Chapter 30 Stella #2
“Sweetheart,” Rachel whisper-shouted, hooking her arm through mine. “I am so happy for the both of you.”
“Thanks. I’m happy for us too.”
We pretended to shop the items while Rachel explained who everyone was and who would be sitting with us at our table.
“I met Kent on the way in.”
“Kent used to be my client.” She arched a brow.
“Silas and I were the scandal that rocked Brooklyn. Now we’re just a boring, insanely happily married couple.
You and Lee can have all the thunder tonight.
” She patted my arm. “I need to use the ladies’ room.
Again.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll meet you at the table. ”
I spotted a bar at the other end of the room and sighed in relief. If I was going to exist in this very packed room for the entire night, I needed to make friends with a Jack and Coke.
“Hey, Stella. Nice to see you.”
I turned away from my search for the bartender and found Deacon standing next to me.
“Hi, Deacon. Nice to see you too.”
“What can I get you?” the chirpy voice of the bartender asked as she came up to us.
“You first,” Deacon told me.
“Oh, thanks. Jack and Coke, please.”
“And beer. IPA, whatever you have.”
“You got it,” she said, turning back to the bar.
“Don’t tell Lee we had drinks,” he said, a smirk tilting his mouth.
“I don’t think he’d mind. Now.”
Deacon laughed. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable that day. I had no idea.”
Neither did we, I wanted to say. Well, we had, but we hadn’t known what to do about it.
“You didn’t. Things were a little complicated then.”
“But they seem to be great now. I’m happy for you guys. Lee deserves this.”
The bartender placed our drinks in front of us. “Here you go,” she said before scurrying to the other end of the bar.
“Thank you, Deacon.”
He smiled, taking a pull from his beer bottle. He really was handsome and charming. In another time and place where Lee didn’t exist, I would have taken him up on what he was trying to offer. But imagining a life without Lee was like picturing the sun missing from the sky.
“I think we’re at the same table, so I’ll see you soon.”
“Yes, very soon,” I said, smiling while I tried to find Lee in the crowd. I was scanning the space instead of where I was going and rammed right into a tall, hard chest.
“I’m so sorry, Stella,” Adrian said, searching my gaze. “Are you okay? Lee will kill me if I hurt you.”
“I’m fine. All my fault. Good to see you.” My gaze drifted to the petite brunette at his side.
“Stella, this is Trina. Trina, Stella is our chiro’s girlfriend.”
“Nice to meet you, Trina,” I said, taking her delicate extended hand.
“You too,” she said, beaming up at Adrian as he drew her closer.
“Trina and I grew up together. Like you and Lee, right?”
“That’s right. We both come from Brooklyn.”
“We’re from upstate,” Trina said. Her red dress brought out her dark eyes and tanned skin.
“Kelly Lakes. It’s a tiny town by Albany not many know about,” Adrian said, smiling down at his date. “Where’s Lee?”
“That’s a good question. I was trying to find him when I stumbled into you.”
“I’m sure Kent has them schmoozing with all the big donors.” He smiled at Trina over his shoulder. “I guess we should get back to our table. I’m glad you’re here.” Adrian’s lips curved. “It’s nice to see Doc happy.”
“So I hear.” My wide grin strained my cheeks. “Have a great night.”
“You too,” Adrian said, shifting toward the main room with Trina still burrowed into his side.
I was about to follow them when I found Lee chatting with a blond woman across the room. Every time he’d turn to walk away, she’d grab his wrist and pull him back.
My mind went to the box of condoms in his drawer. I hadn’t expected him to be a monk after Katie, but I’d still been surprised. I’d told him I hadn’t cared, and I didn’t, but I didn’t like this woman’s familiarity with Lee or how agitated he seemed to be every time she reached for him.
“What’s the rush, Lee?” she asked with a whiny, breathy tone to her voice. “I haven’t seen or heard from you since last season. Did you get a hotel room?” she purred, giving his body an obvious and, again, familiar perusal. “We can go to mine if you didn’t.”
“He did, but it’s full,” I said, coming up to Lee and hooking my arm into the crook of his elbow. “And you are…?”
“Standing corrected,” she said, popping her brow as she stepped back. “Sorry, I used to be able to take a hint a little easier. Enjoy your night.
“Fuck,” Lee whispered. “Look, Stella, that was—”
“None of my business. As long as you didn’t agree to fuck her again tonight, no big deal.” I tried to sound aloof, but it was hard to seem breezy when all I saw was red. “Let’s just forget about—”
Lee grabbed my hand and dragged me into the hallway.
“I met Kaia in Philly. I was very lonely and low, and she was very—”
“Please stop explaining. Just drop it.”
“And have our night ruined because you think you interrupted something? Forget it.”
“I didn’t think I interrupted something. It was gross to hear, but like I said. It’s not my bus—”
“She wasn’t the first, but the only one I saw more than once. As I was trying to say, I was lonely and still mad at everything and myself. She was nothing but a distraction. Anything with anyone was hollow, if that makes sense.”
I nodded. It made too much sense, but I let him continue.
“I was so sickened after the last time, I never looked her up again and avoided where I knew she’d be if I was in Philly. She works for one of the donors and bought a ticket tonight.”
“Wanting to see you?”
He shrugged. “There are donor parties after, so I’m sure I wasn’t her only intended perk. But I’m not hers to see. I’m yours.” He stepped closer. “Because I am crazy in love with you.”
I fell back against the wall.
“You’re—”
“I love you. I’ve always loved you, but I’m so in love with you I can’t even see straight sometimes.” He feathered the back of his hand over my cheek. “You’re all I want and all I’ll ever want. Believe me, baby.”
“Everyone, we’re getting ready to begin, so please place any bids and return to your seats.”
Lee exhaled a groan as the emcee ushered everyone toward the dining area. He took my hand, both of us heading to the table in silence. The playful gleam in his eye was gone as he nodded a hello to everyone already sitting at our table.
“Good evening and welcome,” the Bats’ owner bellowed into the microphone. “It’s my honor to welcome you all to our annual charity gala.”
Lee grabbed his water glass, taking a long sip and setting it down, pinching the stem of the glass back and forth between his fingers as his shoulders slumped.
Did he not think I loved him back? I almost wanted to laugh at how ridiculous that was.
If he only knew the years of moments I’d had like the one he seemed to be having now.
He seemed as lost and frustrated as I used to be because the one thing I’d always needed was just far enough out of my reach to taunt me.
“Owning the Bats has been a dream come true. I’d already done and seen basically everything when I bought the patch of land that now is Wayne Field.
We’re lucky to have found a great group of guys, who not only give those other two New York teams a good run for their money—or just beat them outright like they’ve done for the past two seasons. ”
A flutter of laughter wafted across the room, but Lee stayed mostly stoic.
“But this team has made their community a better place. And I can’t tell you how proud I am of that. Thank you all for being a part of it tonight.”
Lee pinched his neck, his old tell when he was stressed. I noticed Silas give Lee a concerned glance as the owner continued his speech.
I drifted my hand across his back, waiting for him to turn his head. His eyes darted everywhere but mine as the low din of the crowd faded into the distance.
I moved closer, pressing a light, lingering kiss on his cheek. “I love you too,” I whispered into his ear. “Back then, now, and for the rest of my life.”
His head snapped to mine, relief and awe flooding his features. He’d probably thought I’d meant the close friends’ kind of love we’d shared when I said back then, even though it had always been on another level from my side.
My confession still had me dizzy, my blood pumping hard in my veins, regardless of how it had landed.
Lee and I were finally in the same place, and if the world ended tonight, even with all my regrets pestering me in the background, my life would be complete and worth it all.
Quiet cheering broke out across the room as the owner descended from the stage. I hadn’t heard the rest of what he’d said, but I felt the applause as every cell in my body screamed finally.
“How fast can you walk in those heels?”
“How fast? Where are we going?”
“Our hotel room. When we get up, don’t run, but walk as fast as you can.”
I stood from my seat, following Lee to the elevators.
We didn’t speak or look at each other as we stepped onto the crowded car.
I stuck close to Lee as he pressed the button for eleven.
After a very long ride and stop on every floor, I followed Lee off the elevator to room 1137.
He scanned his phone over the lock, and once it clicked, he held the door open for me to walk through.
“Aren’t we going to miss dinner—”
Before I knew it, his hand was in my hair while he lifted me up by the waist and pinned me against the wall, capturing my mouth in a frenzied, desperate kiss.
“We have to go back,” he murmured against my lips as we stumbled over to the king-sized bed.
“But I couldn’t wait,” he panted, his eyes feral as he slid his hands up my thighs.
“It’s going to be quick, but we have all night later.
” He dipped his fingers inside my panties and groaned.
“Wet already for me?” A hint of a smile ghosted his lips.
“That suit and that kiss,” I said, breathless. “I’m only human.”
He smiled, finally. A wide, beautiful smile that was all for me. He was all for me.
“Like I said, this is going to be quick and maybe a little rough.” He rested his forehead on mine. “Is that okay?”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Doc,” I teased, helping him take off his belt.
Once his pants dropped with a soft swish onto the carpet, he hooked his fingers into my panties and slid them down my legs.
“Wait,” I said, pulling at his tie when he stood.
“Didn’t you say this tends to be long?” I untied it, letting it fall as I slipped his jacket down his shoulders.
“Maybe we had to call home because our kid needed us and it took a while to get off the phone.” I plucked his shirt buttons open one by one as his gaze seared into mine.
“I love that you called her our kid.”
I hadn’t realized the slip. The way Lee’s face lit up made my eyes burn, even while I was so turned on I could barely get my fingers around the last button.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love quick and rough, but does it have to be so quick?” I kissed across the expanse of his chest as his moan vibrated against my lips.
He spun me around before I could get his shirt off.
“I think that’s a great idea,” he rasped in my ear as he pulled the tab on my zipper, the soft whir as he dragged it down kicking up my pulse even more. “I definitely have the world’s hottest date,” he said, kissing down my back before he unhooked my bra.
We’d been having a lot of sex lately, but this was already different.
The sneaking away definitely made it seem hotter and forbidden, but after two big declarations, mine only sinking in halfway with Lee, I wasn’t going to be the same when we sat back at the table tonight.
I was handing Lee the last piece of my soul.
“I love you so fucking much,” he murmured against my skin and dove into my neck, his hands squeezing my breasts as his erection grew harder against my back. “Get on the bed and spread your legs for me.”
I climbed onto the bed, wearing nothing but the pendant he’d given me tonight while he snaked his hand under my waist and drew me closer.
“Hold on,” he whispered, both of us groaning as he slid into me.
It was supposed to be fast, but the pace was so slow it was maddening. Lee inched in and out, hooking my leg over his hip as we rocked together.
“Wait,” I said, panting as I pushed against his shoulders.
“Wait again? You’re killing me.”
I flipped us over and got on top. I moved my hips, wanting him deeper and harder and I couldn’t get enough. Lee’s face was a mix of crazy lust and elated surprise.
“You’re so beautiful, I can’t take it,” he said, locking eyes with me while he coasted his hands over my breasts and down my stomach.
He sat up, taking my nipple into his mouth as he met me thrust for thrust, rocking us back and forth, the king-sized bed squeaking under us.
“I was so fucking scared,” he grunted out, his pace picking up. “I love you,” he whispered, digging his fingers into my hips. “I can’t lose you.”
“Nothing to be scared of. I love you. I’ve always—”
Lee reached between us and pinched my clit, all the emotion and desperation coming to a head for both of us. I almost lost my balance as my legs shook through my release and Lee pulsed into me.
I needed to tell him the whole truth about how much I’d loved him “back then,” but right now, with Lee’s head nestled in the crook of my shoulder, his heart thumping against mine, it wasn’t the time for words, even if I could find them.
“That’s not how I planned to tell you tonight.” He peered up at me, a dazed smile lifting his mouth. “But great moments happen how they happen, right?”
I nodded, a lump in my throat cutting off my air from all the love in his gaze.
“But I love you. I love you so, so much,” he said, giving me a soft kiss before easing off the bed.
“I love you too,” I said, still choked up when I caught my reflection in the wall mirror. “How are we going to clean up enough to not look like we just snuck somewhere to have sex?”
Lee laughed, lifting and buckling his pants. Other than the color in his cheeks, he seemed fine.
I had to fix my makeup and hopefully smooth the tangles out of my hair, but I wouldn’t be able to erase the wide smile from my face for the whole night.
I hooked my bra, and Lee helped me zip my dress back up before I headed to the bathroom to touch myself up, feeling Lee’s eyes on me while I wiped off my smeared lipstick.
“What?” I asked when I turned my head.
“I didn’t think it was possible to feel this lucky ever again. And I do. So damn lucky.” He exhaled a long gust of air and shook his head. “You’re my miracle, Stella.”
I turned back to the mirror, trying to line my lips as my chin quivered.
I’d thought luck and miracles were for other people, so I’d never bothered to look. I’d never expected one to find me.