Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11

Willa

S o yeah… my second date with King is happening at his condo. One would think that might be too intimate for a second date and one might think that it would be the guy who suggested such a setup, maybe with the hopes of getting lucky, but the opposite is true. King suggested going out for a fancy dinner and maybe strolling through an art museum. It was all so sweet and thoughtful and frankly, it put me a little on edge.

It's all Brittany's fault. She has relentlessly teased me that King has the potential to turn into a lovesick puppy dog and I didn't like the word lovesick because I'm not ready to love again, and puppy dog only highlights his younger age and perhaps lack of maturity. So I suggested we cook a meal together at his place—not my house—so we could be alone. I even said those exact words… so we can be alone … thinking that if I can keep this more of a friends-with-benefits type of relationship, all those other worries will be put to rest.

Not that I'm looking for sex tonight, but I wouldn't discount it. As Brittany said, "Get it, girl. You're a grown-ass woman with needs and I bet he's willing to give you what you want."

Yes, I haven't had sex in a good while and though I've had some satisfying encounters since my divorce, the dark memories of Scott always loom over my trust in intimacy.

So I'm not banking on it happening tonight or that King could erase those memories. However, if one thing leads to another, I'll let it happen. I think, in my mind, it sends a message that I don't need the deep feelings, nor do I expect them.

Really, I'm not sure I can handle deep.

King didn't hesitate to take me up on my offer and we decided on a complicated Thai recipe that will take some time and allow for good conversation while we muddle through.

King's condo is contemporary and his kitchen is filled with the enticing aroma of herbs and spices as I chop cilantro on the large kitchen island. The space is light and airy, with sleek white cabinets, marble countertops, and stainless steel appliances that gleam under the recessed lighting.

Despite Brittany's endless teasing about this date, I was initially excited to spend time with King. Now that I'm here, a knot of nervousness tightens in my stomach because I don't know if I'm handling this right. I glance at King, busy measuring out spices. He's so at ease, moving around the kitchen like he's done this a hundred times.

"You're really into cooking?" I ask, trying to focus on the task at hand and not on how ridiculously attractive he looks in casual jeans and a snug T-shirt. He greeted me at the door with a light kiss and then a long, warm hug that made me feel both at home and ill at ease. I figured he might just drag me off to bed, perhaps the inference of me inviting myself over to "cook dinner" really meant we should just have sex and keep it uninvolved. Instead, he took my hand and led me to the kitchen, showcasing all the ingredients he had laid out.

We got to work after he opened a bottle of wine and have been chatting amiably since.

He looks up, smiling in response. "Yeah, I find it relaxing. Plus, it's a great way to impress a date." He winks. My heart flutters and I tell it to behave.

I laugh, his easygoing, flirty manner making the nerves dissipate. "Well, consider me impressed."

King chops vegetables with the skill of someone who's done this a lot, while I handle the herbs and spices. There's something unbelievably sexy—and mature—about a man who knows his way around a kitchen and it only increases my attraction to him.

"I have to tell you about Hendrix and Stevie getting engaged," he says, glancing over to see my wineglass nearly empty. He takes a moment and refills it before topping his off.

"She owns a bar, right?" I ask, taking a small sip of the wine. During our first date at the skating rink, I'd learned much about King's teammates and their significant others, but it was a lot to keep track of. He made mention of me meeting them at some point, but I was noncommittal.

A low rumble of laughter escapes King's lips. "Good memory," he remarks. He leans in closer, his eyes gleaming. "But let me tell you about the time Hendrix tried to win over our unbeatable pool champion."

My hands pause on the chopping board as I listen intently. "Go on."

King's voice takes on a dramatic edge. "Hendrix came strutting in that night with an engagement ring and wagered the proposal on a game of nine ball."

I raise an eyebrow in disbelief. "Seriously?"

"Dead serious," King confirms, nodding emphatically. "He bet that if he won, she had to marry him."

"And did she accept?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

King grins and nods again. "She accepted… but only after adding her own twist to the bet."

A smile tugs at my lips as I take another sip of wine. "Let me guess, she knew he couldn't beat her."

"Oh, he knew it." King chuckles. "But it was her own unique way of accepting his proposal."

I suppress the urge to let out a dreamy sigh and instead focus on my wine. "That's quite romantic."

"Romantic and badass," King adds, a proud glint in his eye. "That's true love."

"Hmm," I murmur, turning back to the cilantro.

Next thing I know, King is beside me, taking the knife from my hand. He turns me to face him, hands on my shoulders. "I know you're only interested in casual dating, but you don't believe in true love?"

I shrug, look away to gather my thoughts and then back to him. "Let's just say my faith in it was battered so I'm not sure."

"Your ex-husband," he says grimly. "He did a number on you."

I don't want to talk about Scott so I turn it around on him. "Why do you believe so deeply in it?"

King's eyes sparkle. "Because I saw it every day in my life growing up between my parents. I saw it last night between Hendrix and Stevie. Why not believe when I've seen proof?"

Everything about those words screams danger to me and yet I can't help but be utterly charmed by King's sincerity. I'm also scared because he's a good man and I don't want to break his heart. I should walk out of here right now because he's the type who would want me to believe in it again. Instead, I kiss him.

Not a soft kiss but one that immediately turns deep and hot.

King responds eagerly, his arms wrapping around me as he takes the kiss even further. The electricity between us is undeniable, crackling like a summer storm. I can feel his heart racing against my chest, mirroring my own erratic pulse.

As we finally pull apart, King studies me with a mix of desire and understanding in his eyes. "I see you, Willa," he murmurs, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "You don't have to believe in true love right now. But believe in this moment. In us."

I am torn between the walls I've built around my heart and the overwhelming urge to let them crumble in the face of this connection. In King's arms, I feel safe yet vulnerable, desired yet respected. It's a dangerous combination that both thrills and terrifies me.

But as he leans in to kiss me again, I try to suppress my doubts and fears, allowing myself a little bit of room to be swept away by the passion. At this moment, I choose to believe not in fairy tales but in the magic of two people connecting through pleasure, because that's all I have the capacity for.

King's lips on mine ignite a fire within, melting away some of the ice around my heart. Intimacy requires a certain level of care between two people—this much I know to be true and necessary.

Pulling away, I put my hand on his chest. "King, can I ask you something?"

"Sure," he says, pressing his lips to my forehead.

"What are you really looking for with me?" I ask, keeping my tone casual, even though the question feels anything but.

King's expression turns serious. "I'm looking for something real. I want someone to share my life with, someone to build something lasting with."

I swallow hard, not sure how to respond. "That's… that's a lot. I mean, it's great, but it's a lot."

"And I don't know if you're the one." Those words actually calm me a bit, the certainty by which he can admit that this is new and we don't know what lies ahead. His fingers brush along my jaw. "I know it might seem intense, but I really feel like we have a connection and I want to explore it. That's it… let's see where it goes."

"I've been through a lot, King. My divorce was really hard, and I'm still dealing with the aftermath. I don't know if I'm ready for something serious."

"I accept that." His thumb strokes my face. "As long as you can accept that maybe you can move past your bad experience."

"I just don't want to lead you on or hurt you. I can't promise more than what this is right now."

"And what is this? Right now?" he asks.

I answer with the same kiss I gave him before this conversation started. My hands slip around his neck and I press my body against his. When his mouth opens, I slide my tongue along his and revel in the groan that produces. "Let's finish dinner later," I suggest in a murmur against his lips.

King's head jerks back, his eyes searching mine. Filled with lust and heat, I can see the uncertainty. The war within him to be a gentleman and do things properly and in a certain order. I wait him out, because he has to be all in.

I'm rewarded when his hands come to my ass and he lifts me up. My legs wrap around his waist as his mouth fuses with mine again. The world spins as he moves through his condo, down a hall and to his bedroom. I only know it's such as he drops me on the mattress before covering me with his body.

His eyes bore into mine, silently asking for permission to proceed. I nod, giving my consent without a word. The air between us crackles with desire as he leans in to capture my lips with his once again. The kiss is urgent, passionate, filled with a longing that I think might have been pent up between both of us since the day we met.

My hands roam freely over his body, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt. King's caresses send shivers down my spine as he explores every inch of my skin with reverence and hunger. We're a tangle of limbs and shared breaths and it's perfect.

We break apart, both panting heavily and looking at each other with need. I can feel the heat between us, and I know we're both thinking the same thing—we can't hold back any longer. King's eyes search mine, once again needing permission to continue, but I've already given it.

As if on cue, he leans down and captures my lips again, his tongue sliding in to explore the depths of my mouth. My hands find their way to his chest and I run my fingers over the lines of sinew and bone, heat coursing through me.

My heart races and my breaths become shallower. I want this, I need this.

It's been so fucking long and I deserve it.

Urgency rises within both of us and hands tear at clothing. In between kisses and laughs as he tries to remove my shoes, and a moment's distraction when I undo the zipper on his jeans to grasp his rigid length, we somehow get naked.

I let out a sharp yelp when King suddenly grabs my ankles and drags me to the edge of the bed until my butt dangles off the side. Confusion swirls in my mind as I try to ask him what he's doing, but before I can speak, King drops down to his knees in front of me.

His warm breath caresses over my lower stomach, causing goose bumps to break out over my skin. My heart races with realization as I know what he's about to do—something no man has ever done to me before. Oh, how I always longed for Scott to do this, but I was always too afraid to ask for it. A mixture of fear and excitement floods through me as I involuntarily try to close my legs, not sure if I'm ready for this new experience.

Not sure I'm deserving of it because this is the ultimate act of intimacy.

But King's gruff command jolts me back to reality. "Keep 'em spread."

And with that warning, his mouth descends onto my most intimate place, waves of pleasure surging through my body.

I gasp at the sensation, unable to process the intensity of the new feelings washing over me. King's tongue works its magic, touching every inch of my skin with expert precision. His hands grip my thighs firmly, holding me in place as he explores my every curve.

Each stroke of his tongue feels like a tiny shock, forcing me higher and higher into ecstasy. My fingernails dig into the mattress beneath me, searching for purchase as I arch my back in response to the pleasure. My moans fill the room, mingling with King's low growls of satisfaction.

Despite my fear, the pleasure builds inside me, becoming too much to bear. I can't hold it back any longer. My body tenses as the orgasm hits like a tidal wave, washing away all thoughts of fear or hesitation. I cry out loudly, my voice echoing through the empty room as I writhe beneath King's skilled touch.

His eyes never leave mine as he continues to pleasure me, savoring every gasp and moan that escapes my lips. His own breaths become shallow, matching the rapid pace of my heart. The intensity of the connection between us is palpable, a bond forged through our rawest emotions and most intimate moments.

The mere fact that he did that to me and seemed to love it causes more ice to crack and fall away from my heart. So damn giving of himself and he hardly knows me.

As my body begins to relax, King pulls away and crawls up beside me. Our gazes lock, a mixture of both satisfaction and something more profound. A recognition that we've shared a moment unlike any other.

Without a word, I reach up and trace the outline of his jaw with my fingers. He leans in, his warm breath brushing against my skin, and whispers, "You taste incredible."

His words send a new wave of pleasure crashing through me, one that is far more subtle but no less powerful than the orgasm that just consumed me. I swallow hard, my heart beating wildly in my chest as I take in King's compliment.

"That was a first for me," I say, my voice trembling with emotion.

King's eyes flare with surprise, soften with understanding and then take on a hard glint of propriety. I can actually see the pride filtering in that he gave me something no other man has, and I wouldn't be surprised if he sat up and started beating on his chest.

His hand presses down on my stomach, his fingers trailing lightly over my skin as he seems lost in thought.

"What is it?" I ask, my fingers lacing with his and holding them in place because his touch is distracting.

His eyes lift to mine and he gives a slight shake of his head. "Nothing."

"It's something," I press.

"It's just… you keep harping on my age and yet, you're the one who seems inexperienced in all the ways pleasure can be given and received."

I frown, because it's a good point. But that makes me curious. "Where did you learn how to do that? I mean, you said you only had one long-term relationship and you were young during that time. You said you don't sleep around."

King grins. "Let's just say I'm very imaginative, and truth be told, when I was with Emily, we were both adventurous."

I disregard the twinge of jealousy in my chest over mention of his past girlfriend but I can't help my curiosity. "Were you brokenhearted when it didn't work out?"

"Yes," he replies simply. "You can't be with someone that long and not have it hurt when it ends."

I nod in understanding, marveling at how vastly different his experience is with relationships faltering. I don't know much about Emily, and maybe I don't really want to know, that little tidbit about them being adventurous in bed being more than enough. But it seems they made a mature, mutual decision and he came out better, stronger on the other side. My one relationship was hard, cruel at times, and left behind a trail of bitter tears.

King presses his lips against mine—a gentle, tender kiss that leaves me breathless and wanting more. As his lips part, I eagerly welcome his tongue into my mouth, savoring the taste of him as our passions build anew.

I have a million questions about his past because he fascinates me. He scares me, because despite him being only twenty-five, I feel like I'm the one who can learn from him.

Those will have to wait because already he reignites a fire within me.

I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, feeling the muscles in his back tense and relax with each movement. His hands find their way to my breasts, gently cupping and kneading them, sending shivers down my spine.

Our kiss deepens, becoming more fervent, more passionate. My nipples harden under his touch, and I can feel the heat of his body against mine. Our tongues dance and twine together, exploring every hidden depth.

As we kiss, I become acutely aware of the wetness between my legs, a reminder of the pleasure King has just given me. His fingers play there, gently caressing, circling my oversensitized clit, and then dipping inside. My hips buck and a need swells within me that requires more than what he's doing.

"More," I whisper against his mouth.

"What do you want?" he murmurs, playfully nipping at my lip.

I decide to be bold, not leaving anything open to interpretation. "I want you to fuck me and I'm guessing it's going to be in a way I've not experienced before."

King chuckles, his lips grazing along my neck as he settles over my body. "I can handle that."

Rolling to the side, he rummages in the nightstand drawer, coming back with a condom in hand. I wonder if he just bought those thinking they might be used or if they've been in there for a while. None of it matters as I watch him roll it onto his thick length before covering me again. I part my legs, inviting him in, and he doesn't hesitate. He moves between my thighs, positioning himself at my entrance.

I feel the heat of his body against mine, his hardness pressing against me. I gasp as he slowly enters me, his size filling me completely. His hips begin to move, thrusting in and out in a slow, steady rhythm.

The sensation of his cock inside me is overwhelming, both pleasurable and emotionally overwhelming because in a very short time, I realize I've come to care for this man. My eyes nearly roll back in my head as each stroke sends jolts of pleasure through my body.

As he continues to fuck me, I reach up and grab onto his arms, pulling him closer with each thrust. My nails dig into his skin, leaving small marks that I'll apologize for later, but right now I'm too busy moaning with pleasure.

King's eyes never leave mine as he continues to move inside me, savoring every sound that escapes my lips. His breaths become more ragged, matching the pace of my own heartbeat.

"Willa," he groans as his hips thrust faster. "You feel way too fucking good. I'm going to come fast."

"I want you to let go," I whisper breathlessly, my arms wrapping around his neck for support. He plunges into me with a familiar rhythm, long strokes that hit a spot deep within me, as my orgasm builds again. I can't help but think about how quickly this escalated between us and yet nothing has ever felt quite this right.

"With me, baby?" King mutters against my ear before nipping at my lobe. The mix of pleasure and pain only intensifies my desire for him.

I cry out from the sensation and urge him on, "With you. But go harder."

"Goddamn it," he curses almost playfully, as if I've asked for too much, but he still gives it to me without hesitation. The headboard slams against the wall causing me to giggle and King to grin down at me.

Then I'm hit with that moment of pure ecstasy that rises, reaches its highest peak before exploding throughout my body. I gasp and cling onto King tightly as my internal muscles contract around him.

"I'm coming," I pant.

He feels it too, letting out another curse before driving into me one last time with all his might. "Fuck," he growls as his body tenses and shudders with his own release. I hold on to him tight, my hands caressing his back as he continues to rock against me.

"God, Willa… you almost killed me," he says between breaths. I feel the telltale throbbing of his cock and I squeeze my muscles tight around him, causing him to groan again.

"You'll be the death of me," he murmurs before kissing me hungrily. When we break apart, he glances over at the clock. "I should be embarrassed that I lasted less than five minutes."

"And yet the end results were cataclysmically perfect," I say with a smirk.

"Let me catch my breath. I've got way more than five minutes in me."

I laugh, lifting my head to press a kiss to his neck. "How about we finish dinner, recharge and then go at it again?"

He stares down at me, a goofy quirk to his lips. "I knew you were the perfect woman from the moment I saw you give shit to Theo's dad."

Nowhere near perfect and still with all kinds of hang-ups, insecurities and doubts but there is no denying that we've just shared something very special, and I know I'm not going to be able to keep my heart protected.

King shifts off to lie beside me, seeming content to not rush back into the kitchen. "I've got a morning practice and then a team meeting. I'm not sure what your schedule is like, but would you have time for lunch tomorrow?"

I smile as I turn toward him, my fingers trailing along his chest. "I could probably swing some time. I'm doing rounds at the hospital, but I could meet you somewhere near there."

"How about I come to the hospital and we eat in the cafeteria?" he suggests.

I lift my head in mild surprise. "Really? You want to eat cafeteria food?"

King's eyes gleam with humor. "I want to see where you work. I want to see Dr. Willa Montreaux in action. Please tell me you wear a white lab coat because that would be hot."

Laughing, I tickle his ribs. "That's just perverted, but yes… I wear a white coat when doing rounds."

"Just tell me what time to be there," he says, wrapping his arms around me. "The team meeting is in the afternoon, but I plan on making peewee practice tomorrow. I might be a little late though."

"Honestly, King… you don't have to come to all of these practices and games. I know how busy you are."

"No busier than you are," he reminds me. "Besides, I like teaching not only the kids, but you as well. I like you learning hockey."

"I admit it's been fun watching you on TV, knowing I have a personal tie to you."

"You should come to a game," King says and then squeezes my arm. "What I mean is… I'd like you to come to a game as my guest and cheer me on. I'll play better, guaranteed."

I can't help but laugh. "I seriously doubt I would have that effect."

King lifts his head, expression serious as his eyes lock with mine. "Then you seriously underestimate your power over me."

My throat goes dry and I cannot deny the thrill that creates, my pulse quickening and my heart thrumming in pleasure. "I don't want to have power over you," I whisper, because that speaks to feelings I don't know if I can reciprocate.

"I know you don't," King murmurs, brushing hair back from my face. "That makes me like you even more. Say you'll come to Tuesday's game against Ottawa. I'll get tickets for Brittany and Izzy too."

How can I say no to that? "Okay, yes… we'd love to come."

"And say yes that you'll go out with me after to hang out with my teammates," he presses. "I want them to meet you."

"King," I start to protest, because while I'm feeling all kinds of things for this man, that seems to be moving very fast.

I'm silenced when he rolls me to my back and kisses the daylights out of me. His hand slides between our bodies, fingers playing between my legs, and I experience a full-body shudder that renders me loopy.

"Say you'll go out with me after," he demands, his lips moving over my neck. His finger drives in deep and I buck. "Say it."

"Okay," I gasp, reaching down with my hand to encircle his wrist. Not to stop him, but to hold him still for a moment. "Fine. Yes. I'll go out with you after."

"Good girl," he rumbles, and just those words… they do things to me.

Sighing, I release my hold on his hand and let him do his worst, knowing I just signed on for a ride that might be one of the scariest of my life.

And yet I couldn't stop this now if I tried.