Chapter 31
Lainey
“Look over there,” Chloe says, nudging me with her elbow as she nods toward the stage.
I glance in the direction she’s pointing and see Zach and Wyatt standing near the stage.
Zach is grinning, effortlessly handsome in his suit, the kind of charm that makes the women in the crowd steal glances and whisper behind their hands.
My stomach twists, but I ignore it. Tonight isn’t about nerves.
Tonight is about showing Zach I’m ready—I’m finally going to tell Zach I’m moving in with him.
Chloe waves to them and then leans closer, smirking. “Careful, Lainey. I think he’s looking over here.”
“Oh, stop it,” I mutter, taking a sip of my drink.
“Relax,” Janelle says, laughing at my discomfort. “He’s probably just wondering why you’re not drooling over him like the rest of his fan club.”
I shake my head and laugh. Chloe burst into laughter, too.
I glance again. Zach is indeed looking this way, his green eyes locking onto mine for just a beat too long before Wyatt distracts him.
The auctioneer taps the microphone, and the room quiets.
The buzz of anticipation ripples through the crowd as the spotlight shifts to the stage.
“Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let’s have some fun and open those wallets for a great cause!
Tonight, we’re auctioning off some of your favorite players from the LA Knights. ”
Wyatt’s booming laugh echoes across the room. “You hear that, boys? Let’s give these ladies a reason to break the bank tonight!”
Chloe nudges me again, beaming as Wyatt steps onto the stage. His confidence radiates as he charms the crowd, his easy grin earning cheers before the bidding even begins. The auctioneer barely gets a number out before Chloe raises her hand high.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars!” she declares, her voice carrying across the room with all the boldness and sass she’s known for.
Laughter and whispers ripple through the crowd, and I can’t help but smirk. Typical Chloe—she’s not here to play games. I catch Wyatt’s face light up as he spots her in the crowd, and the whole scene is so ridiculously sweet it makes my chest ache a little.
Chloe stands, throwing a wink at Janelle and me, and we both make exaggerated gagging faces at her.
The auctioneer doesn’t even try to drag it out. “Going once… going twice… sold to the lovely lady in the front!”
Chloe laughs and makes her way to the stage. As soon as she’s close, Wyatt scoops her into his arms, spinning her around. The crowd cheers as he kisses her, and for a moment, they’re the picture of effortless happiness.
Janelle nudges me. “Could they be any cuter?”
I can’t help but think about how easy they make it look—the kind of love that doesn’t seem forced or fragile. My eyes drift to Zach again, and the thought hits me: Could I ever have that with someone like him?
The auctioneer’s voice snaps me back to reality, and one by one, the Knights are called up. Janelle gets caught up in the energy of the room, bidding on one of the rookies and winning. She heads up to claim her date. She winks at me as she and her date head into the crowd, clearly enjoying herself.
Then it’s Zach’s turn.
He adjusts his tie while striding onto the stage with the kind of confidence that could only come from years of being adored. The applause is immediate and enthusiastic, and he soaks it all in with that maddening grin of his.
I sit back and smile. I can’t stop my gaze from following him. I can feel my heart racing as I watch him charm the crowd.
The auctioneer doesn’t waste time. “Let’s start the bidding at ten thousand dollars!”
Bids start flying. Someone from the back shouts, “Fifteen thousand dollars!”
My fingers tap against the stem of my glass as I watch, my thoughts swirling. He’s playing to the crowd, his charm on full display, but his eyes keep drifting back to me.
The bids continue—twenty thousand, twenty-five, thirty—but I wait, biding my time. Zach’s gaze sweeps the room, lingering on me for a moment before moving on. My pulse quickens, and I know it’s time.
I stand and raise my hand. “One hundred thousand dollars!”
The room goes silent, the murmurs and whispers building as every eye turns toward me. My hand stays steady, and I keep my expression calm, but inside, my heart is pounding.
The auctioneer’s face lights up. “One hundred thousand dollars! Going once, going twice… sold to the beautiful lady in red!”
The applause is thunderous, and I make my way to the stage, my legs feeling shaky but my resolve strong.
I catch Zach’s expression—somewhere between disbelief and amusement.
He’s watching me like I’ve just done the most outrageous thing he’s ever seen, and it makes the corner of my mouth twitch into a smile.
When I reach him, he grins and pulls me into a hug.
The MC laughs, wagging a finger at us. “Hey, hey! No touching until the date officially begins!”
Everyone laughs, and Zach shoots the MC a mock glare. “What about Wyatt and Chloe? They got away with it!”
“They’re getting married,” the MC teases. “They don’t count!”
The crowd laughs. Zach shrugs, not willing to argue but thoroughly enjoying the moment.
As we step down from the stage, the applause fades, and we’re left with the buzz of laughter and chatter around us.
I look up at Zach grinning from ear to ear.
He leans in, his voice low and teasing. “A hundred grand, huh?” He says shaking his head. “So that’s what you had planned for the money? You were that eager to keep me for yourself.”
I laugh softly, nudging his shoulder. “Let’s just say it’s for a good cause. Don’t let it go to your head, though.”
Before he can respond, I step closer, dropping my voice so only he can hear. “I thought this was the best way to tell you. I’m moving in.”
For a moment, he just stares at me, and I wonder if I’ve said too much. Then, without warning, he grabs me by the waist and lifts me off the ground, spinning me in a circle.
“Yes!” he shouts, his voice booming over the noise of the crowd. “She’s moving in with me!”
The applause swells, but all I can focus on is the way he’s looking at me—like I’m the only thing in the room that matters. When he finally sets me down, his arms stay around me, his body warm and steady against mine.
I barely have time to process the moment before his lips are on mine, kissing me deep and slow. The world blurs around us, the noise fading into a distant hum. For a second, I let myself sink into it, let myself feel the weight of his excitement and affection.
When we finally pull apart, my cheeks are burning. “Zach, don’t,” I whisper, glancing around. “People are watching us.”
He grins, brushing his thumb along my jaw. “You’re so fucking adorable.”
I shake my head, but I can’t stop the smile tugging at my lips. Typical Zach—always pushing boundaries, always stealing the moment.
Wyatt, Chloe, and Janelle find us moments later, their excitement infectious. Chloe squeals, throwing her arms around me, while Wyatt claps Zach on the back.
“About time,” Wyatt says, grinning. “Congrats, man.”
Janelle hugs me next, her smile wide. “Finally!” she whispers, her voice full of warmth.
As dinner is announced, we all move to a larger table, pushing chairs together to create one big group. The laughter and chatter flow easily, and I can’t help but steal glances at Zach. He’s seated beside me, his presence grounding me, his attention unwavering.
By the time dinner ends and the band begins to play, I feel like I’m floating.
Zach stands. “Dance with me?” he asks, his voice soft.
When he offers me his hand for a dance, I hesitate, but his challenging eyebrow raise pulls me in.
On the dance floor, he holds me close, his hand resting low on my back, and the intimacy of it all sends my heart racing. As we sway to the music, I can feel the lines between us fading.
As the song ends, he tilts my chin up, his gaze locking onto mine. “Baby, maybe this doesn’t have to be an act anymore,” he murmurs, his voice full of meaning.
My breath catches and tears spring to my eyes. I laugh softly. “Gosh, tears again. This pregnancy has me so emotional.”
He presses a kiss to my forehead, then to my lips. “Baby, don’t cry. Are you that excited about dating me for real now?”
I laugh, shaking my head as my cheeks flush. “Of course, you just had to ruin the moment.”
He grins, unrepentant. “It’s part of the package. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
The door shuts behind us with a soft click, sealing out the world.
The instant Zach turns around, his hands are on me, pulling me close, his lips crashing against mine in a kiss that steals my breath.
His jacket falls to the floor as I work on the knot of his tie, our movements frantic but purposeful.
His fingers trail down my back, finding the zipper of my dress. He tugs it down, the fabric slipping off my shoulders and pooling at my feet. I step out of it, completely bare beneath, and Zach freezes, his eyes roaming over me in stunned silence.
“You were naked the entire night?” His voice is low, rough with disbelief and heat.
I smirk, stepping closer and letting my fingers trail up his chest. “Surprise.”
Zach’s lips curve into a wicked smile before he cups my face in his hands, kissing me slower this time, deeper.
His hands skim down my sides, his touch setting every nerve alight.
He trails his kisses along my jaw, down the column of my neck, and over my bare shoulders, his lips warm against my skin.
“God, you’re incredible,” he murmurs, his voice reverent.
Slowly, he shifts his mouth lower, placing feather-light kisses along my collarbone. The tickle of his breath across my skin makes me shiver. His tongue traces the curve of my shoulder, and I tilt my head back, arching into him.