Chapter 11 #2
“Yeah, guess so.” He’d told me he didn’t fall in love anymore. But then he liked me? A lot? What did that mean? He’d been so emotional about it. I swirled the wine in my glass and then sipped it. We had to shift the focus from Julian again. “Anyway, this is nice, isn’t it?”
“It sure is. You have such a lovely home, Alex.” She angled toward me, inching closer, our knees almost touching. “I’ve really enjoyed staying here.”
“Yes, well, I’m glad you were here when the water heater broke. Returning home to that would have been a mess.” I chuckled and drank more wine. Why was she sitting so close?
She brushed a lock of hair off my forehead with her manicured fingernails. “It’s a good thing I’m staying here.” She let out a soft chuckle. “After I move out, I’ll stop in while you’re traveling and check on the place.”
What was she doing? “Yes, well, we’ll see.” Did I want her having access to my house whenever she wanted? I’d like to have my privacy back. “I could always hire a service, too. Then I wouldn’t be putting you out.” I took a large drink of my wine. I should go to bed.
“Oh, it’s no problem.” She gave me a warm grin, fixating on me, and then placed her hand on my thigh. “I’d like to help you in any way I can.”
With a nod, I shifted nearer to the couch’s arm and further from her. Why was she getting so touchy? “Thank you.” My attention drew to my wine. “Listen, it’s getting late, and I have to be up early.”
“Oh? But it’s so nice chatting out here.” She pouted and squeezed my thigh before releasing it. “You don’t have to be at the morning skate, do you?”
“No, but I want to be there for the other players to show my support.” After dating me for years, she should have understood the routine.
“Plus, I need a good workout with the training staff.” I rose.
I wouldn’t let her talk me into staying out here any longer, and it felt uneasy.
Maybe I was just tired and getting cranky. “See you in the morning.”
With her shoulders slumping, she said, “Yeah, fine. See you.”
“Good night, and thank you for dinner.” I touched her shoulder, and she perked up, giving me a pretty smile.
“You’re very welcome, Alex. I can make the salmon tomorrow if you want me to?” She stood and smoothed her dress.
“We’ll see. There might be a team dinner.” Not really, but her making dinner for me every night felt off. She never made me dinner when we were together. Why now? “Bye.” I strode into the house. I was probably making too much of this and being ungrateful, but my gut told me otherwise.
I’d heard Julian’s voice in the corridor after my workout while heading into the shower, so I knew he was around somewhere.
After showering, I strolled into the locker room.
I’d find Julian after I'd dressed. We still needed to have a decent talk about what this was between us. He’d read my message this morning but hadn’t responded.
As I dropped my towel, Big Hopkins strolled into the room with Jarvis behind him. “Hey, you looked good on the treadmill this morning. You’ve improved your speed.” He stepped behind me as I slid my briefs and joggers up my legs. “What’s your secret? Are you getting some from the ex-girlfriend?”
“What?” With a scoff, I rolled my eyes. Typical Mason. “No, we’re still just friends, no benefits.”
“Then who are you boning to get that extra pep in your step?” Big Hopkins pushed on my shoulder. “Come on, inquiring minds and all that shit.”
“Mason, would you behave?” Shaking his head, Jarvis chuckled. “He never quits.”
“I know.” As I grabbed my team shirt, Julian stepped into the locker room, his arms crossed over his team fleece and his brows lowered. Fuck, he did not look happy. Had he heard all that? But he knew there was nothing between Margot and me.
“Volkov, a word?” He glanced at Big Hopkins and then narrowed his eyes at me.
“Oh, look, the big boss boy wants to see you.” Big Hopkins snickered and strutted toward his locker. “Hell, maybe with all the time those two spend together, Volkov is boning him.”
The locker room erupted in laughter, and a man yelled, “Good one, Hopkins.”
“Jesus Christ.” Shaking my head, I scoffed. He was teasing, but not even a hint of this rumor could spread. After pulling my shirt down, I stepped toward Julian.
With a smirk teasing his lips, Julian strode to Big Hopkins. “Maybe it’s time you worked on your speed. You seemed sluggish on the ice in LA.”
“Dude.” Hopkins let out a sharp cackle. “No one is faster than me on the ice. Maybe you need to get your eyesight checked.”
“Uh-huh.” Julian’s attention cut to me. “Come on.” He grabbed my arm and guided me into the corridor. Looking both ways, he shoved me inside a conference room and shut the door. “It’s time to talk. How did dinner with Margot go last night?” He planted his hands on his hips.
“F-fine. It was dinner.” I wouldn’t mention the flowers, the candles, and the drink on the patio. Clearly, it bothered him enough already. I moved a chair aside and leaned my ass against the table’s edge.
He came close, kicking my feet apart and stepping between my legs. “Yeah? Nothing happened?” His gaze fell to my mouth, and he cupped my jaw.
My cock sprang to life. I shouldn’t kiss him right now, but fuck. Snatching his nape, I hauled his lips against mine and ravaged him, thrusting my tongue along his and grabbing his ass.
As our swelling cocks pressed together, he let out a ragged moan and then broke the kiss. “Fuck, I want you.” His quick breath puffed across my cheek.
I had to stop him. We were at the rink and we needed to talk, damn it. “Julian, I want you too, but we should finish the discussion we started at the hotel.” Plus, the door had no damn lock.
Nodding once, he took a step back and raked his fingers through his slicked-back hair, his hard dick outlined in his slacks.
My mouth watered. God damn, if the door had a lock, I might blow him right now.
But no, we had to talk. The Instagram images flashed into my head.
Was he still hooking up with guys when he was home?
Was that why he hadn’t responded to my text last night?
With heat sweeping through my chest, I said, “First, are you hooking up with anyone besides me?” I braced myself.
Of course, I couldn’t ask him to stop if he were.
“No, I’ve lost interest in that.” He clutched my hand. “You’re the only person I care to hook up with right now.” His brows wrinkled. “What are we doing, Alex?”
“We’re…I don’t know, seeing each other, but in secret?
” This wasn’t hooking up anymore. We were beyond it.
“I don’t want to hook up with anyone else either.
So, I guess we can agree that as long as we’re seeing each other, we’re exclusive.
” Was I making any sense? I breathed through the tightness in my throat.
“Okay. I can agree to that.” He kissed my knuckles. “Jessica invited me to the charity event. She said you were going,” he said, peering at me.
Oh boy… “Yeah, about that. I’m sort of bringing Margot with me. They’re auctioning some prints from an artist she likes.” I gauged his reaction.
“Great.” Huffing an exhale, he released my hand and twisted around, showing me his back. “So, you’ll go as a couple and Mason’s teasing will be nonstop.”
“We’re going as friends, Julian.” I placed my hand on his shoulder and turned him around. “Look at me.” I lifted his chin.
His gaze rose to mine. “What? Is this where you reiterate there’s nothing between you?”
I balked. “Yes, but it’s true.” But hadn’t her behavior been overly affectionate last night?
I’d thought it through while I ran on the treadmill this morning.
It was just because we were growing closer now that we lived together.
Nothing more. “There’s nothing between us, and I think you’ll see it at the event. ”
He tensed his jaw for a beat. “I hope—”
The door popped open. “Oh, I didn’t know anyone was in here.” Coach Henderson’s gaze found us, and his brows furrowed. “It’s a good thing you’re here, Julian. I was looking for you.”
Fuck. With my heart tripping, I dropped my hand from Julian’s shoulder and said, “Yeah, I’ll look into that for you.
” I cleared my throat. “See you later.” As I stepped past Coach, I said, “Hey, Coach. You two can have the room. We’re finished anyway.
” With a glance at Julian, I strode into the corridor.
That was close. Would we get some time for a proper conversation?
As I ambled toward the locker room, I reviewed the discussion.
We’d agreed to be exclusive. So, we were heading in the right direction.
But in what direction was it? Did I want an actual relationship with him?
My heart and body sure as hell did. My brain was the problem. And my family was another problem.
The next day, I hadn’t seen Julian anywhere, and we had the charity event tonight. Margot had acted normally at dinner last night. She’d allowed me to wash dishes, and there were no lit candles on the table.
While sitting in my SUV in the garage, I texted Julian. Hopefully, Margot was getting ready and wouldn’t make me late.
Alex
Hey, where were you all day?
The three dots blinked at me.
Julian
I’ve been at the Biltmore, helping Jessica with the event. One of her staff called out sick, so I had to fill in. Why? Did you miss me?
My brows raised. He was learning all the ins and outs of running a hockey organization. I replied.
Alex
Maybe…Are you there now?
Julian
No, I’m at home getting ready. There’s a lot of manual labor involved in events. Who knew?
With a smile, I typed.
Alex
It’s good for you I’ll see you soon.
I climbed out of my SUV and strolled into the house. I might not have time to be with Julian until we hit the road again.