Page 31

ETHAN

Jax instructs Ricky to take us to his Laguna Beach penthouse, and I’m struck by the reality of having responsibilities. I’d love to remain in this lust haze with them, but unfortunately, I have an entire organization to answer to.

The media doesn’t give a shit about me, or even me and Aurora, they go feral over Jackson O’Reilly, and I dread what the team—or worse, management —will speculate if pictures of us ever surface.

I know exactly what they’ll speculate because I’m thinking it myself. A coach sharing a girl with his captain is both unfathomable and really fucking hot. I’ve never been so hard in my life, which seems to be an objective Aurora surpasses every moment we’re together.

But I need quality time with her—for more than sex. They leave in two days, and I have to spill my guts.

“There’s a lot to discuss.”

“We can do it there.” He waves me off.

“I don’t have clothes.” I admit, it’s a weak argument.

“Borrow some of mine. Today’s a good day for you to take a break for once.” He gives me a pointed stare over Aurora’s head, where she naps on his chest.

I release a long breath. Fuck, I hate when he’s right.

“The team will be fine,” he reassures me with that devilish smile.

“Jesus.” We step into Jackson’s over-the-top cliffside penthouse, and the word slips from my lips, my eyes unsure where to focus.

This is not a penthouse; it’s a mini mansion.

Aurora gazes dreamily out the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the infinity pool and the Pacific Ocean. “It’s ridiculous, isn’t it?”

Ridiculous doesn’t even cover it. The view is breathtaking, especially with her in it.

“Why are we moving into my apartment?” I ask no one in particular.

“Because it’s closer to the arena.” Jax shrugs. “We can stay at my downtown penthouse. It has plenty of room.”

I’m curious to know his definition of plenty .

Aurora shakes her head, the sky creating a stunning backdrop behind her. “No thanks. I won’t go back there.” She turns toward the hallway. “You can live there.”

I’m fond and proud of this new version of her. She expresses her thoughts openly, and not only to me. I’d love her no matter what— oh, fuck, there it is. The actual words.

I can’t even remember what I was thinking. These two have me losing control.

Jax slips his phone from his back pocket. “Not without you,” he yells after her. “I was planning on selling it anyhow.” His fingers move across the screen; no doubt, he’s contacting someone to list the property.

Not sure what to do with myself, I marvel at how the two-story structure is built into the cliff, the entire west side glass. “Who designed this place?”

“I worked with an architect. The ocean is Aurora’s favorite; it soothes her.

I wanted to ensure she’d see it from every room.

” Still engrossed in his phone, he gestures toward the pool deck that rivals most five-star resorts.

“Upstairs isn’t quite finished. It’ll be a studio with a saltwater, coastal view bath. ”

Insecurity slams into me, bruising my ego and filling me with self-doubt. What the hell does Aurora want me for? He essentially gave her the damn ocean.

“How much space do you need?” It comes out more bitter than intended.

He glances up, searches my irritable expression, and sets his phone on the counter. “As much as it takes for me not to hear you jerking off while I’m fucking my girl.” He gives me that smug smirk.

Not one to back down and already on edge, I let my temper flare. “She’s not yours. I don’t see your ring on her finger, unlike my kid inside her.”

His amusement dies. He removes his bag from his shoulder and tosses it to the floor.

For a moment, I think he’s about to come at me swinging. You never know with Jax, and, truth be told, I deserve it for that comment. I’m a real prick sometimes.

Instead, he crouches and rifles through his backpack, pulling out a black velvet box.

No fucking way.

He stands and rolls it in his hand. “That’s an easy fix. I’ve been carrying it around since I found out some married asshole knocked her up and took off.”

My face heats, and I ball my fists. All the while, Jackson smiles, showing off his perfect teeth.

I might break a few. The fucker delights in taunting me.

Aurora wants the three of us together. I’ve stated from the beginning that I’d accept their relationship because she loves him and can’t seem to live without him. He’s the only one with an issue, although he enjoyed that make-out session. He instigated it and was ready to take it further.

My brows knit deeply into a scowl. “What is your problem?”

His smile morphs into a deranged grin, and honestly, I’m not sure if he wants to kill me or fuck me.

“No, seriously.”

“My problem is you throwing your kid in my face whenever you can. It’s not healthy, Coach. We’re supposed to be a throuple. How will that make our son feel if you’re constantly putting down one of his dads?”

I’m too old for this. I drop my head and pinch the bridge of my nose. “I can’t deal with you.”

“ Me ? You’re uptight. It won’t kill you to enjoy yourself. When was the last time you took a vacation? Or went swimming? Or watched something other than hockey?” He draws in a deep, theatrical breath. “Are you this uptight in bed?” Then, he lowers his voice. “Do you even eat pussy?”

That does it. My lips curl into an involuntary smile, and I lunge to swat him.

He ducks, laughing and hollering like a child. “Stop it! We’re in a relationship! This is domestic violence!”

“Enough, you two,” Aurora calls from the hallway. “If you’re not making out, you’re arguing.”

Jax scrambles to stuff the ring in his bag.

“She has a point,” Ricky grumbles from behind us, carrying in Aurora’s bags before he takes off for the evening.

I could’ve carried them, but he snatched them first and insisted.

All my grievances disappear, however, when Aurora walks out in the skimpiest bikini, one that barely covers her ass and boobs. Even Ricky chokes and stumbles over his feet.

She pauses, hands on her hips. “Let’s settle this so you two stop bickering.”

My gaze moves lower to her adorable baby bump. “Settle what? I’m settled. Jax, are you settled?”

“Yeah,” he mumbles, his stare fixated on her glorious tits. “But I’d agree to anything right now.”

Same.

“I’ll make this easy for both of you. I’m pregnant. Get over it. It’s not a competition; it happened.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Ethan, stop gloating about it and relax. And Jackson,” she says through clenched teeth, “stop tormenting our sugar daddy. You’ll scare him away.”

I’m not their sugar daddy— obviously —nor does he stop tormenting me.

“Do you ever see the sun, old man? You’re blinding me.”

I might strangle him.

They’re both already in the pool. I had emails to return and meetings to reschedule.

Aurora is hanging off him, her smooth, tan legs encircling his waist and her arms draped over his shoulders.

Her long, dark hair cascades down her back, her white triangle bikini top transparent in the water, her breasts in his face.

He shoots me a knowing, shit-eating grin.

This is awkward. I must really love Aurora—there it is again—because I’m standing here in baby-blue swim trunks with bright-pink rubber ducks printed on them. And no, I don’t see the sun. I’m always working.

I’m also not a twenty-five-year-old professional hockey player who could grace the cover of Men’s Health magazine.

Someone kill me now.

Thank fuck I still work out with the team and have somewhat of a natural tan.

I come to the edge of the pool and stare him down. “Thanks for the swim trunks, asshole. Don’t forget we live together.”

“No worries. They didn’t fit me—a little snug, if you know what I mean—but they seem to fit you well.”

I glance down at the obvious bulge in the tight-as-fuck shorts, and I’m not even hard. “I’ve seen you in the locker room. Don’t embarrass yourself.”

His eyes go wide, and he gasps in mock horror. “That’s nasty, Coach. Damn.”

“Can you please stop calling me that?” Could he make this situation any more uncomfortable? This is Jackson, so…

“Do you prefer old man or Da?—”

Aurora covers his mouth to shut him up. He retaliates by dipping her into the water, and she squeals. I’ve never seen them this happy, smiling and laughing this much, Jax in particular.

Suddenly, it hits me: this is how he treats those he likes. He’s teasing me, but it’s not malicious, not unless I deserve it.

He has grown since I started coaching, but he’s not playful with others on the team. Grant might be the only exception, and Killian, our goalie he’s close with, is a loner himself.

Jax refuses to let people in. Everyone he trusts is in this penthouse, and I hope what I have to tell them doesn’t fuck this up.

I dive into the pool and shake the water from my hair.

“I want one of those giant pink flamingo floaties,” she tells Jackson.

He drops a peck on her lips. “You can have whatever you want.”

Crouching behind her, I sink my teeth into the curve of her shoulder. She shivers and leans into me. While they continue to talk, I wrap my fist in her hair and trail kisses along her neck.

“When we have a house, we can do this all the time.”

Her breathless words give me pause. She never explicitly agreed to living together. The last I was with her, she’d insisted on staying in New York.

“That sounds so good,” Jax groans, his mouth on hers.

My chest swells. Holy shit, this is my life. A house. A baby. Aurora. Jackson. It hits me, really hits me. “I’d love that,” I whisper.

And I love you.