As soon as I stepped foot on the ice tonight for warm-ups, I felt different. I was more energized, and could feel the win coming our way. We’re currently back in the locker room after warm-ups, before the first period starts. I’m sitting in my stall, re-taping my stick before it’s time to head back out to the ice.

Scott sits down next to me, nudging me with his knee. “What’s got you all excited? If you go out on the ice with that shit-eating grin on your face, the Vegas D-line is going to eat you whole.”

“I just have a good feeling about tonight. As soon as I hit the ice for warm-ups, I could feel it in my bones.”

“Any chance it has to do with a little dirty blonde that’s been sleeping at your place, and is currently upstairs with my fiancée?”

“Maybe?” I try to play it off, but I’m sure that Kinley being here has at least a little to do with it.

“She still blowing you off?”

“Yeah.” I sigh. “I don’t know what more I can do to show her I’m all in.”

“Have you thought of telling her that you haven’t been with anyone else since meeting her?”

“The timing just hasn’t been right. I don’t want to scare her off with that information.”

“I think it will go over better than you think. I’ve known Kinley a long-ass time, and have seen the guys she’s gone out with in the past. She was always the pushover, and let guys treat her like shit. She has finally found the strong side of herself, and learned to stand up for herself, and I’m proud of her for doing so.”

“Yeah, I know, man. Just wish she wasn’t staying strong against me. But, I’m willing to keep at her and eventually, I will wear her down. Either that, or she’ll find someone else, and I’ll be forced to move on.”

“Alright, enough talking about chicks. Let’s get ready to kick some Vegas ass,” Scott says, smacking his stick against my shin pads.

* * *

The crowd is on fire tonight, and the energy they are giving off is boosting my spirits even more than during warm-ups. I’m ready for the ref to drop the fucking puck and get this game underway. I know this game isn’t going to be a walk in the park – hell, Vegas has shocked everyone so far this season, playing as good as they are for being an expansion team, but I plan to shut that down tonight.

We scored early in the first. Lucas Novak got a lucky bounce off a blocked shot and skirted the puck in top shelf, glove side on Vegas’ goalie. Neither team has scored since, and we’re closing in on just a couple minutes left in the game. We need to stay focused to keep our one-goal lead, and possibly get the shutout win for Soaps. The man deserves it for how he’s been playing tonight. He’s saved our asses too many times to count.

Scott and I jump across the boards, ready to take our next shift. It’s been nice having him back in the lineup. We’re all in position, with Murph taking the puck drop. He wins it, and passes the puck up to Stephen “Chambers” Chamberland. Chambers takes off with the puck up the boards and into the neutral zone. He’s ahead of everyone else out on the ice for the current shift and easily clears over the blue line without worrying about being offsides. The rest of us quickly make it over the blue line and set up, doing our best to get another goal. After some back and forth with a couple Vegas players, we clear the zone and head toward the bench to end our shift and allow the next line to take the ice to try and keep our one-goal lead.

We’re down to a minute left in the game, still up one-nothing, when it’s my shift again. Scott and I barrel over the boards, just as Vegas is attempting to bring the puck out of the neutral zone. I reach out to poke check the puck, and attempt to swing the momentum to us. I miss the puck, and almost take down the winger who had possession. Thankfully, the stripes don’t call me for a fucking penalty and I turn on the afterburners to catch back up and try and take the puck away.

We’re down to thirty-five seconds left on the clock, and just need to hold on to the puck to win this game. We play a fast-paced “pass the puck” and “keep away” as we keep control of the puck. Scott passes the puck to me, just as a small slot opens and I one time it toward the net. The puck deflects off of the Vegas goalie skate and bounces in the net.

“FUCK YES!” I yell, as we pile together, smacking helmets and celebrating together before heading toward the bench.

“Nice shot!” Scott yells to me. With only ten seconds left in the game, we stay out on the ice to play it out. Murph wins the faceoff and keeps possession of the puck for the final seconds of the game, bringing us to the win and giving Soaps his shutout he deserved.

* * *

We all celebrate as we head back to the locker room, deal with the media, and hit the showers. I wait for Scott to finish up before we head toward the WAGs suite to pick up Kinley and Becca.

“You want to go out and grab a drink tonight?” Scott asks, on our way upstairs.

“Maybe, let’s see what the ladies say.”

“I’m sure they will be up for celebrating, after a win like we just pulled off.”

We make it into the suite a few moments later, and I immediately scan the group until my eyes land on Kinley. She’s wearing the same shirt as Becca is; one of the teams’ shirts that the girls all coordinate to wear. Seeing her in their mix, as if she is one of the WAGs, hits me hard and almost takes my breath away. What I wouldn’t do to have her here permanently, wearing my jersey proudly, and using my pass to be in this suite, rather than Becca and Scott’s.

I let my gaze linger on her for a few seconds, until she looks over and makes eye contact with me. We hold each other’s gaze as I slowly walk toward her. Scott is already over by the group, with Becca in his arms. He’s leaning down, whispering something in her ear, and by the look on her face, it isn’t something that’s meant to be heard by anyone else in this room.

I make it to Kinley’s side and she turns to face me. “Nice game, hot shot,” she says, punching me in the shoulder. “That was one sweet goal you got there.”

“You liked that, did you?” I ask her, amusement pouring out of my voice.

“I did.” She winks up at me.

“Any chance you’d be up for going out for a drink tonight? Scott and I were talking about going, if you ladies were up for it.”

“I’m game. Let’s see what Becca says.” Kinley turns to Scott and Becca. “You up for a drink out and about with these two hockey hunks?”

“Sure am,” Becca laughs, as Scott whispers something into her ear again.

“Let’s go then,” I say.

I reach out and grab Kinley’s hand as we leave the suite, lacing our fingers together. She doesn’t pull away from me, so I tug her closer to my side. As we walk out of the arena, Scott and I decide on where to meet up, splitting up to head toward our trucks. I keep a hold on Kinley and she doesn’t fight it, so I lead her to my truck. When we approach, I don’t immediately open the passenger door for her. Instead, I back her up against the door and place my hands against the truck on either side of her head, boxing her in.

I look her dead in the eye, dropping my left hand to trace along her jaw, lifting her face to keep her eyes on me as I touch her. I’m testing both of us; my self-control, and her boundaries. Not sure how far she will let me push her, I slide my hand back up to cup her cheek and lower my head closer to hers. I want nothing more than to lean down until our lips meet, where I can slip my tongue into her mouth and take control.

I can see the want and desire in her eyes, as she looks into mine, but I also see the wariness that lies within her gaze as well. It’s that look that has me pausing, looking for reassurance that she wants this just as badly as I do. When I see that look clear slightly, I take that as my cue. I lean in, capturing her lips with mine. I start out softly at first, but quickly deepen the kiss. I sweep my tongue into her mouth, as I drag her body against mine, reaching down to cup her ass and pull her up so she’s got her legs wrapped around my waist. She immediately grinds herself against my aching cock pulsing against my zipper.

We stay lip-locked, grinding against each other, time lost. I don’t know if it’s been ten seconds or ten minutes, before we break the connection and Kinley pulls all the way back. We are both panting and out of breath, sucking in air like we were dying. She unhooks her legs from around my waist, sliding down my body until her feet hit the ground.

“We should get going for that drink. Scott and Becca are probably wondering where we are,” Kinley says, still slightly out of breath.

I reach behind her and open the passenger door to my truck, helping her climb in and shutting the door behind her. I make my way around to the driver’s side and pull out after securing my seat belt. The car ride over to the bar is silent, neither one of us ready to put into words what just happened between us. After parking, I jump out of the truck and quickly get to Kinley’s side, opening the door and helping her down. I once again lace our fingers together as we walk into the bar, where I spot Scott and Becca almost immediately, and we head toward the table.