Page 226 of Securing the Pucking Rebound

“I know,” he says, cupping my cheek tenderly. “But not tonight.”

Disappointment and understanding collide, both fighting for dominance.

“Soon,” he teases. “And I promise to make it worth the wait.”

I blink up at him, my eyes getting heavier and heavier.

“I’m going to clean you up, and then you need to sleep.”

“Okay,” I whisper, losing the energy to fight him on it.

He pushes from the bed, and the last thing I remember is him walking into my bathroom. I drift off to sleep, my head full of Calvin Keller and his magic tongue.

62

SIENNA

Iwake feeling way fresher than I deserve, considering the number of cocktails I drank last night. I also wake with a heavy arm resting over my waist and muscular, strong legs weaved through mine.

Calvin.

Memories from last night come back to me. A pair of hands grabbing me from behind, a hot and hard body pressing against mine, and the deep rasp of his voice in my ear.

I shudder just thinking about dancing with him in the middle of the club.

Heat surges through me as I think back to him carrying me into my apartment, undressing me, and demanding I spread my legs for him.

Oh God.

I squeeze my eyes closed tighter.

I begged him to have sex with me.

I told him I wanted him inside me.

He said no.

Rightly so; I was definitely under the influence.

He did the right thing, given the circumstances, and I love that he didn’t immediately jump at the opportunity. A lot of men would.

It just goes to prove that I’m right to trust him.

“Soon,” he promised. “And I promise to make it worth the wait.”

I believe him, too. If what we’ve experienced together so far is any indication, finally having sex is going to be mind-blowing.

Calvin’s heavy breathing continues behind me. It’s unusual for him to still be asleep when I wake. As gently as I can, I turn over so I can look at him.

My breath catches when I open my eyes.

His annoyingly naturally thick eyelashes are resting against his cheekbones, his full lips are parted just slightly, and his hair is a wild mess around his head. He looks peaceful and cute as hell—probably something he’s not aiming for.

I lie there for the longest time, just watching him sleep, wondering how the hell that little boy turned into this strong and powerful man. Deep down, though, he’s still the same person. The boy who took me horse riding for hours and lay in a field with me and showed me the constellations above us.

My heart slams against my ribs as I think about getting on an airplane later today and leaving him behind for another holiday. It wouldn’t be so bad if he were doing the same thing. I know he’s got his hockey family here and that he’ll have a great time with them, but still, I can’t deny that the urge to invite him to join us is getting stronger.

With crazy thoughts spinning around my head, I force myself to slip away so I can use the bathroom.