9. Riggs

Unable to hold off for another moment, my lips crash onto hers as we make our way up the concrete walkway that cuts through a swath of snow-covered lawn to the house I share with my teammates.

Now that I've finally gotten a taste of Stella, I have no idea how I went so long without it. She's like the very air needed for survival.

And so damn sweet.

Once we make it up the rickety front porch stairs, my hand scrabbles for the handle without lifting my mouth from hers. My fingers wrap around cold metal before shoving open the door and steering us carefully over the threshold and into the entryway.

I'm well aware that this would go a lot faster if I'd just take a step in retreat, but I can't bring myself to do it. Driving over here from campus without mauling her was a feat in itself. I broke about ten different traffic laws in my rush to get home. Her hand was firmly ensconced in mine the entire time. Barely could I drag my gaze away. I was afraid that if I did, she'd vanish into thin air.

Or worse, I'd wake up and realize this had been nothing more than a dream.

I've wanted Stella for far too long, and now that I actually have her, I refuse to let go.

"See? Told you something was going on between them. That kiss last night was too damn hot to be just friends. You owe me twenty." I break away long enough to glare at Hayes. A grin slides across his face as he pops his shoulders in a careless shrug. "What? I saw this coming from a mile away." He elbows Bridger before rolling his eyes. "Not like this guy."

My other teammate glares. "Thanks a lot. Now I owe this dumbass money."

Instead of responding, I scoop Stella into my arms and carry her up the staircase to the second floor. The warm weight of her against me feels so damn good.

She buries her face against my chest. "I'm so embarrassed."

A chuckle escapes from me. "Why? Because everyone around us could see that I was in love with you? Except for, you know, you."

She lifts her face until her eyes can fasten onto mine. "I'm sorry, Riggs."

"Don't be. Our relationship is right where it's supposed to be. Don't ever doubt it."

I press my lips to hers before crossing the threshold of my room and closing the door. Then I twist the lock for good measure. I don't want any interruptions. If my roommates are smart, they won't even think about disturbing us until tomorrow. Maybe the day after that. Because now that I finally have Stella exactly where I want her—in my bed—it'll be a long damn time before I allow her to leave it.

Even though I'm reluctant to relinquish my hold, I set her on the queen-sized mattress before straightening to my full height. My fingers grip the hem of my sweatshirt, peeling it off along with the T-shirt. Her pupils dilate, the black swallowing up the blue, as her gaze roves over my bare chest. I can't help but stand perfectly still, allowing her to drink in the sight of me as sunlight pours in through the windows. If I questioned for even a second that she might not be attracted to me, the way she eats me up with her eyes only reconfirms that she feels the same way as I do.

Her attention dips to the thick jut of my erection covered by the joggers. Already, I'm hard as steel.

Her tongue darts out to moisten her lips as she shifts on the bed. "Aren't you going to take off the rest?"

A slow smile tugs at the corners of my lips. "Just waiting for you to give me the word."

"Word."

I snort and shove the cotton material down my legs before kicking them off so that I'm completely naked. Her gaze resettles on my cock. I can almost feel the heat of her perusal as it slowly licks over me.

Nothing has ever felt better.

"You're so beautiful," she murmurs.

I shake my head. "No, baby. You're the beautiful one."

With that, I swallow up the distance between us, crawling onto the mattress and up her body until she's lying flat.

There's so much trust swimming around within her blue depths as they cling to mine.

The one thing I'll never do is break it.

I nip her lower lip and suck the plump flesh into my mouth. After a handful of seconds, I release it with a gentle pop before peppering her face with soft kisses. It's only when I've adored every inch that I slide down the slender column of her throat and bathe the fluttering pulse with my tongue.

When I reach the collar of her sweater, I sit up and wrestle the wool up her torso before pulling it over her head and discarding it. The pink, cotton candy colored bra is the next item to get removed. I sit back so that my gaze can stroke over her lush curves.

She's even more perfect in the undiluted sunlight that streams in through the window. My palms settle over her breasts, squeezing the soft flesh. When she'd touched herself last night, it had taken every ounce of control not to go off like a shot.

It reminds me of summer and how we'd hang out at the swimming pool or the beach. I'd salivate over the tiny bikinis she'd wear, wanting to rip them off her body. I knew she'd be more than a handful.

And I wasn't wrong. Her breasts are generous in size with dark pink stained nipples. I can't help but tweak them, watching as they stiffen right up.

"How are you this perfect?"

Instead of responding, her fingers wrap around my cock before she slowly runs her palm over the thick length. I can't help but arch into her touch, needing more.

Needing everything she's willing to give.

I don't realize that I've closed the space between us until her pouty lips wrap around the head of my dick before she sucks me into her mouth.

Fuck.

I don't think anything has ever felt so amazing. Her gaze stays locked on mine as her cheeks hollow and she takes me so deep that I nudge the back of her throat.

A sharp hiss escapes from me. "That feels so damn good."

As loathe as I am to pull out, there's no way I'll be able to stop myself from coming if she keeps this up.

"Stella…you need to stop."

She smirks around my girth as a teasing glint enters her eyes and her mouth turns voracious.

"When I come again, it'll be inside your pussy," I growl before pulling away. "Not that pretty little mouth."

A second later, my cock pops free.

Arousal floods my system as I lean down and kiss her. "You just wait until I get my lips on you. Two can play at this game."

A delicate shiver slides through her. "Looking forward to it."

Me, too.

I've always enjoyed sex. But not like this. Before, it was just a way to get my rocks off or relieve stress. This…

Is so much more.

And it means absolutely everything.

I lick my way down her throat and collarbone until reaching her breasts. My tongue circles one pert tip before sucking it deep into my mouth. It doesn't take long for her spine to arch. I release the first one before giving the same attention to the other side. I've spent years dreaming about her breasts and wanting to play with them. Turns out reality is even better than what I imagined. I could spend hours sucking on her while palming the softness.

And if I have my way, that's exactly what will happen.

I want to worship every delectable inch of this girl.

It's only when she's writhing beneath me that I sink farther down her body before reaching the waistband of her leggings.

As my fingers slide beneath the elastic band, I glance up. "I want you to be sure about this. No regrets."

I don't think I could bear for that to happen.

I was beside myself when I woke up and found her missing. But I figured she might be at the Roasted Bean. Especially with it fully decked out for Christmas. She can't get enough of the holiday cheer. The moment practice ended, I took a chance and headed over to the small coffee shop.

She sucks in a steady breath before releasing it back into the atmosphere. "I'm sure, Riggs. No regrets."

Thank fuck.

My attention stays locked on her as I slide the stretchy material along with the panties down both her hips and thighs until she's gloriously bare. I kneel between her legs as my gaze licks over her length. My fingers stroke her thighs before pressing them apart, wanting to see every delicate inch.

Air gets clogged in my lungs as I eat her up with my eyes before leaning down and pressing a kiss against her pussy. Last night, I sampled a small taste.

But I want more.

Need more.

My tongue licks from the top of her slit to the bottom before I spear the velvety softness deep inside the heat of her body.

This girl really is fucking perfect.

Back bowing off the bed, a whimper escapes from her as I nibble at her clit, drawing lazy circles around the tiny bud. She spreads her legs farther as her fingers tunnel through my hair as if to hold me in place.

It's not necessary.

There's nowhere else I'd rather be than right here with her.

"Riggs," she gasps, shifting beneath me. "I need you inside me."

"Are you sure, baby? I don't mind fucking you with my tongue and then my cock. Whatever you want."

This is all about Stella.

And her pleasure.

"I'm sure."

With one final kiss against her shuddering softness, I crawl up her body until the tip of my dick can nudge her entrance. My gaze stays locked on hers. I want to see every flicker of emotion as it crosses her beautiful face.

I've never wanted to fuck so badly as I do right now.

Every muscle stills. "Should I grab a condom?"

"No. I'm protected."

I'd wear one if that's what she wanted, but I'm relieved that it's not necessary. When I take her for the first time, I don't want anything between us.

With one flex of her hips, my erection slides inside her warmth. The urge to slam into her spirals through me. At the same time, I want to draw this out for as long as possible.

She's so hot and tight.

Not to mention, wet.

So damn wet.

I have to grit my teeth in order to keep everything under control. When I'm finally buried to the hilt, I pause, needing to soak in this moment. She looks so gorgeous with her long, golden hair spread out against the navy comforter.

Like an angel.

"Please…" she whispers.

"What do you need, baby?"

"You. I need you to fuck me."

A tortured groan escapes from me.

How many times have I dreamed about hearing those words fall from her lips?

I withdraw before gliding back inside her drenched heat. The more times I thrust, the harder it becomes to maintain a steady pace and not take her like a fucking animal.

"Mmmm, that's so good," she says with a whimper.

Damn right it is.

When her muscles tighten, I realize she's close. I change the angle just a bit, grinding against her clit, driving even deeper inside her body. Her eyes feather closed as her pussy spasms around me. That's all it takes to follow her over the precipice.

Our gazes stay locked as we shatter together.

In this moment, I've never felt more in sync with another human being.

It shouldn't surprise me that it's with Stella.

The girl who's always been my best friend.

The one who's my everything.

Thank you so much for reading Always My Girl. I hope you loved this friends-to-lovers hockey story. Want to read Fallyn's story? One-click Never Mine to Hold now!

Wolf Westerville.

There was a time when my world revolved around him, and I'd foolishly thought he'd be the one to claim all my firsts. Those dreams shattered into a million jagged pieces when the unthinkable happened.

Five years later and we both attend the same college. He's a superstar goaltender for the Western Wildcats with a ticket to the NHL. I'm just trying to make it through the last year and a half of college all the while doing my best to avoid him.

Wolf has decided that it's time for us to get reacquainted. As far as I'm concerned, he can shove that idea where the sun doesn't shine.

Better yet, he can bend over, and I'll happily do it for him.

He might not realize it, but my life is splintering apart at the seams. My parents have lost everything and can't pay my tuition for the second semester, which means I need to figure something out.

Fast.

Or I'll be forced to drop out and move back home.

Unwilling to allow that to happen, I decide to sell the only thing I have of value.

My V-card.