12. Casey

CHAPTER 12

CASEY

I hold my breath, my heart racing as my team heads for the goal. Ethan’s stick work is fucking awesome.

“Go, man! Go!” I shout, slapping my gloved hands on the boards as he approaches the goal.

The crowd is going wild, the rising cheer around us near deafening, but I love it.

Shit, I wish Caroline could be here. I was so gutted when she texted to tell me how all of the plans had fallen through. I wanted to call her and make sure she was okay, but it was too close to game time, and I didn’t get a chance.

I hope she’s managing to watch this.

Ethan flicks off the pass, skating around a defender and setting up for a perfect goal.

This is it. We’re going to tie the game and?—

The goalie does the splits, and moving like lightning, he flicks his leg out and stops the puck before it can fire into the net. My heart deflates, because two seconds later, the end-of-game buzzer goes.

“Shit,” I mutter. We’re out.

It’s been a great season, and to get to round two of the Stanley Cup playoffs is epic, but it’s not our year.

“Next time,” the guy beside me murmurs as we watch the other team celebrate, huddling in the middle of the rink while our players skate off the ice.

The mood is a little somber as we head for the lockers, but Coach gives us a pretty rousing speech.

“I’m proud of you guys. We’ve had a great season. And we’re going to play even better next time around. You’re a solid team, so you hold your heads high and celebrate the year we’ve had together.”

We let out a few whoops and cheers, the mood rising as we process our loss and start to look forward to some much-needed time off. There’ll still be training and fitness and a myriad of other things to keep us conditioned, but we won’t be traveling for away games, and I’ll get to spend some decent time with my family.

Bring it the fuck on.

An ache to see them travels through me, but I can’t head home just yet.

A bunch of our friends traveled down from Nolan to watch us play, and I need to go hang with them for a little minute.

Ethan and I meet up with them outside the arena. I get a monster hug from Kai, and he starts a playful tussle, his scrawny arms taking me on. His laughter is adorable, and I pick him up, throwing him over my shoulder with a roar that quickly dies in my throat. The look on Ethan’s face is blacker than ink. Damn, he’s in a foul mood tonight, and he’s gonna kill this party if we don’t deal immediately.

At first, I think he’s struggling with the loss, maybe overanalyzing that last pass and wondering what he could have done better.

I lower Kai to the ground, about to tell my teammate that he set his final attempt at goal up perfectly, when I realize he’s not pissed about that. As Kai settles in beside Baxter, I finally notice…

Mick’s not waiting with our group.

I glance around, silently asking where she is, and Ethan mutters darkly, “Work thing. She got a phone call just before the game and left.”

With a soft hiss, I pat him on the shoulder, and he stalks ahead, striding along beside Liam, who’s looking a little on the sad side as well. His arm is around Rachel’s waist, and she’s looking morose too.

What the fuck is going on with everyone tonight?

Sure, we lost, but we’re hitting our summer vacation: next month we’ll be celebrating Baxter and Tammy’s wedding, and the month after that, we’ll be welcoming a new baby girl into the world.

Holy shit, I’m having a daughter.

A thrill whistles through me. It’s tender and sweet and protective. The idea of holding that little girl in my arms… shit, I’m gonna look after her with everything I’ve got. My little angel. I can’t wait to meet her.

It makes me want to ditch these guys and get home to my woman. I need to hold her, kiss her, celebrate my season with her. It’s so wrong that she couldn’t be here tonight.

Her day turned into such a shit show.

Pulling my phone out of my bag, I notice I missed a call from her and lift the phone to my ear. There’s a voice message waiting for me.

“Hey, babe.” She sniffs, her voice wobbling. “I just wanted to wish you well for the game. You’re probably already set, maybe even on the ice right now.” She squeaks and my eyebrows pucker, because fuck, she’s crying. “I really wanted to be there to support you, but my day has just gone from bad to worse. I don’t want to burden you with it, but I’d like to resign from parenting, please. I’m handing in my notice.” I snicker and shake my head. “And if you could please whisk me away to some tropical island where all I have to think about is what cocktail to order while I lounge on a chair and not have to answer questions or clean up poop or get yelled at…” She sucks in a breath, her voice going squeaky again. “That’d be great.”

And her tears start in earnest. She blubbers a goodbye, and then I hear Billy shouting something before the line goes dead.

My heart squeezes into a painful ball as I immediately call her back… although she would have left this message a few hours ago. Hopefully by now the boys are in bed, asleep, and she’s feeling a little better, but still… I wasn’t there for her when she needed me.

Fuck.

I’m so glad the season’s over.

She doesn’t answer the call, and as much as I want to hang with my friends, I need to get home to my wife.

“Guys, I gotta bail,” I tell them before we even reach the restaurant we planned on hanging in.

They all spin to face me.

“Everything okay?” Baxter asks, while Kai’s little face drops with disappointment. I feel kind of bad about that, but…

“Yeah.” I hold up my phone with a frown. “Sounds like Caroline’s had a shitty day, so I’m gonna… go.” My words slow as I notice Rachel’s expression pinch, her skin paling as she glances to the ground.

Liam pulls her close, murmuring something against her ear before kissing her, then flashing me a closed-mouth smile, which I don’t believe.

What the fuck is going on?

I nearly ask him, but I want to get home, so I do a quick round of goodbyes and run for my truck. Shit, it’s going to be a fucking morose “party” for those guys tonight. With Ethan’s foul mood and whatever the hell is bothering Rachel and Liam… all I can say is poor Baxter and Kai.

My insides skitter as I wonder what awaits me.

I call again, but Caroline’s still not answering. It makes me drive a little faster, and I’m soon turning onto our street. The lights are off downstairs, which means everyone is settled for the night. Maybe she’s not answering my calls because she’s asleep. If it’s been a crap-fest of a day, Caroline might have hit the pillow as soon as the boys were down. As much as she wants to resign her position as mother, I know she never would. She only says shit like that to me in jest and on the really tough days.

Shit. It’s been a long season for her this year. Pregnancy is hard enough on the body without having to look after two energetic toddlers. I’m glad I’m going to be around more to support her.

Closing the front door as quietly as I can, I dump my stuff, then flick off the porch light she always leaves on for me and make my way upstairs. Fezzik meets me at the top of the stairs, his tail wagging.

“Hey, buddy.” I pet his head, then lead him back into the boys’ room.

He jumps onto the end of Billy’s bed—his favorite spot—curling into a little ball at his feet. I creep in, the night-light casting a soft glow across my kids’ faces. They’re both out for the count, Billy starfishing it while Troy is curled on his side, hugging his blanket and looking damn adorable.

I lightly brush my fingers over his strawberry blond curls, then give Billy a little peck on the forehead before sneaking out to find my wife.

Steam is billowing out from our en suite bathroom, and I now know why she wasn’t answering my calls. It was shower time, and she must have had a nice, long one. Good. I hope it’s relaxed her a bit.

Padding across the room, I gently push the door open and find her wrapped in a towel that’s barely covering her perfect ass. I can see the round curve of her cheek as she bends over. Her leg is perched on the edge of the bathtub while she awkwardly tries to shave her legs. Her big belly keeps getting in the way, and she tuts, adjusting herself and trying to reach a spot by her ankle.

“Hey, sexy.” My voice is a husky rumble, and she glances over her shoulder. Her red hair is up in a messy top knot, curls splashing down around her face, and I swear she’s never looked more beautiful.

“Hey, you.”

“Need a hand?”

She grunts, and I’m sure she’s about to refuse me, but then she holds out the razor. “Can you just check if I’ve missed any spots?”

“Sure.” I grin, eyeing her with hungry desire as I step into the bathroom.

Shit, she’s fucking fire. Her tits have swollen from the pregnancy, and she’s got this glow about her, which is a complete turn-on.

I wet the razor and crouch down, gently catching all the places she missed.

“You know you don’t have to shave your legs for me. I know it’s awkward for you right now.”

She harrumphs. “I don’t shave my legs for you . I shave them for me. I like how smooth they are when I’m done. It makes me feel pretty.”

“You’d still be pretty with hairy legs.”

She rolls her eyes. “I feel prettier with them shaved, so I don’t care how monstrously huge I get, I’m still shaving my damn legs.”

I laugh and kiss her knee, finishing off the other leg before dropping the razor into the sink. She starts to rinse everything off and I stand behind her, gliding my fingers up her bare legs and nibbling her shoulder.

“What is that look on your face, Mr. Pierce?” She’s gazing at me in the mirror, and I catch her eye, my grin hiding none of my desire as I grab the back of her towel and yank it off.

She gives a little gasp, then laughs as I flick the towel over my shoulder and admire her stunning tits in the bathroom mirror. Cupping my hands beneath them, I give those luscious funbags a gentle squeeze, lightly pinching her nipples as I nestle my body behind hers. I’m hard already, and I can tell by the gleam in her eyes and the way she nudges her ass back against me that she can feel my desire.

“Damn, you’re looking sexy tonight, Cherry Girl.”

She shakes her head.

“Baby, you’re always sexy to me.” My hands round her distended belly. She’s got stretch marks even though she’s religious with the moisturizer. I know she hates them, but they do nothing to scar her beauty. They’re part of her, and I love them because of that. They’re marks that represent what an amazing woman she is. She’s grown three babies already. Three. And she’s birthed two of them, which is fucking epic.

This woman in my arms is amazing. And so fucking sexy.

My dick grows even harder, straining against my pants as I grind against her perfect ass.

She groans, dipping her head forward and closing her eyes.

For a second, I think she’s about to tell me she doesn’t want this. Maybe she needs to talk about her shitty day first. Maybe she’s too stressed out to really let go and enjoy this with me. As disappointing as that is, I’ll accept it.

But when I go to step away, her hips thrust back again—her silent show of permission—and all I can whisper is “That’s my girl.”

Her lips twitch with a grin as she catches my eye in the mirror before bending her head back so she can kiss me. I glide my tongue along her lips, my hands trailing from her stomach to her thighs before cresting up her hips and then gliding north to play with her nipples.

She moans again, and I love how I know every one of her sweet sounds now. She can tell me without a word exactly what she wants, and I happily deliver, pinching her hardened nipples and sucking her neck.

Reaching back, she threads her fingers into my hair, closing her eyes and tipping her head back with another groan. She wants more, so I glide my hands back down, rounding my fingers over her ass and playing with her pussy from behind.

Her breath hitches as I dip my middle finger between her folds and start stroking her inner walls. I love this warm oasis, have studied it in depth, and enjoy the sweet gasp that pops out of her as I find her G-spot and give it a tickle.

My dick is straining to get free.

All in good time, my friend. Let’s make her come first.

I glide another finger inside her, stretching, reveling in the wet eagerness that greets me as I plunge a little deeper, then pull my fingers back, teasing her sweet spot until she’s gasping and leaning forward to grip the bench. She pants over the sink, and I hope she doesn’t come too quickly, because I want to keep going with this thing.

Sliding open the bathroom drawer, I keep stroking her inner walls while scrambling for her vibrator. It’s bright pink and easy to find. Her gaze darts to mine in the mirror, her lips rising in a playful smirk as I switch it on and a low hum reverberates around the room.

“You’re going to try and kill me with multiple orgasms, aren’t you?”

Her face is fucking beautiful, her expression puckering in ecstasy as I lay the vibrator against her clit. Her lips pop open with a silent scream, and I rub my scruffy whiskers across her shoulders, murmuring between kisses, “It wouldn’t be a bad way to go, baby.”

I glide my fingers out of her pussy and let her sink against the vibrator for a moment, supporting her belly while she bends her knees and loses herself. Her head tips forward, and the sounds coming out of her are magic.

I love her pleasure.

I love watching her fall apart.

It’s so fucking hot, and I can’t wait to plunge my cock inside her.

But first…

Trailing my fingers back around her body, I wait until she’s close to the edge, then help her take a flying leap by thrusting two fingers back inside her and curling them against her G-spot.

“Ahhh,” she groans. “Yes. Baby, yes!” Her sounds turn to high-pitched squeaks, and I know she’s about to shatter.

I watch in wonder, loving the way her muscles go taut just before the explosion. Then she’s vibrating, squirming on her toes and shuddering as the orgasm washes through her. She’s still riding out the wave when I set the vibrator aside and softly murmur, “You want more?”

I’m already unzipping my pants, grinning when she nods and pants, “Hell yes, baby.”

Mr. Jones is more than happy to come out and play. He pops free as I shove my pants down, looking for release. The second my tip hits her entrance, he’s doing a happy dance. I can feel his glee as I grasp Caroline’s hips and thrust into her.

She cries out the way she always does, and I revel in that sound… revel in that feeling of being wrapped in her warm center. She’s fucking fantastic, and I pump into her, closing my eyes and absorbing every sensation traveling through me.

“Fuck yeah, baby. You’re so hot.”

She whimpers, thrusting back against me and bending forward for a different angle. I deliver, my pace picking up as I pound into her the way she likes—hard and fast.

I grip her ass cheeks, giving them a firm squeeze and loving the way pregnancy softens her curves, giving me more to hold on to. I love the way her body has changed over the years, enjoying her at every stage, falling deeper and deeper as we grow together.

Yeah, that’s a fucking philosophical thing to think when my cock is buried in her pussy, but it’s true. The longer I’m with this woman, the more I love her. She’s become a part of my soul.

She whimpers again, gripping the edge of the vanity and nudging back, telling me to go a little faster, plunge a little deeper. I happily oblige, breaths punching out of me faster and faster as my body starts to reach that point of mind-blowing ecstasy.

“Fuck, you feel good, baby.”

“You too,” she pants, tipping her head back and moaning some more.

I slow my pace, wanting to draw this out, because being inside her is so fucking good and these chances are getting harder to find. The boys are asleep, and I need to take advantage of this downtime we’ve got together.

Gliding my hands in front of her, I slow my pace to these long, languid pulls as my fingers find her clit.

“You are trying to kill me,” she whispers. “Death by multiple orgasms.”

I grin, catching her eye in the mirror. “Like I said, it’s a good way to go, baby.”

“Yeah.” She smiles back at me, her eyes bright and stunning before she snaps them shut, her lips parting as I hit her sweet spot again. She burrows farther back into me, my cock starting to twitch as her inner walls clamp around me.

“Keep going,” she squeaks. “I need that friction.”

I start pumping a little faster, and she lets out these gasping screams, her hand clamping over mine when she hits another orgasm and starts milking my cock. It takes me all of five seconds to start jerking inside her, the climax hitting me like a wrecking ball. I slam into her, uncontrolled thrusts that make us both cry out while I empty myself.

At least I can’t get her pregnant again right now, right?

Shit, she says my sperm must burn through the condoms, and it’s no wonder why. They probably fire through those things because she turns me on so fucking hard. She makes me come like a nuclear explosion because she’s so fucking hot. Her pussy is still clenching around me, making it hard to breathe or do anything but clutch her hips and hold on.

My strangled cries are no doubt comical as my body tries to regulate again.

It’s taking its sweet time, and I jerk once more before finally finding my breath again. My heart rate slowly starts to decelerate. I stay inside her, resting my forehead against her shoulder, then lightly kissing a path up her neck as I hum the chorus to “Sweet Caroline.”

She lets out a throaty laugh, biting her bottom lip and staring at me in the mirror.

Her blue eyes are bright, smiling at me before her lips follow suit.

“Love you, Cherry Girl,” I whisper.

“I love you too.”

Her gaze turns misty, but I’m pretty sure these are happy tears.

Pregnancy has always made her emotional, and I’ve had to harden myself, as her tears have always killed me in the past. But I’m adjusting… mostly.

Wrapping my arms around her, I cup her breasts and give them a light squeeze. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” She sighs, making it sound like she’s not.

I give her a sympathetic frown.

“It was just a tough day. But you’re here now.” She runs her fingers across my forearms and rests her head back against my shoulder. “You’re home, so everything’s good again.”

“Can I reinstate you to the role of mother again?”

She laughs. “Yeah, I guess I better not resign.”

“Thanks.” I kiss the tip of her nose and finally pull out of her. “I should get you into bed.”

“Okay, but I’m not ready to sleep yet. I want to hear every detail of the game.”

When she says shit like that, she actually means it. I’m going to have to give her a play-by-play of all my moves. At least the ones I can remember. She’ll pepper me with questions and try to live the game through my recall of it.

As we put our pajamas on, she tells me she only caught snippets. Billy watched me for all of five minutes before getting distracted.

“I ran into the living room to try and see what I could, but the boys were…” She shakes her head. “It was just one of those days.” She sniffs, her chin bunching for a moment. “Liam and Rachel popped in.”

“Oh yeah?” I spin with surprise. “Rachel?”

“Yeah.” Her expression buckles, and I can instantly tell there’s more to this story. Caroline’s smile is sad and wobbly.

Aw, shit. What the hell went down during that visit?

Caroline looks on the verge of tears again, and I know we’ll have to talk about it. I open my mouth to say that, but she shakes her head.

“Let’s talk hockey tonight.” She sniffs. “I can tell you about my dumpster of a day tomorrow. I just want to fall asleep with good news in my head.”

“You know we lost, right?”

She gives me a sad smile. “I know, and I’m sorry. But I saw you play for a couple minutes, and you were fire. I’m so proud of you.”

My chest tingles with a warmth only she can ever give me.

We slip into bed and I hold her against me, the baby moving inside her as she rests her belly on my stomach. I feel those little kicks and my heart swells with anticipation. We still haven’t decided what we’re going to call our little angel yet, but we’ve got time to talk baby names. Right now, Caroline needs to talk hockey.