Chapter 22
Avery
The hotel bar is half-empty, most of the team having already left to celebrate their win at some club downtown. I'm nursing a glass of wine, sitting across from Jennifer in a leather booth, trying to look relaxed when internally I'm a mess of nerves.
“That was an excellent game,” Jennifer says, swirling her martini. “The coverage has been overwhelmingly positive. Liam's performance, especially. Two assists and a goal. The social media engagement is through the roof.”
“He played well,” I agree, keeping my voice neutral even though my heart rate spikes at the mention of his name.
“He's been playing well consistently lately.” Jennifer leans back, studying me over her glass. “Whatever you're doing with him is working. He's been much better behaved. More focused. The board is impressed.”
I take a careful sip of wine. “Just doing my job.”
“Well, keep doing it.” She smiles. “You've managed to accomplish in a few weeks what we couldn't do in months. Liam Novak actually showing maturity? That's PR gold.”
Guilt twists in my stomach.
My phone buzzes on the table. I glance down.
Liam: Where are you?
Me: Hotel bar with Jennifer. Can't leave yet without seeming suspicious.
Liam: How much longer?
Me: I don't know. I still haven’t told her I’m staying behind.
There's a pause, then another text comes in. Tell her I texted you saying I want to stay a few extra days. Act worried about what I might get up to.
I read the message twice. It's actually not a bad idea.
“Everything okay?” Jennifer asks, noticing my attention on my phone.
“Actually, “ I make my expression concerned. “Liam just texted. He says he wants to stay in Toronto for a few days. Personal reasons, he said.”
Jennifer's smile disappears. “Personal reasons? What kind of personal reasons?”
“He didn't elaborate.” I set my phone down, letting worry show on my face. “I'm just concerned about what he might get up to without supervision. We've made so much progress lately.”
“And we can't afford to lose it.” Jennifer's jaw tightens. “Did he say why he wants to stay?”
“No idea. He was vague.” The lies come too easily now, and I hate it. “You know how he is.”
“Unfortunately, yes.” She takes a long drink of her martini, thinking. “This could be a problem. There are plenty of opportunities for him to make bad decisions.”
“I was thinking—” I hesitate, as if the idea just occurred to me. “Maybe I should stay too. Keep an eye on him. Make sure he doesn't do anything that undoes all our hard work.”
Jennifer looks at me for a long moment. Then she nods slowly. “That's very dedicated of you, Avery. Most publicists wouldn't sacrifice their Monday to babysit a client.”
The guilt intensifies. “It's my job. And honestly, I'd rather stay and prevent a crisis than fly home and have to manage one from New York.”
“Smart thinking.” She finishes her martini and signals for the check. “Keep me updated. If he does anything questionable, I want to know immediately.”
“Of course.”
We split the bill and head toward the elevators. My phone buzzes again.
Liam: Did it work?
Me: Yes. But I feel terrible.
Liam: I know. But in an hour, none of this will matter. I promise.
Liam: I booked us a different hotel. The West Peak in Yorkville. It’s private and discreet. Just for us.
My heart does that stupid fluttering thing it always does when he says things like that.
The elevator arrives, and Jennifer and I ride up in comfortable silence. We're on the same floor.
“Get some rest,” she says as we reach her door. “And don't let Liam wear you out too much.”
More guilt. “I'll be fine.”
“I know you will. You're excellent at your job, Avery. The board made the right choice hiring you.” She unlocks her door. “I'll see you back in New York. Try not to get too bored babysitting.”
I force a laugh. “I’ll do my best.”
She disappears into her room, and I stand in the hallway for a moment, hating myself.
This isn't me. I don't sneak around. I don't lie to my boss. I'm the responsible one, the planner, the person who always does the right thing.
But when it comes to Liam Novak, I'm willing to throw all of that away.
I unlock my door and step inside my hotel room. It's fine with a comfortable bed and a decent view. But it's nothing special.
I should feel guilty about lying or even anxious about getting caught.
Instead, all I feel is anticipation.
I pull out my suitcase and start packing. My hands are shaking as I fold clothes and gather my toiletries from the bathroom. This is crazy. What if next week or even a month from now, Liam decides he’s had enough?
It’s a frightening thought, but not enough to stop me.
I’m entering this with my eyes wide open, I comfort myself.
Packing done, I try to work while I wait, reviewing some coverage from today’s game and scheduling a few social media posts.
But my concentration is shot. Every sentence I read blurs together. Every photo I look at might as well be blank.
All I can think about is Liam. About two days alone with him.
My phone buzzes.
Liam: Team just left for the airport. Coast is clear.
Before I can text back, another text comes in.
Liam: Ready?
Me: Yeah
Liam: Good, because I'm outside your door.
I laugh out loud, surprised and delighted. I grab my bags and cross to the door, flinging it open.
And there he is.
Liam is leaning against the doorframe, hair slightly messy, looking unfairly good for someone who just played a physically exhausting hockey game. But it's his smile that gets me. It’s wide and full of excitement.
“Hi,” I breathe.
“Hi yourself.” He steps forward and pulls me into his arms, burying my face in his chest.
He smells like his soap and cologne. All the guilt, all the anxiety, all the worry about lying to Jennifer, all dissolve the moment I'm in his arms.
This is worth it. He's worth it.
“I missed you,” he murmurs against my hair.
“You just saw me at the arena a few hours ago.”
“Doesn't count. That was work Avery. I missed this Avery.” He pulls back enough to look at my face. “My girlfriend.”
I reach up and touch his jaw. “I'm here now.”
“Yeah, you are.” He leans down and kisses me. When he pulls back, his eyes are dark with want. “As tempting as it is to shut this door and not leave for two days, we should probably go.”
“How practical of you.”
“I have my moments.” He grabs my bags with one hand, keeping the other on my waist. “Ready?”
“More than ready.”
We take the elevator down to the lobby. “I ordered an Uber. It should be here in two minutes.”
“An Uber? That's very normal of you.”
He grins. “I'm a man of the people tonight. Plus, nobody in Toronto knows or gives two fucks who I am.”
We slip out a side entrance where a black sedan is already waiting. The driver barely glances at us. He just confirms the destination and pulls into traffic.
The drive to Yorkville takes about fifteen minutes. Liam holds my hand the entire way. The driver has music playing softly, giving us a bubble of privacy in the back seat.
“Nervous?” he asks.
“A little. You?”
“Terrified.” But he's grinning. “Terrified you're going to see this suite I booked and think I'm trying too hard.”
“Are you trying too hard?”
“Absolutely. But I wanted tonight to be special.”
My throat tightens with emotion. “It already is.”
The car pulls up to a discreet entrance on a tree-lined street in Yorkville. There’s no flashy signage or obvious hotel markers, just elegant brass numbers and a doorman in a suit who opens the door immediately.
“Good evening,” he says with no sign of recognition on his face.
Liam thanks the driver and grabs both our bags, refusing to let me carry anything.
Inside, the lobby is intimate and sophisticated.
It’s more like a private residence than a hotel.
A woman in an elegant suit approaches us.
“Mr. Novak, welcome to The West Peak. Your suite is ready.” She hands him an unmarked envelope.
“Top floor, as requested. We've arranged everything per your specifications.”
“Thank you.”
“Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything at all.”
“Perfect, thank you,” Liam says.
The elevator doors open directly into a private hallway with only two doors. Liam leads me to the one on the right and slides the key card from the envelope.
“Close your eyes,” he instructs.
I let out a nervous laugh. I’m not good with surprises. I love knowing what to expect, but I'd better get used to this. Liam and I are opposites.
“Please. Just humor me.”
I close my eyes, and shortly, the door opens. Liam guides me forward a few steps. Then he stops.
“Okay. Open.”
I open my eyes, and my breath catches.
The suite is stunning. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase Toronto's glittering skyline.
City lights reflect off the lake in the distance.
A fireplace flickers in the corner of the spacious living room.
Fresh roses are everywhere. On the coffee table, the side tables, and even on the console by the window.
Their scent fills the air, and I inhale deeply.
“Oh my goodness.” I turn to face him. “Liam, you didn’t need to do all of this.”
“I wanted to. And there’s more.” He takes my hand again, leading me through the suite.
The bedroom is equally beautiful. A massive king bed with white linens dominates the space. More roses are on the bed and nightstands. Through an open door, I can see a balcony overlooking the city.
But he doesn't stop there. He guides me to the bathroom.
The marble bathroom is like something from a dream. The soaking tub is enormous, and it's already filled, steam rising from the surface. Rose petals float on top of the water with a bottle of champagne chilling and two glasses nearby.
Soft music plays from hidden speakers.
“You did this?”
“I wanted tonight to be special,” Liam says quietly. “We never get to just be together. I wanted to give us that. Even if it's just for two days.”
My eyes fill with tears. “This is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“Yeah?” He steps closer, cupping my face. “Good. Because you deserve romantic. You deserve everything.”
I kiss him then, cupping his face.
Thank you. I'm scared. I love you. This means everything.
When we break apart, we're both breathing hard.
“Get in the bath, Avery,” he says. “Let me take care of you.”
“Will you join me?”
“That's the plan.” He's already reaching for the zipper of my dress. The dress pools at my feet. My bra and underwear follow. And then I'm stepping into the tub, the hot water enveloping me, and the scent of rose petals fills the air.
Liam strips fast and slides in behind me, pulling me back against his chest. He wraps his arms around me, and I let my head fall back against his shoulder.
For a long moment, we just sit there. Then Liam’s large hands move to cup my breasts. His lips light against the curve of my neck. I let out a sigh. This is heaven.
My breath comes in pants as his thumbs circle my nipples until they tighten into aching peaks. I squirm against him, pushing my chest out further for more. His hands are rough and slick and warm, sending waves of pleasure through the rest of my body.
“That’s it,” Liam says, his lips against my damp hair. “Just relax. Let me take care of you.”
And I do. I melt back into him, and his hand drifts lower, sliding over my stomach and down between my legs.
I gasp as his fingers explore. A single finger circles my clit with a maddening, teasing rhythm.
“Liam,” I whimper, my hips shifting involuntarily, seeking more pressure.
“I know what you need,” he says into my ear. His finger continues its torturous circles, and I’m already so close.
I grip his thighs under the water. I’m panting, pleas falling from my lips.
“Please… Oh, God, right there. Don’t stop.”
He presses harder, faster, and the coil inside me snaps. A cry tears from my throat as I come, my body shuddering against his fingers.
Before I can even catch my breath, a new, desperate need takes hold. This isn’t enough. I twist in his arms until I’m facing him.
“I need you,” I tell him, my voice husky and raw. “Now, Liam. I need your cock inside me.”
A wicked grin spreads across his face. “Yeah? My wild girl is back tonight.”
I don’t answer with words. I just kiss him, hard and hungry, my tongue plunging into his mouth. I reach between us and close my hand around the hard, thick length of him.
He groans into my mouth, his hips bucking against my hand.
Positioning myself over him, I guide him to my entrance. I sink down slowly, my eyes locked on his, watching the pleasure contort his features as I take every inch of him inside me.
“Fuck, Avery,” he grits out, his hands gripping my hips. His head falls back against the edge of the tub. Eyes hooded with need, cheeks flushed with the heat of the water. He’s gorgeous.
I start to move, riding him with a frantic pace. The water splashes around us, spilling everywhere.
“You feel so good,” I moan, my head falling back. “So deep. God, I love your cock.”
His hands slide from my hips to my ass, gripping me tightly, helping me increase my pace. “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”
“I’ve been thinking about this all day,” I pant, leaning forward to nip at his lower lip. “Thinking about you fucking me just like this.”
His response is a guttural groan. He drives up into me, meeting my frantic pace thrust for thrust. Water sloshes over the edge of the tub, spilling out onto the floor. “You’re so fucking perfect.”
The pressure builds up inside me again. “Make me come again, Liam. Please.” The words are not even out of my mouth when pleasure rockets through me.
I scream his name, my inner walls clenching around him, milking his cock as my orgasm crashes over me.
“Avery,” Liam cries out, clasping my hips and pulling me down hard for one final thrust.
I collapse on top of him and nuzzle closer, too blissfully wrecked to form a single, coherent thought.