Page 44 of Replay
Jax stands taller as I approach and I notice how tense he is, his hands clenched at his sides. I also notice the desperation, the slivers of anger and resentment in his eyes. Emmarys told me he was civil enough in their breakup, even understanding because he knew he fucked up. The man in front of me, now, looks like he’s ready to battle.
My brow rises and I come to a stop with plenty of space between us. “You need something, Kellan?”
His face twists. “You’re going to ruin her life.”
Standing to my full height, I tilt my head to the side, contemplating him and his words. “How do you figure? She looks pretty damn happy to me. Pretty sure she told me it was me she missed when I Facetimed her last night.”
His jaw works and he glances away before bringing his haunted expression back to me. “We both know you’re destined for the NFL. You really think anyone is going to be kind to her along the way? People won’t eat up this shit forever about how romantic it is that you jumped the fence to kiss her on national television.”
“What do you know?” I grit out, thinking over his words.
He laughs, but it's joyless. His lips pull into a sneer. “The girls on the team talk. They’ve already been on her about me, you, how she’s a slut jumping from one man to the next.”
Before he can say more, I reach him, my fist grabbing the front of his jacket. “Call her a slut one more time. Give me a reason to knock your fucking face in.”
“Are you going to destroy everyone who does? Newsflash, QB, every chick who wants to ride your dick here to stardom has it out for her. Your team is barely hanging on waiting for your relationship to ruin your game. The media is a ticking time bomb and at the middle of it all is Emma, who will be the one to get hurt.” His eyes narrow and he tugs out of my hold the same time I push him away from me. “When you’re done ruining her, I’ll still be here. I’ll be the one picking up her broken pieces just like last time; only this time, I’ll be more prepared. And she’ll be mine again.”
His words and threats hammer inside my head, making my stomach clench and anger pound against my rib cage. I did not come this far to lose her. I only play to win and this time will be no different. Shaking my head, I lower my voice keeping my tone controlled, cold, deadly serious.
“She’ll never look at you again because you betrayed her. You slept with someone else and ruined her trust. Even being out of her life for two years, not once did I sleep with another woman or even look at them. She might have hated me, we were broken up, but not once did my dick get hard for anyone else. Even if I let her go, even if she wanted to leave me, she would never again choose you, Jax. Truth hurts. You had a chance. You blew it. I won. Emmarys belongs to me now. And if you so much as try to scare her, talk to her, hell, even look at her, I’ll make sure you’re never able to stand on the ice again.” It’s a threat, not at all subtle. I don’t play around though and especially not when it comes to Emma. I see the way his posture is more wary, even while his expression is murderous.
“You’re a fucking psycho, Sheppard,” he growls before turning and prowling away toward the parking lot.
I watch as he leaves, anger simmering in my veins. A few seconds later a car starts up and tires squeal out of the parking lot. Once I can’t see the headlights of his car anymore, I continue on my way home. The whole drive my hands clench on the wheel. Hearing Emma’s exact fears echoed back from someone else angers me. The fact that girls on her own team are catty bitches, and Emma didn’t say anything frustrates me further.
My apartment feels empty; she isn’t here because we never decided whose place we would stay at tonight. The overwhelming urge to set her place on fire so she has no choice but to stay with me takes over. It would be so easy, sneak in, find the security camera's blind spots, light a candle and tip it over…but I don’t. I can’t give her any options to run from me or to get away. I just need her here, forever. Sliding my phone out of my pocket I send her a quick text.
ME: I’m back. My place tonight?
I watch as she reads the message and then the little gray bubble dances. It takes her a while to type and my heart starts racing in my chest. Kidnapping her is starting to sound more and more like a good idea with how long her reply is taking.
MY SWEETS: I just got out of the shower. Let me blow dry my hair and then I’ll be over.
ME: I don’t care if your hair is wet. I miss you.
MY SWEETS: I miss you too. It will just take a couple minutes.
ME: Emmarys…
MY SWEETS: Hawke. You can wait ten minutes.
I toss my phone on my bed, my hands running through my hair, pulling slightly on the ends. The urge to just go get her is almost overpowering. I need to feel her skin under my hands; I need her breathy moans and sighs in my ears; I need to bury myself so deep inside her that I can feel her pulse in her pussy. I want her heart beating against mine.
There is no part of me that believes a thing Jax said tonight, but just the thought of anyone taking Emmarys away from me again makes me feel feral. I fought hard against our demons already and clawed my way back to her with everything in me. There is no other way our story ends besides us being together.
My eyes track the time on the clock while I pace my apartment waiting, counting down until she knocks on my door. The whole time I replay that fuck Jax’s words over in my head, hating that her teammates are giving her grief, and completely pissed off that anyone thinks this girl is anything other than mysalvation when it comes to football. She’s my reason to win, my motivation to challenge myself to be the best so I can hit my goal and take care of her for life.
When I hear her little knuckles tap on my door fifteen minutes later, I’m almost crawling out of my skin. I throw open the door so hard it slams against the wall.
“Hawke—”
She stares, eyes wide for a second before I cut her off, taking her mouth with mine. My fingers grip her chin as I slide my tongue between her lips. Her arms wrap around my neck and her body falls into mine when she sighs into the way I’m dominating this kiss. She’s fucking perfect for me. With that thought, my free arm wraps around her waist and I lift her over the threshold of the apartment before closing the door behind us.
Emmarys pulls back, gulping air, her eyes glossy and her pupils wide. She looks beautiful, fresh faced, cheeks tinged pink, and so fucking mine. My hands slide down her sides and cup her thighs before lifting her off her feet again. This time her legs are forced to wrap around my waist while I carry her through my apartment.
“Sorry, sweets. I need you. Now.”
She giggles, her arms locking around my shoulders tighter until we reach my room. “It was only one night, Hawke.”
