Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jonny wasn’t sure how they made it home.
After he had kissed Ada on the docks, he had wanted to show his love for her so desperately that he had nearly taken her there on one of the wooden crates nearby.
But then she had taken his hand in hers and led him away at a run pace that rivaled some of the fastest strikers in football.
He fumbled his way at unlocking the door before finally pushing it open, taking her in his arms and lifting her up against it. Her legs hooked around his waist, her feet gripping his back, pulling herself in closer, so she was pressed up against him, right where he wanted her.
They kissed with a fierce desperation, as though they couldn’t get enough of one another, even though this was just the first time in a lifetime of nights together.
She sunk her hands into his hair and his eyes closed as he claimed her mouth, over and over again, before moving to plant kisses all over her neck.
Jonny finally had enough wherewithal to move toward the stairs, hardly recognizing the fact she was undressing him as best she could while he climbed, holding onto her the entire time.
When they finally made it to the small bedroom at the top of the stairs, he gently set her to her feet, though he kept kissing her as they worked on tearing off all of her layers until she was in nothing but her shift before him.
Her eyes were both fiery and vulnerable as she brought her hand to the front of his undone trousers, palming him, and his lips parted when she squeezed his length, toying with him.
He wasn’t sure how much more he could take until she was finally loosening his fall and shoving his trousers down his legs. He couldn’t help but stare at her, so beautiful as she took him in, her eyes heady, shocking him that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
He wound his hands into her hair and kissed her cheek, her jaw, her neck, before finding the space behind her ear. He walked her back to the bed, pushing her to sit before climbing over her, mesmerized by the beauty of her body, unsure of where he should even start.
His eyes flicked to hers while his fingers trailed over the top of her shift before tugging it lower, watching her face as he toyed with one peak before dropping his head to her breast, pulling a nipple between his lips.
He loved the way she moaned in response, especially when he slid the chemise all the way off.
He moved to the other side, his fingers replacing where his mouth had been on the first.
Ada was breathing hard below him, and he gave her a dark, knowing smile as he reached his hand down and began to circle his fingers around where she ached for him.
Her nails dug into the skin of his shoulders as he stared at her, hungry, wanting her more than he ever had before. It wasn’t their first time, and it wouldn’t be their last, and yet, she was still more than he could ever have imagined.
“Jonny,” she said, reaching up and cupping his cheek. “Make love to me.”
“How could I ever say no to that?” he asked, breath rushing out of him as he lined himself up with her entrance. He nudged inside, sharp pleasure already sweeping through him as he tried to wait, to give her time to adjust.
“Keep going,” she said, and he pressed in until their hips met, his throat working as he tried to come to terms with just how perfect she felt around him.
Her hand coiled around the back of his neck as she leaned up and nipped his bottom lip.
He tried moving just slightly, and when she groaned and rocked up into him, he moved a little more, dragging out and pushing back in, as pleasure already threatened to overwhelm him.
As her eager responses grew, he continued to rock into her, thrusting harder and harder as he gripped her bottom, holding her still. One hand found her and rubbed tight firm circles over her, until her eyes fluttered and she called out his name before constricting around him.
At her “Jonny!” his vision started to blur, and he groaned, low and hungry, clutching her tight against his chest, burying his face in her neck and moaning against her skin as he pulsed inside of her.
They held onto each other until finally, spent, sated, and satisfied, Jonny loosened his grip just enough that he could take her in. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair in disarray, a small smile gracing her lips. She had never looked more beautiful.
“You are incredible, you know that?” Jonny said, tucking a strand of hair around her ear.
“I would say that was all you.”
“Us.”
“I like the sounds of that,” Ada agreed with a smile. “When do you want to be married?”
“As soon as we can,” Jonny said. It was hard to remember a time when he hadn’t wanted to be married. “Might want to keep it quiet that you are living here until then.”
“I told you,” she said, “my reputation doesn’t matter much anymore. But I suppose we should try to be as respectable as we can.”
“I’ll arrange for the banns to be called tomorrow,” he said, running his hand over her hair, unable to keep himself from touching her, still rather incredulous that she was his.
He would take that very seriously.
No matter what else arose, she would always come first.
That, he would ensure.
The next few days passed in a blur of stolen kisses and tender moments as Jonny and Ada reveled in their newfound commitment to each other. For a man so gruff and hard to everyone else, he continued to show her a tender, soft side that made him even more irresistible.
Ada smiled just thinking about him as she stood in the stands beside Minnie, Lily, and Emmaline, the crowd filling their ears.
They did their best to provide their own cheering for Manchester Central, as they had traveled to London for the day to watch the club play the Wanderers at the Kennington Oval.
The gentlemen had made sure they were sitting close enough that they could see them, with Lily’s father, Lord Harcourt, also a member of the club committee, keeping a close eye on them where they watched from the cricket pavilion across from the slightly rowdier crowd.
Excitement thrummed through Ada’s veins, her heart swelling with pride as she watched Jonny sprint onto the pitch, his powerful strides eating up the ground.
For a man so strong and thick-muscled, he moved with grace. His face was tight with focus, although he snuck a glance up toward the pavilion, his gaze softening when he found her watching him.
Ada smiled back in encouragement. She knew how much this game meant to him — to all of them, especially after all they had so recently overcome.
After Rhys lost the coin toss, the match began in a frenzy of action. Manchester Central fought hard, but their opponents matched them at every turn. The ball flew from end to end as the minutes ticked by, neither side able to break through.
"Come on, boys!" Emmaline shouted beside her, hands cupped around her mouth, uncaring about the attention her cheering called from the ladies and gentlemen nearby. Minnie and Lily clutched each other, breathless, while Lily reached out with her other hand to grip Ada’s as the Wanderers bore down, but Manchester Central’s defense held strong.
As the second half began, even from across the field, Ada could see the exhaustion and determination etched on Jonny's face. Her fingers dug into her palms as she silently willed him on. "You can do this," she whispered, and when he glanced her way, it was almost as though he could hear her.
Then, in a burst of speed, Jonny stole the ball from a defender and charged down the pitch.
Ada leapt to her feet, heart in her throat, as he dodged one opponent, then another.
The crowd roared as he reared back and sent the ball flying across the pitch, past two defenders, where it only stopped when it reached Colin.
He made a couple of quick moves from one side to the other, before he drew back his foot and sent the ball straight into the back of the net.
The stands erupted. Ada shouted in elation, embracing her friends as tears of joy streamed down her face. On the field, Jonny and Colin were engulfed by their teammates, their shouts of triumph echoing into the sky.
The final minutes ticked down as Manchester Central held strong.
And won the FA Cup.
While many spectators quickly left the oval, Ada and the other supporters who had followed them from Manchester stayed and watched, breathlessly, as the players were awarded the trophy.
Finally, they were finished, and, still cheering, Ada raced down to the pitch with everyone else who was close to the team.
The players were instantly overwhelmed with well-wishers, many of them congratulating Jonny, and Ada stayed back, wanting to allow him time to take in this moment.
But he wasn’t having any of that.
He pushed through all of the people who surrounded him, finding Ada and letting no one stop him from getting to her.
Ada’s heart leapt toward him before her feet did, although it wasn’t long until he reached her and she couldn’t help but fling herself into Jonny's arms. He lifted her off her feet, spinning her around as he captured her lips in a searing kiss, heedless of anyone who might be watching.
"You were magnificent," she told him breathlessly when they finally parted, cupping his sweat-dampened face in her hands.
His eyes shone with love and incredulity as he touched his forehead to hers. "I can't believe it. We did it, Ada. We really did it."
She cupped his face in her hands, her thumbs brushing the tears from his cheeks. "You deserve this, Jonny. All of it. I'm so proud of you."
He gathered her close again, his face buried in her hair. "I couldn't have done any of this without you. Knowing you were here, believing in me – that's what made all the difference. I love you, you know that?"
Ada was touched by the vulnerability on his face as she wondered whether he had ever so openly admitted his feelings to anyone before.
"I love you too," she whispered. "Forever."
They held each other tightly amidst the chaos of celebration, lost in each other. Ada melted against him, reveling in the feel of his strong arms banded around her.
Her, and only her.
This was what she had always dreamed of — not so much the thrill of victory, but the bone-deep contentment of sharing something so special with the man she loved more than life itself.
The future stretched out before them, filled with endless possibilities. Whatever challenges lay ahead, Ada knew they would face them together.
And as Jonny stared at her, holding her close against him, she knew he was willing to do the same.
This was what she had been waiting for her entire life.
He was what she had been waiting for.
And it had been entirely worth it.