Chapter Two

Tilly

The hotel room is dimly lit, its atmosphere a blend of excitement and intrigue. As we step inside, my heart races. The soft glow of a bedside lamp table creates an inviting warmth. Duke walks behind me.

He doesn't know who I am. Beneath all of the banter and mystery, I know exactly who he is —Duke Hammond. The Captain of the T-Town Tornadoes, the same team my big brother plays on. The man I've had a crush on since I was eighteen.

Shivers travel down my spine at the thrill of being alone with him. I wonder how he'd react if he knew I recognized him. Would he still be so open or would he shut down? I know that he has a rule about being with women during the season. My sister-in-law, Paisley, explained it to me and also told me to ignore it.

Paisley and her best friend, Tuesday, are the reason I was brave enough to approach Duke at all. I just moved to town, and they've known about my crush forever. I think part of the reason this year's Halloween party was a masked party. They helped me disguise myself to the point where I walked in front of my big brother, and he didn't recognize me at all. He said hello, but there was no recognition.

"Are you okay, princess?" Duke asks as he shuts the door.

"Of course," I slowly answer, turning around to look into his eyes. The tension in the room is delicious. I feel caught between the reality of my anonymity and knowing his identity. I can admit that this knowledge adds an extra layer of excitement to our encounter. And it doesn't matter because we said no future, which is the only stain on this perfect night.

A playful smile dances across his lips, "So, what now?"

I grin back, "I don't know. What do you usually do when you bring someone back to a hotel room?"

The smile slips from his face. "I know this will sound like a line, but I don't do this. I don't bring women I just met back to hotel rooms to seduce them."

"I believe you." And I do, Paisley told me he doesn't hook up with women during the season and I've never heard about him being a player off the ice.

"Thank you," he says, leaning down and placing a sweet kiss on my lips. "Come here." He grabs my hand and pulls me toward the bed.

Duke sits on the bed and pulls me into his lap. His strong thighs feel like stone beneath me. I move a bit to get comfortable and his arms band around my waist. "Princess, you have to stop moving." I feel him move beneath. I feel powerful.

"What if I don't want to?" I ask, breathlessly.

He moves closer, his breath mingling with mine. Everything feels electric, my heart is pounding as our lips meet. The kiss is soft, a gentle exploration, but quickly deepens into something more passionate.

I melt into the kiss, my hands running through his hair trying to pull him closer. Duke pushes my dress up on my thighs and turns my body so that I'm now straddling his waist with my thighs. I'm lost in the moment.

His hands roam my body, sending shivers down my spine. I arch into him, craving more of his touch. The mask suddenly feels stifling, and I'm tempted to rip it off, to reveal myself to him. But I resist, clinging to the anonymity that makes this night so thrilling.

Duke's lips trail down my neck, and I tilt my head back, giving him better access. His touch is intoxicating, and I find myself grinding against him, desperate for more friction.

"God, you're incredible," he murmurs against my skin.

I run my hands down his chest, feeling the hard planes of muscle beneath his shirt. With trembling fingers, I start to unbutton it, revealing more of his toned body.

Duke pulls back slightly, his eyes searching mine. "Are you sure about this?" he asks, his voice husky with desire

I pause, my heart racing. Am I sure? This is everything I've dreamed of for years, but the reality is so much more intense than I imagined. I take a deep breath, stealing my resolve.

"I've never been more sure of anything," I whisper, leaning in to capture his lips again.

That seems to break the last of Duke's hesitation. He stands suddenly, lifting me with him, and I wrap my legs around his waist. In a few quick strides, he has me pressed against the wall, his body flush against mine.

His kisses become more urgent and hungry. I moan softly as his hands roam my body, setting my skin on fire wherever he touches. The thin fabric of my dress feels like too much of a barrier between us.

As if reading my mind, Duke's hands find the zipper of my dress. He pauses, his eyes meeting mine, seeking permission. I nod, breathless with anticipation. Slowly, he pulls the zipper down, the sound filling the quiet room.

The dress pools at my feet, leaving me in just my lingerie. Duke's eyes darken as he takes in the sight of me. "You're beautiful," he murmurs, his voice filled with awe.

I blush beneath my mask, suddenly feeling vulnerable. But Duke's gentle touch and admiring gaze make me feel desired, and cherished. He lifts me again, carrying me to bed and laying me down with surprising tenderness.

Quickly he takes off his suit and moves over me, his muscular body a stark contrast to my softer curves. I reach up, running my hands over his chest, marveling at the strength I feel beneath my fingertips.

I lightly touch his mask, hating that I can't see his whole face. He smiles at me. "Still no faces?"

I shake my head. "No faces." He still wouldn't know who I was, but we'd see each other again at games and family stuff. He won't know it was me he shared this night with, but I will.

He nods and begins kissing his way down my body. He stops at my breasts, first taking one and then the other into his mouth. His tongue tracing circles and then gently flicking my nipples. I've never felt anything so good.

My hips lift of their own volution and I hear a muffled laugh from Duke.

"Be patient, princess."

Duke kisses down my stomach, running that magical tongue around my belly button. He comes to the edge of my panties and looks up at me. "May I?"

"Please—" I barely stop myself from saying his name.

He slips them down my legs and throws them over his shoulder. "Damn, princess, this is one pretty pussy."

My body heats and again my body reaches for him. He lowers himself between my legs, spreads my thighs with his wide muscular shoulders, and leans into my body. I feel his breath against me and hear him inhale deeply before there's a deep moan and his tongue finds my center. I almost come the second I feel his against my clit.

Duke pleasures me with the same intensity that he plays hockey. One hundred percent of his focus is on me.

"Princess, you taste so fucking good. Are you going to come for me?"

"I'm so close."

He ups his game by inserting one of his long, thick fingers deep inside and I immediately explode. Duke doesn't leave me until I come down, then he moves back up the bed and pulls me over on his body.

I can feel his cock hard against my stomach and I need him inside of me. He reaches behind me and I hear the crinkle of a wrapper.

"I had one in my wallet," he says as I watch him put the condom on.

"Thank God," I whisper.

He laughs, thrusts into me and I forget everything. The rhythm is hard and fast and feels so good.

"Fuck, princess."

"I know."

"Gonna come…" he groans. "You ready?"

I feel his thumb on my clit and my orgasm hits, I bite down on his shoulder so that I don't scream out his name. My mask rises off my face, but I don't care. I want him to see how I am. I want this man again and again.

He comes with a shout and falls over me. Leaning on his elbows to make sure he doesn't put his weight on me. I wouldn't mind if he did.

"Um, my mask has come up. I'm gonna go to the bathroom and fix it. Promise you won't look?" He says in an odd voice and my heart plummets.

"Okay," I answer in a voice I don't recognize. It's been a minute since we experienced something I thought was amazing and he's worried about me seeing who he is. He was inside my body. I have to get out of here.

I hear from behind the bathroom door, "There's a bathrobe in the closet if you want to put something on. Maybe we could get something to eat."

I stand up and take the mask the rest of the way off. My hair still has a few feathers and flowers, but I just need to leave. I put my dress back on and pull the robe on over it. I don't have my phone, but I can use one downstairs.

I grab my shoes and as quietly as I can I leave the room, leaving my mask behind. I knew what was happening when I left with him. This is what I wanted. One night and I need to be a fucking adult and live with the consequences.