Page 131 of Icebound

“Okay, but I’m kissing you first.” Bracing my good arm on the black tile behind her, I step under the stream of water, clothes and all, dip my chin, and kiss the hell out of my girl.

Hot water falls down around us, making my lips slide over hers with ease. Now that I know what it’s like to kiss her, I always want more. I push her back against the wall, cradling the back of her head so she doesn’t hit the hard tile.

Her tongue slips into my mouth, and she lets out one of her breathy moans that I love. I love that noise. I love her.

Fuck, I hope she loves me too.

I soak up the sound, gripping her ass to pull her closer, so she’s rubbing up against my dick. I can’t get enough of this girl, but I have to talk to her, so with a heavy breath, I pry my lips from hers and step back.

Nina pouts. “I wasn’t done kissing you.”

That makes me want to kiss her again. “I know, but there’s something I want to talk to you about, but first, can you help me take off these clothes?”

“I will gladly get you naked. You don’t have to ask me twice.”

Nina helps me strip out of my wet clothes, and I forget that I have to talk to her when she starts stroking my hard dick with her soapy hand, but I force myself to focus.

Leaning back, I pump some shampoo into my good hand and start washing her hair, but then she pulls forward out of my grasp.

“No, Rhode, you shouldn’t be doing that with your shoulder. You’re supposed to be resting.”

“My shoulder is fine. I can wash your hair.”

She leans her head against my chest, and it’s these small moments that are my favorite thing about us. The moments no one else gets to witness.

I massage her hair with my good arm. “So, I was talking to my coach today.”

“About what?” She grins up at me from under my chin. “Is your shoulder getting better?”

She sounds hopeful, and that makes me fall for her a little harder. I kiss the top of her wet hair. “Yes, but that’s not what I wanted to talk about. It was about something else…”

“That sounds ominous. What is it?”

I take a deep breath, struggling to gather the courage to tell her. I stare at the black-tiled wall, unable to meet her questioning gaze. “I don’t think I’m going to renew my contract, or be a free agent with another team, so this would be the end for me.”

“The end of what?”

I blow out a heavy breath. “My hockey career.”

She doesn’t say anything, so I tug her damp hair back, forcing her to look up at me. “Nina?”

She blinks slowly as she takes in my words and then lurches forward out of my grasp, the water splashing off her skin as she strides out of my shower.

She grabs a towel and wraps it around herself like a shield. “You’re not retiring, Rhode. I’m not letting you give up your dream. You’re going to rehab and play next season. That’s what you wanted. This isn’t the end for you.”

I follow her out of the shower, reaching for my own towel, but Nina hands me one. “That’s what I thought I wanted.”

“What do you mean?”

“This isn’t my dream anymore, Nina. It’s not what I want. My body’s falling apart, and I’m exhausted. I don’t want to be chasing around my kids in my forties with knee braces. Hell, I don’t even think I want kids right now. I want more time to figure out my next move. You’re the one who showed me that.”

“What about the sponsorship?” She throws out her hands, raising her voice. “You’re giving up everything you said you wanted. A family. Hockey. Everything!”

There’s an intensity in her gaze that has me second-guessing what she’s feeling. I thought she’d be happy we have time now. I’m not doing this for her, but I hoped she’d be in my life even after hockey.

“¡Vamos! is still willing to sponsor me even if I'm retired, and I just want some peace. There’s still time for a family. I can’t remember the last time I skated for fun.”

She paces back and forth, leaving a trail of water on the tiled floor as she thinks. She walks and walks and walks until finally, she stops. She flings herself across the room and wraps her arms around my neck. I catch her wet body in the embrace.