3
ETHAN
Once we’re settled into our seats, I clear my throat. “We only have a thirty-minute flight and a lot to discuss.”
I’m behind schedule getting to Montreal.
I wasn’t leaving Jackson—even though he seems unconcerned about Kyle’s death—and he needed to meet with Rocco to straighten out his father’s affairs.
Rocco feared Kyle’s sleazy lawyers would take advantage of Jax without persuasive oversight and a unified front —his exact words.
Aurora leans over the armrest and kisses my cheek. “We can talk about everything later. Just relax.”
Worried about her stomach and wanting her to be comfortable, I raise the divider.
Jax huffs. “Seriously, dude. You’re freaking out. I feel it from over here. Take a nap. If I have to listen to you snore again tonight…”
“First, dude , I don’t snore. Second, we won’t be sleeping in the same bed tonight.” My gaze connects with Aurora’s. “You’ll stay with Jax while we’re with the team.”
Her jaw drops, and she spins to face her fiancé. They do that silent communication thing. He quirks a brow, and cocks his head as if to say, I told you .
I have no idea what they’re debating—I don’t speak Jauroran . “You two wanna share with everyone?”
She picks at her fingernail polish. “Are you sick of us, or are we back to pretending we’re not together?”
“He’s dumping us.” Jackson’s shoulders sag, and his tone is so grave, it’s almost convincing. “Bastard.”
“I’m not dumping you.” Why am I even answering him? Entertaining his foolishness? “Just listen for ten seconds.”
He wraps an arm around her baby bump and kisses her temple. “You and the baby will always have me. We don’t need him. Sex is better without him anyhow.”
His diabolical eyes meet mine, and my lips tug into a smirk. He’s a damn liar. Sex with us is phenomenal, and he knows it.
“Set aside the fact that I make sex spectacular”—Aurora giggles, and he scoffs—“this is the calm before the storm. All we know is Kyle was found dead by the cleaning lady.”
“So cliché.” He releases a dramatic sigh. “I was really hoping for a beheading or dismemberment.”
I ignore his theatrics. “When the media finds out, it’ll be chaos. Add your return and our unorthodox relationship, and that’s a lot of interference for one team.”
Our girl hangs her head, and silence falls between us.
It’s not my intention to hurt her. I have to focus. They’re a distraction, but if I leave them to their own devices, there’s no telling the mayhem they’ll cause.
I tilt her chin and lift her gaze to mine. “I’ll prioritize alone time, but if we want this to work, there needs to be boundaries.”
Her stomach rumbles, and my mood plummets.
“You didn’t eat?”
“When was I supposed to eat? You rushed us out the door this morning, and I forgot.”
Jackson throws off his seat belt. “I’ll find something.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. How does someone forget to eat—and their prenatal vitamins, requiring a return to the loft, and where they crammed their ID in their bag, and that their tickets were on their phone, also lost in their bag?
My limited patience snaps. “Do you want to be with me?”
She recoils but recovers quickly. “Are we back to this, Blackwood? Are my imperfections too much for you? You know what Reece does when we travel? He?—”
“No,” I cut her off, “and I don’t care. This is how it’s going to be. I’ll give you everything—my time, attention, love, money, protection… In return, you’ll shut off that overworked brain and give me everything—your time, attention, worries, trust, love, body. Your complete submission.”
A scowl twists her pretty face. “That’s not a relationship. That’s you telling me what to do.”
I grin, a slow, satisfying smile spreading across my lips. “You’re getting this already.”
Her glower intensifies. “Why do you get my body but I don’t get yours?”
“That’s what you focus on?”
“Yeah, it sounds suspicious.”
She never ceases to amaze me. “No one gets my body but you, baby girl. Is that better?”
“Yes. Go on.” She gestures with her hand.
“You marry Jax, but you give yourself to me. You wear his ring, but I have control. I ensure you have everything your heart desires, and you focus on you and the baby—nothing more. Not work. Not the case.”
She blinks, blinks again. “Okay.”
That’s it? No smart-ass comments?
My knuckles ghost over her cheekbone. “That’s my girl. Email me your expenses. Send Felicity your notice. Understand?”
Her head bobs gently, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You said everything my heart desires?”
I nod.
“Well, I have a list of stipulations.”
There it is. I trace my thumb over my bottom lip to hide my amusement. “Do your worst, love. Let me hear it.”
Chin held high, she projects an air of superiority. “I’d like the loft studio—if the twins aren’t using it—for my own clothing line.”
“Easy. Done.” I’m one thousand percent certain they bought it for her anyway.
“I walk the runway next year.”
“Not if you’re pregnant—talk to your fiancé about that.”
She drops her chin, her gaze unwavering. “I want my bodyguard reinstated. Make it happen, Blackwood, and you can have whatever you want.”
Now, it’s my turn to blink in astonishment. When the shock wears off, I toss my head back, laughter bursting from my chest and reverberating through the cabin as tears leak from the corners of my eyes.
This fucking girl.
Avoiding Aurora proves to be harder than expected. I finally have her with me, and I devise a plan to keep her away. What is wrong with me? Sometimes, the part of my brain that demands control is an uncompromising and jaded asshole.
I settle into my room and force myself to focus on preparing for tonight’s game. I’m already behind schedule, and I missed morning skate.
Only for them do I neglect my responsibilities—or perhaps I’m choosing my priorities.
Jackson’s suspension prevents him from being with the team, which is helpful. I don’t feel guilty about leaving Aurora alone, but I constantly wonder what they’re doing.
They mentioned exploring the European-style city, and my mind plagues me with worries. I haven’t discussed the bodyguard situation with Jax. I doubt it’ll go over well.
Instead of paying attention in meetings, I find myself texting him to be sure Aurora dresses warm, eats a solid meal, and doesn’t leave his side. He replies with his usual snarky ‘ Yes, Dad ,’ but he doesn’t send me any pictures—not that I asked. Still, it’s disappointing.
The team gathers in the lobby before the game, security present, fans snapping photos, a few players signing autographs.
My coaching staff and I are the last to arrive.
The excitement is palpable; smiles abound, and conversations are filled with laughter.
The team hasn’t been this animated all season.
Then I see why.
My assistant coach slows his steps beside me. “Wow…she’s…”
“Mine,” I blurt, a stony glare solidifying my absurd possessiveness.
He shoots me a sidelong glance, an amused glint in his eyes, a smirk on his lips. “Damn, I was about to say…here. She’s here …with O’Reilly.”
My gaze returns to the most stunning woman. In the middle of the crowd, Aurora charms those around her and doesn’t even know it.
A low growl rumbles in my throat. She’s terribly underdressed for the snow, wearing a peacoat undone to reveal a sweater dress that hugs her curves, a stretch of thigh exposed above her high-heeled boots. How will she walk in those things? It’s winter and slippery.
My mind journeys to a time of loincloths and chest-thumping, my inner caveman urging me to knock her up with twins next so she can’t easily hide the evidence of my claiming. Perhaps Jackson was onto something with the hockey team of kids.
She stands beside my captain, players sneaking peeks at her while they joke around with him. Her long, dark hair is loose and wavy, and as she chats with Grant, she runs her fingers through it seductively. Jealousy curls tight in my gut. Why does Jax have her out here? Grant is the biggest playboy.
Before I can stop myself, I’m stalking over. “What are you two doing here?” The words come out as hard as intended, catching everyone’s attention.
Jackson gives me a knowing, taunting grin. “Chill, Coach. We’re just leaving.”
My little brat extends her hand. “Hi. I’m Aurora, Jackson’s fiancée.”
My star player snorts, and Grant coughs, but her polite smile never wavers.
She’s letting me define our relationship in front of the team. Whatever I choose, she’ll follow to a tee, and it’ll drive me fucking mad. If I pretend not to know her, she’ll do the same, icing me out.
A pang of something strikes me in the chest. Regret? Dread? Whatever it is, I don’t enjoy it.
I take her hand and pull her to me. Releasing her, I zip her jacket and thread the buckles through the leather loops. “Stop showing off what’s mine,” I grumble, my tone low.
“Just making sure you don’t forget.” Her voice is flirtatious, barely above a whisper.
“Never. I’ll be thinking about you all night. Now, behave. Go play with my money, not my emotions.”
Her pouty red lips curve into a pleased smile. “Yes, sir.”
“Jackson—hat and gloves, a full meal.”
He gives me a sarcastic salute and laces his fingers through hers.
Later, after that buzzing energy carried us to victory, I lie in bed, craving my girl. I consider going downstairs to have a drink with the team, but a sharp feeling of betrayal has me dismissing the thought.
I only want Aurora and Jackson’s company. I want to know about their day, what she bought, what she ate. I want to watch Jax braid her hair while she chatters about her newest infatuation.
I climb out of bed. Yeah, I’m fucked.
Jackson opens the door, a smug grin plastered on his face. “Couldn’t stay away, could you?”
“What can I say? You’re just too pretty.”
His smile fades, his eyes harden, and he spins on his heel, jaw clenched.
I step inside the entryway, kick the door shut behind me, and fist his shirt.