Epilogue

Riley, one year later…

Slipping past the bouncer is easy when your boyfriend is one of the greatest hockey players on the team and just helped them win their Frozen Four matchup. It also helps when you're regulars and venture here every other week. As always, Reign makes friends everywhere we go, and he knows all the bouncers, bartenders, and servers at the local college dive bars and pool hall. I present my ID, but I'm waved in anyway.

I quickly weave my way through the celebrating crowd, waving to some of my friends and other people I recognize from different classes, until I get to the back area where four different pool tables are set up. The minute I'm close enough, Reign's gaze shoots up to me from the play on the table. I smile and he looks relieved to see me. I was only away for ten minutes while I stopped at the apartment to change.

Winning is fun, but when your man shoots the game winning goal, you're bound to get splashed in watered-down Gatorade when it's dumped. I feel better in my athletic pants and a Michigan hoodie anyway. I match Reign, and I can tell he likes it too. His eyes darken as I walk over to him.

His arm bands around my waist and he dips his head down. "Took you long enough. I missed you."

I set my hand on his chest and roll my eyes playfully. "It was ten minutes."

"Long enough," he repeats before bringing his mouth to mine. I kiss him fully, my arms wrapping around his waist, and pulling my body into his.

A throat clears behind us. "Your shot, Thorn," one of Reign's teammates says, without any hostility or pushiness in his voice.

Ever since we got here, Reign has made it very apparent to everyone who I am to him. His obsession with me hasn't stopped now that we are out of our home state and on a different campus like I thought it would. It's only grown. Our friends gently tease us but no one dares to go up against Reign and his girl.

"Take your shot, baby," I whisper and move to sit in a chair next to Emma. We talk about the game and her decision to meet with her ex-boyfriend for coffee tomorrow after ignoring him for the whole year. The night of senior prom was just the beginning for them, and he followed her here. He plays football and she hasn't been able to escape hearing his name around campus. I'm proud of her for finally facing her fears and agreeing to hear him out.

Eventually the game of pool ends and Reign stands next to me, taking a drink from the water at my table.

"How does it feel to win your first big championship?" Emma asks him. His lips turn up into the smile I love, his dimple popping out.

"Pretty good." He shrugs nonchalantly. "It will feel even better when we're knocking on the door of the NCAA hockey championship."

Eventually the crowd starts to clear out when Reign challenges me to a game. "I thought you'd never ask."

His smirk grows and he helps me up off my chair. He racks the balls and I get the first shot. We play, taking turns, and I tease him. Bending this way or that over the table. Reign's jaw is clenched by the time we're down to the last few balls. Reign's hands grip my sides and he lifts me, placing my body on the edge of the table.

"You're supposed to let me win."

"You had a big win already tonight," I remind him, leaning back on the table. "How about a challenge?"

His ice-colored eyes land on mine. "What are the terms?"

My brow lifts. "You make this shot around me, and I'll give you something you want."

Reign leans forward, his arms bracing around me. I have to lean my body back to accommodate him. Somehow he manages to line up the cue ball and hit the other ball, sinking it into the pocket. "Too easy, babe."

I laugh and push him back before hopping off the table. "Well, you made it, so what do you want?"

He bites his bottom lip, his eyes lighting up. Reign wraps his arms around my shoulders and pulls my body into his, making me feel like I'm in a cocoon. "You know what I want."

I shake my head, my cheeks turning pink, heat scrambling up my chest. "I'm not ready."

"I've been preparing you for months. You're ready, babe."

I know I am. With Reign, things are always good and he'll take care of me.

His eyes watch mine and I know he sees the minute I decide to give in and give him what he wants. His lips touch mine softly, slowly building the kiss between us until I'm gasping for breath. "Let's go home. I'm getting in that ass tonight, babe." He takes my hand and leads me out of the pool hall. I go with him, willingly, prepared for the challenge.