22
REECE
Ethan and Jax grab their mattress, tip it upright, and knock the pillows and bedding onto the floor.
I lean against the wall of the bedroom, watching. I’m only here for moral support.
Well, not really. I’m waiting for these two idiots to attempt to get the king-size mattress through the doorway. They’re both smiling; I guess that’s all that matters.
Aurora peeks her head out of the bathroom and instantly grins. “What are you doing?”
“We’re having a slumber party,” Jax calls out.
They reach the door and exchange baffled glances, and she bursts into giggles.
I shake my head, but a smirk escapes me. “Bend the mattress, morons.”
What did I do with my years of tactical training? Helped two professional hockey players maneuver their bed into the living room so they could cuddle while one was having nightmares.
I haven’t seen anything this ridiculous since boot camp.
It’s sweet, though. I just wonder if Aurora knows they love each other, maybe as much as they love her.
Dumb and Dumber grunt, groan, and laugh as they push the curled mattress through the doorway.
The top is wedged in the corner and scraping along the doorframe, but they don’t seem concerned.
Who cares if the hotel charges you for a new mattress when you’re a millionaire? Billionaire, between the two of them?
Anything for Jackson.
The words cross my mind, but they’re not as bitter as before. He’s struggling, and they’ll do whatever it takes to get him through it. I can respect that.
Aurora joins me in watching the mattress fiasco. Long, dark waves cascade down over her shoulders. Her bare face reveals a dusting of freckles across her nose and cheekbones. She’s in shorts and one of their T-shirts, per usual, her little belly popping out.
She peers up at me, as beautiful as ever. “Are you staying for the sleepover?”
“Do you want me to?” My voice is lower and raspier than intended, but having her next to me does something to my insides.
“Only if you bring candy or popcorn.”
Those pouty lips curve into a flirtatious smile—intentional or not, I don’t know.
My chin dips and my eyes narrow. “You don’t even like candy.”
She gasps, feigning horror. “Not true. I like chocolate-covered peanuts.”
“Goobers,” Jax yells from the living room, always listening. “I’ll get candy. Grab the pillows.”
We gather the bedding while Ethan and Jax stock up on candy and drinks from the lobby gift shop.
Aurora tosses the pillows down and faces me, her mask dropped and eyes full of suspicion. “What’s going on?”
She’s smarter than they think, no longer a naive girl. It’s entirely possible she caught bits of conversation, especially Ethan’s booming voice. Unfortunately, I promised them I wouldn’t tell her anything about Kyle or the threat.
I reach out and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, tracing the length. “Jax is struggling with the case, that’s all. He’ll get through it. He has you and Ethan.”
She steps closer, and my heart rate kicks up a notch.
There’s only a sliver of space between us.
Then, she encircles my waist, and the air catches in my lungs.
It feels like forever since she randomly hugged me.
Her body is pressed to mine, reminiscent of the dream I had, and I have to beg my dick to behave in these gym shorts.
I hesitantly wrap my arms around her. “What are you doing, princess?”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief. “I’m hugging you. I used to hug you all the time. You don’t like hugging me anymore?”
“You know very well I like hugging you. Too much. What are you doing?”
The temptress grins. “I wanted to say thank you for defending me earlier.”
She’s lying and not even trying to hide it. It’s written all over her devilish face.
“I’ll always defend you. Now, your husband will be back soon, and I don’t feel like losing my balls tonight. Tell me why you’re tormenting me.”
A silent laugh rumbles through her. “I’m just happy you’re here.”
I tangle my fingers in her hair and give a little tug. “You’re a damn liar.”
She bites down on her bottom lip in an attempt to hide her smile, and my body ignites like gasoline thrown on a bonfire.
“Aurora…” I warn.
Her eyes soften, and the tension between us intensifies.
“I’m not lying. I want you to stay.”
My throat goes dry, and I force myself to swallow. “Why?”
Does she want me to stay as security? More? I’m staying anyhow, at least until the threat is resolved. Does she think because something happened, I’ll be returning to LA, like when Kyle died? Is she worried I’m leaving?
My thoughts are a mess.
“You’re good here.” She shrugs. “You seem good with Jax.”
Jax. Not the answer I wanted.
My palms are sweaty, her head cradled in my hands. She feels too close, and I slide my fingers free from her hair and step out of her embrace.
Things were rough while I was gone. Ethan and Jackson were fighting. Aurora and Ethan were fighting. Aurora was alone, and she hates being alone. Tonight, despite everything, we’re all getting along. Does she think they’re better with me here, or does she want me here?
She’s touching me, giving me looks that go beyond friendship, and my mind instinctively bristles at the sheer impossibility of her genuinely wanting me.
There’s no way. It’s unfathomable, and my confidence shakes.
My face heats, and I ball my hands into fists at my sides. “I’m not here to manage Jax . Don’t use your body against me. I’m not your plaything. I’m a person with feelings you’re messing with.”
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I’m still bitter.
That’s the only explanation.
I told her I wanted her, told her I’d take whatever she was willing to give, even friendship, to be a part of her life. She asked me if I was sure repeatedly, and I said yes—every damn time.
Then, she tells me she wants me to stay, and I snap at her?
Jesus fucking Christ, I have issues.
I know Aurora. She’s affectionate, speaks better with her body than words, and hates to feel rejected. She’ll never give me another chance, never put herself out there again.
From the kitchen table, I watch her in my periphery as I work on my laptop. She clings to Ethan on the couch, her head on his shoulder, her arms around him. Her gaze is glued to the TV, but her eyes are emotionless. She still wears the forlorn expression I left her with.
I’m a total fucking dick.
Maybe she was excited to tell me she wanted me to stay, excited to have me here, excited about the sleepover, excited everyone was getting along. Maybe she wasn’t playing me but being playful, and I ruined it by being jealous of Jackson.
Who isn’t jealous of Jackson?
I bury myself in work, researching Kyle’s former partner and reassigning my team. Movement catches my eye, and I glance up. She approaches with her head down, making a beeline for the fridge, and I take my chance.
Recklessly, I reach for her, my fingers close around her waist, and pull her to me. She stumbles between my legs, her hands finding purchase on my shoulders, her eyes wide and searching with an intensity that takes my breath away.
“Lo siento.” Expressing the apology in Spanish isn’t necessary, since I’m not at all being cautious, but it sounds romantic.
She swallows. “Está bien. No te preocupes.” Of course she would say it’s okay.
I have no idea what the last phrase means, but it’s provocative rolling off her tongue.
Jackson and Ethan must think so too. Both of them are staring at us with their mouths hanging open. That, or I’m about to be killed.
I know the word ‘stay’ only as a command used during arrests. I haven’t a clue how to say ‘I’ll stay,’ but I try anyway. “No te muevas.”
She furrows her brow and tilts her head in confusion.
It’s cute, and I smirk. “What did I say?”
She grins. “Don’t move.”
So close—just not in this instance.
“Manos arriba…?” Hands up ? I joke.
She flashes a gentle smile and obeys—and, holy shit, new kink unlocked.
“Um, how about hands off ?” Jax interrupts, glaring daggers my way.
She steps back, and my arms drop to my lap, feeling empty.
He scoots to the edge of the couch. “So we’re using secret languages now?”
She walks away, going to the fridge for a bottle of water.
I meet his annoyance head-on. “It’s called Spanish.”
“No fuck,” he says at the same time Ethan asks Aurora, “You speak Spanish?”
She takes her seat beside him. “Rarely, but I grew up speaking both languages.”
He directs his scowl my way. “And you know Spanish?”
“A little. For the job.”
“Well, isn’t that convenient?” Jackson grumbles before dumping an entire box of Snow Caps in his big mouth.
“Actually, it is. When she wanted to leave the game, she was able to tell me without worrying about others overhearing.”
“Wow, it’s incredible how you have a secret language with everyone except me.
” From the death glare Ethan is giving her, he does not think it’s incredible—at all.
“You communicate with Jax through your eyes and understand each other’s thoughts.
Now, you speak Spanish with him.” He nods in my direction.
“That’s because with us, she’s quieter,” Jackson says, quick to calm his bestie. “But with you, she speaks her mind. You both get heated and yell. Nothing is secret.”
“Clearly, something is secret.” Ethan cants his head at Aurora. “Got something you wanna tell me?”
Jax grabs the bowl of popcorn from the coffee table and pops a piece into his mouth. “Yeah, share with the rest of the class.”
I’m glad his snarky attitude has recovered. It’s better than worrying if he’ll take off. But fuck, he’s aggravating, and he knows it.
She presses her lips together and shakes her head.
Ethan arches a brow. “Easy way or the hard way?”
I push from my seat and place my hands on the table. He’s too rough. I understand he pressures her to open up, and Jackson must trust him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be sitting back and stuffing his face, but I’d never tolerate anyone threatening her, even Ethan.
Her shoulders slump. “I’m not hiding anything.”
His expression remains rigid, his steely gaze locked on hers. “Do we need to discuss this alone?”
I stand to my full height.
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “I gave him a hug.” She gestures my way. “You didn’t say no hugs. I told him I wanted him to stay, and he got angry. That’s it.”
Jax makes a show of the popcorn. “Ooooh, this is getting good.”
I’m about to dump it over his head.
“Angry, how?” Ethan asks.
Walking into the living area, I lean against the counter and cross my arms over my chest. I guess we’re doing this.
“He said I was playing with his feelings.” She glances at me. “Which wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry.”
Jackson scoffs. “He wanted you to play with him in other ways.”
“Can you shut the fuck up?” I snap. “You make no sense.”
“Dude, she isn’t gonna fall all over you. She’s not like that. Whatever girls you’ve been fucking with, she’s not them.”
Aurora’s gaze drops to her fingers in her lap.
Ethan chimes in. “I don’t think that’s it. I think she was being playful, and he’s not playing. This is too serious for him.”
“Same thing.” Jackson shrugs.
Except it’s not the same. He knows talking shit about other women will drive her away from me. He tried the same with Ethan.
I let out a slow, frustrated breath and roll my neck. “It doesn’t matter. I’m staying. I’m sorry for getting angry, princess. It won’t happen again.”
They might discuss everything with each other, but that’s not me. I’ll figure this out with Aurora when the time is right. I’m afraid my feelings for her will ruin our friendship—if they haven’t already.
It was unfair of me to expect more from her, to be resentful when she didn’t explicitly say she wanted me to stay.