Page 104 of Penalty Shot
I’ve never hiked this much, or eaten this much, or shopped this much in my entire life.
“Might want to take it easy, Haughland. What else will we do when we come back?” I tease, not realizing the implications of my words. I’m assuming he’ll take me here again. And I’m definitely taking for granted that we’ll be together.
“Oh, I think I know exactly what we’ll be doing,” he snarks before kissing me hard and pressing my body against the hot tub overlooking Whistler Village.
The night before our departure, he springs his final surprise.
Charles owns a penthouse in a “hipster” neighborhood, not quite in Vancouver, but just across one of the city’s numerous bridges. His place is also walking distance from a park that houses a repertory theater festival dedicated to Shakespeare.
Bard on the Beach is similar to Imagination Ohio in that they have a mix of classical theater and modern plays showing throughout the summer. I googled it before we left for the trip, but all the showings during our vacation were sold out. I never bothered bringing it up.
Anyway, it turns out being a local celebrity hockey player carries a lot of weight in a Canadian city.
“I called in a few favors,” he says cryptically.
We watch a lovely performance ofTwelfth Nightunder an open-air tent with Vancouver’s skyline as the backdrop to the stage. The view simply stole the show.
Walking back to Charles’s place, we take the longish way through Vanier Park. It’s a gorgeous night filled with the familiar aroma of summer: overgrown flowers, damp earth, barbeque grills. But it’s also unfamiliar in an exciting way. Having the waters of English Bay so close to downtown creates a unique atmosphere of city and nature, ocean breezes and traffic noises, urban lights and shimmering waves.
Our arms are wrapped around each other’s waists as we stroll in unspoken unison. In the distance, a musician’s saxophone mixes with the waning chatter of departing audience members.
“I don’t want to leave.” My unsolicited declaration surprises both of us.
Randall stops to turn to me and wraps his arms around my back. The glow of the lamppost licks one side of his face, revealing half of a heartthrob’s grin.
“We can stay another week if you want. I can keep up with my workouts here till official training camp. Should we change our tickets?”
“No, that’s not possible,” I say with a chuckle. “I need to figure out my job situation and kowtow to the theater department chair so I can have income in the fall. These humbling pursuits take time, Haughland.”
“They would be lucky to have you,” he says with a light kiss at the corner of my mouth.
“Should I tell them I come highly recommended?” I tease, reciprocating with a graze of my lips on his stubble-rough jaw.
A low growl emits from his chest. Randall’s hug tightens and he walks me backward till we’re off the park’s gravel walkway and beyond the lamplight’s glow. When my feet teeter over knotty roots, Randall uses his burly forearms to cushion me against a rough tree trunk.
Our kiss begins with gentle affection. The lingering taste of vanilla ice cream we had during the play’s intermission is sweet. But as we delve deeper, past the taste of a summer treat, the essence of the other stirs a latent hunger. Our tongues sweep and lips crush. His growing erection holds me up as his hands roam along my hip, in my hair, up a ribcage, around a breast. The pleasure is so acute, I lose my mind a little.
Randall is the first to pull away. He turns sideways toward a sound I don’t hear because I’m too lost in the sensation of kissing the man I love.
“Let’s go before I take you right here,” he grunts in frustration.
He begins to pull away, but I grip his shirt. “Why can’t you take me right here?”
“Fuck, Elise, don’t tempt me.”
I wiggle free and tug at his wrist while walking deeper into the park’s shadows. My eyes have adjusted. I choose a tree with leafy branches to nestle against, so we’re hidden by an alcove made of thick foliage. This time, I press his back against the trunk.
“Thank you for a perfect night,” I say, continuing to rub against him while planting a kiss on his lips.
“And for an amazing vacation,” I kiss his neck with the slightest suction. His fingers dig into the flesh of my hips, but they don’t stray.
“Thank you for letting me get to know your family, your friends, your people.” My lips graze his ear lobe before a light nip. He takes in a shuddering breath.
“Most of all, Randall Haughland, thank you for sharing your hometown because it helps me understand you. And the more I understand you, the more I love you.”
“I love you so much, Elise.” His body is practically vibrating with the energy he’s holding back. “Now are you done thanking me for doing what I’ve been wanting to do for myself as much as for you?”
I nod. My palm presses the thickened rod straining his jeans.