Chapter 31
Emalyn
When I get to the arena, it’s packed. I’m stopped twice by little kids wanting to pet the puppy.
With Poppy strapped safely to my chest, I manage to find my way to my seat behind the glass quickly.
I set up my camera behind the glass that has the slot for it.
Behind me, a man munches on his nachos, licking the cheese from his fingers but I don’t mind because I have the best view in the barn.
I spot Ronan on the bench while the players are warming up on the ice.
He’s talking to the goalie coach, muscular arms folded over his chest and glancing over at the interim goalie with a thoughtful expression.
I can’t help but snap a few shots of him. Maybe some close ups of his delicious biceps. I’m just a girl, after all.
It’s too bad Ronan won’t be on the ice for his goalie warmups. The flexibility…
I shake my head to clear it. Apparently, one more night with Ronan was enough for me to walk around with my head permanently in the gutter.
My thighs squeeze together at the memory of his voice rough with need as he whispered.
Nunca, Emmy. Eres toda mía. A violent shudder racks through my body as I feel his breath against my ear.
Never. You’re all mine.
The crowd explodes in cheers, pulling me from my daydreaming. Somehow, I’ve missed the entire first period. I managed to get a few quick snaps of Ripley celebrating with his teammates. It’s short lived, considering we are losing, 2-1.
My eyes find Ronan on the bench, who’s clapping enthusiastically, a wide grin on his face. He looks adorable with his noise canceling headphones on. I’m sure he argued with Dakota and the med staff about them and lost.
Did he read the letter?
He hasn’t looked over at me once. I know the Stanley Cup finals are happening right now but damn, give a girl a hint.
Unable to take it, I ask my assistant Blake to take over the camera duties while I make a break for the concession stand.
I need a hotdog or a slushie. Something to take the edge off of the questions running through my head right now. I take the steps as quickly as I can, while the fans munch their concession food and cheer for whoever else just scored before the end of the second period.
The concessions are nearly empty with the staff leaned against counters, watching on the flat screens placed around the booths.
“What can I get ya?” The girl smacking her gum asks, turning her head to me but keeping her eyes on the screen.
“A jumbo chili cheese dog please. And a coke.” I answer, passing over cash.
I glance up at the screen to see the score 3-2.
It’s a close game. Either Vegas wins tonight, and takes home the cup or we have a chance to battle it out each time for three more games.
They’d have to win every game, which is just not likely with the way the interim goalie is looking tonight.
On the other hand, our offensive players are pulling their weight.
“Here ya go.”
My order slides across the counter, the cardboard scraping the countertop in a way that gives me chills.
“Thanks.” I sigh and find a little table near the floor to ceiling windows. Stuffing my face with a large bite around a sleeping Poppy, I admire the night skyline view. I’d love to explore Vegas with Ro. We’d lose terribly at the poker tables but that’s okay.
“Room for one more?”
I jolt in surprise.
“W-What are you doing up here?” Scrambling for a napkin to wipe my mouth, I glance up at him. Ronan’s mouth is tilted up at the corners like he’s holding back a laugh.
“You’re here. Where else would I be?” He slides into the seat beside me while my wide eyes follow him.
“Down there!” I gesture toward the game with one hand, while he takes a big bite of my chili cheese dog. “Where your team is I don’t know, only playing the biggest game of the season.”
He shrugs, still chewing.
“Ronan.” I emphasize his name, still shocked. “The Stanley Cup finals are going on and you’re sitting here in the food court!”
“With you.” He nods, before slurping my coke.
I nearly snort. Since his injury, he’s been cheating on his nutrition plan like crazy.
Any chance he gets really. He holds the straw to my lips and I drink too.
My eyes flick up to his. Wasn’t I just hoping for some sign from him?
But now that he’s here, I'm beyond nervous. My hands are shaking in my lap and my leg starts to bounce under the table. I dropped some major truth bombs in that letter and I want— no need to know if he’s read the damn thing or not.
Turning to face me fully, he smooths his hand down my thigh, stopping the bouncing before gently gathering my wrist and drawing soft circles there.
“Ask me.” He murmurs, blue eyes holding me captive.
I shake my head, the movement slow and barely there.
He rolls his lips in, tapping a finger softly on the table as he waits me out.
Reaching up, he smooths his large hand down Poppy’s head making her ears twitch.
I understand what he’s doing. I’ve avoided anything truly vulnerable with him for a long time and now it’s time to face the music.
Pull up my big girl panties and face the truth of it all.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my erratic pulse.
“Did you read it? All of it?” My voice comes out as a whisper and my eyes fall to the table. He’s quiet for a moment before his hand tips my face to his. My lips part on an exhale and the raw expression on his face. Unguarded anguish.
“I’m sorry you went through that, Sunshine.
I wish I could protect you from all the pain and grief you’ve lived through.
Even if I can’t protect you from it, I can love you through it.
” His eyes flick between mine as he talks, his face close to mine.
“I choose you, too. I choose to love you. That has never been based on what your body can or can’t do. ”
“Don’t you want a family?” I dare to ask through the unshed tears and tightness in my throat.
“You are my family. Don’t you see it? It’s always been you, Emmy. Did you really believe I’d value hypothetical children over the absolute love of my life?” He chuckles softly but remains genuine. I shrug one shoulder and pet Poppy’s fur so I have something to do with my hands.
“Maybe.”
“No, Sunshine.” He tucks a curl behind my ear, his hands trailing down my neck and over my shoulder before it settles on my arm, thumb drawing circles like he can’t stop touching me. I don’t want him to. When I look up again, he’s so close that our lips brush.
“If all I ever get to have is your heart… I’m the luckiest man. All I want to do is love you.” He whispers, planting a soft kiss against my lips before adding, “Por favor, déjame amarte, Emalyn Espinosa.”
I inhale sharply. Please, let me love you.
“Only if you let me love you too, Ro.” I answer before melting into his kiss. His hand cups my cheek and tilts my head the way he wants as his mouth moves tenderly over mine.
It’s only the soft whine of the puppy that breaks us apart. Feeling breathless and a little shy, I chuckle.
“Um… I guess I better take her for a walk.”
He stands, gathering the trash. “Let’s go.”
“Don’t you need to stay?” I question with a raised brow. He simply wraps an arm around me and guides me out.
The fresh air blows my hair over my shoulders as Poppy wobbles along the path stopping to sniff like crazy.
All the while, Ronan can’t keep his hands off me.
They hold my hand, my waist, my lower back, and anywhere else he can justify touching me.
We’ve always done that, to some extent. It’s about more than soothing my anxiety now.
Like he’s taking some for himself, too. Enjoying the connection with me.
I find myself looping my pinky through his belt loop when he gets too far ahead of me to press the crosswalk button.
His surprise quickly melts into a grin as he throws his arm around me again and adjusts his ballcap lower on his face.
It’s so funny that the hundreds of people surrounding us are probably hockey fans or at least watching the game tonight but have no idea who he is.
Not really because of the hat but because everyone expects him to be at the game too.
It gives a strange sense of freedom he wouldn’t normally have.
I watch him walk around, a new light behind his eyes and feel intense satisfaction that I am the cause of that.