34. Zeke

34

ZEKE

M y phone buzzed, and I immediately grabbed it to turn off the alarm. I stared at it, bleary-eyed. Vito had kept me up much too late for a third night in a row. I’d spent all of my day off with him, as well as every other moment I could. I’d even set the alarm early enough to have a little bit of time with him before I needed to go do my morning workout.

The alarm hadn’t woken him at all. He was still snoring softly. The covers were down around his waist, and I enjoyed taking in the sight of his naked torso. I smiled as I got an idea to have a little fun with him. I lifted the covers and scooted lower, positioning myself where I could take his soft cock in my mouth.

He stirred, but didn’t say anything as I kept sucking him, loving the feel of him hardening in my mouth. A few moments later, he woke more fully. “Damn, this is a hell of a way to wake up.” His voice was hoarse, rough with sleep. I lifted the covers enough to glance up at him. “I hope you don’t plan to stop now.”

I shook my head and took him back down, sucking and licking, teasing him, swallowing him all the way and making him gasp. He slipped his uninjured hand into my hair and began to lift his hips, thrusting into my mouth, and I let him. I didn’t care how hard he wanted to use me. I was so fucking happy to have him here, to have him be mine.

“Are you ready?” he asked. “I’m going to fucking come down your throat.”

I nodded as best I could with my lips stretched around his cock, and a few seconds later, he thrust deep and his cum flooded my throat. I swallowed again and again, wanting every bit of it.

When he was finally done, I pulled back, gasping for air. I was dizzy and my throat was sore, but I was as happy as I could be.

He stroked my hair as I lay against his hip. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I whispered

“That was so good.”

“Mmm” was all I could manage. Once I caught my breath, I sat up, licked my lips and looked down at him. “Are we really engaged?”

“You said yes. You can’t take it back now.”

“I’m not. I’m just having trouble believing it.”

“Me too. Just like I’m having trouble believing how you woke me up. I could handle that every single morning.”

“I’m not saying it won’t happen again, but don’t count on every morning.”

“Come here. I’m not done with you.”

“You’re going to have to be. I can’t be late to our morning workout.”

“Fuck.” He ran his hand over his face. “How long does the season last?”

“A long fucking time.”

“I’m going to be there for every game. I’m going to watch you. I’m going to cheer you on and I’m going to celebrate with you afterwards. I’m going to make sure you have the best fucking season ever.”

We were in the last five minute of the third period. I’d scored twice, and I was really hoping I could score a third goal and get a hat trick. Everything felt perfect. Our team was working together so well, and even though we were up 7-3, no one was slacking off.

Vince blocked their shot attempt, and Johnson took possession of the puck. I skated so fast I felt like I was flying, and when he passed to me, I knew the time was right, I was going to score.

I grabbed the pass and slammed it right into the goal. The crowd went wild. My teammates and I hugged, and I raised my hands to the fans as hats began to rain down onto the ice. It was an amazing feeling.

“Damn, it really is your night,” Johnson said. I grinned as he gave me a double high five and skated around, avoiding all the hats on the ice as they were being collected. I felt like I was on top of a mountain, and when I looked up and I saw Vito in the stands, on his feet screaming as loudly as he could, I was sure his hat was down here with all the others. The warmth that spread through me seemed to light me on fire.

When gameplay begin again, our coordination was top-notch. Our opponents got one more shot on goal, and our goalie easily deflected it. We kept pushing, and I wondered if there was any chance we’d get a ninth goal of the night.

Johnson made an attempt just as the buzzer went off. The goalie fell to the ice, stopping the puck, but it didn’t matter, we’d won 8-3.

It was a night to celebrate the best game of my life.

Johnson scooped me up and spun me around. We were laughing and hollering and all I could think about was the moment I would get to put my arms around Vito.

No one could say I hadn’t done my absolute best. Hopefully, any doubts Coach Martin had about my reliability were gone now.

Chaos reigned for a while after the game ended. We greeted fans, talked to the press, recapped with the coaches, and finally, I was able to shower and change. I walked out of the locker room and Vito was there. He picked me up and spun me around, kissing me and not caring who was watching.

“I couldn’t be more proud of you. I knew you could play like that.”

“I knew it too. I just had to know I wasn’t being threatened. And being supported by you and your family, knowing that I can put my problems in the past and that if I screw up again you’ll be here to help me makes me feel so fucking good.”

“We’re going out with the team, right?

“I want to, but I also want….”

“You’ll get everything you want. Eventually. Let’s take this time. You should celebrate this win.”

Someone cleared their throat, and I turned to see Coach standing a little way behind us. “Are you going to introduce me to your fiancé?”

“Of course. Coach Martin, this is my fiancé, Vito Marchesi.”

Coach’s eyebrows rose. “Marchesi, huh?”

Vito grinned. “That’s right.”

He looked back at me. “You didn’t tell me that part.”

“I didn’t know I needed to.” His look told me he was well aware that I was lying.

“There’s not going to be any trouble,” Vito said. “My family’s business won’t interfere with Zeke’s career. Unless you have any trouble here, then you know who to come to.”

Coach narrowed his eyes. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Then don’t worry,” I said as Vito pulled me against him. “I’ve got this all under control.”

Coach huffed. “Don’t get cocky just because you got a hat trick tonight.”

“How about I take him home and see if I can humble him?” Vito asked.

“Go on, get out of here.” Coach waved toward the door. “Go celebrate.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

When we were far enough away that Coach couldn’t hear us, I turned to Vito. “You don’t have to embarrass me like that.”

He laughed. “Get used to it. I’m not going to do anything to fuck up your career and neither is my family. We’re behind you one hundred percent, but I will make sure everyone knows you’re mine. I don’t mind staking my claim whenever and wherever I need to.”

I sighed. “This isn’t going to be easy.”

“No, I’m not used to being in the spotlight with a superstar, but I’ll learn how to handle it.”

We got into Vito’s SUV, and I took his hand. “You shouldn’t have to be in my shadow, especially not when you felt like you were always in Val’s growing up.”

“It’s not the same at all. I think I was looking at a lot of things the wrong way. I don’t need to be the one in control—not always.”

“Just in bed?”

He grinned. “Most of the time. I just needed to know I was loved.”

“You are, Vito, by me and by the rest of your family.”

“Even without them, you’d be enough.”

“You need them too.”

“You’re right. I realize I have to be able to rely on them. Benito could’ve killed me, and we wouldn’t be here together now.”

“I’m not used to having a dangerous family, or really any family, supporting me, but I suppose I’ll get used to it.”

“You will.”

“I want to. I need more than just hockey. I need people and excitement, just not the excitement of losing all my money at the casino.”

“Nor the excitement of taking a loan from someone like Benito.”

“Oh no. I would so much rather borrow money from someone like you, because you’re so safe.”

Vito rolled his eyes. “To you, I am.”

“I know, and I’m thankful for that every minute of every day.”

“I love you, baby, and I’m going to be right here supporting you, watching you become the star I know you can be.”

“I love you too.”

“So, you think we can take a little time before the celebration?” He glanced suggestively toward the backseat.

“Vito, I don’t think?—”

“I’ll make it quick.” He pulled me to him, and I glanced at the time.

“Very quick,” I said, before I crushed his mouth to mine.