Page 78 of Triple Power Play 3
JACKSON
Aurora gazes into the bathroom mirror, a black satin robe draped over her, and brushes out her long hair. I activate the steam to warm the room before approaching.
I place my palms on the counter, boxing her in, and kiss the curve of her neck. “You’re angry with me. I feel it. I felt it at dinner.”
She sets down the brush, twists in my arms, and takes my face in her hands. “I’m worried about you. You’re not okay.” She runs her thumbs over the dark circles under my eyes. “Something was wrong in Boston, and you wouldn’t tell me. Something is still wrong.” She offers a soft, playful smile, though it doesn’t reach her eyes. “We’re supposed to be best friends.”
I press my forehead to hers. “I’m struggling.”
Her arms encircle my neck. “Because of Reece?”
I can’t tell her; I never want her to know the extent of my demons. She’ll look at me differently. Maybe that’s one reason I dislike the Viking. He knows everything.
“Two things mean the world to me. You and Ethan. I see how Reece fits, but I can’t imagine anyone outside of Ethan.”
“You’re a bit obsessed. You know that, right?” She threads her fingers through my hair. “He’s not replacing Ethan.”
I ignore her comment, already well aware of my growing infatuation. “I fear losing you. My head is… I’m fucked up and paranoid. A thousand thoughts are coming at me at once. I’m afraid Reece will convince you to leave me, and I don’t trust the people he works with.”
“You are not fucked up, and you are not losing me. I shouldn’t have been in his bed?—”
“But you like him.”
Her troubled eyes, red-rimmed and glistening with unshed tears, search mine. “Is that so bad?” she whispers. “You love Ethan and hockey. I’m giving up everything for the family you want, and I’m okay with that. But he?—”
“I can quit. Iwillquit. We’ve talked about this.”
“Will you?” calls a deep, irritated voice from the doorway. “Because I’m gonna continue coaching.”
My body stiffens, and I stand upright. I can’t deny it. His words hurt.
I see us as one. If he leaves the team, I leave. If he wanted to relocate to Bumfuck, Alaska, I’d go. I might whine about it, but I’d never refuse. It tears me apart that he doesn’t feel the same, and a dull ache splinters in my chest.
He pushes off the doorframe. “Let me explain this again, and then it’s over. We move on.” He puts a hand on Aurora’s shoulder. “Aurora is mine.” He clasps the back of my neck. “Youare mine, and because I love you, I want you to succeed. I want you to play and win. I want you to be happy like you were in Canada or your rookie year.”
His stormy gaze bores into mine, his thumb caresses my skin, and the tight fist gripping my sternum loosens. The relief is tangible. My shoulders relax and the panic dissipates.
“And since I’ll be by your side, I need someone with my other favorite person.” He kisses Aurora’s temple. “I need her safe and cared for, and Reece can do that. I trust him to protect you both. You’ll grow to trust him.”
I highly fucking doubt that. He has the power to separate us, to take me from them, to turn them against me. I have no connection with him. I’ve tried. Even tonight, he was an ass. He’s arrogant. I don’t know what Aurora sees in him.
“He’s not sleeping in our bed.” I sound childish and possessive, but I’m only interested in two people. Both are in this room.
Ethan smirks. “He doesn’t want us. He wants Aurora. He tolerates us because that’s what’s best for her, and you’ll do the same.” He reaches for the hem of his shirt. “Now, can we shower? It’s fucking hot in here.”
My expression goes blank, and my stomach swims for an entirely different reason. “Wait. Are you showering with us?”
That smirk stretches into a salacious grin. The fucker knows precisely how to manipulate me. “Will that improve your mood?”
“That depends. What are we doing?” If he’s just going to hide behind our girl and wash her hair, then…
Shit, I’d still love it.
Wickedness dances in his eyes before he yanks his shirt over his head and tosses it at me. “I’ll let you pick.”
“Hello!” Aurora throws her arms up. “I’m right here. Don’t I get a say?”
“Of course you do.” I free the ties of her robe and palm her perfect tits. “You get to decide whose cock you suck first.”
