“You planned all of this?”

“Yes. After Parker made that video yesterday afternoon, I waited for two hours and then called Jess. I told her I had reconsidered her words and had chosen my career. Then I got her to reveal her plan. I made her believe I wanted to avoid running into you again, so I needed to know when exactly she was going to expose you. She was so confident that she had won that she just told me everything. About the drugs, where she had hidden them, and when she was planning to blow your cover.” Unbelievable – and I was so sure he had chosen against me. I feel the painful weight that has been on my chest since last night start to lift.

“I thought you left me,” I whisper, looking between his wonderful eyes.

“Emma,” Caleb says gently, cupping my face in his hands. His thumb catches the single tear rolling down my cheek. “I would never leave you. Not for my career or anything else in this world.” He leans down so I can feel his breath tingling on my skin. “You belong to me,” he murmurs, “and no one will ever take you away from me.” With that, he lowers his lips to mine and seals his words with a long, intense kiss.

Epilogue

Emma

Ten days later.

Lost in thought, I stand at the foot of my bed, absentmindedly fiddling with the button on the quilt. Today, the Devils had their first playoff game, which they managed to win with a score of three to two. It was an insane match. Caleb and his guys were unbelievably good, and even Durand gave it his all. That says something, considering he’s been through a pretty rough time. After Mr. Flake found out about the drugs, he really grilled him. Durand didn’t get kicked out, but he had to undergo a drug test – which came back negative. Plus, Flake insisted he turns himself in for slipping those pills to me and the other girls. I know the Canadian contemplated leaving the team amidst all this trouble. It was Caleb himself who took care of his teammate. He believes that every person in this world deserves a second chance. Even Durand. Although he still harbors resentment for him, for slipping me that half tablet back then. Anyway, Caleb persuaded him to stay, not to hang up his career and waste his talent. Thanks to him, the winger has pulled himself together again. A lot has changed otherwise. We haven’t seen Jessica up to this day; according to Bill, her father forbade her from contacting his players for life. He was horrified that his daughter was the one sabotaging his team. Dad and Mom had a two-hour conversation. She apologized for abusing his trust, and finally realized she couldn’t make amends. They filed for divorce. It pains me to see them suffer, but I know it’s the only right thing to do.

“But you do realize you’re occupying the bed for free, don’t you?” I glance over my shoulder and spot Caleb strolling into my new bedroom and towards me. Dad and I found this wonderful four-room apartment very close to the ice rink.

“I had originally planned for us to spend the night here,” I respond, sensing a subtle twinge in my lower abdomen. Caleb and I have only ever stayed at his loft, for the simple reason that we can’t seem to keep our hands off each other. At his place, we can be as loud as we want, and we don’t have to worry about my dad overhearing. I had actually planned to stay here tonight. But the way Caleb is looking at me right now, it’s going to be tough to stick to my plan. He embraces me from behind and pulls me close.

“We can do that tomorrow… or the day after,” he whispers into my ear with a seductive voice. I feel his breath tickling my neck before he kisses the curve of it. His tongue traces a moist trail up to my earlobe, sending shivers down my spine. Caleb grins against my neck. He knows exactly how I respond to his proximity, and he revels in it.

“Just you wait!” I let go of the bedding and turn to face him. It’s incredible, I love that hungry look in his eyes.

I raise my arms, entwining my hands around his neck, and press myself closer to him. Judging by the corner of his mouth twitching, he can feel my hard nipples through the thin fabric of my cocktail dress. “You know,” I purr, rising up on my tiptoes to playfully nip at his lower lip, “I’d much rather strip you down right here and now, push you onto my bed, and pick up where we left off this morning.” Caleb’s eyes darken. “Is that so?” There is a hint of excitement in his voice.

“Yes, I would soil this bed with every trick in the book, suck your dick, let it slide deep down my throat…”

“And now,” I whisper, suppressing a grin, “we have to go, or we’ll be late for the party at Brillant.” With that, I quickly slip out of his grip and step past him to the door.

“Hey, how are you two doing?” Dad appears in the open doorway.

“Good,” I reply, giving Caleb a smirk. He squints at me with a “just you wait” look. The doorbell rings.

“That must be Bill,” my father guesses, leading the way. I’m about to follow him when Caleb takes my hand and pulls me back towards him. I laugh, thinking he’s teasing or trying to be playful. But his expression is surprisingly serious. With furrowed brows, I look up at him. He lifts a hand and gently tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. His gaze follows his fingers as they trace along my jawline and to my cheek.

“Thank you,” he says earnestly, then fixes his wonderful brown eyes on mine.

“For what?” I ask, nestling my face into his warm palm.

“For giving us both a chance.” A brief but sharp pain shoots through my stomach as I remember the evening outside the cigar shop. Back then, a future together with him seemed unimaginable to me. Yet we’ve managed to make it, forging our path despite all odds. “A life without you is unthinkable for me.” Caleb’s voice is soft but fervent. It pierces deep into my chest, making me realize that I feel more for this man than I ever have for anyone else. His hands cradle my face as our gazes meld together. “I love you, Emma,” he says, filling my heart with overflowing happiness.

“I love you too,” I reply, my voice choked with emotion. The smile he gives me makes my knees go weak. He leans down and kisses me. As the world around us fades into oblivion, and I’m aware only of his presence, one thought pierces through:

My new job here was more than just a stroke of luck. It was fate because Caleb and I are meant for each other.

The End.

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