Page 45

“This is my place. I’ll have whoever I want here. I’llfuckwhoever I want. It’s none of your business. You’ve dropped off the collection, and now, you can go.” At that, she turns her back and grabs a black satin robe.
Damn, Aurora is fucking hot when she’s angry at someone else.
Emily stands stunned, mouth hanging open—that makes two of us—before she shakes her head, gathers her belongings, and walks out.
“Jackson!”
Fury dances in Aurora’s eyes, and my dick twitches.
“Yes, babe.”
“Put some clothes on.”
“Come here.” Before she can refuse me, I draw her into my chest. “Good morning. You’re fucking hot when you’re jealous. Have you eaten?”
She shoves my shoulder. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re irresistible.” I lower my voice for only her to hear. “Can I pin you up against the brick like that and eat your sweet little cunt?”
“Jax! Go get dressed.” The tension has left her body, her voice playful and pleading.
“Kiss me, and I’ll go get dressed before you murder someone.”
She rises on her toes, gives me a quick peck, and pulls away. “Clothes. Now.”
I spin around and head directly to the bedroom, my hands shielding what’s only hers.
24
AURORA
Ethanand I don’t talk much, just a few daily texts and a call here and there. It feels odd compared to Jackson, who constantly needs attention, but I tell myself he’s busy, making his first season remarkable and dealing with Jax’s public relapse.
So I’m surprised when my phone buzzes with a FaceTime request in the middle of the afternoon when I’m about to nap on the couch.
“Hey, baby!” Ethan’s face transforms into a grin that lights up his spectacular gray eyes.
He’s wearing a tie, beard neatly trimmed, and behind him is a whiteboard of hockey jargon, once again reminding me of his dedication.
“Hey, yourself. This is rare. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“The pleasure is all mine, but I, ah, unfortunately need my overpaid captain, and the pain in the ass is not answering my calls.”
“You didn’t even call to talk tome?” I pout and feign outrage. “And here I was, missing you.”
“Yes, I did, you little brat.” He traces his thumb along his bottom lip, the corners of his mouth betraying a pleased smile. “But this is kind of urgent.”
I roll my eyes—only because I know it irritates him—and yell into the kitchen, “Jax! Your boyfriend is on the phone!”
Ethan grumbles something about meregretting my attitudeas Jackson saunters into the living room, wearing loose basketball shorts and a T-shirt. He returned his rental car this morning and brought his bags in while I worked. I should’ve locked him out, but honestly, I’m sick of being miserable.
Fucking Jackson and my damn bleeding heart.
I peer up at the man in question. “Coach wants to talk to you. He’s on FaceTime.”
He sits next to me and greets Ethan with, “Hey, fucker.”
Then, to my utter astonishment, he effortlessly lifts me onto his lap, wraps an arm around me, and takes the phone.