact the bare skin of my stomach. The only sound blanketing the still room is our labored breaths and my heartbeat echoing in my ears.

Chills follow the path of his fingers as he traces the tiny gap that opened between my leggings and t-shirt during his assault. I fight my natural instincts to arch my back to encourage his exploration.

The gravel in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. “Do you want me to stop?” All I can manage is a shake of my head as his fingers stall their exploration. “I need your words, Sunshine.”

I struggle to swallow as I try to find my voice. “No. I don’t want you to stop.”

Without hesitation, his fingers slip farther up my stomach. His skin feels like the softest silk against mine despite the hard earned calluses that decorate his hand.

A shaky breath escapes my lips as he traces the edge of my leggings with a featherlight touch.

His gentle touch turns to steel as both hands circle my waist. Cool air washes over my back as I’m lifted out of my warm seat.

Empty paint tubes fall to the ground with a clatter as he places me on the table in front of him with impressive strength.

My legs open for him on instinct as he captures my mouth in a kiss that pulls the air from my lungs. We swallow each other's gasps as relief flows through me at having his lips on mine.

I can feel the warmth of his hands through the fabric as they glide against the hem of my shirt. His groan flows into me like life-giving water as his skin meets mine.

My legs close around his waist to trap him against me.

His hardness rubs against the apex of my legs as a groan of frustration leaves my lips.

The need for relieving pressure grows with every stroke of his fingers against my over-sensitive skin.

And yet, his fingers haven't ventured any farther than the waistband of my leggings.

His lips break from mine as his harsh breaths flow over my face. I open my eyes to find his full of hesitation. His words come out in a rush as we try to catch our breath. “I need to tell you something.”

He follows the movement of my tongue against my lips as I try to wet them. “What is it?”

A blush creeps over his face. “I’ve never done this before.

I mean, I’ve kissed other girls before you, and, uh,” his nose wrinkles, “done a few other things, but, um, I’ve never gone all the way.

” He searches my face as he takes a tiny step back from me.

My legs fall away as I clench my hands in my lap.

“I just thought we should talk about that, you know, before things went any further.”

Surprise and relief flow through me in equal measure as a small smile lifts my lips. “So, you’re a virgin?”

He nods his head slowly. “Yes. I’m a virgin.

” His words flow from him like water from a dam break.

“It’s okay if you’re not. There’s no expectations for you to be a virgin or to not be a virgin.

There’s also no expectations at all, really.

I just thought you should know before things went any further.

I just, um, wanted to talk about it to see where your head’s at, and?—”

My hand closing over his mouth is like putting a stopper in a wine bottle. Shock registers in his eyes as a smile blooms on my face. “Hey, stop fretting. I’ve never done this, either.”

My smile only grows as his mouth moves against my hand. “You haven't?”

I shake my head as I free his mouth. “No. I haven’t. I’m glad you brought it up. I’ve been kinda freaking out about it.”

His groan is filled with relief as he basically falls into my vacated seat. “Me too. I didn’t want to make anything weird, but I also didn’t want to just ignore it, either.”

“You made the right call, Trouble.” His leg doesn’t move an inch as I nudge him with my foot. “I have to admit, I’m kind of surprised. I definitely didn’t expect the captain of the hockey team to be a virgin. Aren’t hockey players known for having a parade of girls at their beck and call?”

A smile blooms on his face as he moves his chair closer so he’s nestled between my legs.

“Well, you might have noticed that me, Dax, Mace, and Wyatt are all a little different from the other guys on our team. I guess that’s why we all became friends.

” He shrugs, and I can practically see the memories flashing behind his eyes.

“Don’t get me wrong, not everyone is a virgin.

That’s not what I’m talking about. We’re just each different in our own way. ”

“I like different, Trouble.” Questions fly through my mind as I tilt my head. “I assume there’s a reason you’ve never had sex with anyone.”

A coldness falls over his eyes that I wish I could burn away.

“I saw how much sex controlled my dad's life. He couldn’t have a good time and celebrate a win without it. It didn’t matter if my mom was there or not.

I guess I just never wanted to open myself up to the temptation.

” A humorless laugh leaves his lips. “My dad obviously had an addictive personality. Whether it was alcohol, gambling, sex, whatever it may be, he couldn’t control it.

Hell, even hockey was an addiction for him.

That scares the shit out of me.” The ice melts from his eyes as the warmth returns.

“But I’m realizing, after all this time, that I’m really not like him. ”

“You’re really not, Kam.”

The warmth of his breathtaking smile seeps into my chest as a lightness takes over his face.

“I know. Cause when I think about celebrating a game, the only person I see is you. The thought of anyone else makes me want to run as fast as I can in the opposite direction. That alone shows how different I am from him.” He inclines his head toward me as his eyes roam over my body with a gentle caress.

“What about you? Why haven't you been with anyone?”

My hands gliding along the smooth fabric of my leggings soothes a part of me that always gets defensive when thinking about sex.

“I never found someone worthy of giving that piece of myself.” I shake my head as a humorless laugh escapes my lips.

“It's funny, I would always get made fun of for being a virgin, but girls who weren’t were called a whore or a slut. It’s like the world can’t make up its mind. ”

The rhythmic vibration of my phone against the dining table sends a bolt of dread down my spine. Victoria’s name stares at me from my phone screen as my heart tries to beat out of my chest.

My eyes connect with Kam’s to find my worry reflected back at me as I answer her call. “Hello?”

“Lila. Come to my house right away.”