Page 48

ETHAN

“What’s going on?” I ask, winded from jogging down the tunnel. I almost slipped and fell on my ass trying to get off the ice to call her.

“Nothing. I’m fine. I’m getting ready to do a photo shoot.”

She’s pushing the I’m fine a little too hard, her tone a little too light. It’s difficult enough being separated from her. Having something happen while I’m away...that’s my worst nightmare.

“No, you’re not. Jax wouldn’t tell me you were in pain unless it was true.”

“It’s normal, and it subsided.”

I need to research some pregnancy-related stuff. We’re pretty terrible at preparing for this baby. We’re too busy. I’m too busy. There are two of us caring for her, and we’re still failing.

I pace in the hallway. “Should you call the doctor and ask?”

“I will if it gets worse, I promise.”

A female voice murmurs in the background.

“Who’s there with you?”

“The boys and Emily. We’re waiting for the photographer to arrive.”

Emily and Jax, never a good mix. Then, something else occurs to me. “It’s not that photographer you dated, is it?”

“I didn’t date him. We went to dinner once , and I hated it.”

“That doesn’t answer my question, Aurora.”

“No, it’s not him. Don’t be jealous, Blackwood .”

“I’ve decided I’m not jealous. I’m territorial.”

“That’s not any better.” She chuckles.

“It sure is. Jealous would be if someone else had you and I wanted you. That would be dangerous. I’m territorial because you’re mine, and I want it to stay that way. No danger unless someone fucks around and finds out. See?”

Laughter rings through the line, and I breathe it in. I can’t wait to get home—wherever home is.

“No one is encroaching on your territory, caveman.”

“Better not be. Don’t overwork today. They can come back tomorrow. You need to cut down. Remember what the doctor said.”

“I have cut down. I’m lucky they accommodate my pregnancy and two demanding boyfriends.”

My assistant coach waves at me, gesturing me toward the locker room.

“Okay, love. I have to go. We’ll discuss this later. Send me some pictures. I miss you like crazy.”

“Oooh, I got some good ones for you.”

A few minutes after we hang up, she sends me a photo, and I walk straight into the player in front of me. He snaps his head around, but I’m too busy gawking at my phone.

She’s in soft-pink satin lingerie, sitting on a bathroom counter, one knee raised. Her nipples are hard and pushing against the thin fabric, the slip just long enough to cover what’s mine. She stares at the camera with a submissive, fuck-me expression.

It’s beyond hot, but my favorite part is the pink ribbon wrapped and tied around her throat.

How is this my girl?

Good job, dick. You scored us a fucking trophy.

Please tell me you have that choker.

Baby girl

I thought you’d like that.

God, you’re incredible. When was this taken?

Baby girl

Six weeks ago, maybe. I just got the proofs.

I’ll be envisioning this all night. How am I supposed to concentrate on coaching?

What do you think about during these photos?

Baby girl

You.

Fuck it. I’ll meet the team in Montreal.

Once the game ends, I jump on a private jet to New York.

I have no idea how we’ll keep this up without Aurora traveling with us, and I don’t know what we’ll do when she’s unable to do so. But right now, I need to see her before I lose my mind.

In less than three hours, it’s the middle of the night, and I’m stepping out of an Uber in front of an old building in the Fashion District.

Dante, per their texts, tosses a cigarette to the cement, putting it out with his boot, and lifts his chin in greeting.

“Don’t you dare smoke around my girl.”

He shakes his head vehemently. “No, sir. I’d never.”

I give him a curt nod. “No need to call me sir.”

We ride the elevator in silence, and I catch him peeking at me. “Whose kid are you? How are we related?”

“Our dad is your uncle, your dad’s youngest brother.”

Your dad. Not sure how I feel about that.

It’s quiet for a beat, neither of us talkative. We kind of look alike—same wavy, thick, dark hair and athletic build, though I’m a few inches taller.

“What do you do for Rocco?” I ask to create conversation. “You seem young to work security.”

“Property management.” A smirk sneaks through his stoic expression. “Don’t worry, I’m twenty-four and can handle myself. Same with my brother. We’ve been working for Rocco for nine years, know every business and tenant.”

The elevator opens into a bare kitchen in desperate need of renovation—white walls and cupboards, cracked tile flooring, mismatched older appliances.

Dante steps forward and unlatches the lattice gate. “We have yet to remodel. The place came on the market, and we scooped it up. It’s spacious, got good bones. We’d been eyeing it for a while. We’ll gut the kitchen and move it to the open living area.”

“No, it’s great. Thank you for doing this. Have they been any trouble?”

There it is—a dimple on the left side. “Not at all. They’re a riot.”

Sitting at a table, a kid who can only be Desmond rises and shakes my hand. “Wow. You’re definitely a Rossi…” His beaming eyes dart to his scowling brother. “Sorry, that sounds stupid now that I say it out loud.”

“Thanks, I guess.” I smile genuinely. “How’s my girl? Any more pain?”

“Just once.”

“She’s on her feet a lot,” the more serious twin adds.

“That’ll end. Any other issues?”

They both exchange a glance, and Dante juts his chin, prompting Desmond to speak.

“We found bugs in Aurora’s apartment.”

I furrow my brows. I didn’t notice any when I was there. The place was clean. “Bugs? What kind of bugs?”

“The kind that listens in on people, not the creepy-crawly kind.”

They were listening in on us. I rack my brain for anything damning, but all we did was fuck and fight. Who knows about Jax? His mouth never shuts up, but I doubt he was yapping about Kyle.

I shrug, too tired to give it much thought tonight. “Good to know.”

Dante folds his arms over his chest. “Who’s he watching?” he asks, his tone hard and eyes dark.

He holds my gaze. It takes me a beat, but I get what he’s throwing down.

“Not you guys.” Or us? “Sorry. Jackson’s father. I'm not sure of the status of the investigation. I think they’re waiting for Jax’s trust to transfer.”

“Good to know,” he repeats.

“Tell me if it becomes an issue.” I hike my bag higher on my shoulder. “Where are they?”

Desmond gestures to the doorway leading out of the kitchen. “They’re in the only room on the right side.”

My pulse races with anticipation. I can’t wait to see her, to have her in my arms.

I quietly slip through the first door, but I should’ve known I couldn’t sneak in on Jax. I should’ve known he’d be a light sleeper and wouldn’t be keen on a large man entering their room.

His shadow springs upright, visible only in the weak glow seeping from under the door. “You got a fucking problem?”

“Did you miss me, asshole? Don’t wake her.”

“You’re lucky.” He flops back down. “Your size is similar to someone else.”

I set my bag down on the opposite side of the bed.

Aurora moves toward Jackson, always searching for a body to snuggle with. I kick off my shoes and strip to my boxer briefs, my dick already excited.

I pull down the blanket and creep into bed. Fuck, just her smell has me throbbing. “You need to find another room.”

“All the rooms are taken. You’ll have to live with blue balls.”

“Doubtful, cockblock.”

She’s lying on her side, sharing a pillow with him, her leg bent over his.

I brush her hair aside and kiss her nape.

“Jax,” she whines with a hint of annoyance.

I silently laugh, my chest shaking, and trail kisses along the curve of her shoulder.

She pushes her ass back. “We just finished.”

“Did you now?” I rumble, low and deep.

She stiffens then whirls towards me. “You’re home?”

“I’m home, baby.”

Her arms encircle my neck, her lips finding mine. This is my home. New York. LA. On the road. It doesn’t matter, as long as I have her.

“How?”

“Hopped on a jet right after the game. Did you think I’d let you get away with those lingerie pics?”

“That’s one expensive booty call,” a voice grumbles behind her.

I tangle my fingers in her hair. “Ignore him. Kiss me.”

She does, and our tongues intertwine, punctuated by her soft moans.

I withdraw and peck her lips, unable to stop. “You feeling okay?”

“Sandwiched between you two? Better than ever.”

I grasp her thigh and guide her knee over my hip, pressing my needy erection against her. “I missed you.”

She nips my bottom lip. “I see.”

“Ugh,” Jax groans with exaggeration. “You’re not gonna let me sleep, are you?”

“Nope,” I reply between kisses.

“Fine,” he huffs with feigned reluctance. “Might as well join you.”

“Don’t say it like you weren’t going to.”