Page 26 of Rookie’s Redemption (Iron Ridge Icehawks #5)

Chapter Sixteen

Mia

W hen I wake up, the evidence of last night's adventures is everywhere.

An empty champagne bottle lies conquered on the nightstand, the cork nowhere to be found. Chocolate-smeared strawberry stems litter the silver tray like casualties of our indulgence, the memory of his fingers pressing the sweet fruit against my lips making my stomach flutter.

And then there are the unmistakable red splotches staining the once-pristine white sheets. Red juice showing exactly where he fed me berries while hovering above me with that devastatingly perfect smile.

The hotel housekeeping is going to need therapy after this room, but the warmth spreading through my chest tells me it was worth every penny of the inevitable upcharge.

I love you, Ryder.

Those three words that finally escaped last night. I'd buried them beneath anger, fear, and self-protection, pretending they didn't exist. I've said those words to Ryder a thousand times in my dreams, but last night… that was real.

As it turns out, they've always lived inside me. They were just waiting for the moment when I'd be brave enough to set them free again.

I shift in the sheets, taking inventory of my body. There's a delicious soreness between my legs, a pleasant ache in muscles I'd forgotten I had, and bite marks scattered across my skin like a horny pirate's favorite treasure map.

My lips feel swollen from hours of kissing, and my hair is a disaster that would make a birds' nest look organized.

And yet… I've never felt more perfect in my life.

Carefully, I trace a finger down Ryder's spine, admiring the muscles beneath his skin. His body truly is a work of art, testament to years of brutal hockey training.

My fingers explore every bare inch of skin, feeling the raw power coiled in his athletic frame. Those broad shoulders, tapering to narrow hips, creating a delicious V that makes my mouth water.

God, he's sculpted like a Greek god, all sinewy strength and masculine perfection. Just touching him sets my skin on fire.

With a smile on my face and low throb between my legs, I can't resist sliding my palm over the curve of his ass, feeling the firm muscle there. He groans in his sleep, shifting closer to me.

That's when I notice the sheet is tented where it drapes across his hips.

Well, hello sailor. Good morning to you too.

Unlike the other morning when I ran away from such a sight, this morning, I slip my hand beneath the sheet, wrapping my fingers around his impressive length.

He's hard, hot and thick in my palm, and the sensation sends heat pooling between my thighs.

"Mmm," he mumbles, stirring awake as I stroke him. "Best alarm clock ever."

I laugh softly, continuing my leisurely exploration. "I see you're up before the rest of you."

Ryder rolls onto his back, giving me better access as his eyes blink open, still hazy with sleep but darkening rapidly with desire.

"Well, well. Look who's not running away this morning."

"I'm learning," I say, squeezing him and enjoying the way his breath catches. "Besides, this is technically neutral territory. Not your place or mine."

"Smart thinking." His voice is rough with sleep and something more primal. "Though I gotta say, watching you bolt out of bed the other day looking for the bathroom was pretty entertaining."

I roll my eyes but don't stop my rhythmic stroking.

"In my defense, I think it was a perfectly reasonable response. You're..." I gesture vaguely at his cock, which is now fully erect and looking rather intimidating in the morning daylight spilling into the suite. "Scary."

He barks out a laugh, his head falling back against the pillow. "So I've got a scary dick? That's a new one."

"You know what I mean." I feel heat rise in my cheeks. "You're... substantial. In size."

"You weren't complaining last night," he points out with a smug grin. "Or at three AM. Or when you woke me up at five."

"I did not wake you up at five."

"Yes, you absolutely did." He reaches for me, tugging me closer until I'm half-sprawled across his chest. "You were mumbling in your sleep about wanting me, and then your hand found me, and well... one thing led to another."

The foggy memory surfaces… his mouth on my breast, my legs wrapped around his waist, both of us half-asleep but desperate for each other.

"Oh. Right." I bite my lip. "I thought that was a dream."

"Definitely not a dream." He kisses me and I melt against him. His hands slide down my back to cup my ass, squeezing and slapping my cheek possessively. "Every second of last night was real, babe."

I'm about to climb on top of him when the phone rings, startling us both.

"Room service," a cheerful voice announces when Ryder answers. "Your breakfast order will arrive in approximately ten minutes."

"Breakfast?" I raise an eyebrow as he hangs up. "When did we order breakfast?"

"I called while you were in the shower last night." He props himself up on his elbows, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Figured we'd need sustenance after, you know, everything."

"Ten minutes, huh?" I glance meaningfully at his still-prominent erection. "That's... problematic."

"I can be quick," he suggests, but I'm already sliding down his body, pressing kisses across his chest and stomach.

"Quick isn't what I had in mind."

I settle between his legs, my hair falling like a curtain around my face as I take him in my hand again.

"Mia, you don't have to—"

"I know. I want to." I look up at him through my lashes, loving the way his pupils dilate as he watches me. "Consider it... pressure relief. So you can enjoy our day of relaxation."

Before he can respond, I lower my head and take him into my mouth, just the tip at first, tasting the salt-sweet essence of him on my tongue. His hands immediately tangle in my hair, holding on like he needs an anchor.

"Fuck," he breathes, the muscles in his thighs tensing beneath my palms. "Best morning ever."

I take him deeper, swirling my tongue around the sensitive head before sliding down his shaft. He's too big to take completely—I tried last night and nearly choked—but I use my hand to stroke what doesn't fit, creating a rhythm that has him groaning.

"That's it," he encourages, his voice strained. "Just like that, baby. So fucking perfect."

I hollow my cheeks, sucking harder as I bob my head, and his hips jerk involuntarily. The power I feel in this moment is intoxicating. This strong, gorgeous man completely at my mercy, coming undone because of me.

"Mia, I'm close," he warns, tugging gently at my hair. "Yes, that's it."

I increase my pace, using my free hand to cup his balls, rolling them gently between my fingers the way I discovered he likes last night.

His reaction is immediate and intense.

His whole body goes rigid, a strangled version of my name tearing from his throat as he pulses against my tongue. I swallow everything he gives me, continuing to stroke him through his release until he's gasping and pulling me up to kiss him.

"You're incredible," he murmurs against my lips, then freezes at the sound of knocking. "And that's breakfast."

I scramble for the complimentary robe hanging in the closet while Ryder yanks on his jeans, both of us laughing like teenagers almost caught by parents.

When the door closes behind the room service attendant, we survey the feast he's laid out on the table overlooking the town below.

The spread before us is nothing short of breakfast pornography. Thick slices of French toast soaked to perfection and glistening with rivers of maple syrup that pools decadently at the edges of the plate.

Next to it sits a mountain of scrambled eggs that look like golden clouds, impossibly fluffy and sprinkled with fresh chives.

The bacon is arranged in a tempting fan, each strip curled and crispy-edged with that perfect balance of chew and crunch that I've only ever had at Summit Café when Clara was still in Iron Ridge.

I settle at the table and reach instantly for the rainbow of fresh berries and sliced tropical fruits that decorates the corners of our feast. Ryder's wafting the rich, intoxicating aroma of freshly brewed coffee that's rising from two oversized mugs, the steam curling as he takes the first slurp with a groan.

It's the kind of breakfast spread that Instagram influencers would sacrifice their firstborn for.

And Ryder's just gone and ordered it all while I was in the shower, perfectly anticipating exactly what my body would need after a night of being thoroughly, gloriously claimed.

How did I get so damn lucky?

"I don't think I can move," I groan three hours later, face down on a padded table as skilled hands work the knots from my shoulders.

The resort spa is the epitome of luxury. It's like I've died and gone to spa heaven. The subtle scent of eucalyptus and lavender hangs in the air, wrapping around my senses like the world's most expensive perfume.

Soft instrumental music plays in the background, just audible over the gentle burble of the fountain in the corner of the resorts most exclusive area.

"That's the point of a massage," Ryder murmurs from the table beside mine, his voice muffled against the face rest. "Complete and total relaxation."

After breakfast, he'd surprised me with a full day of spa treatments. Couples massage, facial, steam room, hot stone therapy, and finally a soak in the mineral pools overlooking the mountains.

It's the kind of indulgence I'd never allow myself normally, but that feels absolutely perfect after the emotional rollercoaster of the past few weeks.

And of course after I phoned in a favor with Zoe and Janet Morrison to look after the shelter for the day.

I hope they're going okay.

"You're doing it again," Ryder says, his voice warm with amusement. I feel him shift on his table beside me, turning his head to face me. "I can practically hear you mentally checking off shelter tasks."

The massage therapist hits a particularly tight knot in my lower back, and I let out an involuntary groan before answering.

"Was I that obvious?"

Ryder's eyes crinkle at the corners and he nods. "So what are you going to do with the money? All one hundred and nineteen thousand of it."

I close my eyes as the therapist works her magic on my shoulders.

"I guess start first thing tomorrow. Calling every contractor in Iron Ridge. Starting with the people for that ancient AC unit." I exhale deeply as another knot releases. "Then the plumbers for the leaky pipes in the dog washing station. And the roofers."

"Sounds like you've got it all planned out."

"I've been dreaming about these renovations for years." I turn my head to look at him, our faces just inches apart between the massage tables. "I have a whole binder of quotes and plans. Color-coded tabs and everything."

Ryder chuckles. "Of course you do."

The massage therapist moves to my legs, working her thumbs into my calves. "What about you? Big game coming up, right?"

"Next Tuesday night." Ryder winces as his therapist works on what must be a tender spot. "Coach is running extra practices all weekend."

"Back to reality for both of us, huh?"

"This is our reality now." His hand reaches across the small gap between our tables, fingers brushing mine. "You with your shelter binder, and me with my practices. We just... do it together this time."

The word 'together' is weighted with promise. It still feels heavy, but the weight of fear in my heart is slowly melting away the more I let Ryder back into my life.

"I like the sound of that," I whisper.

The therapists ask us to roll over, breaking our connection momentarily.

As I settle on my back, staring up at the ceiling, I realize how different everything feels now. The money, the renovations, my daily work…

It's all the same, but somehow completely transformed. Maybe because I'm not facing it alone anymore?

Soon, our masseuses finish up and they help us into the softest robes I've ever worn. We're led to a private relaxation room with a view of the snow-capped mountains and Ryder pours us each a glass of cucumber water from the crystal pitcher.

It's the perfect way to finish our day, and Ryder slides next to me on the chaise lounge, not even attempting to conceal the grin spreading across his face.

"Remember when we used to sneak up to Lookout Point?" he asks, his arm warm around my shoulders. "That spot where we could see the whole town and the mountains beyond?"

I let my gaze drift around the panoramic windows. The mountains rise in the distance, their snow-dusted peaks glowing in the late afternoon light.

God, I could stare at this view forever.

"How could I forget? You nearly rolled your truck trying to get up that damn hill."

He laughs, the sound vibrating through his chest. "Worth it though. The look on your face when we spread that blanket and I pulled out all those candles... I thought you were going to cry."

"I did cry, you idiot." I poke him in the ribs. "We were eighteen and it was by far the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me."

"Well, get used to it." He presses a kiss to the top of my head. "Because I've got a lifetime of romantic gestures planned for you."

A lifetime . With Ryder. The thought should terrify me, but instead, it feels right.

"Hey, you know when I said I love you last night…" I murmur, tracing patterns on his chest through the soft gown. "You know I meant it, right?"

His hand stills in my hair. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." I look up at him, letting him see the truth in my eyes. "I do love you, Ryder. I always have, even when I was trying my hardest not to."

"Good," he says simply. "Because I plan to spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt it again."

"I think I'm ready for that," I say eventually.

"For what?"

"For this. Us." I gesture between us. "For taking the risk. For believing that sometimes good things can last."

His arm tightens around me, pulling me closer against his side. "They can. We will."

Looking out at the snow starting to fall on Iron Ridge, I feel something settle inside me. The restless uncertainty that's been my constant companion since Ryder walked back into my life has quieted, replaced by something that feels like hope.

Like love.

"Yeah," I whisper, turning to press a kiss to his shoulder. "We will."