Chapter 28

CHAPTER 28

KAYDEN

T hree hours later, I was still riding the high of that win. And the fact I got to share it with Maddox. And we'd sure as fuck share another celebration tonight. In private.

Since we played an evening game, we were out at a late team supper, and then one more night in our hotel before leaving first thing in the morning. I glanced down the table. Maddox had taken the seat on the end again. Trying to keep our distance, even though I didn't want any.

When I thought about this morning, how intense it was to come together like that, I realized how badly I wanted him. I wanted more. But I hadn't brought lube or condoms or anything like that with me. Then again, we kept going back and forth, and it's not like I was expecting anything to happen on this trip. I wasn't sure what we were doing, except everything that felt good.

I hadn't lied. I wanted him to fuck me. But I also knew that I had to prepare for anal. And that meant, I had online purchases to make. And more experimenting to do. Then I'd be ready. Until then, hand jobs and blow jobs would have to do. Just thinking about having sex with Maddox had my body flushing hot and my brain short-circuiting. Between that and the adrenaline rush of a win, my hormones were out of control. And I wasn't sure how I was gonna make normal conversation with my teammates.

Until Dane nudged me.

"You okay there? Why so quiet?"

"What?" I croaked, then cleared my throat. "I mean, yes, I'm good. Amazing. You?"

"On top of the fucking world." He smiled and held his glass up. "Hey guys, let's have a toast. To a shutout! We shut down Rockland and we're just getting started!"

Everyone raised their glasses and cheered.

Thankfully, that got me out of my headspace and forced me to think of topics other than sex.

As we finished up our dinner, I opened my backpack, pulled out the bag of bracelets I'd made, and passed them around. Yup, I'd made good use of that kit. All in team colors, of course, green and gold. Well, almost all of them…

"Hey, Kayden!" Jace called out. "Why does Rocher get black and yellow?"

"That's simple," I replied with a smile. "Cause he's my angry bee."

Maddox shook his head and gave me two of his best fingers while all the guys clapped and hollered. I don't think he minded the joke, though. He still wore the damn bracelet. And seeing it on him filled me with a pride I hadn't expected.

"What does it say?" Jace asked Maddox.

"Salty."

That got laughs and more claps.

"And, of course, Kayden is sweet," Jace teased.

I shrugged and tried not to blush. Hah.

"Please don't tell me I actually have to wear this thing," Axel grumbled.

"Come on," Jace taunted from across the table. "Are you really that uptight?"

"I don't like jewelry."

"No one's asking you to wear it every day. Just tonight. Be a team player," Jace replied. "And lighten up."

It was just for fun. Coach was wearing his too. Hell, all the guys were. Even Silas, who'd been all but silent during dinner. He'd played a great game today. We were finally synching up on the ice.

Afterward, as everyone was filing out of the restaurant, Silas came up to me and pulled me aside.

"Do you think you could make a few extra bracelets?" he asked quietly, his face serious.

I thought he was being sarcastic at first, but he looked sincere. I nodded.

"Sure." I smiled at him. "You want any particular words or sayings for them?"

"My jersey number? And one with the name Josiah on it? My younger brother loves stuff like this. It would mean a lot."

"Of course. Is he going to be at one of our home games?" I asked. "I'd love to meet him."

Silas bit his lower lip.

"Maybe in a month or two."

He didn't offer a reason why, and I didn't press.

"Can't wait."

"Thanks."

I watched as he walked away.

"Hey!" I called out, and Silas turned around. "Me and Dane usually hang out after practice. You wanna join us?"

"No," Silas replied. "I mean, I can't. But thanks for offering."

"Sure. If you're ever at the west end dorm, I'm in 333. Drop by and say hi."

Silas nodded and headed back down the hallway.

"Wow, he talks."

I turned around to find Dane with a shocked expression on his face.

"Yeah, he does," I replied.

"What did he want?"

"A couple of bracelets. For his brother."

"That's…surprisingly sweet."

"See? You can't always judge by first impressions. Maddox is the same."

Dane's expression told me he wasn't buying it.

"Only to you Kay. You and your bee ," he teased. "You are shit at trying to hide, my friend."

I looked around, but everyone had left. Including Maddox. He was probably on his way upstairs. To our bedroom. Our bed.

I waved him off. "Please. No one suspects anything."

"I don't know. I think Jace is on to you. And, as much as Maddox likes to put on that resting bitch face, he does stare at you an awful lot."

"Really?" That was surprising. It made my heart take off running. "Like how?"

"Like he's very aware of you. Like, his eyes are superglued to your ass."

"He does that?" I squeaked, completely surprised. "Shit, that's hot."

"Oh boy, what's he unleashed with you?"

I chuckled. "A horny beast, Dane. A horny fucking beast."

"Jesus, Kay, TMI."

"Hey, you said I could come to you or Jackson if I had questions. And I have them. A lot of them. Like, do you enjoy anal? And if so, any tips on how I prep for that?"

Dane's eyes bugged out, and he pulled me into the nearest alcove.

"Christ, Kayden, give me a bit more warning next time."

"What? We were talking about me being horny. Asking about fucking shouldn't be shocking."

Dane sighed and ran a hand over his hair. "I…holy shit, Jackson's going to kill me, but yes. We do that. Along with other things. But you don't have to. Only if you want it, and you're comfortable with it. For me, I prefer to top, but?—"

"Ooh, this is getting good." I rubbed my hands together. "Teach me, oh wise one."

He rolled his eyes.

"The only thing I can say is, take it slow. Use lots of lube. I mean lots of it. And if you don't enjoy it, don't do it. And yeah, you might want to prep with a dildo. See if you like penetration before you go for the real thing," Dane whispered. "Then, there's douching."

"Wait, I need to record this so I don't forget."

"Trust me, you won't," Dane replied and glanced around. A couple of people got off the elevator and headed our way. "This isn't the best time or place for this conversation. Let me text you some info, alright? A couple of sites you can check out. And if you have more questions, ask away. Just, not in public."

"Awesome, thanks D."

He gripped my shoulder and stared at me. "Just do what feels right to you. Don't be pressured into something you're not into."

"Maddox wouldn't ever do that."

Dane shrugged. "You know him better than I do. Or, at all."

"I'm starting to. And I want to know more."

"Holy shit."

"Exactly."

Dane and I headed for the elevators, and he got off on the second floor while I continued to the fourth.

When I got to my room, the lights were already on, and I could hear the water in the bathroom running. I stripped off my clothes and got into bed, my body thrumming with anticipation. Sure, I was sore and exhausted from the game, but I was vibrating with adrenaline. Lust. I'd never felt so aware of my body.

When Maddox finally stalked out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but my bracelet, I couldn't hide how much I wanted him.

Living up to our Cougar namesake, he stalked around the bed, and pounced on me. The game was over but our fun was just beginning.