Page 17 of Dario

"I got it after everything that happened with Wayne. It was so far out of my comfort zone that I went for it."

"You have a nipple ring?"

"Yes."

My hands clench on her bottom as I pull her against my erection.

"Do you want to see it?" She asks quietly.

I swallow hard. "Sweetheart, if you show me your chest, I'll have you naked and under me." I close my eyes. "A dream come true, but not here where anyone can walk in."

"But you can't rest with an erection. I feel you throbbing." She grabs me through the sweats.

"Gemma," I pant, pulling her hand away. "The first time you make me come will be with my dick buried deep inside your body." The image alone is enough to turn me on. "Talk to me. I need to calm down."

She sighs. "I'm older than you. You think that makes me a cougar?"

I can’t help myself and burst out laughing. "I think you'd have to be more than six years older to be a cougar, babe.”

"Pity." She giggles. "I've always wanted to walk on the wild side."

"I'm not sure about the wild side, but as soon as I get you home, I'll show you the filthy side."

"I thought you needed to calm down."

"I do." Pause. "Tell me about your job. Like what arrangements you need to make for away games. I've never thought about it. I just show up where I'm told, when I'm told."

Gemma snorts. "Well, it helps that Wyatt owns the plane and the buses we use. That makes things a lot easier.

"We have contracts with a hotel group, so that means a designated person. We book extra rooms to make sure we have enough. Unless otherwise specified, everyone shares with the same person each time, so we have a master list that is given to the hotel. When we arrive, Davy and I pick up the envelopes with the names and room numbers on them. It makes the whole thing pain- less and keeps us from clogging up the front desk."

"That doesn't sound too difficult."

"It isn't, mostly. The hardest part is making sure the hotels have enough security to keep the fans and puck bunnies off the floors."

"We have our own security."

"They travel as well, you know that, but we don't have access to the security cameras and stuff like that. Other guests are also entitled to their privacy.

"Davy told me that a while back, two players who shared a room in the NHL got into it. Trashed a room. Luckily, I haven't had to deal with anything like that.”

"At least your job doesn't sound boring." I rub my cheek against the top of her head and sigh. "Do you feel what I feel, Gemma? This closeness? You don't want to be away from me? Ifeel it. I knew if I ever got this close to you, I wouldn't be able to walk away."

"I feel it too." Pause. "I've always been a loner, Dario. I enjoy my own company. Loud noises frighten me. I'm okay during games, but I can't handle nightclubs and concerts.”

"I can do without those things." I move down the bed, so we're face to face. "Don't worry about your job. I'll explain to Wyatt that what's between us is not to be taken lightly."

"I can't survive without my job. It's all I have."

I move closer. "Not anymore. You have me. I share with the guys, but they won't mind if you move in with us."

"I can't move in with you."

I brush my lips over hers. "Until I know you’re safe, I want you to stay with us. Then I can move in with you." I grin. "Until then, you won't be able to sleep without being pressed against my body."

"Are you sure?" she huffs.

"I wasn't," I admit quietly. "I am now. I'm not an idiot, Gemma. I would never try to control you the way Wayne did. When it comes to your safety, yes, I will be bossy, but only then. I promise you can trust me."