Spiral (Off the Ice, #2) (85)
“Sage?”
“Hmm?”
“Shut up.” And then I kiss her. Desperate and urgent and exactly how I wished I had last night. She melts into me, hesitating before she lets go and completely surrenders to the all-consuming kiss. Her soft moan gets trapped in my mouth when she parts her lips and I slide my tongue over hers. We fuse in a burst of electricity.
Sage pulls back for a breath, and I rest my forehead against hers, unable to contain my grin when she chews on her bottom lip.
“I think you’re sleep deprived. Did you sleep at all last night?” she asks.
“If I’m not sleeping next to you, I’m not sleeping at all.”
She blinks like she’s holding back tears.
“But I did forget to tell you something last night,” I say.
“What?”
“I love you.” I let the words hang in the sliver of space between us. “I’ve known from the first time you laughed at me. The first time you made one of your dirty jokes. The first time you slept in my arms. I’ve known it all along, and I’m sorry for letting you think I needed time to realize it.”
With my palm cupping her cheek, I press a light kiss to her forehead.
She blinks at my chest, still not meeting my eyes. “Real or fake?”
Fuck. The question chafes my heart, and I hold back a groan as I level my gaze with hers, knowing that I want her to never have to ask that question again.
“Real. So fucking real.”
The tears slip from her eyes, and I wipe them away.
“Don’t cry, baby,” I murmur softly.
With a tattered, broken breath, she says, “I’ve waited so long for this to be real. To hear those words from you. But hearing them now feels like I’m making it all up in my head.”
“You’re not making it up.” This is the last time I’ll let her cry because of this, because of me. “I love you. And I should have told you last night, but I think we both know you have a knack for leaving me speechless.”
She lets out a watery laugh, then meets my eyes. “But I snore.”
“Music to my ears.”
“I have really cold feet.”
“I run hot.”
“I’m a people pleaser.”
“Then let me be the one to please you.” I watch her shock turn into realization. “I want you to be mine. If anyone in this world deserves someone who’s there for them, it’s you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you believe you’re worth every bit of worry and care.”
She blinks away her tears.
“Do you want me, Sage?”
That does it. She lunges at me with her arms around my neck. She’s practically hanging off me. Even through my hoodie, I can feel her touch warm my skin. I lift her and she hooks her legs around my waist.
Sage buries her head into the crook of my neck. “I’ve always wanted you, Elias. Just been waiting for you to catch up.”
“I’m sorry it took so long.”
“As long as I get to end up in your arms like this, it’s worth it. You are worth it.”
I pull back before she can kiss me. “So, it’s not because of my magical hands?”
Sage bursts into laughter. “Oh no, I’ve tainted you.”
“Let’s go home and you can taint me some more.”
Her eyes widen before she nods obediently. Just before I’m going to let her back on her feet, a flash of white hits us and we turn to the team photographer, Brandy, giving us a thumbs-up. “Doesn’t hurt to capture a moment of happiness even during a loss. I’ll send it to you, Eli.”
Sage turns to me and asks, “What are you going to caption that one?”
A smile lifts my lips. “‘Home.’”
THIRTY-SEVEN
SAGE
IF THERE WAS a way to snap my fingers and remove my clothes, I’d have done it by now. However, Elias drives slowly, allowing some old country song—that no doubt is from Aiden’s playlist—to float through the car as if I’m not going to spontaneously combust in the passenger seat. Every word he said to me in that hallway plays on repeat, but him saying I can taint him takes the cake.
Though I’m not going to be the one to bring it up. Even though he asked me to be his, I don’t know whether that includes my body too. I really hope it does.
By the time we’re in the elevator, he’s watching me with a predatory gaze and I watch him right back.
Take me, my eyes say.
Don’t tempt me, is his reply.
“You scared of me, Elias?”
The elevator dings open to a lower floor, but no one enters. Elias crosses the small space to stand before me, towering, smirking, mocking. “Should I be?”
The deep rumble of his voice zings a shot of electricity to my core, and I know then that I won’t survive tonight. Whether he takes me or not, I’m completely ruined by this hockey rookie who bakes me sweet treats and supports me like no one ever has.
Grabbing the collar of his shirt, I yank him close, just inches from my lips. “Why don’t you find out?”
Pillowy lips brush over mine. Sexual tension drips off the elevator walls, and it’s so hot in here, I wouldn’t be surprised if I find condensation blurring the mirror.