Page 52 of Grumpy Pucking Orc (Orcs on Ice #1)

I counted the games. “Yes, next Friday, but we have a home game the following day.” Which sucked. I really wanted to spend the whole weekend with Jordan, especially after not having seen her for so long.

If hockey could somehow be a career for me, one that I could excel at and feel a sense of satisfaction performing, it would involve long weeks, or even months, away from Jordan.

But what was the alternative? Even if she’d accepted the idea of returning home with me as my bride, I would face the same painful separation resuming my Guardian duties.

Even more so since Guardians did not have off-season breaks like hockey players.

“I understand,” she said softly. “I miss you, but I would never want you to give up something that adds meaning to your life. Just as I need my career, I know you need something outside of our relationship. If that’s hockey, then I’ll cheer you on, attend every game I can, and welcome you home with all my heart. ”

My own heart tightened at that.

“The girls and I are getting together to watch tomorrow,” she added. “Tusks against the Penguins in Pittsburgh. Go Orcs!”

I grunted, hoping that we made her proud—that I made her proud.

“Can I ask you a favor?” Her voice hitched, uncertain and nervous.

“Anything.” My own voice was husky and full of promise. Anything. And I meant it .

“Um…I told my parents about us…and they are planning to go to your game in Buffalo. I wondered if…if you could…I mean, if it’s too much trouble…”

It took me that whole stumbling speech to realize what she was trying to ask.

“How many tickets would they like? Do they want to bring friends? Maybe your brother and his family?” I grimaced, realizing something. “The seats will be behind our bench, not the Saber-enemies’ one.”

She laughed. “That’s perfect. Trust me, they have completely changed allegiance. The moment I told them we were dating, they became rabid Tusks fans. Expect some embarrassing displays of support.”

I smiled, thrilled that her family was ready to cheer for me and my terrible team, that they had welcomed me into the family sight unseen, just because their daughter loved me. If only my father could meet them.

If only my mother could have met them.

“Just let me know how many tickets you need, and I will arrange for them.” We were allocated a certain number of tickets each game for friends and family, but they always went unclaimed since none of us had friends or family here.

Maybe we should arrange for those tickets to go to one of our special interest areas.

Children. Elderly. Homeless. Animals from the shelter.

Although, I’d never seen animals at any of our games. Were they not allowed? Either way, it might be interesting to have a bunch of dogs and cats behind our bench as we played.

“Thank you, Ozar. They’re so excited to see you play.”

I winced, knowing Jordan’s parents would be watching yet another game that we would lose. But I’d make sure we did our best. And I appreciated their support .

“Can I ask a favor in return?” I hadn’t meant to bring this up on our first phone call, but something had clicked the moment she’d texted back, and we were fully connected again, as if the disagreement two days ago had never happened.

“Anything.”

It was such a weird ask, but I powered on. “Can you send me a cannoli?”

She burst out laughing. “I’ve created a monster, a cannoli addict. Just one? How about a dozen? I want to make sure I’m feeding your cannoli cravings. And should I send some milk as well?”

Milk. How I missed the amazing milk deliveries. The stuff they had at the hotels just wasn’t the same.

“I want to award our best player a cannoli at the end of each game.” I hesitated. “But I would like one for myself as well.”

“Two, because you’re the best player,” she purred.

That low, husky voice shot right through me, hardening my hand-axe.

“Two for me, and one for the second-best player,” I replied.

“Text me the address of your hotels and I’ll overnight freshly made cannoli the day before each game. A dozen, because it’s important for my orc to have all of his needs met.”

Yep. Hard as iron.

“My needs right now are going unmet.” And it was downright painful.

Jordan’s soft laugh added to my agony. “Where are you now? Somewhere private?”

“In the bathroom standing in the tub.”

“I hear the water running. ”

Her voice was so low and sexy. It was taking my breath away. “Eng is sleeping in the next room,” I told her, wondering where she was going with this. “I turned the tub water on so he wouldn’t hear.”

“So…you’re naked in the shower?”

I frowned. “No. I am standing in the shower but not naked.”

“What are you wearing?”

I glanced down at my tented-out shorts. “Basketball shorts.”

“No underwear?”

By all the mountain gods, her voice was driving me to the edge of insanity.

“No. Just the shorts.”

“You need to take them off,” she purred.

I’d never removed an item of clothing so fast in my life.

“Close your eyes,” she continued. “Reach down and gently grasp your hand-axe. Imagine it’s my hand touching you, stroking you.”

I did as she said, my breath hitching.

“I’m touching myself too, and imagining it’s you. Your fingers brushing the inside of my thighs, dipping into the wetness between my legs, teasing my clit.”

I groaned, my hand tightening on my hand-axe.

“But I’m in charge tonight, so I push your hand away and kneel down in front of you.

My hand is sliding up your cock as I lean forward.

My breath is warm on your skin. I hesitate just a moment, looking up at you as I kiss the tip of your cock.

My tongue flicks along the slit, tasting the sweet pearlescent bead there, a treasure, just for me. ”

Agony. Downright agony. My hand-axe leaked, and I ran my fingers along the lower ridge, actually feeling her tongue and her mouth, as if she were right here with me .

“I’m licking, sucking at the skin of your hand-axe gently with my lips, working my way up and down your glorious length. And when I’ve made my way back to the head of your cock, I open wide and take all of you into my mouth.”

“Mountain Gods! Jordan!” My breathing was rough and ragged. It was all I could do not to spill my seed right then, but I gripped my hand-axe tight and tried to hold back.

“I’m sucking as I slide you out of my mouth, only to sink you in again so deep you hit the back of my throat.

My one hand grips your thigh and the other is on your ass, steading myself as I speed up my rhythm.

You’re so hard. I want to make you come.

I want you to spill your hot seed down my throat. Then I’ll lick you clean.”

I could take no more. With a shout that I’m sure woke Eng as well as the hotel guests on either side of us, I surrendered to my release.

When my mind stopped spinning, I realized that my legs were wobbly, and I was bracing myself against a strong metal bar along the side wall of the shower.

Mountain Gods, this was the sexiest masturbation I’d ever experienced.

Maybe weeks and months away from Jordan wouldn’t be so lonely if we could do this every few nights.

Except I’d need to live here, since we didn’t have cell phones back home and communication spells weren’t exactly ideal for long-distance sex. One more thing I liked very much about Jordan’s world.

“You are amazing,” I told her.

“I miss you.” Jordan’s voice held a note of smugness, as if she knew exactly how she’d ravished me tonight.

“ Grumem-esch-ach metanekan schlonakanap-tsknt ,” I told her, meaning every word.