Off Sides (Off #1)(26)

I glance back to Ryan and I think he might crawl over the glass he's so mad. Then I hear, "Get out of my seat you, skanky bitch."

It's Paula and she makes an imposing figure in her shredded jeans, Motley Crue t-shirt and green military jacket. She's wearing heavy black eyeliner and black lipstick and even though she's diminutive, she looks tough as nails. I get a small measure of satisfaction when Angeline pales a bit and then scurries away.

I let out a breath I apparently had pent up and glance again at Ryan. He mouths the words "Are you okay?" to me and I nod my head with a smile. He looks at me for a few more seconds and then skates off.

Paula sits down. "What did she say to you? You're as white as a ghost."

I'm quiet for a minute and then I look at her. "She basically said I wasn't good enough for Ryan. That our worlds are just too different to make it work."

"What the f*ck, Danny? And I'll cough up my cigarette to you after the game. Why are you letting her get to you?"

"I don't know. She just sounded so...genuine about our differences that it made me think twice about it."

"Well, you can get that out of your head right now. That boy is crazy about you and the both of you can make this work if you want it to. Now get those doubts out of your head."

I let out a shaky breath and mentally put my head back on straight. "You're right. Why am I even listening to her?"

"That's my girl."

I turn my attention back to the ice and let my thoughts focus on Ryan again. I'm so proud of him out there and at the end of the game, he comes over to the glass with a big grin on his face. They have won 3-2 and he is responsible for a goal and two assists. He pulls his helmet off and his hair is soaking wet. It's amazing he can look utterly gorgeous while being covered in sweat. He taps his stick to the glass and winks at me. I grin at him, my heart getting more deeply entrenched in all things Ryan Burnham. He nods his head to the right and I see he wants to meet me over at the railing to the tunnel that leads onto the ice.

Paula gives me a quick hug goodbye and says she'll see me at home later on. I pick up our garbage and throw it away, and then make my way over to the rail. I quickly climb over it and jump to the concrete.

Ryan is waiting for me and as I get closer to him, I appreciate just how enormously tall he is in his skates. I sure hope he's steady in them because just a few feet from him I launch myself into his arms and wrap my legs around his waist. He's wearing too much gear for my legs to wrap all the way around him but his hands are firmly gripping my ass to hold me in place. I plaster my mouth to his and he kisses me back with abandon, squeezing me tight.

I move my mouth to his neck and nibble there. "I'm so proud of you, Ryan."

He groans but says, "Danny...I'm all gross and sweaty."

"I don't care," I say as I work my way back to his mouth. After kissing him lightly there, I murmur against his lips, "I plan on getting sweaty with you a lot in the future."

Ryan whips around and crushes me to the wall with his body and thoroughly claims my lips with his. Eventually, he pulls back and I'm thankful no one has walked by us yet. "You know it makes me crazy in lust with you when you say things like that."

I smile coyly at him and stroke his face. "Ryan...what are we waiting for?" I know my eyes are full of yearning and I hope he understands the depth of it.

He looks at me deeply and then puts his forehead against mine. "Fuck if I know. Can I stay with you tonight?"

"God yes," I whisper and kiss him again.





CHAPTER 11


Ryan



Apparently, tonight's the night. I hope it's not happening too fast for Danny. It's certainly not happening too fast for me but I feel like a teenage boy getting ready to have sex for the first time. I'm apprehensive and excited all at the same time. And I don't mean horny excited, although I'm sure I'll get there. I'm excited to be with Danny in this way because then she'll be truly mine.

Danny opens the door to her apartment and we walk in. She flips on the lights and lays her purse down. I stand there with my hands in my pockets watching her. She turns and the look on her face is one of nervousness and it makes me doubt what we've set out to do tonight.

I walk to her and cup her cheek. She takes in a shaky breath and smiles at me tremulously.

"Ryan..." she whispers.

"Sshhh...we don't have to do this tonight," I assure her.

She gives a slight shake to her head, closing her eyes briefly. When she opens them back up, the anxiety is gone and in its place is desire. It makes my heart trip over and my body harden with anticipation.

"I was going to say that I want you so much it scares me," she murmurs as she reaches on her tip toes to place a soft kiss on my mouth. My eyes close and I inhale deeply. I clench the fist that's still hanging down by my hips, otherwise, I might grab her and throw her over my shoulder like a caveman. I let my breath out in shaky spurts.



Danny



My entire body is trembling over the way Ryan is looking at me right now. With nothing more than a soft touch to my face, I'm already a hot mess of firing nerves. I want this so badly that the depth of my need scares me. If I could crawl into Ryan's skin right now, I would...just to be closer to him.