Shane (Hudson Williams) and Ilya (Connor Storrie) finally went to The Cottage in the highly anticipated finale of Heated Rivalry, HBO Max's sensational queer hockey drama based on Rachel Reid's Game Changers book series. After a decade-long fling and multiple hookups behind closed hotel rooms, the star hockey players had a much-needed honest conversation about their feelings, concluding the freshman season with a happy ending.However, worry not! A second season of Heated Rivalry is already in order, which will adapt Reid's sequel, The Long Game. With Shane and Ilya now officially a couple, fans are questioning whether the series will scale back on the sex scenes that played a key role in its debut season.Even as Heated Rivalry Season 2 broadens the scope of Shane and Ilya’s relationship, their signature intimacy will continue to remain a defining element in the story. In an exclusive interview with Variety, creator/director Jacob Tierney revealed how sex will always be central in Shane and Ilya's story:''Sex will always be a big part of it, like it is with any romantic relationship.''More on this in our story.Heated Rivalry Season 2 will continue exploring Shane and Ilya's intimacy, but with a different lens View this post on Instagram Instagram PostBy the end of the Heated Rivalry Season 1 finale titled 'The Cottage,' Shane and Ilya are no longer the arch-rival hockey players involved in a decade-long situationship, but romantic partners who communicate their feelings to each other. While the Riaders' and Metros' Captain took their sweet time before expressing their love for one another and contemplating a future together, the result was worth the wait. The final moments of the finale saw Shane and Ilya happily driving off in their car, into the sunset, after revealing the truth about their relationship to Shane's parents.Now that Tierney wrapped the freshman outing of Shane and Ilya's story, as written in Reid's Heated Rivalry, fans are already excited for the couple's next adventure. While the initial passion and lust will transform into adorable love and compatibility in Heated Rivalry Season 2, the show will continue to explore their relationship through physical intimacy.Revealing the details about Reid's The Long Game, which will form the basis for the second season, Tierney said:''There’s quite a bit of sex in “The Long Game.” But I think it functions differently in the second book, and that’s just what I want to do. The journey of this show, no matter how long it goes on for, will always be centered around the relationship between Shane and Ilya.'' View this post on Instagram Instagram PostLongtime Reid readers will attest that The Long Game matches the first book beat for beat when it comes to spice and sex. However, the scope behind their sexual intimacy will certainly change, now that the two have confessed their feelings to each other. Talking about this changed dynamic in Heated Rivalry Season 2, the creator added:''It’s really about continuing that progress of what happens after that first blush of love, what happens after you decide you’re in love and how do you sustain it? That’s a very adult question: “We love each other, and now what? Does that mean everything’s easy?” No, it does not. There’s loads of challenges that get thrown Shane and Ilya’s way.''While Shane and Ilya crossed the first hurdle in their relationship by openly communicating with each other, their journey has only just begun. As with every romantic relationship, confession and acceptance are the first steps and the lovers still have a long way to go in Heated Rivalry Season 2.While the freshman season introduced the characters and their messy dynamics, the upcoming entry will focus on their growth, maturity and development as they navigate their careers and feelings, while continuing to explore their relationship through honest conversations and physical intimacy.Heated Rivalry Season 1 is streaming on HBO Max.For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.