Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Erika – the next morning
Photo: Leon Hill and Erika Johansson share a kiss outside a restaurant just days after Erika left her fiancé at the altar.
The Headlines
Leon Hill Caught Kissing Ash Johansson’s Sister Outside Restaurant.
Were Hockey Legend And His Best Friend’s Sister Having An ‘Affair’?
Leon Hill And Erika Johansson Share A Passionate Kiss Days After Erika Left Groom At The Altar.
Runaway Bride, Erika Johansson, Runs Straight Into Billionaire Sports Agent, Leon Hill’s Arms.
Huck:
I knew you were screwing him.
Me:
I was not.
Huck:
Just admit it, Erika.
Me:
I’m not admitting to something I didn’t do.
Huck:
I don’t believe you.
Me:
I have nothing to hide. I told you everything in the voice message. Every word was true. I wasn’t lying. But this week, something changed between Leon and me. He told me he loves me, and I love him. It’s always been him. I’m sorry I didn’t realize it sooner, and I’m sorry for hurting you.
Huck:
Keep spinning your lies.
Me:
It’s the truth.
Huck:
You want the truth? I slept with a girl the night that was supposed to be our wedding night.
Actually, I slept with two. And I was with someone three weeks before the wedding because you’re such an uptight prude and made up some bullshit excuse about not having sex for months before marriage, but all this time you were screwing him behind my back.
His admission should hurt, but it doesn’t. I kind of expected it. Although, I’m relieved I told him no sex before marriage. At least this way, I know I’m clean. I had a checkup for my health insurance a few weeks ago.
Me:
Name-calling is so juvenile, but if we’re playing a tell-all game, do you want the truth?
Leon and I never had sex until last night.
I’m not a cheater, and neither is he. He’s always been respectful toward me and respectful of your feelings because he’s loved me for years and never told me until you were out of the picture.
He’s ten times the man you will ever be.
Huck:
He’s a fuckboy.
Me:
Seems like you stole his title. Two girls? How did you manage to satisfy two when you couldn’t even satisfy one? That one is me, just in case you didn’t get that.
Huck:
Fuck you. You’re lying. You always came with me.
Me:
Never, not once, so I had to use my little vibrating friend once you fell asleep. But good luck screwing around.
Huck:
I hope you two end up making each other unhappy.
Me:
That’s a childish response, and I guess that’s why I could never go through with the wedding. Leon’s a man, and he’s the one who never forgets my birthday and treats me like a queen, unlike you. Good luck with your record deal.
Huck:
You’ll be running back to me when I get it.
Not even if hell freezes over.
I tuck the comforter under my arms and turn my phone face down on my chest before running my hands down my face.
“I hate him,” I huff, feeling like the weight of the world is on my shoulders when I should be celebrating the fact that I had the best sex of my life last night with a man I love and who loves me back.
But the photo that appeared online this morning was a bittersweet moment, because while Leon has received numerous press inquiries asking for confirmation of our relationship status, trying to get the scoop, the pair of us also spent our time replying to texts and calls from friends and family who are giddy with excitement about us finally being together.
It’s both weird and incredible.
After my interaction with Huck, I feel sick to my stomach. “I’m not a cheater,” I mumble under my breath just as Leon walks into his bedroom wearing nothing but his boxers, looking scrummy, carrying a tray loaded with snacks and two steaming mugs of coffee.
“Screw him. Let him believe what he wants. And block him.”
Shit, Leon heard me grumbling.
“That’s a great idea.” I’m clearly not thinking straight.
Within seconds, I block Huck’s number and feel slightly better.
Leon stands motionless at the foot of his bed, just staring at me.
“What’s up?” I ask, concern ringing inside me.
Tilting his head slightly to the side, paired with a lazy half-smile, he says, “You look good in my bed.”
It’s where we ended up after showering together.
He surveys me before adding, “This is where you belong.”
My chest swells with joy. “Now I’m here, I’m not leaving.” I playfully bite my lip.
“Those are bold words.”
“Only because I know you’re mine, you’re stuck with every inch of me.”
“And you have all nine inches of me,” he says, raising his eyebrows.
“Felt more like ten,” I tease. “Maybe eleven. I’m happy to check again, though, so whenever you’re ready, I am.”
He laughs low, a rumble that shakes the air. “I thought you were sore.”
After having sex, I mentally count—five times—my body is sore, but in a good way. It’s the most vigorous sex I’ve ever had, and Leon had me contorted into all sorts of positions I didn’t know I could get myself into.
Being fucked into oblivion was exactly what I wanted, and it’s exactly what I got.
“I am sore, but I’d like to double-check. Just to be sure.” My eyes dip low, gesturing to his cock.
“I’m more than happy for you to double-check, but breakfast first.”
“I’d rather eat you.” I’m addicted to his dick.
He smirks in a way that shows he’s enjoying every minute of our back-and-forth banter. Grinning, he shakes his head. “You realize I can pull my cock out of my boxers and stuff your mouth with it to shut you up? Nothing is holding me back anymore.”
Oh wow. “And I wouldn’t stop you.” Do it.
Widening his eyes in mock-shock, he says, “I don’t even recognize us anymore.”
“No?” My back stiffens as my muscles tighten. Is that a good or a bad thing?
“No,” he replies. “It’s better than I imagined. I love us this way.” His voice is strong and cracks with emotion at the end.
My body relaxes. Thank goodness for that. “I love us this way, too,” I reassure him.
I thought it would be awkward after we had sex, but instead it’s brought us closer, connecting us in all the best ways. Emotionally and now physically.
Then I remember. “Ash called.”
Leon grimaces. “And?”
“He said he’s happy for me. Us.” I don’t tell Leon that Ash told us off for kissing so publicly only a week after I dumped Huck. When I explained that we didn’t know photographers were lurking and that we hadn’t done it on purpose, Ash just sighed and told us to be more careful.
It’s too late for that. The cat is completely out of the bag. We’ll be hounded everywhere we go now.
No wonder Leon bought a small island at the heart of Lake Muskoka, which I’ve only visited a handful of times. Many of his clients have summer homes in Ontario’s cottage country, making it convenient for him to do pre-season business. It’s the only place he gets peace from the press.
Being a hockey legend and a top in-demand sports agent must be exhausting at times, bringing a whole set of first-world problems that are now mine, with privacy invasions being one of them.
“I’ll call him later.” Leon shudders at the thought.
“Did you speak to your team about a press release?”
“Nah. Fuck it. I don’t need to explain who you are to me. That photo said it all.”
It did. We look so happy together, and my inner teenager squeals with joy. I nod, tucking my lips into my mouth to hide my amusement, then sit up while keeping the comforter tucked under my arms, concealing my tits that Leon seems more obsessed with than ever.
“Right, Dr. Johansson, for brunch, we have fruit salad with your favorite yogurt, pancakes and bacon with syrup, and the pièce de résistance, your absolute favorite thing in the world to eat, because they remind you of when you were a little girl, a strawberry Pop-Tart.”
“You know me so well, Mr. Hill.” I salivate, licking my lips as I eye the tray of goodies, my stomach rumbling to confirm how hungry I am.
Leon carefully places the tray on the bed, then climbs on beside me and crawls toward me with a hungry look about him. Not for food. For me.
“Before we eat, I need an appetizer.” His voice drops to a dangerously low growl.
“Oh, yeah?” I ask softly, understanding what he’s implying.
His fingers find the top of the comforter and slowly drag it down, exposing me completely; his pupils dilating and darkening with need. “Yeah, I’m going to eat you out before we eat.”
I close my eyes and let him do wickedly delicious things to my body with his tongue, as if he’s using it to paint me in his love.
“We need to pack for vacation tomorrow.” I sigh, feeling the deepest contentment seep into my bones.
Leon swirls his tongue around my nipple, causing my back to arch, and I feel his lips curl into a grin against my skin because he already knows exactly what I like and how to make me come in minutes. “Forget clothes, Erika, you won’t be needing any on our vacation.”
Now, that does sound like fun.
It’s not Bora Bora we’re going to; it’s paradise.