As if any of them are going to show up.
I end the call on six identical expressions of stupefaction.
As the screen goes dark, Slade is still holding me frombehind. His hands are warm at my waist and his lips were just on my neck and my whole body is still humming from all of it
And my nipples are hard. Visibly hard, through the fabric of my top, which is a problem because his hands are at my waist and his eyes are right there.
Partly to hide my body’s response to Slade’s touch, and partly because the laughter is already rising inside me, I turn around and put my face against his chest. He’s solid and warm and smells like cedar. His heartbeat is steady under my cheek and his arms come around me without hesitation, like this is something he’s done before, like I fit there.
I laugh until my shoulders shake and tears run down my face.
His hands land on my shoulders. “Lila.” His voice is tight. “Did I go too far? Are you crying?”
I lift my head. His face is genuinely worried, those green eyes searching mine.
“Yes,” I gasp, a tear streaming down my cheek. “I am crying. Crying with laughter. Because their faces…” Laughter tumbles out of me helplessly. “Breeders. Oh my God. Where did you even come up with any of that?”
Relief etches his features. “Well. You don’t play hockey as long as I have without figuring out how to push your rival’s buttons. And growing up with my brothers, you learn how to roll a stick of conversational dynamite into the room.”
I look up at him. We’re still tangled together, my hands resting against his chest, his at my waist, and from this angle I have to tip my chin up to meet his eyes. He’s looking down at me with that steady green gaze.
The laughter fades.
“You didn’t have to do any of that,” I say softly. “I mean, it was amazing, don’t get me wrong.”
“I didn’t like their attitude.”
“My father looked like he was going to need a defibrillator.”
“He’ll be fine. I know a tough old bastard when I see one.” He coughs. “Not to insult your family. That is to say?—”
“No no, perfectly said. That is the most…” I can’t finish the sentence because I’m laughing again. “You are so…”
“Effective?”
“I was going to say unhinged.”
“Those aren’t mutually exclusive.”
The hysteria is fading and leaving something warmer in its place. I’m still pressed against his chest and his arms are still around me. He smells heavenly and his body is strong and solid and he just spent twenty minutes being feral on my behalf.
“Thank you,” I say quietly. “Really.”
His arms tighten slightly. “Least I could do,” he says. “Considering the shit they said to you.”
“I’m used to it.”
“I know,” he says. “That’s the part that really pisses me off.”
I smile a little against his chest. “Nobody’s ever defended me against them before.”
“Better get used to it. You’re marrying a professional defenseman.”
Chapter 16
The Big Shebang
SLADE
