Icebound (Boundless Players, #1)

by Meredith Trapp

“What are you looking at?” I jerk, missing the click of my seatbelt. “Nothing. Sorry, so what’s your name, sweetheart?” “Sweetheart? Oh no, I’m going to stop you right there,”

You’ve got the type of eyes a man needs to stare at a little longer to figure out the color, and I don’t mind staring.”

“Alright, what kind of woman are you?” “An incredible one,” she deadpans.

You can snap if you need to, just don’t break on me.”

“Can you please pretend like we were on a date, and I’m not your Lyft driver? Oh, and if you could act like you’re completely obsessed with me, that’d be even better.”

What’s the worst that could happen?

Fampus last words

“You cold, babydoll?” That slipped out. “Babydoll?” She winces, brows climbing upward. “No. That’s even worse than sweetheart. We’re not doing the whole cringy nickname thing.”

“Yes, I’ve told you this a thousand times,” I say. “It makes me shaky, and I don’t like the feeling.”

Omg same girl!

“Fuck, I hate that we have to go commando for every game,” Cruz says, itching his crotch. “My balls are chafing against my jockstrap. You sure I can’t wear one of those man girdles?”

Lol

Good thing, too, because I was tempted to smack Cruz for that one. I’d break his lucky stick if he tried anything with Rowyn.

Get a feeling they'll end up together

Being in college, I rarely meet anyone who’s sober—like me.

“So, name any position that you want, because I bet I can fake fuck you better than he ever did for real.”

“Alright, no kissing, but let’s get one thing straight. When I kiss you, notice I said when, it’s not going to be because we’re trying to make someone jealous. It’ll be because you’re desperate to feel my lips on yours, and trust me, you will be.”

“I’ve never been desperate for a boy.” “Then you’ve never fucked a man.”

“You like me rubbing my cock all over you?” I whisper in her ear, needing confirmation. “Does that feel good, Nina?”

“Yes, please. That feels so good, Rhode. You’re so good at that. Whatever you do, don’t stop.”

That’s the woman who shoved her tongue down my throat in the bar. Is she Nina’s sister? Our eyes meet, and her brows come together, but there’s no sign of recognition. Does she really not remember that night? How drunk was she?

Lol wow

It’s easy for me to make friends, but keeping them is hard. Every time I slip into a dark phase, I go into hibernation mode and start ignoring texts. I lose a lot of friends in those shadows, and when I finally resurface, Gwen’s the only one there.

“You’re icebound.” “What? Icebound?” “Yeah. Means you’re bound by the rituals of the hockey gods like us, so you have to watch all our games. We need our good luck charm to keep winning.”

“It was a long time ago. The only thing I remember is that every night, no matter how sick she was, Charlie would always come in and flutter her eyelashes against my cheek to say goodnight, but that stopped when she died.”

So sad

easy. I felt like my life was a mess and I needed some more permanent luck. It hasn’t worked out that way.” “Not sure about that. I feel pretty lucky that I met you,”

I’m not going to think about that because then I’m going to have to think about why I dug through my closet until I found my old, favorite sweatshirt to give to her, even though I did laundry yesterday.

“There’s nothing wrong with a girl who’s got a dirty mouth. Isn’t that right, Rhode?”

“Remember what I said in the car that first night? You can snap if you need to, just don’t break on me.”

“You’re not an inconvenience. You’re a priority.

“When I said you looked fine earlier…” I swallow. “What I meant was that you looked absolutely breathtaking tonight, and the person you end up with is going to be one lucky bastard.”

I brush my lashes against her warm cheek like she said her sister used to do.

“Goodnight, beautiful,” I whisper, stroking her hair. She shifts a little, but her eyes stay closed. “Don’t have sweet dreams. Have wild ones.”

“You really want me?” “No.” His fingers tighten on the desk, but he doesn’t move to touch me. “I fucking need you.”

“I know we want different things, but I don’t care about any of that. I don’t even care that we’re in someone else’s office. I want you, even if it’s only once.”

“Alright, here’s how this is gonna go. I know you don’t like surprises, so I’m telling you right now what I want. First, I want to bend you over this desk and slap your fine ass for wearing another man’s jersey. Next, I want to lick your pussy until your voice is hoarse from screaming my name, and then, I want to shove my cock so deep inside you that you’re all I feel.”

“You better be screaming my name too.” He plucks the wrapper from my hands. “I have a feeling I’ll forget all other words besides your name once I’m inside you.”

“I don’t care if it takes five minutes or five years to make you come on my tongue because every second I get to spend with my head buried between your thighs is pure fucking bliss.”

“You’re my naughty girl, then. I like you a little mean, anyway.”

“The person you end up with should do things like that for you, Nina. That was the bare minimum.” “Maybe for you.” Her lips twitch into a smile. “Well, thanks for being my blueprint.”

“Don’t have sweet dreams. Have wild ones.”

“Go ahead and laugh. It’s hilarious. The NHL’s rookie fuckboy is actually a virgin.”

She doesn’t have a star tattoo on her right shoulder, or a Texas-shaped birthmark, or gold glasses, or freckles I can’t stop staring at, alright? Stop asking me about other women I could date when I’ve got you in my arms. You’re the only one I’m thinking about.”

“You can snap if you need to, just don’t break on me.”

“You want to fuck? I'll fuck you good. You want to eat? I'll take you out. You want to stay up all night talking? I'll listen to every word. I'll do whatever you want as long as I get to be yours until you get on that plane.”

“I'm glad I waited so long to kiss you.” She frowns. “Why’s that?” I kiss her again and again and again. “Because I knew once I did, I wouldn't be able to stop.”

Love is made with little moments, and we have enough to build a castle.

We aren’t destined, but that’s okay. The idea of fate bringing two strangers together is a pretty one, but love is stronger when it’s a choice.

“Goodbye, Rhode,” she whispers against my lips. “In another life, I think you would’ve been my forever.”

“Rhode…” She tries to step back, but I tighten my arm. I’m not letting her go. “You shouldn’t be hugging me like this.” “Like what?” I smirk, trying to look arrogant even though it feels like someone pulled a ripcord in my throat. “Like I still want you? Like I want to know if you decided to walk the stage at graduation? Like you’re the only thing that’s been on my mind for the past few weeks?”

I hope that whoever created his soul also made mine.

I thought love would be this big moment, but it stacked up from all these little things.

everything. I want to sparkle, but no one sees me. I’m like… a glimmer. You have to look hard to find me.” “I found you, and now, you’re the only thing I see.”

“You beautiful girl. It almost hurts to look at you.” She huffs. “Then close your eyes.” I’m not letting her downplay this. “That won’t help.”

“Why not?” I kiss her forehead. “Because it’s not your face that’s beautiful. It’s your soul.”