Page 39 of Boards & Betrayal

Ally remained silent, her eyes locked on me as I continued.

"But a few weeks later, she miscarried," I said, my voice growing softer. "Her grief… that's a real thing I wouldn't wishon anyone. But after that, she got worse. She sunk her claws into my son and I knew I had to leave because I didn't trust her and I never loved her." The words spilled out, raw and unfiltered. "And I just… I didn't want to go through that again. A pregnancy. Even the miscarriage." My throat tightened as the memories resurfaced. "I don't know how I feel about it. I don't know if I'm allowed to feel anything about it. It didn't happen to me."

"Sure, it did," Ally said softly, her voice carrying an unexpected strength. "Maybe not physically, but regardless of your relationship with her, that was still your child. You're allowed to mourn that."

"I… I felt relieved," I admitted after a moment's pause. "I would have stepped up. I would have taken care of the child, but…" My voice trailed off into the quiet hum of the car engine.

The silence that followed felt different—less burdened by unspoken words and more like an understanding that settled between us.

"You're not a bad person for feeling that way," Ally said softly, taking my hand in hers.

"I think at my age, I can't do another diaper," I replied, though my heart wasn't in it.

"Do you think you're scared?" she asked. "Getting someone else pregnant, maybe?"

"If I were, I sure as shit wouldn't be taking you home," I pointed out.

She rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean," she said.

"I don't know," I admitted. "Quite frankly, I don't want to find out. I thought I was a monster. For feeling relieved after she lost the baby. For leaving her after that. I don't think I could handle that again."

Ally nodded just as we pulled up to my townhouse.

The place was modest but comfortable, a two-story brick structure with ivy crawling up the sides like nature's embrace trying to soften its edges. The windows glowed warmly against the rain-drenched night, and a small porch light flickered intermittently, casting erratic shadows on the wet pavement.

"You can use my jacket if you?—"

But Ally was already out the door, getting soaked again.

I couldn't help but grin at the sight of her as I stepped out of the car. She stood there, rain pouring down around her, and yet she seemed almost ethereal in the dim light—drenched but defiant, vulnerable yet resilient. Her long auburn hair stuck to her face, her clothes clinging to her petite frame.

I walked around the car and joined her on the porch. My jacket hung uselessly in my hand as she shook off some of the water from her hair and gave me a sheepish smile.

"Guess I'm not made of sugar," she said with a chuckle.

"Nope," I agreed, unlocking the door and pushing it open for her to step inside. "Come on in."

The interior of the townhouse was simple and functional—dark wooden floors, a few pieces of well-worn furniture, and walls adorned with framed photos of my coaching days and some old black-and-white hockey shots. It wasn't much, but it was home.

Ally looked around appreciatively as she shrugged off her wet coat and hung it on a hook near the door.

"Nice place," she remarked.

"Thanks," I replied, kicking off my shoes and motioning for her to do the same. "Make yourself comfortable."

Before she could react, I lunged forward, my hands finding her hips and pressing her against the wall. Our lips collided with a ferocity that startled even me. Her breath hitched, but she responded in kind, her hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer.

The kiss was electric. My lips moved against hers with a hunger I hadn't felt in years. Her mouth tasted faintly of rain and something sweet, and I couldn't get enough. Our tongues danced, exploring and teasing, igniting a fire that spread through my veins.

I could feel her heartbeat quicken under my touch, matching the frantic pace of my own. My hands roamed over her soaked clothes, feeling the curves of her body beneath the fabric. She moaned softly into my mouth; the sound sending a jolt of desire straight to my core.

Without breaking the kiss, I trailed my lips down to her jawline and then to her neck. Her skin was warm and inviting, and I couldn't resist the urge to taste it. I sucked gently at first, then harder, leaving a mark—a claim—on her delicate skin. She gasped and arched into me; her nails digging into my shoulders.

When I pulled back to admire my handiwork, a primal sense of possession flared within me. The mark on her neck stood out against her pale skin—a reminder of our connection tonight. A surge of raw desire coursed through me; I wanted to leave more marks, to make sure she wouldn't forget this night.

I met her eyes, dark with lust and something deeper. "You're mine tonight," I growled against her ear before capturing her lips again with renewed intensity.

Her response was immediate and fervent; she wrapped a leg around mine, pulling me even closer as our kiss deepened once more. The heat between us was undeniable—burning away any remnants of hesitation or doubt.

---