Page 101 of With the Assist

The knot I didn’t know I was bracing against eases.

When he turns, the shift is immediate. The warmth in his expression darkens, his gaze dragging slowly from my eyes to my mouth.

He crosses the distance in two steps.

His hands come up to my face, thumbs brushing my jaw as his mouth crashes into mine.

The kiss is all urgency and heat, drowning out the noise in my head. I make a soft sound before I can stop myself, fingers curling into the front of his jacket as I melt into him.

When he finally pulls back, just enough for us both to breathe, his forehead rests against mine. My pulse is racing, but my concerns are blissfully silent.

“I thought your place would be more impersonal,” he murmurs.

I pull back to look at him. “Impersonal how?”

He shrugs slightly. “Cleaner lines. Less history on the walls.”

I shift to step back, but he moves with me.

“Why would you think that?”

“Because you’re really good at taking care of everyone else and even better at keeping your own stuff locked down.”

My fingers slide up to rest against his chest. “You make it sound like you’ve got me all figured out.”

“Not quite.”

I tilt my head, brushing my nose against his. “I’m not that predictable.”

His lips curve. “No, but I’ll still figure you out eventually.”

“It’s good to have goals,” I nip at his lip. “Even when they’re unattainable.”

“C’mon, Wesley, it’s just us here. Let me in.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I don’t understand why I feel so comfortable with him. So seen. But, I’m not sure I want to create boundaries tonight. I don’t have it in me.

“Be selfish. Lose a little of that quiet control. Let yourself want something. Anything. Just for tonight.” His breath is hot against my lips.

The air feels heavy with possibility.

“Tonight,” I say softly, “I want you.”

His jaw tightens, something predatory flickering there, but I still take my time leading him down the hall. The light from the living room fades as we go, replaced by softer shadows.

Nathan pauses inside my bedroom, turning to look at me like he is giving me one last chance to change my mind.

I step closer instead.

The door barely finishes closing before he’s on me, hand framing my face as his kiss steals my breath.

The sound I make is surprised and hungry all at once, and he takes it as encouragement. His grip tightens, fingers sliding into my hair as he backs me toward the bed, kissing me like he’s been holding back all night. Whatever patience he had has burned off.

There is something surreal about him wanting me, even if it’s only for tonight or a couple of weeks. A man like Nathan Wilder wanting me so wholeheartedly is not something I ever expected. Not because he’s a famous hockey player, but because of who he is.

He’s sexy and carries himself with a kind of confidence I can only fake. He’s kind and generous, despite what the media might say. He’s everything I’ve never let myself have.