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chapter twenty eight

nothing like a mad woman

T he butterflies were long gone.

Long. Gone.

In their place was something stronger. Zealous. Itwasn’t confidence exactly—it was something hotter, holding me in a trance so strong that this moment could have been a dream and I’d be none the wiser.

Anyone watching would think I was fearless,like stepping onto the stage in my ex-boyfriend’s jersey in front of the guy who I was finally letting myself fall for was the most natural thing in the world.

But this isn’t natural. I should be back withDaisy. Watching the game. Drinking hot chocolate. Subtly gawking at Finn and trying to do anything but think about kissing him again.

Oh God, what was I doing?

“Ready?” Bindi’s voice cut through the noise,drenching my thoughts with the excitement in her eyes.

Three quick breaths staggered through me, as hersmile lifted me back into reality.I tugged at the hem of my borrowed jersey, thefabric soft against my palms. Every single glide of the pa ds of my fingers over the white and green reminded me of him. Reminded me exactly why I was up here.

My eyes bolted back to Bindi.“Ready,”

The announcer’s voice cut through the humof the arena. “Now it’s time for our Lionesses to take to the stage for their first performance of jersey night!”

The lights dimmed, casting the rink in a hazyglow.The squad barely had fifteen minutes to catch meup with the choreo, but it was there, lingering on the sidelines whilst I waited for the music. Even if I forgot it, I was sure whatever was coursing through my bones would dance for me.

I set my eyes on the rink just as the skaters werestarting to drift off toward the locker rooms, their blades clinking softly against the ice. But as Bindi started counting us down, her voice loud and clear, a few heads turned.

And so did his .

My world fell sileant as Finn’s gaze landed on me, like a spotlight cutting through the darkness. For a moment, I wondered if he could feel it—the weight of my grin, the sheer heat of my stare.

I squared my shoulders, before severing any tiesto rationality and turning on the spot, letting the jersey settle just right on my thighs, the bold “24” on my back clear under the lights. The edges of my smile curved into something sharp, something wicked as I settled back to face the rink.

I tipped my chin up as the music swelled, eachbeat vibrating through the floor beneath my feet.

Scared now, baby?

The crowd's hum faded into the periphery,their cheers a distant buzz as we stepped into formation. Finn didn’t move, his gaze pinned to me like a lifeline—and I held it, unblinking, unwavering, letting him see exactly what he’d underestimated.

The music thumped, a heartbeat beneath my skin as I took my first step. The sway of my hips was effortless, natural, the kind of movement I’d only practice alone in my room, staring at my reflection until I remembered what a powerhouse I was.

The lyrics guided me, and so did the fire in mychest. I smiled, barely, but enough for him to see it. Enough for him to understand. Every inch of confidence those girls had stripped from me came roaring back, hotter and fiercer, spilling out with every deliberate motion of my body.I didn’t break my stare, not even when Finnripped off his helmet and let it dangle loosely at his side. His dark, sweat-damp hair clung to his forehead, and even from across the rink, I could see the rapid rise and fall of his chest.

He was angry. Furious, even.

Good.

The thought simmered in my chest as I bentforward, arching my back slowly. Deliberately. My body moved like a ripple, every curve that I was blessed with lit up under the dancing green lights. I let the motion linger, rising inch by inch, commanding the moment. I didn’t need words to tell him what I wantedhim to know. I wanted him to feel it—the power he thought he had over me slipping through his fingers, whatever game he was playing tilting in my favour.

The song ended too soon, the final notes hangingin the air as the roar of the crowd swept over us. I could have stayed there longer—hours, maybe—letting every movement remind him of the girl he’d lied to, the one he thought would stay sileant.

As the music faded, Bindi and the others huddledtogether, squealing with joy as they tugged me in, their laughter bubbling over. One by one, the others disappeared into the shadows of the arena. I lingered, savouring the last flicker of adrenaline, the lingering heat of the lights on my skin.

I turned, ready to go and find Daisy afterabandoning her, but before I could take a step, a firm tug on my arm stopped me. I stumbled slightly, caught myself, and then found myself face-to-face with Finn.

Holy…

I’d never seen his eyes this bold before. This… green.

He looked down at me, cheeks painted scarlet, asthose eyes burned into mine, searing and relentless. “What the hell was that?” His arm shot back toward the stage, his voice sharp enough to cut. “What were you doing up there?”

I tilted my head, letting my smile stretch intosomething sweetly venomous. “Dancing. Is that okay with you?”

His eyes narrowed, his frustration palpable.“Don’t. You know exactly what I’m pissed about, and it’s not the dancing.”

“Do I?” I arched a brow, yanking my arm out of his grip, my voice laced with mock innocence. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to go find— Finn! ”

His hand caught my arm again, firmer thistime—not enough to hurt, but enough to tell me that this conversation wasn ’t over. With a quick tug, he steered us toward the edge of the seating area, into a shadowed stone walkway that offered just enough privacy for whatever confrontation he was gearing up for.

I ripped my arm free as soon as we were hidden,crossing my arms and squaring my shoulders. “Have you lost your mind?” My voice was clipped, my patience unravelling by the second.

He turned to face me fully, his chest, inches frommine, heaving like he was barely holding himself together. “Tell me why you went up there wearing his jersey. His jersey, Rory. Do you have any idea how that—” He stopped, dragging a hand through his hair, the movement almost desperate.

“How that what?” I shot back, every soft-spokenpart of my voice gone. “Upset you? Embarrassed you?” Each word hung in the air like a dare, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might crack my ribs. “I thought it was only fair to make you feel exactly how I did when I heard girls bragging about their friends banging you last year.”

His mouth fell open, and the fire in his eyesdimmed to something softer, almost disbelieving. “What?”

“Oh, I heard it all,” I snapped. “Gretchen,Gracie—half the damn sorority house, it seems like.” I shook my head, my laugh bitter and humourless. “But according to you, you were scared. So scared of being with me that you just had to run into their beds instead—”

“Rory—”

“Don't.” I cut him off, my voice shaking but steadyenough to land every word. “Don’t you dare stand there and act like the vi ctim again.” I raked my fingers through my damp curls, trying to keep myself from breaking under the weight of it all. “Was it all bullshit? What you told me at Goldie’s party? Is that your sob story you use to trick girls into bed with you?”

His jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides.“That’s not fair.”

“ No , Finn. What’s not fair is you playing withmy feelings, ignoring me when it suits you, leaving me to blame myself, and then getting mad when I finally learn the truth. That’s not fair.”

He stepped closer, shortening the already tightdistance, his voice lowering, quieter but filled with no less rage. “I didn’t lie to you, okay? I wasn’t honest about what I did last year, I’ll scream that from the rooftops, but everything I told you about my dad—about why I couldn’t be around you—that was the truth, Rory. I swear.”

I scoffed, but my throat tightened, threatening tobetray me. His words sounded sincere, raw even, but how many times had I thought the same, only to be left feeling like this?

“It didn’t mean anything,” he said, his voicesteady, but his eyes were searching mine—wild, almost desperate. As though he could see me slipping away. “What I did last year, it didn’t mean anything. I didn’t feel anything. Because I didn’t let my heart get involved. I didn’t want it involved… because I was still wrapped up in you.”

I shook my head, my curls bouncing. “I find thatvery hard to believe.” My gaze dropped for a split second, catching on the jersey clinging to my body, and then I lifted my eyes to meet h is. Still fiery green. “Why do you even care whose name I wear? Whose number? If you’re so scared to be with me, then why do you care?”

“Believe me, when your ex-boyfriend’s fuckingname is suddenly on your back?” He looked me up and down, his gaze undressing me with such intensity it left me breathless. “Colour me intrigued.”

I shouldn’t want his hands on me. I really shouldn’t want to put my hands on him . But seeing him like this—so possessive, so torn up over another man’s name on my back—I couldn’t help but ignore every instinct I had to stay away.

His eyes flickered to mine again, the green of them burning with something dangerous. “Take it off.”

My heart skipped a beat, and my breath caught inmy throat as I shook my head. “You're crazy.”

He moved toward me, his chest brushing againstmine, as his hand slid under my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Take. It. Off.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering. “I…” I swallowed. “I’ve got nothing on underneath.”

His thumb slid over my jaw, the delicate touchsending a shockwave through me. “That’s fine by me.”

The heat between us was almost suffocating,palpable in the little space that remained between us. I was furious with him, but still, I wanted nothing more than to do exactly what he said. I’d happily take it off if it meant not denying that this was what I wanted.

To know that he cared enough to fight.If he was this angry, surely it meant something. If he didn’twant me dancing with Ryan’s number, he wouldn’t have pulled me away like this.

I blinked, my eyes locking with his, the tensionso thick it almost felt like it could strangle me. “We could’ve done all this last year, Finn. Except it wouldn’t have been Ryan’s name—it would’ve been yours. It would’ve been that jersey you’re wearing right now, on my body.”

His eyes flared with something dark, his lipspressing together in a tight line as he cupped my jaw. “It wouldn’t have been on your body for long, trust me.”

Dear Lord . He shouldn’t be allowed to say thosethings. Not when he looked this good. This… wild.

I moved my head closer, our noses barelybrushing as I let my eyes dip to his mouth. “Shame we never got to do that.”

His voice dropped. “Do you want that? Want this?” His nose brushed mine. “Because if you do, if you want to forget the world, we can do that.”

My breath caught in my throat, heat poolingbetween my thighs and for a moment, all I could do was stare at him, caught between anger and a desperate pull that I couldn’t quite name. “You’ll miss the game.”

He grinned, a small, dangerous smile playing atthe corner of his mouth. “I’d rather play this one.”

If this man didn’t kiss me right this second then Iwas sure I’d burst into flames.

“I want you to believe me when I tell you I’mnot scared anymore.” I felt my eyes widen, and my lips pop.“I want you to bel ieve me when I tell you that I'm crazy about you.” His eyes were wild. “Do you believe me?”

I believed him just in his voice alone.The pleading tone and the way he wasn’tbreaking my stare, like dropping it would end the world.

I had to remember what I’d promised myself, that this year was all about making myself happy again, not letting the past and the sadness take over.Finn wanted me. I could see it in the way hebreathed. I could hear it in his voice. And trusting him, letting myself fall for him allover again, I was happy.

My voice was caught in my throat, so instead Inodded, not breaking his stare for a second. Quick as anything, a smile rushed to his face, one that held just as much relief as it did mischief.

As his thumb began to skate over the hot skin ofmy cheek, I felt that adrenalin start to build, that heat soaring in my stomach again, and the pull I felt towards him thrusting me back into the moment. “You’re not going to make me kiss you for a second time are you, Rhodes?”

He shook his head, firm hands sliding to the backof my neck. “Never.”

Before my eyes could flutter shut, his mouth crashed down onto mine, reclaiming every part of me.

His hands glided through my hair, nipping at my warm skin as he tugged me closer.This kiss wasn't as controlled, as delicate as thelast one. There was a hungry, feral edge to it that stole what was left of my will and pulled me under completely. I part ed my lips to let him in, purely because I trusted him. Because I’d never felt safer than where I was right now.

He groaned, his arms holding me in place,stopping my knees from collapsing under me as the kiss got deeper. Wilder. The flick of his tongue against mine sent me into orbit, making my body crave his. My hands trailed up his arms, feeling every muscle, every inch of him vibrating.

“Aurora.” He tilted my head back and kissed medeeper. Harder. Changing up his pace to keep me on the edge of my mind.

My hands flowed down his back, an overwhelming urge to rip off his jersey and wear it for him eating me alive. He shouldn’t know it, but somehow he was hitting every sweet spot that made me melt. My fingers curled against his skin as he switched my lips for the tender skin of my neck, sucking and claiming that spot, no doubt leaving his mark for the world to see.

I wanted them to see. Wanted them to know thatthis man was mine, whether we’d made that official or not.It felt right. Everything about us felt right. Andremembering what he’d said only made me hold him tighter.

“ Finn. ” I whimpered, my hand falling to the smallof his back as he made mine arch.

Fuck I wanted him. Wanted this. I wanted his body andhis promises and everything he made me feel. I wanted his heartbeat against mine, that assurance that he was telling me the truth.Everything about this kiss was pure need,disguised with the sw eetness of knowing that whatever was wrapped around my heart was wrapped around his.

His hands dropped to my waist, holding me againsthim, letting me feel every inch of what this kiss was doing to him. I wished that we weren’t here right now. I wished that there wasn’t a reality waiting for us just a few paces away. I wished that he’d grab my hand and run with me all the way back to my—

The sound of the klaxon was what meltedeverything away, but his mouth softened as slowly as it could, our tongues grazing one last time before we pulled back. Our eyes found each others almost instantly, glazed over with lust and need and the overwhelming glare of never wanting this moment to end.

My heart raced as I smiled up at him.

“Fuck.” He heaved, his forehead resting against mine as we both fought to catch our breath. “How can you make me feel this helpless from a kiss?”

I shrugged below him. “I’m French. It’s in ournature to be great kissers.”

“Great is the biggest understatement in theworld.” He brushed his lips over mine, as his hands glided up to cup my jaw. “I’m sorry for overreacting.”

“I think you reacted exactly the way I wanted you to.” I reached up onto the tips of my toes and quickly stole another kiss. “Now get your ass back on the ice.”

Finn shook his head, caressing the side of myface. “That is the last thing I want to do.”

I b rushed my thumb over his bottom lip. “I’ll seeyou afterwards. I promise.” My laugh was quick. "I'm still waiting for you to score for me."

One little tug and I was flush against his chest again, sinking into his hold as he whisepred. "I'll look for you when I do." His head fell back as he groaned, before settinghis eyes back on me. “Fine, let's go.”

For a moment I thought he was about to kiss meagain, as his eyes dipped to my mouth, and that hunger that burned in his stare before flickered down on me again. But instead, he snaked his hand through mine and pulled me back out into the light. I squinted my eyes, getting used to the brightness, before he turned to face me.

“Just one thing,” Before I could ask what he wasdoing, he pulled at the hem of his jersey and yanked it over his head, revealing his protective gear underneath.My eyes widen as he hands it to me. “This one’syours now. Go put it on.”

The jersey glided over my palms, and my bottom lip sank between my teeth as I looked back at him.

He did nothing but smirk. “Just lettingeveryone know who your favourite player really is.”

I shook my head. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m yours.”

Before I could catch my breath his lips were on my forhead, staying there long enough for my heart to skip. But before I knew it he was pulling back, flashing me with a smile that made me want to chase him, and jogging off toward the locker room.

And all I could do was stand there, grounded by theweight of the words I’d waited so long to hear.

Finn Rhodes was mine.

Tout à moi. 1

1. All mine.