A Deal with the Hockey Captain

The First Night – Claimed by Fire

"I'm choosing," she whispered again, her eyes shimmering in the low light of his apartment. "You."

Hunter didn't move at first.

His hands trembled where they held her face, the pulse in his neck visible, thudding. "Say it again," he rasped.

"I'm choosing you, Hunter," Eden said, voice steadier now. "Not because I'm broken. Not because I'm scared. Because I want you to be the one. You're already the one."

A thousand emotions warred in his eyes-rage, tenderness, guilt, lust-but when she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, everything else fell away.

And all that remained was them.

He kissed her slowly, reverently.

Not the way he'd kissed her in the library. Not the way he'd kissed her to tease or to train.

This kiss said I'm here.

It said you're safe now.

It said I want all of you-not just your body, but every thought you've ever been too afraid to say.

He lifted her carefully into his arms and walked her to his bed like she was made of glass. Set her down like she was precious.

Then stepped back.

"You're sure?"

Eden nodded.

But that wasn't enough for him.

"I need to hear you say it. Not because I want permission... but because I need to deserve it."

She looked up at him.

"I'm sure. I've never been more sure of anything."

Hunter let out a breath that sounded like it carried years of ache.

Then, slowly, he peeled his sweatshirt off her shoulders.

Underneath, she was bare.

Her shirt had been torn earlier during the struggle. There was a rip across her side, and she was trembling slightly-not from pain, but from anticipation.

He noticed the bruise starting to form on her arm.

His fingers touched it gently.

"Did they hurt you?"

"No," she whispered. "You stopped them before they could."

"Still... I want to erase this."

He kissed it.

Softly.

Again.

Again.

And then lower.

Trailing kisses down her arm, across her collarbone, between the curves of her breasts. She arched into him, her skin coming alive under the slow heat of his lips.

Hunter pushed the covers back and crawled onto the bed beside her, still fully clothed.

He didn't undress immediately.

Instead, he worshipped.

Hands tracing the shape of her ribcage.

Lips pressing against the softness of her stomach.

His voice a low murmur against her skin. "I've wanted to ruin you for so long... but now all I want is to keep you."

She gasped as his hand skimmed over her hip, teasing the edge of her panties.

The same black lace he'd picked earlier.

He tugged gently, sliding them down her thighs. "You wore this for him," he murmured.

"I wore it for you," she corrected.

He froze.

Then smiled-crooked and full of pain and pride.

She reached for him, touching the hem of his shirt.

"Your turn."

He stripped.

Slowly.

The shirt first-revealing lean muscle, tight abs, and scars she wanted to kiss later.

Then his jeans.

And when he slid his boxers down, she inhaled sharply.

He was big.

Hard.

And beautiful.

Hunter noticed her wide eyes and leaned in. "Scared?"

She bit her lip. "Only excited."

He groaned. "God, you're going to destroy me."

He laid beside her, pulling her into his arms, bare skin against bare skin. Every place they touched ignited.

Eden looked up at him. "Will it hurt?"

"A little," he admitted. "But I'll make it worth it. I'll go slow. You tell me to stop, I stop."

She nodded.

And then, he kissed her again-this time deeper, longer, needier.

Her hands wandered down his back, nails digging in as his body pressed over hers.

He slid a knee between her legs, coaxing them apart. His fingers trailed down her stomach and found her wet-ready, pulsing, needy.

"You're perfect," he whispered.

He dipped one finger inside her slowly.

She gasped.

Then moaned.

"You're so tight, baby. So fucking sweet."

He added a second, curling them inside her until her eyes rolled back.

She cried out, hips bucking, breath shaking.

"Is this okay?" he asked, voice rough with restraint.

"Yes... yes, please don't stop..."

But he did.

Only to shift himself between her legs, guiding his cock to her entrance.

Her body trembled.

Hunter pressed his forehead to hers. "This is going to feel big at first. I'll go slow. Tell me if it's too much."

She nodded, clutching his shoulders.

And then-he pushed in.

Just the tip.

Her mouth parted in surprise.

He held still.

"Okay?"

She whimpered, "More..."

He pushed further.

Inch by slow inch.

Stretching her.

Claiming her.

And then-he was fully inside.

She gasped.

Tears prickled her eyes, but not from pain.

From how full she felt.

How right it felt.

Hunter stayed still, breathing hard, letting her adjust.

"You feel so good," he whispered. "So damn good around me."

When she nodded, he started to move-slow, deep strokes that drove her mad.

Every thrust brought her closer to something new.

Something overwhelming.

Something blissful.

He kissed her lips.

Her cheeks.

Her throat.

"Let go for me," he said. "I want to feel you come while I'm inside you."

She cried out.

Her body clenched.

She shattered.

And he followed-groaning into her neck as he spilled inside.

For a long time, they didn't move.

Just held each other.

He brushed her hair back, kissed her forehead, whispered her name like it was sacred.

"I've never loved anyone," he said quietly.

"But I think I'm falling."

Eden smiled, tears slipping free.

"Fall, Hunter," she whispered. "I'll catch you."