Page 34 of Triple Power Play 3
“No, it’s not stupid. Why would supporting him be stupid? It’ll be okay. You’re with me, and we’re leaving once the game is finished.”
“Oh,” she mumbles with a hint of disappointment.
The pieces are falling into place. Ethan needs her here to appease his lead scorer, since Jax is a mess without her, when he’d rather she be safe at the hotel. No media. No distractions. He wants complete control.
I take her hand, and our fingers intertwine in their familiar dance. A jolt of adrenaline floods my veins, my skin prickling,hypersensitive to her touch. I breathe deeply, trying to calm my racing heart, but instead, I inhale her intoxicating scent. God, she smells amazing, and I nearly groan as arousal slams into me.
Focus, idiot.
What were we talking about? I clear my dry throat and stretch my legs to adjust my pants discreetly.
“How’s work?” we both ask, then grin.
“No work—for me. Ethan doesn’t want me working, buttechnically,” her golden-brown eyes light up, “I’m still representing the brand, and they’re sending me the spring line. Don’t tell him.”
So Ethan might’ve been telling the truth, and she actually traded work for me to be here. I refuse to believe it. “Your secret is safe with me,butthat means you have to attract the paparazzi, have your picture plastered everywhere. He might not approve.”
“True. True.” She nods. “It just feels strange not working, not having an income, like I’m forgetting something important.”
I know that feeling all too well. Not the lack of work, but the fear of missing some critical detail. “No worries, angel. You have a solid team. We won’t let anything happen.”
“Thanks.” She smiles softly and lays her head on my shoulder. “Are you sure you wanna be my glorified babysitter?” She peers up at me. “Andmy bodyguard?Andmy nutritionist?Andmy driver?Andmy therapist?”
She acts as if being with her is a burden, but it’s an honor. I have the privilege of serving her, protecting her—my dream girl. That blows my mind.
“Who else is gonna make you nap when you’re cranky?”
Our eyes remain locked. I desperately want to kiss her, but knowing my luck, it’d be broadcast on the Jumbotron, and her husband will beat me to death with a hockey stick while his bestie stomps my skull in.
The roar of the crowd becomes deafening, and her attention snaps to the game. Jax is on a breakaway, and she gets to her feet. He scores, and she throws her arms in the air, cheering. After bumping heads with Killian at center ice, he searches for her, points his stick, and she blows him a kiss.
She takes her seat, face flushed, and I realize something.
“Jax does that to you.” I gesture toward the goalie. “That forehead tap.”
She tilts her head, brows furrowing, then she gasps. “Holy crap, he does!” Her cheeks flush deeper, her expression adoring. “Oh my gosh, that’s so sweet,” she coos.
I roll my eyes, and she playfully knocks her shoulder into mine, giggling. I don’t fault her for who she loves, and I don’t fault either of them for loving her. After everything we’ve been through, we all deserve to love whoever the fuck we want.
“There’s food. Do you want anything?” I ask at intermission.
She twists in her seat, glancing behind her at the buffet in the center of the suite. “No thanks, but you can go ahead.”
“Will you at least have a snack? They have cheese and sparkling water.” I wag my brows suggestively.
She smiles at my antics. “I might eat some cheese.”
“I know you’ll eat cheese. Come on.”
The moment she sees a couple standing at the food counter, she abandons me to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. She’s not fond of social situations and will avoid people if she can, but knowing she’ll share with me, I load up my plate with her favorites.
She’s gained a bit of a sweet tooth while pregnant, and when she walks by to return to our seats, I ask, “Should I grab these chocolate-covered strawberries?”
That gets her attention. She leans in, and her eyes widen with a serious case of food lust. “Yes,” she mouths with ferocity.
I can’t help but chuckle. God, I wish she’d look at me like she does chocolate.
The man across the buffet faces us. “You must be my special guest,” he says to Aurora, wearing a well-practiced grin.
