Page 25

Chapter 25

JAMIE

" E ast Coast swing!"Charlie crows with his usual enthusiasm when I walk into the private terminal."Ten days on the road, boys! Anyone up for cards? It's a long flight to Boston."

My stomach twists at the thought of playing in my hometown. Mom's already texting about dinner plans, and while I love my family, they can be a bit… much. I guess it will be nice to see them, but I'm preoccupied as fuck right now.

"Pirelli?"Charlie's voice breaks through my thoughts."Cards?"

"Sure,"I manage, risking a glance at Rylan. He's focused on the phone in his hand, but I catch the slight flush creeping up his neck.

It's been more than two freaking weeks . Two weeks of watching him rebuild his walls brick by careful brick. Two weeks of pretending that night on the phone didn't change a thing between us.

Oh, he's beenperfectlyprofessional. He's all"good work, Pirelli"while he keeps his distance, making sure we're never alone together. On the ice, we're still magic. Off the ice, well, let's just say I could tell youexactlyhow many feet he keeps between us at all times.

And now we're going to be sharing hotel rooms for the next twelve days.

Fuck. Me. Sideways.

The hotel room door clicks shut behind us. After six hours of relentless turbulence—both atmospheric and emotional—we all agreed to skip dinner and just order room service. Even Charlie was too rattled to push for group bonding.

Rylan moves through the room with that precise efficiency I've gotten so familiar with, but there's something different about him. He'sprobablystill rattled from the flight. Shit, even I'm rattled, and I'm not a nervous flier. But his usual perfect control seems... frayed.

"You can shower first,"he says, not meeting my eyes as he unpacks his suitcase. His voice is strained, like he's working too hard to keep it steady.

"Rylan."His name comes out rougher than I intended."We have to talk about this."

He freezes. "About what?"

"You know what."his shoulders tense as I step closer."About how you'vebarelylooked at me since that night on Facetime."

"Jamie..." he whispers hoarsely. "I can't..."

"Can't what?"Another step."Can't talk about it? Can't acknowledge that something is going on between us?"

He spins to face me and fuck . The look in his eyesnearlyknocks me off my feet."Of course, something's going on,"he says, his voice cracking."That's the whole fucking problem."

"Why?"I move closer still, close enough to see how his pupils dilate, how his breath catches."Why is it such a problem?"

"Because..."He runs a shaking hand through his hair."I can't control it. I can't control myself when you're near me. And I can't—"He cuts himself off.

"Maybe you don't have to fucking control everything."I take another step closer."Maybe sometimes it's okay to just let shit happen."

"Like that night?"His voice drops lower, making heat pool in my gut."When I let myself..."

"You were beautiful."The words come out raw, and honest."So fucking beautiful, Ry. Letting go for me. Letting me see you."

His breath hitches. "Jamie..."

"Tell me you haven't thought about it."I'm close enough to feel the heat from his body."Tell me you haven't replayed every second of that night like I have."

"I can't."It comes out broken."I can't stop thinking about it. About you. I'm losing my goddamn mind over it. I can't...I don't know what to do anymore!"

"It's okay."I reach toward himslowly, giving him time to pull away, but he doesn't. I brush my thumb across his jaw."It is okay to let yourself want things, Rylan. It's okay to… to want me."

A shudder runs through his body, his eyes fluttering closed."Jamie, please..."

"Please what?"I whisper. He trembles, pressing his head into my hand."Tell me what you want, Rylan. Tell me what you need. It's safe. You're safe."

"I need—"He grips my shirt with both hands, curling them into fists, his eyes still closed, like he can't bear to look at me. He doesn't pull me closer, but he doesn't push me away either. He just holds onto me like he's afraid I'm going to disappear if he lets go."I need you to make me stop thinking. Like you did that night. Like you always do."

"Yeah?"I slide my hand into his hair, and when he opens his eyes his pupils are blown wide."Do you want me to help you let go again? Want me to help you forget about everything except how good you feel?"

A broken sound escapes him."Yes. Please."

The last of my control snaps at his broken plea. I surge forward, claiming his mouth in a kiss that's been building for weeks.

He opens for meimmediately, and holy fuck —he tastes like coffee and mint and pure need. His hands fist tighter in my shirt as I back him up against the wall, slotting our bodies together like puzzle piecesfinallyfinding their match.

"Jamie,"he gasps when I move to his neck, finding that spot below his ear that makes him shake."Oh god..."

"I've got you."I press closer, sliding my thigh between his legs. The sound he makes goes straight to my cock."I promise, I'll take care of you, baby. Let me make you feel good."

His hips roll against my thigh, seeking friction."Please, I need..."

"What do you need?"I bitegentlyat his pulse point, feeling his heart race under my lips."Tell me, Ry. Want to give you everything."

"You."His voice breaks on the word."Just you. So much."

I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. He's so vulnerable right now. So terrified. But he's so goddamn beautiful. And the trust he's placing in me makes me feel like I'm a damn king.

"I'm here."I brush my thumb across his kiss-swollen lips."I've got you. Going to make it so perfect for you, baby. Going to help you let go of everything."

He surges forward to kiss me again, deeper this time. More desperate. It's like he'sfinallyallowing himself to reach for what he wants. His hands slide under my shirt, mapping my skin like he's trying to memorize every inch.

"Need to feel you,"he mumbles against my lips."Need all of it.."

"Yeah?"I start working his buttons open, revealing more of his perfect skin."Want me to take you apart, Ry?"

The sound he makes is half moan, half sob, and itnearlyundoes me. I get his shirt open, running my hands over his chest, feeling his heart pound against my palm.

"Bed,"I manage between kisses."Need you spread out for me. Want to taste every inch of you."

He shudders hard, pupils blown so wide there'sbarelyany color left."Jamie..."

"I've got you."I start walking him backward toward the bed."Going to take such good care of you, baby."