Chapter 27
brOOKE
It was endearing to watch Jace introduce me to everyone with pride in his voice. We were not joined at the hip the entire evening, but even when we weren’t together, Jace stopped by to bring me a fresh drink, or just to ask me if I was having fun.
“Why did I ever think it was a good idea to come here?” he murmured.
“Because it’s the year’s biggest event?”
“Yeah, but I’ll be gone for two weeks. I’d rather spend this evening alone with you.”
I sucked in a breath, speechless.
“I can’t wait to get home with you,” he went on. He pushed a strand of hair behind my ear, and by the way his hand lingered at the back of my head, his fingertips gentle on my scalp, I knew we were not going to sleep much tonight. But I was all for sexy, night-long goodbyes.
I did a fair amount of networking with the sponsors. It was the first time I’d meet some in person, and I was determined to make a good impression. In my experience, there was no better way to build trust than face-to-face. It was just how human nature worked.
As one of the main sponsors, Carl Hill was also attending, and I spent some time chatting with him.
As the event wound down, the reporters left, along with some of the guests, including Dad.
It became harder to avoid certain people’s eye rolls—such as Veronica’s and Sheila’s.
Tina, on the other hand, had genuine smiles for me, even remarking, “You two look sweet together,” which I took as a sign that it hadn’t been foolish to walk in on Jace’s arm.
When I went to the dessert buffet to replenish my plate, Levi approached me.
“Enjoying the evening?” he asked dryly. I’d caught him glancing at me a few times as if he was preparing himself to pounce, but he hadn’t had the chance to speak to me until now.
“It’s a nice event.”
I needed to be smart about this. I was certain he wanted to pick a fight, and I wanted to avoid a scene at all costs. He hadn’t been happy about the fact that more and more sponsors were steering clear of him and that Carl Hill had gone for Jace.
“I saw you schmoozing up to sponsors. Trying to secure some more contracts for your boyfriend?”
“Levi, if you have any complaints and concerns, we can talk about them when you come back from the away games.”
“I want to talk now. How about that?”
I looked him straight in the eyes, realizing I couldn’t avoid this. Before I could reply, though, Jace walked up to me.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
“Sure. Levi was just about to tell me—”
“That she shouldn’t get comfortable in her position just because she’s sleeping with you.”
I froze. He’d spoken loud enough for those close to us to hear. Several people had turned to look at us.
“Levi,” Jace said calmly, “apologize right now.”
“And table this discussion until you return from the games.” My voice was firm.
“Yeah? Why? So I can return and find out that a spineless new hire has turned over the best sponsoring opportunities to the player she’s fucking?”
I blinked, trying to gather my bearings. Jace reacted faster. His hands were on Levi’s collar.
“Don’t talk about her like that. You have a problem with me, fine. But you apologize to Brooke. Right now.”
“I don’t think I’m going to do that. This club thinks the sun rises and sets out of your ass, and I’ve had enough of being treated like a second-class citizen.”
“If you feel like a second-class citizen, it’s because your game is becoming worse by the week,” Jace said.
Maybe because Jace was known for being the voice of calm and reason on the team, Levi kept pushing at his buttons. “She must be a damn good fuck for you to lose your cool. Maybe I’ll give her a try too.”
The fight began the next second. I wasn’t sure who threw the first punch, but I suspected it was Jace. He doubled over when Levi hit him in the stomach, but straightened up fast, pouncing on Levi again. They smashed into the buffet table, sending several plates crashing to the ground.
I became aware that I was shouting Jace’s name. The entire team gathered around us. Two of them grabbed Jace, two Levi, pulling them apart.
Jace was livid. The veins on his neck were bulging and his face was red. To my dismay, I noticed his lip was split. Levi’s eye had taken the brunt of Jace’s fist.
“What the fuck?” Andrew called out. “Are you two crazy?”
He was looking at Jace as he spoke, which I found unfair, because Levi had instigated this.
“Both of you, go home,” Andrew continued. “Whatever this is better be over by tomorrow. I want everyone’s head in the game.”
Jace took a deep breath. I tugged at his arm, then interlaced my hand with his tense fingers.
He looked down at our hands, squeezing mine twice before asking me in a low voice, “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes. Yes, I am.” I was relieved. For a brief moment, I’d thought he’d insist we stay. Levi was holding his tongue. He knew better than to spew the same shit as before with their captain watching.
To my dismay, I realized everyone had gathered around us.
I zeroed in on Carl Hill, who was watching the scene glumly.
Shit! There were a lot of sponsors attending tonight, and just like it was easier to make a good impression in person, the bad impressions were also more lasting.
At least there hadn’t been any reporters left.
As we made our way out of the room, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Veronica and Levi talking.
Jace and I were silent as we walked to the car, but once we were both in our seats, I turned to him.
“Are you hurting?”
“I’ve had worse on the field. Nothing to worry about. I can’t believe Levi would have the guts to talk to you like that.”
“He’s not a fan of me. But I hoped he’d have the decency to sit down with me and tell me his complaints in a civilized manner. I’m sorry this escalated so badly.”
“Brooke, you have nothing to apologize for. I love you. Anyone who disrespects you will have a big problem with me. I won’t let anyone get away with talking to you like that. Ever.”
I smiled, leaning in to give him a quick kiss on his cheek.
“I love you too.”
Jace held out his palm. It took me a second to understand what he wanted, and then I put my hand in his. He brought the back of my hand to his mouth, kissing it.
“Focus on the road, Jace.”
“I can multitask.”
“Uh-huh. Sure you can.”
“Are you doubting me?”
“Oh, no. I don’t doubt your multitasking skills. They’re just very, very specific. They usually involve me being naked.”
Jace chuckled, kissing the back of my hand again.
“And as much as I’m thankful for you defending my honor, you shouldn’t have hit him. It’ll make things difficult for the team.”
“The team was the last thing on my mind. I’m your person, Brooke.”
“You are,” I whispered, barely able to refrain from kissing his cheek again. I wasn’t going to be able to stop just at his cheek this time, but I really needed to be patient and wait until we were not on the road to reward him and take care of him.
We’d agreed to spend the night at his house, because he was leaving tomorrow morning. Once we arrived, I went directly to the freezer, taking out some ice. Jace had insisted he didn’t need it, but I had a hunch his lips might disagree tomorrow.
He was waiting for me sprawled on the bed, wearing only boxers. Feeling overdressed, I took off my dress, remaining in my underwear.
He scrutinized me for a few seconds before ambushing me.
The man moved so fast, I didn’t realize what he was up to at first. He clasped a hand around my wrist, an arm around my waist, and tackled me until I was on the bed, under him.
The bag of ice slipped from my hand, landing on the floor with a thump.
He nestled his hips between my thighs. I sucked in a breath when I felt his hard-on press against my pubic bone. Jace smiled cheekily before leaning in for a kiss. He captured my mouth without hesitation.
As we paused for breath, though, I saw him grimace. He tried to school his features, but he wasn’t fooling me.
“Lie on your back,” I instructed, pointing a finger at him.
He reluctantly rolled onto his back. I picked up the bag of ice from the floor, holding it to the corner of his mouth. I also lowered the cover to his middle, inspecting the general area where I thought Levi’s punch had hit.
“Does it hurt?” I asked softly, trailing my fingers between his navel and his stomach.
“No, but you can kiss it anyway.” He grinned.
“What?”
“You could play nurse.”
I rolled my eyes. “I can’t believe I didn’t see this coming.”
I straddled one of his legs while I held the ice on the corner of his mouth.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Truthfully, I was worrying about the repercussions of tonight’s incident.
I was sure things wouldn’t be easy for me at the club on Monday.
I was also certain some of the sponsors were having second thoughts, but I didn’t want Jace to worry about that.
He had a string of important games to concentrate on.
“You’re not going to get much sleep tonight,” he informed me.
“Don’t you need rest?”
“I’ll sleep on the plane. It’ll give me an excuse to ignore Levi.”
“You think this will affect the game?”
“He’s a pro. I’m a pro. My wanting to break his nose won’t be good for the team dynamic though. Just what we needed with the semifinal coming up.”
My stomach rolled with a bout of anxiety.
I wanted to put him at ease, but I didn’t know how.
Any reassurances would be empty words, since I knew he had a point.
Winning wasn’t just about technique, it was also about state of mind.
I hoped with every fiber of my being that Jace wouldn’t resent me for his friction with Levi.
I knew he wouldn’t do so consciously, but sometimes when things went awry, we couldn’t help needing to blame someone, even if it was someone we cared about.
Jace must have sensed my unease, because he rested his hands on my thighs, pulling me a notch closer.
“Babe, everything okay?”
“Sure.”
“If something’s wrong, I want to know. I can’t fix what I don’t know.”
“Jace, it’s just been a crazy night, that’s all. Okay, this is melting already. Want me to bring a new batch?”
“Nah, this’ll do the trick.”
“I think so too. I’ll just throw it away,” I muttered, on the way to the bathroom. Jace followed me. I stood over the sink after throwing out the bag, smearing hydrating lotion on my hands. Jace kissed the side of my neck, watching me in the mirror.
“Talk to me, Brooke. There’s something on your mind.”
“Of course, there is. Tonight, didn’t go as planned. I’m just processing everything. Like you.”
“But something is bothering you. Your muscles lock up when you’re stressed.”
He feathered his hand on my belly, which was clenched tight.
“I’m just worried about what might happen tomorrow. On the field, at the office.”
“Whatever happens, we’ll get through it, Brooke. I’m right next to you. Even if I’m away, don’t forget that I’m on your team.”
I smiled tightly but was unable to meet his eyes. I didn’t know how to explain to him that even the thought of him getting mad at me or blaming me for any mishaps on the field caused me heartburn.
He lowered his hand and took a step back. I slipped past him, heading into the bedroom.
To my relief, Jace didn’t push more, though I felt him watching me intently all the way to the bed. I was sure he could tell I was more stressed than I was admitting.
Instead of joining me, he went to his dresser.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Still have to pack a few things.”
The knot in my stomach tightened as I watched him move throughout the room, picking up clothes and socks, stuffing them in his bag. Tension hung between us, and I didn’t know how to act or what to say.
When he finally turned off the light and slipped into bed, he wrapped his arm around my waist from behind. I turned around, lacing an arm over his neck and straddling him with one thigh. I wanted to be completely wrapped in him.
“Is your lip okay?” I whispered.
“More than okay.”
The room was completely dark, but I felt him inch closer, moving his head from his pillow onto mine.
My toes tingled when I felt his hot breath above my upper lip before he sealed his mouth over mine.
Jace kissed me, tangling our tongues in a lazy rhythm.
One of his hands gripped the thigh that was on top of him, moving it further up.
The tip of his cock nudged my clit. I gasped at the unexpected pleasure that shot through me.
He reached toward the nightstand for a condom. After putting it on, he entered me slowly, his thrusts mimicking the rhythm of his tongue.
I felt every inch of him sliding in and out, his hand alternating between nudging my clit and gripping my ass to hold me at the angle he wanted, reaching a place so deep inside me that I cried out against his mouth.
“You’re mine, Brooke. No matter what. You’re mine, and I love you. Do you hear me?”
“Yes. Yes.”
With every thrust, he owned me more, taking everything he wanted, claiming everything I had to give.