Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Cannon smiles and kisses me again. “This is a smart conversation to have. Granted, we went about things a little backward with drunk sex first, but I like you, Ava. I’d like to continue to see you, and while we’re talking about it, it’s only you. I don’t do hookups or bed hopping.”
“That’s good to know,” I breathe out.
“But,” he says, and instantly I tense up. “My time is limited. My job is beyond hectic. I’m gone fifty percent of the time and when I’m here, some of my workdays are very long. I have a lot of people I’m obligated to, so it’s important you know that while it would only be you in my bed, it might be infrequent.”
While I’m relieved to know he likes me, and that he wants monogamy, I wasn’t expecting him to be so blunt about his limitations. I am, however, grateful he’s laying them out. It’s the best thing he could do for me so that as I navigate through a completely new and different type of relationship, I know what to expect.
“Thank you for being honest. You obviously know how important that is to me.”
“I’ll always be honest with you,” he promises, leaning in for a soft kiss. “And when I’m with you, I’ll give you all I’ve got. Okay?”
“Okay.” I smile at him, reveling for all of three seconds before I’m on my back and he’s on top, kissing me hard.
“It occurs to me,” he murmurs, lips trailing down my neck. He scoots down my body, pulling a nipple into his mouth. He sucks hard and lets it slip free with a tiny pop. His eyes lift to mine. “We just committed to being monogamous.”
I’m dazed from the rapid change of activity—from talking to my nipple in his mouth and back to talking again. “We did?”
“Yeah, we did.” His smile is sly as he moves back up to hover his mouth over mine. “And since we’re committed, I’d like to talk about sex without condoms.”
“Oh,” I gasp, completely stunned. It’s not something Derek and I ever talked about. He just suited up and I never thought about it.
That’s how I was taught to have safe sex.
“I have a complete physical at the beginning of every season, which includes an STD test. I’ve always worn a condom when I’m not in a committed relationship.”
“Have you been in committed relationships since…”
Since your wife died, but I can’t say it.
“Two,” he replies, and that stings a tiny bit to know I’m not that first special person he’s wanted to have this discussion with. “What about you?”
“Oh… um… well, Derek and I always used condoms, but when I found out he was cheating on me, I had a test done too. Just to be on the safe side.”
“And?” he prompts.
“All negative.”
“Same,” he says with a grin. “So, now let’s talk birth control.”
“IUD,” I report.
“Meaning technically, I can fuck you right now without a condom,” he concludes.
“That seems like a reasonable extrapolation.” I laugh.
Cannon groans, and it sounds as if he’s disappointed. “I had planned on only having you once more tonight, but I’m thinking we’re not going to get a lot of sleep.”
“I can’t say I’m disappointed to hear that.”
“Good girl,” he murmurs before capturing my mouth in a scorching kiss that has me more than ready to test our stamina tonight.
CHAPTER 10
Cannon
This isn’t the first time the Pittsburgh Titans have been back to Columbus since the plane crash last February, but it is the first time that I’ve been here as their head coach. While it’s safe to say that this team can compartmentalize their feelings and put on their game faces, I guarantee you everyone—including me—is thinking about the crash to some extent.
I’ve always been a good flyer. I’m one of those people who never had a hard time giving up control, so a little air turbulence doesn’t freak me out. I’m not the type who would feel more comfortable if I were flying the plane.
But I’m not going to lie… I had some jitters on the early-morning flight here. I can’t even begin to imagine how Coen, Hendrix, and Camden felt, since they were the three players who weren’t with the team when the plane went down.
The flight is only forty-five minutes to travel the roughly two hundred miles between the two cities. Ordinarily we travel to away games the evening before, but with short flights like this, we can do it all in one day, and the players with families appreciate it. We’ll head back to Pittsburgh after the game tonight.
After landing at the Columbus airport, we take a bus straight to the arena for a light skate. Thereafter, we load the team back on the buses and check into the hotel. While we aren’t staying the night, Team Services always arranges a hotel, as there’s a lot of downtime and the players need a place to relax and rest until they have to head back to the arena around five.