"Do you forgive me? For leaving?"

She sank her teeth into her bottom lip and nodded slowly. "I told you, Tanner, I knew you had to leave. I could've told you the truth...but you still would have had to leave. There was no way I would ever stand in the way of your NHL dream." She twisted her fingers together. "Do you forgive me for not telling you why I had to stay?"

He lifted his chin, and then he nodded too. "I do. I understand. I get that you were protecting your dad. And I get that you were protecting me."

She sucked in a sharp breath, amazed.

"It's f.u.c.king s.h.i.tty, but life is s.h.i.tty sometimes. We both said...we both could have done things differently. We were nineteen years old. What the h.e.l.l did we know?"

"Do you think we're different people now? Do you think we could still have something?"

"I'm the same person, Katie. Maybe a little more mature. A little wiser. Maybe." He smiled. "And you...I still see the same girl...smart and super organized and caring and funny."

She still saw the things in him she'd fallen in love with...his loyalty to his team and teammates, the charm that drew people to him, the c.o.c.ky smirk that hid the fact that he was afraid to believe in love. He'd believed in it once...with her.

"Also you're still smokin' hot in bed, so there's that."

She caught the teasing glint in his eyes and smiled back at him. "Yes, I am."

He barked out a surprised laugh. She crawled back over the bed to him and cupped his face in both hands. "You're still pretty hot in the sack too. We're pretty hot...together."

She brushed her mouth over his.

"You make an excellent point." He reached for her and flipped her to her back.

"You get off on tossing me around like that, don't you?"

He grinned. "Maybe."

"It's kind of a turn-on for me too."

"Perfect." Kneeling beside her, he unb.u.t.toned the shirt and spread the two sides open. Her skin heated at his open perusal. He drew a finger down her chest between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and over her abs, which tightened. "You look hot in my shirt." He teased the curls on her mound. "This is nice."

"Th-thank you." She was bare everywhere else but there. "Tanner?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you going to be traded?"

He went very still. "What?"

"I've seen the articles about you...in the paper and online. Rachel saw one and read it to me and then I saw some others. There are all kinds of rumors that the Aces might trade you to some other team."

"f.u.c.k." He blew out a breath. "I know there are rumors. I can't stop them."

"But is there some basis to them?"

"Here's what I know: I'm in the last year of my contract with the Aces. As of July first, I become an unrestricted free agent, which means if I haven't signed a new deal with the Aces, I can sign with any team that wants me. The Aces would be stupid to let that happen, though, because right now they could trade me for someone else if they don't want to sign me. Then they'd get some value for me."

"But they want to sign you...right?" She shivered at the thought that they wouldn't.

"They say they do. My agent says they do. But negotiations aren't going anywhere, so...I don't know. The trade deadline is February twenty-seventh this year."

"Trade deadline?"

"Yeah. The rules are complicated, but basically major trades have to be done by that date. Players who are traded after then can't play in the playoffs, so those trades are usually minor players."

"Not like you."'

He smiled wryly. "Right. And it gets even more complicated with the salary cap and what other players have contracts that are up and who the team can afford to keep."

She nibbled her lip. "It is complicated. I didn't understand all of what I read."

"I don't want to leave." He gave a short laugh. "I love it here and I love playing for the Aces. But I have to get the best deal I can for myself. For my future. And if they don't want to give me that, or they don't want me here..." He held her gaze steadily. "I have to be honest. There are no guarantees in this business."

"I know," she whispered. And she totally did. But the fact that he'd left once before, and now he could be traded to another team tomorrow, terrified her. Would she be crazy to get involved with him, knowing that?

Yes, she was probably crazy. Because he was here with her, in her bed, beautifully naked and stretching out beside her, one hand sliding beneath her neck, the other to her breast. And when he kissed her, all those fears spun away.

His hand on her neck urged her closer to him, and his mouth moved over hers with hungry pulls at her lips. He moved to her breast, sucking one nipple, then the other. Liquid warmth surged between her legs. She writhed, flinging her arm above her head, letting him suck and tug at the tender tips of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, heat tracing a line from her nipples to her core.

He released the breast he was cupping and slipped his hand down to her p.u.s.s.y, cupping her there. She parted her thighs for him, her inner muscles squeezing, her hips rolling. His hand stayed there, fingers curved over her while he continued to suck her nipples. He licked the underside of one breast, kissed between them, then nipped at the other.

Her legs moved restlessly against the sheets. "More," she begged.

"Greedy girl."

"Yes. I am. You taught me...to be greedy..."

He laid a string of openmouthed kisses from between her b.r.e.a.s.t.s up to her throat, her jaw, then he kissed her again, still holding her p.u.s.s.y, petting her there while her hips moved in seeking pulses. Her mouth opened for him and he slid his tongue in, bold and demanding. She lifted a hand to his chest and set her fingertips there.

He returned to her nipples, his hand leaving her p.u.s.s.y to caress a breast, and she shifted on the bed again, arching her back as he kissed his way lower, those same hot tongue kisses over her belly. Rising onto his knees, he lifted her legs, knees together, kissed one instep, then the other, bending her knees first up and back, then shifting them to the side. He leaned down and kissed her hip, then her b.u.t.t cheek, palming it with his big hand. She moaned at the erotic gesture, flames consuming her.

The sensitive skin there tingled at the touch of his lips and tongue and beard stubble...so slow and sensual and arousing. Then he stretched out again beside her to kiss her, but his hand stayed on her b.u.t.t, one finger sliding between her p.u.s.s.y lips, probing there from behind.

"Oh G.o.d, that's hot," she cried.

He moved his hand, tugging her thigh so she was flat on her back again, and he resumed playing there, fingering her, sliding through her slickness, finding her center, pushing into her. She stroked his chest and a rumble rose in him. He kissed her again and again-slow, lush, wet kisses. With his eyes on her, he moved down and once more sucked her nipple into his mouth while he f.u.c.ked her with his fingers. Watching him watching her made it so intense it was almost unbearable, the connection raw and visceral. Tension rose in her body, tightening in her pelvis.

He moved again, pushing her legs apart with his big hands on her inner thighs, kissing her there too. Sensation slid down to her toes, and they curled into the bedding. He lifted her leg so he could toss it over his shoulder and leaned in to put his mouth on her. She cried out at the intense sensation, hot sparks swirling through her bloodstream, his finger still deep inside her, rubbing supersensitive nerve endings while he licked her c.l.i.t.

"Oh G.o.d, oh G.o.d, oh yes."

She reached for him now, for that huge c.o.c.k jutting from neat brown hair at his groin. He made a low guttural sound as her fingers closed around him and gave a tug. "I want this," she whispered. "I want to taste you."

"Aw, f.u.c.k baby."

"Please."

"Like I could say no to that." He shifted on his knees, closer, and she brought the tip to her lips and rubbed it over them. "f.u.c.k."

She licked over the smooth head and whimpered because he felt so good and tasted so good, so hot and male and delicious. He shifted closer still, reaching out to stroke her hair off her face, then cupping her jaw. His hips moved, rocking toward her as she took him in, f.u.c.king her mouth so gently. She glanced up at him to see his face, loving the expression of wonder and ecstasy, his beautiful mouth open, his eyes heavy-lidded, watching her lips slide up and down his shaft.

She cupped his b.a.l.l.s tenderly with her other hand, let her fingers tease over the soft hairs and thin skin there. G.o.d she loved this, giving this to him, and it made her p.u.s.s.y even wetter. The wet sucking sounds were wickedly erotic in her quiet apartment.

"So good," he murmured, fingers caressing her jaw. "So G.o.dd.a.m.n good. Work that mouth over me, just like that."

She released him for a moment, panting, then licked again, but he moved away. "Need to f.u.c.k you, baby. And that sweet p.u.s.s.y needs to be f.u.c.ked."

"Yes. Oh yes."

She blinked at him as he found another condom, then moved between her legs, parting them, his own knees spread wide and planted into the mattress as he entered her. He kept his eyes focused on hers and the connection between them was palpable-intense, hot, intimate. He stretched her tender flesh, filling her with a beautiful completeness, so satisfying and yet not nearly enough. Planting his hands on the bed, he bent forward to kiss her again, hard and hungry. He kissed her jaw, then the side of her neck, sucking her skin into his mouth in a soft love bite.

His hips moved faster, powering into her, the mattress bouncing and becoming frenzied. She curled her arms around him to hang on for the ride as he f.u.c.ked her, sounds of pleasure-pain falling from her lips, mingling with his own grunts and gasps.

"Want you to come, baby," he muttered near her ear. "Tell me..."

She was there. His pelvis rocking into her with such fierce pressure on her c.l.i.t had her there, and she cried out as pleasure exploded, ripping through her.

"Oh yeah. Come on my c.o.c.k, baby." His hips slowed into one hard thrust accompanied by a guttural noise...another...and another, and she felt his c.o.c.k pulsing inside her. She gripped his firm a.s.s and held him tight to her body, his face buried in the side of her neck, his breath fast and hot against her skin.

He slowly pushed up onto straight arms and kissed her, giving a slow glide in and out of her, then once more. She released a long sigh of decadent pleasure.

He smiled against her lips. "Yeah. Let's try again."

- "Would love to stay in bed with you all day," Tanner murmured into her hair the next morning. "But I've got a practice at ten."

"I'd love that too." She rolled and stretched her arms over her head, pointing her toes. Her body felt pleasantly sore from s.e.xual activity. Lots of s.e.xual activity. "But I have a party tonight, and I need to get going to pick up some things, and meet the caterer and the florist."

"What kind of party?"

"It's an anniversary celebration. A fiftieth wedding anniversary."

"Jesus. That's a long time to be married."

"I know, right? You don't see that very often these days. They're a totally sweet couple. Their kids are throwing the party for them."

"Nice." With a sigh he rolled out of bed and strolled naked across the room toward the bathroom. She had to watch. How could she not? She admired all the little flexing muscles in his back, the bulging thighs and taut a.s.s. The swirls of black ink across his upper back in a tattoo he hadn't had before...the words "winners never quit" in script with some bada.s.s embellishments.

She crawled out of bed too. She picked up his shirt, wishing she could wear it again, but she probably had to give it back. He wasn't going home shirtless. She located their clothes, wrapped herself in a robe, and wandered into the kitchen. She wasn't much of a breakfast person-all she needed was caffeine. Should she offer him something to eat?

She heard the shower running, but it was the quickest shower ever. He was back in a few minutes, a towel around his hips, his hair damp.

"Your clothes are on the bed. I'm afraid your shirt's a little wrinkled."

He shrugged. "No worries. I'll zip home to change before I head to the arena."

"Do you want something to eat?"

"Nah. They feed us before practice. Omelet bar."

She lifted an eyebrow. "Wow."

"Yeah. We're spoiled." He b.u.t.toned his shirt, covering that amazing chest. Now dressed, he sauntered over to her. "So you're busy tonight. How about you come to the game tomorrow?"

She pursed her lips. "I've been avoiding hockey for so long. I haven't been to a game in ages."

"You used to love my games."

"Except when you fought."

"I got in, like, two fights in college."

She smiled.

"I hardly ever fight."

"Okay."

"I'll get you tickets."

"Tickets. Plural? I'll see if Rachel will come with me."

"If you want, I can talk to Lovey...you could sit with her and the other wives and girlfriends."

She closed her eyes. "I'm not ready for that."

He nodded. "Okay. I'll let you know about the tickets. Uh...I better get your number."

She smiled and they entered each other's numbers into their cellphones.

She followed him to her apartment door and handed him his jacket. "It's stopped snowing." She glanced out the window. "Are you going to take a taxi?"

"Yeah, just to save time-but seriously, it's not that far." He set his hands on her hips and pulled her against him. "Next time you come to my place."

"Okay." She twined her arms around his neck and went onto her toes to kiss him. "Mmm."

The kiss went hot and deep, and they both had to pull away, breathing fast. "s.h.i.t," he murmured, touching her face. "I don't even know when I'll see you next. Maybe Monday?"

She nodded. "Sure."

She smiled as she waved goodbye to him, but the smile turned to a pout as she closed the door behind him. Ah well. She had a busy life, as did he. She wasn't sure what exactly this was, other than "trying again," or where it would go, given his uncertain status with the Aces. For someone who liked to plan, that was a little unsettling-okay, a lot unsettling-but she had to admit, she wanted to give this a shot.

She poured herself a cup of coffee, then sat on her unmade bed and texted Rachel. Want to go to a hockey game tomorrow night?

She tossed her phone down. Rachel was probably still asleep at this hour on a Sat.u.r.day morning. She'd shower and get dressed.

Forty minutes later, hair and makeup done, dressed in black pants and a black turtleneck sweater, she started packing up to leave. She grabbed her phone from the bed and checked it. Eeep. Six messages from Rachel.