Page 34 of Lucky Shot (Moonshot Hockey #1)

RUBY

“All this time you had a boat?” I ask, lifting onto my toes to kiss him.

Today I’m finally going out on the lake. Nick grins as I give him my best put-out expression. I mean seriously, I could have been sunning on this gorgeous boat for the past four weeks. I probably would have frozen my ass off, but it would have been worth it.

He huffs a laugh, scruff scraping against my skin. “I’ve been busy. There’s this girl who keeps dragging me to the rink and making me teach her sports puck stuff.”

“You could have taught me…on the boat.” A very big, very expensive-looking boat. I don’t know boat things any better than I knew hockey things when I arrived, but this one is nice. There’s a lower deck with a small living area and a bathroom.

He glances down at me, lingering on my cleavage for a beat. “Yeah. I fucked up.”

My head tips back with laughter and he uses his thumb and forefinger to hold my chin in place as he drops another kiss on my lips.

My entire body lights up. Even the most tender touch has me ready to strip down.

He looks fantastic in red trunks and a white T-shirt.

He has on a matching white hat that comes down low on his eyes and sunglasses hanging from his shirt.

I’m looking forward to him taking his shirt off later.

I’m also looking forward to talking and chilling.

My brain and body are in a real situation, fighting over getting to know him and getting down with him.

I want to do both on a continuous cycle.

I’m snapped out of my thoughts as Travis and Danny drop the cooler filled with beer and water onto the boat. Conrad is slathering sunscreen on his arms and chest. Even Penn looks relaxed and happy with a backward hat and sunglasses, beer already in hand. Today is going to be a good day.

“Grab a life jacket, Red,” Nick says as he pulls back.

“I know how to swim,” I tell him.

“Safety first.” He winks. “I can’t concentrate on driving if I’m worried you’re going to fall overboard.”

I mean honestly, it’s a fair concern. If anyone is going to find a way to fall out of the boat, it would be me.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” I step back and give him a salute, definitely pushing my boobs out in the process.

He gives them an appropriate ogle, then shakes his head at me.

Nick drives and I sit in the seat across from him, enjoying the view and the water whipping through my hair. The sun is still ascending in the sky and goosebumps dot my skin.

The guys in the back are quiet, all seemingly taking it in as well.

I lose track of where we are or which direction we’ve gone from the cabin as the water stretches out in all directions. There are a lot of people out already. Couples and families, groups of people of all ages.

Instead of houses dotting the landscape, we’re in a stretch where it’s bars and restaurants. Boats dock to eat or drink. It’s not even noon but party music already pumps from the venues. I think I could get used to the lake life.

“Quick food stop,” Nick tells me as he heads toward the shore. “Shep gets hangry.”

“I heard that,” the quiet man calls over the roar of the engine.

Travis’s distinct laugh follows. “It’s so true though.”

As Nick guides us closer to the dock, Conrad stands and helps tie up the boat. Travis and Danny are the next off, followed by Penn.

“Are you guys coming?” Danny asks Nick.

“Nah.”

“We’ll grab some extra subs and chips,” Penn says.

“Thanks.”

When they’re gone, Nick turns to me. I’m windblown and the life jacket is not a great look, but the grin he gives me makes me feel sexy anyway.

He reaches over and grabs hold of the front of the jacket and uses it to pull me to him.

Very ungracefully, I fall into his lap. He settles me there, sitting sideways across his thighs with his arm wrapped around my waist.

I barely recognize the girl smiling at him in the reflection in his sunglasses. When was the last time I was this happy?

“How will we entertain ourselves while they’re gone?”

“Hmm…” His finger dips into the front of the jacket and between my breasts.

“I could ask you some hockey questions.”

He dips his head down and looks at me over the top of his glasses.

“Kidding. If making out had been on the list of possibilities when I first showed up, I’d still have a shortstop with a disc throwing touchdowns.”

A hearty laugh shakes his body and mine. I bring one hand up to his cheek and glide my thumb over one of his dimples.

“These are very cute.”

“So are these.” He uses both his hands to cover my boobs over the jacket.

I’m grinning at him like a fool and the way I feel is so overwhelming but in the best way. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this much anything – happy, excited, turned on, hopeful. I’m buzzing with it.

Kissing him seems like the only option. I pour everything I’m feeling into the press of my mouth against his and hooking my arms around his neck.

He hums against my lips before deepening the kiss and taking over.

My body sighs with pleasure and relief. There’s something soothing about giving myself over to his very capable hands.

I tangle my fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. His mouth travels away from mine and down my neck to my collarbone. Deft fingers unbuckle me from the life jacket and his head lowers.

“What about safety, Captain?” I ask, pushing my breasts into his face.

“If you go overboard, I’ll save you.”

I was teasing, but I know that he would. I have full confidence in that. Nick is the kind of guy who is always looking out for other people. His son, his dad, his teammates, me.

The scrape of his beard over my flesh sends a shiver through me. His movements are unhurried and his touch a mixture of tender and confident. His thumb brushes back and forth over my nipple as he drops kisses and bites all around the bare skin not covered by my bikini top.

My pulse is a steady thrum and an ache forms between my legs. There isn’t time or privacy for all the things I want to do with this man.

The wind continues to blow my hair around us, creating a shield of our faces. Not that anyone couldn’t tell what we’re doing as I grind onto his lap.

The few kisses and lingering touches we’ve shared this week at the rink haven’t been enough. And judging by the impressive erection under me, I think he feels the same.

His voice is deep and rumbly as he says, “I should have invited you somewhere more private for the day.”

“Who says I would have said yes?”

He nips at my bottom lip as I slide my hands under his T-shirt. His stomach muscles flex as I run my fingers along the ridges and lines. When my hand drops lower, he groans.

“I don’t think we have time for that,” he says without making any move to stop me.

“Time for what?” I bat my lashes innocently as I slide one hand into his trunks. He shifts to give me better access and I close my fingers around his thick cock.

“Can you stay the night later?” I ask as I pump him slowly, teasing him just a little.

Aidan told me he was staying at his mom’s for the night and I’m hoping that means Nick and I can have a sleepover. I’m leaving in two weeks and already wondering how I’m going to kiss him out of my system before then.

His lids are heavy and voice gruff as he responds, “Whatever you want, Red.”

“I might want to stay on this boat.”

“Done.” His fingers tangle in my hair and he deepens the kiss as I keep stroking him. The long stretch of hours between now and then has anticipation and impatience warring inside me.

He makes another rough sound deep in his throat as he pulls back. “Incoming.”

“Ruby-Doo!” Travis calls as the slap of his flip-flops on the deck of the boat comes closer.

I discreetly move my hand out of Nick’s trunks and let out a deep breath. It’s going to be a very long day.

“Who’s your favorite hockey player?” Travis asks.

“Umm…” I look from him to Nick and back. “Is that a trick question?”

His best friend grins at me as he holds up a bag of popcorn. He lifts it higher, like he intends to throw it my way. I put my hands up but then duck at the last second when he tosses it.

“What was that?” Travis asks with a laugh.

I sit up. “Sorry. I panicked. Did it go in the water?”

I look over the side but then Nick hands me the bag.

“Nice catch.” I lean forward and kiss him.

“Always stealing my thunder,” Travis mutters behind us.

For the next few hours, we ride all around the lake, stopping to swim in one area and then hooking up with a line of other boats at party cove. More people hop on with us, friends of the guys, and girls looking to have fun with a boat of hot guys. I can hardly blame them.

I’m sitting on Nick’s lap. My back rests against his chest and he has one hand resting on my thigh.

Penn is in control of the music. Conrad is stretched out on a bench.

I thought he was sleeping at first, but his fingers tap to the music.

Travis is mixing drinks on the lower deck for a trio of girls.

Danny has been kissing a very pretty brunette for the better part of an hour.

“Oh, there goes her top,” I say as Danny tugs the strings of the girl’s bikini. They’re in a corner of the boat but easily in sight for anyone that walks by.

“That’s your warning to look away before he starts fucking her.”

“Really? Right out here? I didn’t realize that was an option. I’m not sure I’ll be able to look your friends in the eye ever again, but okay. Let’s do this.” I motion to his crotch.

“No way, Red.”

I’m surprised by his hesitation. “Why not? You like it when I watch you, what’s a few more people?”

“I want to watch your reaction as you come. He wants everyone to watch as he makes her come.”

My stomach flips and core tightens. There are too many hours between now and getting naked with him. “Acceptable, I suppose.”

His chest rises and falls with a short, quiet chuckle.

I peek over at Danny again. They really don’t seem to care who watches.

“Come on, Red.” He sits up, taking me with him.

“Are we going to show them our moves?”