25. Addison

25

Addison

I sat in the stands, my eyes glued to the ice as the Titans took their positions. The arena buzzed with anticipation, the crowd a sea of green and white jerseys. I tried to focus on Eren, watching as he settled into his defensive stance, but my gaze kept drifting back to Michael.

He was a force of nature on the ice, his movements fluid and powerful. As the puck dropped, he surged forward, his skates carving deep grooves into the frozen surface. The opposing team swarmed him, but he deftly maneuvered past them, his stick a blur as he handled the puck with incredible skill.

I leaned forward in my seat, my heart pounding in sync with the clashing of sticks and the scrape of blades against ice. Michael weaved through the defenders, his jersey rippling with each explosive stride. He passed the puck to Levi Kennedy with a quick flick of his wrist, the movement so precise it looked effortless.

The game was a ballet of aggression and grace, bodies colliding and twisting in a desperate battle for control. Yet amidst the chaos, Michael remained focused, his eyes narrowed in concentration. Every shift of his weight, every subtle tilt of his head, spoke of a deep understanding of the game's flow.

As much as I tried to tear my eyes away, to give Eren the attention he deserved, I couldn't help but be drawn back to Michael. There was something magnetic about his presence on the ice, a raw intensity that made it impossible to look elsewhere. Each time he gained possession of the puck, a thrill raced through me, my breath catching in my throat as I waited to see what he would do next.

The minutes ticked by; the scoreboard flickering with each hard-fought goal. And still, I watched Michael, transfixed by the sheer artistry of his play. In that moment, the rest of the world fell away, and there was only the ice, the roar of the crowd, and the captivating sight of Michael in his element, a king ruling over his frozen domain.

I couldn't help but wonder if this was how Michael felt when he watched me. The way I couldn't tear my eyes away from him now, the way my body responded to his every move. My pulse raced as he skated across the ice, his muscles flexing beneath his padding. He was in his element, and it was incredibly attractive.

My pelvis throbbed with want as he dominated the game, his skill and determination on full display. I still didn't understand why the Detroit Serpents had chosen Kennedy over him. Michael was a powerhouse on the ice, a force to be reckoned with.

Was this how he was going to be tonight? In control? Dominating? Part of me hoped so. I wanted to feel that intensity, to be consumed by it. I wanted him to take charge and make me forget everything but the feel of his body against mine.

As the game wore on, my thoughts grew more and more heated. I imagined his hands on me, his lips trailing kisses down my neck. I pictured him pushing me against the wall, his hips pinning me in place as he explored every inch of my body.

I shifted in my seat, trying to ease the ache between my legs. It was no use. The more I thought about Michael, the more I wanted him. I could feel my body growing wet, my nipples hardening beneath my jersey—his jersey. I crossed my legs, squeezing my thighs together in a futile attempt to quell the desire that was building inside me.

When the final buzzer sounded, I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. The Titans had won, and Michael had played a crucial role in their victory.

As the players skated off the ice, I stood up, my legs shaky and unsteady. I needed to get out of there, to find some way to release the tension that had built up inside me.

But I had to wait.

We were so close…

I made my way through the crowded arena, my thoughts consumed by Michael. I couldn't wait to see him tonight, to feel his hands on me and his lips on mine. I knew it was dangerous, that I was playing with fire, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted him, and I was willing to risk everything to have him.

As I stepped out over to the elevator that would take me to the locker rooms, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. I knew I had to be careful, that I couldn't let my desire for Michael cloud my judgment. But as I thought about the way he'd looked on the ice, the way he'd commanded the game, I knew that I was in trouble. I was falling for him, and there was no turning back.

I wasn't sure how long I waited, but Michael was the first player to leave the locker room. He was dressed in a simple white Titans shirt and grey sweatpants, his hair still damp from the shower. As he walked towards me, I felt my hunger for him grow, consuming me from the inside out. I was surprised by the intensity of my desire, the way my body ached for his touch.

When he spotted me, he ignored the couple of puck bunnies nearby who were trying to get his attention. They called out to him, their voices high-pitched and flirtatious, but he didn't even spare them a glance. Instead, he walked straight over to me, his eyes locked on mine.

He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. The heat in his gaze, the way his body moved with purpose and intent, told me everything I needed to know.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. My heart raced in my chest, and I could feel my skin tingling with anticipation. I knew what was about to happen, what we were about to do.

And I wanted it. God, did I want it.

Michael stopped in front of me, his body just inches from mine. I could feel the heat radiating off of him, could smell the clean scent of his soap mixed with the faint aroma of his sweat. It was intoxicating, and I found myself leaning towards him, drawn in by his presence.

He reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his fingers lingering on my cheek. I shivered at his touch, my skin erupting in goosebumps.

Michael's fingers lingered on my cheek for a moment longer before he pulled away, his hand dropping to his side. The loss of his touch left me feeling bereft, but I didn't have time to dwell on it.

Just then, Eren walked out of the locker room, his hair still damp from the shower. He had a towel slung around his neck and was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt that clung to his muscular frame.

When he saw me, his eyes lit up and a grin spread across his face. "Damn, Addison," he said, his voice low and appreciative. "You look good enough to eat."

I felt a flush creep up my neck at his words, but before I could respond, I caught sight of Michael out of the corner of my eye. He was cutting Eren a warning look, his jaw clenched and his eyes hard. Eren didn't seem to notice, but I did.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing in my chest. I knew Michael was jealous, that he didn't like the idea of me being with Eren. But what could I do? I had made a promise to Eren, and I intended to keep it. And everything could change after tonight. At least, tonight was what Michael wanted, and then…

I didn't know.

Eren took my hand, his fingers lacing with mine. "Come on, babe," he said, tugging me towards the exit. "You ready for tonight?"

I glanced at Michael, my eyes meeting his for a brief moment. I could see the tension in his jaw, the way his hands clenched at his sides. But I couldn't back out now. I had to go through with this, no matter what.

I nodded my head, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah," I said, forcing a smile onto my face. "I'm ready."

"Let's go," Michael said.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Eren led me towards the exit. I followed him willingly, knowing Michael followed me. Knowing the needy thrum through my body was for him and not the man holding onto me.

As we walked, I could feel the eyes of the puck bunnies on us, could hear their whispers and giggles. But I didn't care. All that mattered was Michael, and the promise of what was to come.

We stepped out into the cool night air, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. But it was no use. I was too far gone, too consumed by my desire for him.

Eren led me to his car, opening the passenger door for me. I slid inside, my body trembling with anticipation. He closed the door behind me and walked around to the driver's side, climbing in beside me.

"Meet us at her place," he said without even looking at Michael.

But I felt Michael's eyes on me the entire time.

Eren started the engine, and we pulled out of the parking lot, the tires squealing on the pavement.

We drove in silence for a few minutes, the only sound the hum of the engine and the distant noise of the city. Eren's fingers drummed against the steering wheel, a nervous energy radiating off of him.

"That was a hell of a game," he said finally, glancing over at me with a grin. "We basically clinched a playoff spot tonight. The guys were on fire. Did you see my hit in the second period? I was surprised they didn't call me for boarding. But fuck it. That's their problem, not mine."

I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't stop thinking about Michael, about the way he'd looked at me before we left the arena. The heat in his eyes, the promise of what was to come.

"Hey," Eren said, his voice cutting through my thoughts. He tugged at the sleeve. "You're not wearing my jersey."

I blinked, looking down at the white and green fabric that clung to my body. "Oh," I said, my voice small.

"There's a stain here," he said, grabbing the edge of the sleeve. "Blood. I broke someone's nose early in the season. You're not wearing it."

My mind raced. "I couldn't find your jersey. Michael gave me one last minute."

Eren's eyes flashed, his jaw clenching. "You're wearing his jersey?" he growled, slamming on the brakes. The car lurched to a stop, and he turned to face me, his eyes wild.

My heart lurched. What the hell was going on?

"You know you're mine, right?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "You know that after tonight, you'll be with me, right? This whole thing with Michael was a tactic, a tool, to get rid of something I don't want to deal with but that doesn't mean you're with him now."

I clenched my teeth, my heart pounding in my chest. I realized, in that moment, that I could never let Eren touch me. The thought of his hands on my body, of his lips on mine, made my skin crawl.

But I didn't tell him that. Instead, I bit my lip, my eyes dropping to my lap. I would wait. Wait until the right moment to tell him the truth.

"I understand," I bit out, my teeth clenched.

Eren ran his fingers through his hair, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice softer now. "I'm sorry. I don't know… I don't like this."

I couldn't hold back the bitterness in my voice as I replied, "This is what you wanted, remember?"

"Yeah," Eren said, stepping on the accelerator. "I get that. I just… I think he wants you, Addison. I thought Michael was someone I could trust, but I see the way he looks at you."

The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. "How?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "How does he look at me?"

Eren's eyes met mine, a mixture of concern and something else I couldn't quite place. "Like he wants to devour you whole," he said, his voice low and serious. "I can't explain it. There's a darkness to him, Ads. I don't… Maybe I should call this whole thing off."

A sudden surge of determination washed over me. I realized I was in control now. Before, I had felt like a pawn being tossed back and forth between two men, but now, things were different.

I looked Eren straight in the eye, my voice steady and unwavering. "You don't get to decide that," I said, my words filled with a newfound strength.

Eren's eyes widened in surprise. "What?" he asked, clearly taken aback by my assertiveness.

I took a deep breath, my resolve only growing stronger. "We're going to finish this tonight, Eren," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument. "I'm going to lose my virginity to Michael tonight. You can be there or not, but that's not going to change."

Eren looked like he wanted to argue, but he stopped himself, his mouth snapping shut. His fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white.

"You want to be with me that much, huh?" he asked, his voice tight with barely contained emotion.

My lips twisted into a bitter smile. "Yeah," I said, staring out the window at the passing buildings. "That's it."

The rest of the drive to my place was spent in tense silence. Eren's jaw was clenched, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. I could feel the anger and frustration rolling off of him in waves, but I didn't care. I was too focused on what was to come, on finally being with Michael.

My heart raced in my chest as we pulled up to my building. I could see Michael's car already parked out front, and I felt a thrill of excitement run through me. This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for.

I reached for the door handle, ready to jump out of the car and run to Michael, but Eren's hand on my arm stopped me. I turned to look at him, my eyebrows raised in question.

"Addison," he said, his voice low and serious. "Are you sure about this? Are you sure you want to go through with it?"

I didn't hesitate. I pulled my arm out of his grasp, my jaw set with determination. "I'm sure," I said, my voice steady and clear. "This is what I want."

With that, I pushed open the car door and stepped out into the cool night air. I could hear Eren's door open and close behind me, but I didn't look back. I kept my eyes fixed on the building ahead of me, on the man waiting for me inside.

My heart pounded in my chest as I walked towards the entrance, my steps quick and purposeful. I could feel Eren's eyes on me, could sense his presence behind me, but I ignored him. All that mattered was Michael, and the promise of what was to come.

As I reached the door, I took a deep breath, my hand hovering over the handle. This was it. There was no turning back now.