Page 33

THIRTY-THREE

“Will we?” His eyes are pleading, and it makes my chest ache. I can’t blame him for questioning. While he’s been all in, determined to prove to me how far he’ll go to make this work, I’ve been stubborn and avoidant. But I’m resolved to show him I’m just as committed to this as he is.

“Of course we will.” I’m not sure how to turn his mood around or how to show him I’m just as invested as he is. He nods, but the doubt lingers in his eyes.

“I’ll be right back. I need to run to the restroom.” I stand, my bladder making its need for relief known at the most inconvenient time. Hopefully, the time alone will give him a chance to recover from the shock.

I weave through the crowd. Some guests are still seated at their tables, chatting, while most are circulating around the room, greeting familiar faces.

As I push through the door to the ladies’ room, I let out a sigh of relief to find it empty. After taking care of business, I step out of the stall and freeze. Standing by the sink is someone I never expected to see—Rebecca Solera. Then again, of course Jace would bring his new girlfriend.

Seeing her doesn’t stir that gut-wrenching feeling I had the first time I saw her online with Ryan. Or the second time, when I saw Jace’s post. If I’m honest, the shock of learning Ryan had dated her hit harder than her wrapped up in my ex’s arms. Now, I only feel a bit sorry for her ending up with Jace, and strangely grateful, too.

“Hi, Rebecca.” I catch her eye in the mirror as I wash my hands.

Her perfectly shaped brows knit together in confusion as she takes me in. “I’m so sorry, I’m terrible with names. Have we met?”

“No, it’s not you. We haven’t formally met. I’m Hannah.” I reach out my hand, and she shakes it, still looking puzzled.

“Where do I know you from? Your name and face are so familiar.”

“Jace Knolls is my ex.”

The confusion clears, and her cheeks flush as she quickly averts her eyes before looking back at me. “I’m so sorry about all that online stuff. I had no idea your breakup was so recent when I met Jace.”

“Oh, no worries. It actually worked out great for me,” I say, thinking about how Jace’s attempts to hurt me led me right into the arms of the man who’s made my life infinitely better. If it weren’t for that stupid photo, the whole fake dating thing never would have happened, and then I would still be blind to what Ryan and I have now. The thought of it makes me shudder.

She puts the pieces together. “That’s right, you’re dating Ryan now, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” I’m unable to stop the smile from tipping up the corners of my lips.

“He’s a great man… but wouldn’t shut up about you when we were together,” she says with a lighthearted laugh. Knowing he thought about me even back then makes my chest clench. “I’m happy it worked out for you guys.”

“Thank you, me too. Will I be seeing you around Chicago now that Jace is playing here?”

“Oh God, no. At least not with Jace. That ended before it even really started. But I’m in town for work occasionally, so maybe I’ll see you around?” She smiles shyly.

Rebecca is not at all what I expected, but then again, most of what I thought about her was a story I made up based on jealousy, and we all know how that goes.

“Well, if you’re in town and want to grab coffee… Let me give you my number.” Apparently, I’m now the kind of girl who makes friends in bathrooms, with her boyfriend’s ex, no less. Fake boyfriend, technically, but who’s keeping track?

Who even am I? Someone who’s happy and secure, maybe for the first time ever. We exchange info with promises to meet up, and she heads back to the party while I touch up my lipstick.

As I step out into the hall that leads back to the ballroom, I nearly walk right into Jace, the absolute last person I want to run into. It’s funny that only a couple of weeks ago, the idea of flaunting my relationship with Ryan in front of him felt like the perfect revenge. But now, I just want our privacy. To remain in our happy little bubble.

“Hannah, you look stunning.”

“Thanks. Congratulations,” I lie. The last thing I want is to share this city, one that has quickly become home, with him. But I’m aiming for polite indifference, which is mostly what I feel—aside from a strong sense of protectiveness over Ryan.

“Thank you.” He smiles, and it’s not his usual snarky smirk; it’s genuine. “I was hoping we could meet up, just to catch up. I want to talk about some things. Clear the air. I’ve tried texting and calling, but I’m guessing you’ve blocked my number.”

What could we possibly have to catch up on? While Jace seems dead set on digging up the past and manipulating it to get his way, I have no interest in going backward. Do I want to meet up with him? Absolutely not. But I want to do whatever I can to help Ryan remain on the Saints and not mess with the team’s dynamics.

I already feel like I’ve turned Ryan’s world upside down, and not in a good way, since I came back into his life. And I hate that. I came back to Chicago to escape all my baggage, to start fresh, but it feels like I’ve just brought it with me and made it his problem, too. I want to make his life better, the same way he’s done for me, but I can’t shake the feeling that all I’ve done is complicate things.

If clearing the air with Jace would help Ryan, I’ll do it. But because it’s Jace, and I don’t trust his nice-guy act, I say, “I’ll think about it.”

Jace nods, accepting my response without pushing, raising my suspicion further. This whole calm, almost contrite act he’s putting on unsettles me. It’s so unlike the Jace who’s shown his true colors post-breakup.

Shaking my head, I make my way back to Ryan, hoping we can salvage the rest of the night.

My back hits the kitchen wall the moment we clear the patio door, Ryan lifting and pressing me against it with a force that steals my breath. His mouth meets mine, only pulling away to mutter, “I’m getting you upstairs this time.”

His lips silence my huff of laughter, the protest dying on my tongue as our bodies push tight. Using the leverage from the wall, I grind my hips against his stomach, silently thanking myself for choosing a dress with a high slit, allowing me to move without restriction.

He trails kisses down my neck and chest, the contact making us both groan. “No,” he murmurs, more to himself than to me, before hiking me up and securing me to him with a tight grip on my butt. He heads toward the stairs.

“Put me down. I can walk. You’re going to hurt yourself.”

He ignores me, only letting out a huff of breath that tells me he heard.

By the time we reach the second-floor landing, I squirm until he’s forced to set me on my feet. But when I try to keep going up the stairs, he catches my wrist, dropping to his knees and pulling me down with him. “You shouldn’t have stopped me, Sunshine,” he says, his gravelly voice sending a shiver down my spine.

He guides me until I’m lying on the hardwood floor, my back arching as my skin meets the cool surface. “Wha—what are you—doing?” I manage to ask through panting breaths.

He speaks against my skin as he kisses a trail up my legs.

Soft lips and stubble graze my ankle. “I’ve.”

A lick on my calf. “Worked.”

A kiss just above my knee. “Up.”

A nip on my inner thigh. “An.”

A caress of his tongue followed by a gentle pull of his lips on my hip. “Appetite.”

His fingers hook into my panties, and I eagerly lift my hips to help him. My legs spread, the heat of his breath mixing with the cold air against my exposed skin.

I bite my lip, but a whimper escapes as his tongue laps at my center and circles my clit. Unlike last time, there’s no slow buildup. He’s a man on a mission, and his mission is to make me come.

Reaching up, he pulls the neckline of my dress down, and one of my breasts pops free. He fills his hand with me, running his thumb over my nipple. Eagerly chasing the climax that feels so close, I run both hands through his hair, shamelessly pulling him closer as I circle my hips.

“Ry.” He groans against me, and it’s the only word I manage to utter before all the sensations crest.

He continues to run his tongue over me, causing me to shudder with aftershocks. My body finally goes limp against the unforgiving floor. When I look down at Ryan, still propped between my legs, he’s already looking up at me with a sly smile. “Have you learned your lesson?” he asks, trying to sound serious, but he can’t hide the humor in his voice.

I raise an eyebrow in challenge. “So, the lesson is that not listening to you equals an orgasm?”

He buries his chuckle against my hip, but I feel the vibration in his chest. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re not into BDSM. I’d be terrible at punishment.”

I shake my head and straighten up enough to stand. Looking down, I don’t bother hiding my perusal, noticing his pants are tented. “Come on, I know how much you want to do it in bed,” I tease him.

My skin still buzzes as we make our way to my bedroom. Once we reach the bed, I guide him until his back rests against the headboard. His eyes roam over me hungrily as I undo the zipper at my side and shimmy out of my dress, leaving me completely bare.

His eyes are filled with questions, but he doesn’t stop me as I straddle his lap. He grips my hips without trying to control my movements. Running my palm between his spread thighs, I undo his belt and free him, stroking him lazily.

He tips his head back with a deep groan.

Feeling comfortable in my own skin gives me the confidence to take what I want, and Ryan seems more than happy to let me. Turns out my newfound confidence isn’t just good for making friends, but also in the bedroom. The fact that I crave Ryan like no other helps, too.

His gaze dips to take it in before quickly returning to mine. Gently gripping me below the jaw, he brings my lips to his.

When I whimper, he pulls back enough to meet my eyes. “I love your sounds, baby. They’re only for me, right?”

I nod my head jerkily.

“This is real, right? You and me, we’re real,” he murmurs.

The fact that he even has to ask makes my heart rate kick up. How could he think this is anything other than real? “Of course we are. Yes, of course,” I say, failing to keep the emotion out of my voice.

No more words are spoken as I position him at my entrance and sink down. Creating a slow rhythm, he moves in and out of me, but I need more. Ryan must sense this because he pulls me close, moving my body against his, back and forth, creating the most delicious friction.

Gone is his look of uncertainty. “Suck,” he says, bringing his finger to my lips. And I do, without hesitation.

He takes it out with a wet pop. I’m not sure what I expected, but it was not for him to move that finger down the crease of my ass and circle my hole. I can’t hold back the small yelp of surprise. No one has ever touched me there, it’s a new sensation, but one I don’t hate. It’s Ryan, and I trust him.

His eyes remain on my face, looking for signs of hesitation. “Is this okay?”

“I think so,” I manage to get out.

“Tell me if it doesn’t feel good and I’ll stop, okay?”

I nod, and he brings our lips back together in a demanding kiss, continuing to tease me with that finger, making maddening circles.

I’m on the verge of another orgasm, and when he pushes inside, the sensation of fullness everywhere, sends me over the edge. My body clenches and spasms around his length as he continues to thrust. His movement becomes uncoordinated as he comes with a silent intake of breath.

As we settle, I rest my forehead against his. “That was… new.”

His lips tip up in a smile as he rubs comforting circles into my back. “Did you like it?”

“I think so,” I repeat.

He chuckles. “Good. We should wash up and go to bed.”

“Okay. Will you sleep in here?”

“What, were you planning to kick me out?” he jests. “You’re stuck with me, Sunshine.” He plants a quick kiss on my lips before standing with me still in his arms and carrying us both to the shower.

I thought multiple orgasms would put me to sleep, but I tossed and turned all night after my brief run-in with Jace, unsure of whether I should pretend it never happened or confront the issue head-on. In the light of day, I realize I need to face this, because it’s not going to go away if I don’t.

When I unblock Jace’s number, my phone is immediately flooded with messages, dating back to All-Star Weekend.

Jace:

Babe, can we talk?

Please don’t ignore me.

Really?!? You’re with Logan?!

Talk to me please.

I miss you.

I’m sorry about the interview. I just really need to talk to you.

Hannah, I’m going to be in Chicago next week. Can we please talk?

You looked beautiful last night, Hannah. Thank you for being open to hearing me out.

Let me know when you’re free.

After I filled Ryan in on my conversation with Jace at the gala as we lay in bed, he assured me he’d support whatever I felt I needed to do. But it was clear he didn’t buy Jace’s nice-guy act, and he didn’t trust his intentions. I can’t blame him.

Still, I can’t shake the feeling that I need to at least try.

Ryan tried to hide it, but I could see the mess of anxiety the trade caused him. Jace has influence in the league, and he’s a franchise player—the kind of player teams build around. How does Ryan fit into that picture if they can’t stand each other? I’m worried that if Jace is as vindictive as he’s been in the past, he’ll use anything at his disposal to push back against Ryan’s contract extension.

With that thought weighing on me, I pull up my messages and text him back. Quickly googling a coffee shop far enough away that the chances of me going there again are slim. Although I want to believe we can be civil and come to an understanding, I’m fully expecting this meeting to go south, so there’s no way I’m going to let him sully my local favorites.

Me:

Okay, this afternoon at 3pm. Bridgewater Coffee.

Arms wrap around my waist from behind, startling me before I realize it’s Ryan. He kisses my cheek, and I smile, soaking up the warmth of his embrace. Turning my head to kiss his jaw, I notice the furrow of his brow deepening as he reads the message still on my screen.

“You’re going to meet up with him?” he asks, his tone careful.

“Yeah, I’m not sure what he’s up to, but maybe I can reason with him.”

“Oh, okay.” His arms tighten around me.

“Do you think it’s a bad idea?”

“I don’t know… I don’t like the idea of you being around him, but I also don’t want to tell you what to do. If you think it’s the right thing to do, then I support you.” He clenches his jaw, the words clearly hard for him to say. It’s the same thing he told me last night, but even with his reassurance, I’m still not confident in my decision.

“I think it’ll be good. Maybe? Hopefully.”

“All right.” He gives me a quick kiss. “I’m heading to Fox’s gym.”

I hope this is the right thing to do.