Chapter Twenty-Five

"D inner was good. Thank you for making it," I tell him as I run the plate under the faucet.

Clay takes it from me, drying it. "You're welcome. Ready to head up and watch a movie?"

He's so adorable. He used to only have one set of everything for him, but since we have been together more and more, he bought me my own set. I can't get over it.

I shut off the water and reach for a paper towel and dry off my hands. "Sure."

"Do you want me to grab you a bottle of water?" Clay asks as he opens the fridge.

"Yes, please."

He grabs two and holds them in one hand. With the other hand, he rests it on my lower back and ushers me upstairs. We step into his room, and I can't help but smile. The fact that he made sure to make his bed and light a candle makes my heart clench. It's something so simple, but it makes me happy.

"That candle smells amazing," I tell him.

"It smells like cupcakes." He chuckles.

"It really does."

"Do you want a pair of sweats or anything before we start watching the movie?"

"I'm good."

I laugh lightly when Clay purses his lips. "What's that look for?"

"What look?"

"You made a face when I told you I was fine. Why?"

Clay shrugs as he sits down on his bed. He places his hands on the back of my thighs and pulls me toward him.

"While I love these leggings on you, I like seeing you in my clothes." He shrugs.

"Do you now?" I tease as I run my nails over his scalp.

His eyes flutter closed. "I do. I can't explain it."

I love the bite of pain when he squeezes my thighs. Taking a deep breath, I raise my leg and place it on the bed on the outside of his hip, and then I do the same with the other leg until I'm straddling him.

Clay's hands move up and cup my ass. "What are you doing?" he rasps.

"This." I lean in and kiss him until we're both breathless.

When Clay groans, I sneak my tongue into his mouth, twirling it with his. He rocks my body against his, making me whimper.

"Tell me what you want," he says between kisses.

"You. I want you," I tell him as I rock again.

"I can feel how hot and wet you are already through your leggings."

"That's so gross."

Clay rakes his teeth along my neck, making me gasp. "There's nothing gross about the way your body reacts to mine."

"Clay…"

"Yeah, sweetheart, tell me what you want."

"I want you to touch me."

Before I can even finish telling him, he flips us, my back hitting the mattress, and he cages me against the bed.

"With pleasure."

He doesn't waste any time. He is kissing me like his life depends on it, causing me to become breathless. When he finally pulls back, it's only to rain kisses from my cheek down my neck and onto my chest.

When he finally leans up, it's to strip his own shirt off before doing the same with me. He makes quick work of my bra until I'm lying there topless.

"Such a fucking beautiful view. How did I get so lucky?" he asks almost to himself.

Before I can respond, he is back to kissing my chest. He starts to knead my breasts while he licks and nips at the nipples, making a zing of pleasure rocket to my core with each touch. Within minutes, he has me worked up so much that I think I could come just from this.

"Clay," I moan out.

"Keep moaning my name. It's my favorite sound," he tells me.

"I need more," I tell him.

He smirks up at me. "Is my baby all wet and needy? So desperate for my cock?"

"Yes, Clay. Please stop teasing me."

"As you wish, my Grace," he says, peeling my leggings and panties off in one go. Then he licks my center.

I grip his hair, pulling him back up to my mouth. "As much as I love when you lick me, I need your cock, so I'm going to need you to get undressed now."

He laughs, kissing me before standing up and stripping off his pants and boxers.

"Such a demanding little thing. Fuck if it doesn't make me harder than a rock, though," he says as he slips a condom on.

Smiling, I sit up and point to the bed. "That's me. Always demanding. Now lie there."

I point to the spot I want him. He smiles wider as he does what I ask.

"What are you going to do to me?" The smile on his face betrays his pretend scared tone.

"I'm going to make you mine," I tell him, climbing on top of his thighs.

Then, like I've seen girls do in the rare porno I've watched, I position him at my entrance until I'm sliding down on his length. It feels even better this way. It's like I can feel every single inch of him.

He groans as his hands go to my hips. "I swear I cannot last with you. I feel like I'm about to blow right now," he tells me.

That only makes me feel better. I love that he is so desperate for me too.

Slowly, I start to rock on him, finding the perfect position where my clit rubs against him while his cock rubs against that spot inside that makes me see stars.

It doesn't take long for the orgasm to build. By the time I'm there, my legs burn, and I can barely hold myself up, but I refuse to let the feeling go. So I push myself until my pussy clenches around him as I scream his name so loud my throat starts to hurt.

"Damn, baby," he murmurs as he grips my hips, thrusting up into me as I experience the most intense feeling of my life.

As I collapse on his chest, he picks me up and flips me on my back as he continues until he finds his own pleasure. My body is sweaty and my limbs are tingling, but I kind of want to do that again.

"You are perfection," Clay breathes into my ear.

I can feel his chest beating wildly in his chest as he lies against me.

"I'm not perfect," I tell him.

"No, maybe not, but you are perfect for me," he says before kissing me softly.

This moment. This is the moment I want to live in for the rest of my life.

I feel amazing. Even better than amazing.

My life has been going so great lately that I feel like I'm a whole new person.

I always thought having a girlfriend would mess with my hockey career, but ever since I've met Grace, I've only gotten better on the ice. I'm at the top of my game, and I can't help but wonder if she is the reason why.

I'm passing all of my classes. I actually have a social life now. I find myself smiling more and more. It's weird, but I'm embracing it.

This game has been a tough one, but I don't even feel the stress of it. Instead, I am focused on winning so I can get back to her.

I want to make her proud.

The Badgers aren't the easiest bunch to play against. They know how to push it to the limit, that's for sure.

Still, I refuse to leave this rink having disappointed my girl, so they aren't going to win.

Even if we are tied with two minutes to go.

Coming in for a line change, I sit and watch the players move. They have talent, but I can tell that at least two of their players don't have their hearts in it. I can see the way they go through the motions, but there is no passion behind it.

When it's time for me to get back in there, I know who I want to take on. Skating right up to the player in question, I smile at him. That only has him frowning at me.

The puck is off, and it goes right to the homie in front of me. Before he can move, I've got him against the boards, the puck sailing toward Brett.

Brett passes it quickly to Beckett, but he is surrounded.

Skating down the ice, I get in position. After two more passes, the puck is to me. With only seconds to go, I let the puck fly.

I feel like time is suspended as I wait for the noise that means I made it.

The buzzer sounds, indicating that I scored, and the crowd cheers. Seconds later, the game is called.

We won.

I tip my head back and close my eyes, taking in the moment. I'll give the Springfield Cougars credit, they came out with a vengeance and gave us a run for our money, but in the end we held them off, and that's all that matters.

I feel a hand come down on my shoulder.

"I'm going to need an ice bath after that," Beckett yells over the crowd.

We skate back toward the bench, and when we step off the ice, Coach is there, slapping us on the shoulder.

"Good game, boys."

"Thanks, Coach," Beckett says as he passes by.

Coach grabs my arm, holding me in place. "I don't know what it is you've been doing lately, but keep it up. You've been on fire lately, kid."

"Thanks, Coach," I say before breaking out of his hold.

My eyes look over, and I find Grace. She's standing next to Peyton and talking to the family that was seated behind them. Coach doesn't know what's different, but I do. I used to hyperfixate on hockey, but not anymore. When I'm not on the ice or conditioning, my thoughts are on her.

I head to the locker room, and when I step inside, the guys cheer.

"Nice goal, Cap!" someone yells.

"Thank you." I take a deep breath and roll my shoulders back. "Everyone listen up!" When everyone looks my way and quiets down, I continue. "Tonight, we went to war and came out on top. We earned that win, and I'm proud of every single one of you. Tonight, leave here and celebrate, but just know that tomorrow we have to start all over again. So have your fun, but be ready to work for it in the morning."

The guys bang their fists on the lockers, hooting and hollering, making me smile.

"Nice little speech," Brett says as I come to a stop next to him in front of my locker.

"Thanks."

"Does this mean we are going out tonight?" Beckett asks.

I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know, it depends on what Grace wants to do."

A locker slams shut harder than normal, and I look over and see Kellan glaring right at me.

"Do you got a problem, Cooper?" I ask.

"No problem, Cap," he sneers before walking out.

"That guy has a fucking attitude problem," Wyatt mutters.

"And just think, we get to spend another year with him," Beckett says with false cheer.

"Thanks for the reminder," Brett says.

"All the more reason to enter the draft," I say, making all three guys glare my way.

I raise my hands. "Kidding, kidding."

I hurry up and grab my stuff and head to the shower. After the quickest shower, I change.

"Ready to head out?" Beckett asks when I shut my locker.

"Yeah, let's get out of here." I grab my bag, and the guys and I leave the locker room together. Right away, I spot Grace, leaning against the wall talking to Peyton.

Peyton elbows her in the side, nodding her head toward us. Grace looks our way, and when she sees me, she smiles. She pushes off the wall and rushes toward me. She jumps into my arms, wrapping hers around my neck.

"You played like your ass was on fire tonight," she murmurs against my cheek.

I chuckle. "Thanks, babe."

She pulls back slightly and kisses me on the lips quickly before jumping down. Then looks at the guys and gives them all a fist bump. "You guys were awesome tonight."

"Thanks, Jelly Bean," Beckett says, and the other two thank her as well.

"So what's the plan tonight?" Peyton asks as she walks over to us.

Beckett eyes her up and down. "You look beautiful tonight, Peyton."

"Not interested tonight, Beckett," she tells him.

"Noted." He nods.

Grace looks up at me, and I push some hair away from her face.

"What do you want to do?"

She bites her lip. "What do you think about going to a party?"

Peyton claps. "Yes, let's do it."

The guys all say they are down.

"What do you say?" Grace asks me.

"As long as I'm with you, I'm down," I tell her.

And I completely mean it.