T he trip didn’t have the desired effect she’d hoped for. Martin had been busy for most of it as she expected. He had a curfew and a strict regimen to follow, but they found time to play. Making love whenever the opportunity presented itself. He seemed genuinely happy to have her there, and she had time to learn more about the players and a few of their partners.

The unfortunate part of the trip was she never got the courage to tell him she’d fallen in love. For a girl who prided herself in going after the things she wanted, Martin presented a different challenge. Each time she got close, she’d hesitate, and he’d change the subject or get extra playful. Until his mood soured after they lost both games. Both had gone into overtime and could have gone either way. Martin didn’t look at it like that and his attitude wasn’t the greatest when they arrived home late after the latest loss.

He’d cuddled her in his arms, but wasn’t interested in more. That was a first, and she debated if that was a good or a bad thing. The goodnight kiss lacked passion, but held way more intimacy. Lying there in each other’s arms without sex or for any other reason than it felt great wasn’t good for her heart. Nothing had changed, and the ending loomed closer.

They only had a few more days together. He hadn’t asked her to stay, and she hadn’t brought up her flight again. The deadline on their time weighed heavily on her mind. She took a long time to sleep, and she tossed and turned most of the night.

On the verge of waking, she heard a familiar hum. Her eyes snapped open when the vibration touched between her legs. Martin hovered over her, batting his long lashes. He pressed the vibrator against the top of her mound and she moaned.

“Good morning.” He nudged her legs wider apart as he settled between them. His cock poised at her entrance, but he didn’t push inside. He claimed her mouth, covering her lips. She opened her legs and her mouth. He moved his hips, coating himself in her moisture.

The vibration moved over her stomach in slow circles. Their tongues followed the same slow pattern as the sensation moved up her body. He circled her nipples until they were hard enough to cut glass. He broke the kiss as he slid the vibrator along her neck and then over her lips. Her eyes widened when she saw it was her tiny egg vibrator. The same one he’d seen her use.

He kissed it before moving it against her breast again. “I’ve been thinking about using this for a while now. Is this all right?” He pushed only the head of his cock inside her.

“I don’t mind at all.” She lifted her hips, but he moved with her, preventing a deeper penetration.

Only giving her the tip when she wanted every inch. His lips caressed the side of her mouth. When she tried to kiss him, she got a chaste peck. He even kept the vibrations around her areola and not the sensitive spot she craved. He teased her for several minutes, drawing out the foreplay. Granting her a sample of euphoria then pulling away again.

“More, please give me more,” she begged.

He circled his hips again, taunting her. “Let’s play truth. Tell me what you want Sylvie and I’ll give it to you.”

“You.” She lifted her hips again, but gained nothing. “I want you.”

“Not me. Something true,” he whispered into her ear. “A truth you’ve never shared with anyone.” His tongue outlined her ear, and the vibrator hovered above her sex.

“No more games. The truth is I want everything, dammit. All of you. Every single part,” she whimpered, as her body quaked with pent up arousal.

“Take it.” The vibration landed against her clit as he thrust inside.

A tsunami of sensation bombarded her at once. “Yes!”

He looked into her eyes as he lifted one leg against his shoulder. She was in the splits as he pounded into her. The harder he thrust the more pressure he applied against her clit. It was too much. All of it was too damn much for her to take. From the way he looked at her, the way he moved inside her, and the way he kissed. It was more than fucking. Her eyes welled with tears as she reached her climax. The tears fell and she couldn’t stop them as he found his release. He gave her everything, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted more than his body and she feared that was all he could ever offer.

Martin collapsed on top of her and she hugged him. She never wanted to let him go and if there was the slightest chance he cared, she had to take the risk. “Martin, I… we need to talk.”

“Not right now. I want to hold you and enjoy this for a moment longer,” he said.

“It’s too much, I have to—”

“Oh, my bad.” He switched off the vibrator. Then he pulled out and rolled onto his side. “Did I hurt you? Was the vibrator on too strong? I had it on full, but I should have asked you. Shit, I’m so sorry. I got caught up in the moment.” He traced her tears with his fingertips.

“No, that’s not it.” She exhaled, trying to find the right words. “I think I love—”

“Oh fuck! I didn’t realize it was so late. We gotta go. You’re spending the day with Caroline and I’ll be with Nico and the guys.” He bolted out of bed like it was on fire. “We’re meeting them in the lobby in ten minutes.

She hadn’t been able to get the words out, and she lost her chance. For now. Another opportunity would come. “Right. Start the shower, I’ll be right behind you.”

They raced through a shower and dressed in record time. She ended up wearing a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, paired with killer heels. A day at the spa and massages didn’t require her to look her best. Martin kissed her cheek when they parted ways in the lobby. Carly gave her a look of sympathy, but mentioned nothing.

A day surrounded by chatty women while getting pampered, turned out to be exactly what she needed. Caroline had twelve close friends join them and they were all amazing. She said over a hundred more were meeting up for dinner and the after party. Sylvie let the jubilation of the day take center stage and pushed back her fears she’d fallen for a man who could never love her back. He loved her as a friend, but not as his partner. Not the way a man is supposed to love his woman forevermore. She’d been down that road with Renny and she refused to go down it again. She couldn’t make or force someone to love her. If her time with Martin taught her anything, it’s that she deserved the best. And she wouldn’t settle for anything less.

They capped off the day with hair, make up and new outfits for the occasion. It reminded her of a scene from Pretty Woman, minus the prostitution part. The stylist swept her hair to the side with pins, leaving loose curls cascade over her left shoulder. The makeup was subtler than she usually went. Instead, of dramatic cat eyes and bright red lipstick, they chose soft pinks and a light neutral gloss. She went along with everything except the dress. They tried to squeeze her into something made for a woman half her size. The winning choice had a corset waist and a long slit on both sides of the red dress. Martin’s favorite color. She might not have occasion to wear it often, if ever again, but she felt sexy.

When dinner time rolled around, they planned to meet back up with the men. The pair had gone all out and spared no expenses. Limos transported them from the spa to the posh restaurant they’d rented for the night. There were so many people Sylvie understood why they’d had to do that. As the men stumbled in, it was obvious several were drunk. Sylvie and the women laughed as they ambled in. They were a loud bunch, and it seemed like they were enjoying themselves.

Her eyes caught Martin’s as he entered and widened when she noticed the woman on his arm. They looked stunning together with their matching black hair and perfect bodies with zero percent body fat. Jealousy reared its ugly head, but there was no place for that beast. Martin wasn’t hers and he had every right to flirt and meet someone else. He wouldn’t be sleeping with his girl, but maybe someday.

That thought made her sick to her stomach. She had to look away from him and focused on the young woman. It took her a moment to recognize Beth. Carly’s roommate and the same girl who’d left with Joe only a few short weeks ago. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Carly nudged her shoulder. “I told myself I wouldn’t ask, but now I need to know what’s going on between you and Martin?”

“Why?” She turned her attention to her new friend.

“Because my roommate is on a mission to marry an NHL player. Beth is a super girl and I love her dearly, but she’s kind of slutty.”

“I’m not sure I’m following you?” Sylvie looked back at the crowd and lost sight of the pair.

Carly moved her chair closer. “Fuck. How do I say this tactfully? Is Martin on the market or off? If he’s yours, then I’ll tell Beth to find another guy. But if you don’t claim him, it looks like she might try.” She pointed to the back corner of the restaurant.

When Sylvie spotted them again, they were huddled together, appearing far cozier that she liked. She closed her eyes and looked away. “He’s free to be with anyone he wants.”

“Really? Did you guys talk about you staying and it didn’t go well? I had high hopes you’d be sticking around. I don’t have many friends here and barely any time to make them.”

“That’s sweet you’d like me to stay. You are my friend regardless of where I live. But it’s looking like I’ll be heading east in a few days.”

“That sucks! Guys are dumb. Hockey players are an especially bad breed. It takes a total masochist to want to be with one. I had hoped Martin was one of the good guys, like Theo. It’s too bad he’s a dog like all the rest. Joe and Cameron are the worst of the bunch and he’s with them non-stop. They probably rubbed off on him.”

“He’s not a dog. They are all good guys at heart. He’s been burned in the past and keeping his distance is his way of coping. It was my mistake, thinking there was potential. We never once talked about anything long term, and like I said, he knows I’m leaving in a few days. If he wants to set up his next bed partner that’s his choice. But in all fairness, you should warn your friend he’s not husband material.”

“If I thought it would make a difference, I would. These guys all have a one-track mind and that’s on the Cup. I’ve told her that, but she’s trying to teach someone a lesson or something. She hasn’t come right out and told me, but I think she’s trying to make an ex jealous. I’m thinking the marriage part isn’t as important as the notch on her bedpost. The national league is big, but small at the same time, and guys talk.”

Sylvie offered a weak smile. “Like how you thought Martin and I were a couple.”

“Yeah, I guess. Either way, I’ll go tell her to back off. He might not be yours, but I can see in your eyes that he should be,” Carly said as she stood.

“You don’t have to.” Her words trailed as Carly sauntered off on her mission to right something that wasn’t wrong. Sylvie’s festive mood vanished.

“Hey, girl! Are these seats taken?” Miranda asked. Her hand was wrapped around a mammoth of a man.

Sylvie pulled out the empty chair next to her. “It’s all yours. I assume this is your husband?”

Miranda beamed. “Yes, this is my Chuck,” she said, sitting down. “Chuck this is Sylvie.”

The man reached down and shook her hand before pushing his wife’s chair in. “Ah, you’re the woman’s who dating Martin Thomas.”

This had the making of a long and awkward night if people kept asking that. Especially, if he was off fucking someone else while she sat there like an idiot. Her stomach knotted. A waiter came by with a tray of hors d’oeuvres and the scent made her guts flip. She felt ill all of a sudden. “We’re not together. Just friends. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to find the ladies room. It was great meeting you and I’ll be back in a moment.”

On her way, Sylvie bumped into Caroline and Nico as they mingled. She thanked them for the invitation. Nico mentioned the guys had played indoor paintball and go-karting. It sounded like he enjoyed his day. The couple couldn’t take their hands and lips off each other. His eyes conveyed the message he was dying to get their evening over with so he could be alone with his bride to be. It did her heart some good to see love win for a change.

Once she made it to the bathroom, she sat down and took a few deep breaths. This evening was about celebrating love and it struck her that she might never have a night like this. A tear slipped down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away. She blotted her eyes with toilet paper and tried to compose herself. When she exited the stall, Beth stood by the mirror, reapplying her lipstick.

“Oh hi. That dress is killer.”

Sylvie wanted to bawl her eyes out because Martin had kissed this girl. Or if he hadn’t yet, he wanted to. Christ, if she was a man she’d want to fuck her. “Thanks. You look stunning.”

Beth smoothed the front of her dress and smiled. “I really have to pee,” she said, stepping closer to her and the stalls. “Are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“I’m not feeling the greatest, actually. I might call it an early night.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. The strippers will be here soon enough. Are you sure you can’t stay?” The concern sounded genuine which only made her feel worse.

She couldn’t even dislike the girl. “You have fun.”

“I plan to. See you around.” Beth closed the stall door and Sylvie’s eyes filled with tears again.

Sylvie caught sight of her reflection and batted them away. Only a short time ago she’d felt sexy and on top of the world. She was so mad at herself for getting caught up in an impossible situation. The only person doing anything wrong was her. She decided to leave and get her head on straight.

A quick walk back to her table revealed that Carly, Theo and Martin had joined Miranda and Chuck. Laughter rang out, and she stilled when she reached her chair. A waiter went by with champagne and he placed a glass in front of each person. She grabbed her glass from him, thanking him for the drink.

Carly stood up. “Here’s to the happy couple. May they laugh as hard as they fuck!”

“Carly!” Miranda chided, as she stood. “You shouldn’t say things like that. You’re supposed to say may their lives be forever blessed with happiness and love.”

“Whatever. Grab you champagne and toast with us.”

Miranda had a glass of water in her hand. “I can’t.”

“Why, are you pregnant?” Carly joked and Miranda’s cheeks flushed. “Oh my god! Seriously?”

Sylvie looked around the table and Chuck’s eyes filled with tears of joy. “The doctor says we’re five weeks along,” he said with a smile so big, it barely fit inside the restaurant. He squeezed his wife’s hand and kissed her wedding ring.

“I’m going to be a mamma come October.” Miranda had a glow, Sylvie hadn’t noticed earlier. “We planned to wait a few more weeks before we started telling people.”

Carly jumped up and down and then hugged her friend. Sylvie caught sight of Martin as he squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. She set down her champagne. Her heart shattered. No matter how much she loved him, he would never change. He didn’t want to get married or have kids. She did. She wanted the works. That was a deal breaker.

She took her turn hugging Miranda and congratulating Chuck. “I’m so happy for you both. Children are such a blessing. I’d love to stay and celebrate all the great news and love in the air, but I need to go.”

Martin stood and came to her side. “You seem pale. Do you want me to call a cab?”

It was the first thing he’d said to her and it was the wrong thing. “Nah, I can take care of myself.” She grabbed her purse and tucked it under her arm. “Have a great evening everyone.”

“Sylvie—” he said as she strode to the coat check area, hoping he hadn’t followed her. He had. “Give me a moment to say goodbye and I’ll come with you.”

“Don’t bother. You’ve got commitments here to Nico and I will not be good company.” The attendant handed her, her jacket, and she pulled it on.

He fidgeted in his pockets as if he wasn’t sure what to do. “I don’t want to leave you when you’re sick. Let me come with you and I’ll take care of you.”

“Don’t do me any favors.” Words like that had gotten her into this mess. She’d been naïve enough to confuse attraction with love.

“What?”

“I need air.” She bolted out of the restaurant before the first tear fell. Her heels clacked against the concrete sidewalk as she reached inside her purse and pulled out her phone. She’d memorized the bus routes in the city and pulled up the website. Luck was on her side. The bus she needed approached as she reached the stop a block away from the restaurant.

The cold hardly registered but the warmth from inside the bus brushed her face as she boarded. She flashed her bus pass, and the bus took off. She sat down and buried her tear stained face into her hands. The night and her life had turned into one big mess. Her phone vibrated in her hand and she saw Martin’s face across the screen. She hit ignore. He couldn’t fix this and hearing his soothing voice would only make her cry harder. She needed some distance.

He sent a text message. “Where are you? I can’t find you.”

She didn’t want him to worry. “I took a bus. See you later. Have fun.” She typed her response and hit send.

His response came immediately. “I’ll meet you at home.”

Fuck! The last thing she wanted was him to see her crying. It would only confuse him and stress him out. The harder she tried to get her emotions in check the faster the tears came. She was fighting a losing battle. When the bus pulled up outside the condo, Martin stood there waiting.

She stepped off, and he enfolded her in his arms. He held her there while she sobbed. “What’s wrong? Is it a migraine? You haven’t had one of those in years. What can I do to make this better? Please, talk to me. Tell me what to do.” He kissed her temple.

“There’s nothing you can do,” she answered. It was the truth. She didn’t want to change him. He was perfect. He simply wasn’t the guy for her. There was no game they could play that would change that.