Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 147021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 735(@200wpm)___ 588(@250wpm)___ 490(@300wpm)
“It’s my fault it was shitty, though.”
“It could have been less shitty if I’d texted last night instead of worrying about puffy eyes.” She pats my chest.
I cover her hand with mine and bring it to my lips.
She taps hers with a finger. “I’d like those here, please.”
I cup her face and brush lightly over her lips.
It only takes one soft stroke of tongue before her nails are digging into the back of my neck and I’m pulling her tight against me. She breaks the kiss and covers my mouth with her palm when I try to reclaim hers. Her mouth is heaven.
“I still need to get ready, and I have to leave in less than half an hour.”
“I’ll message you tonight?”
“Yes, please.”
“And I’ll make up for the crappy date when I get back.”
“Also yes, please.”
I kiss her one last time, and she pushes me out the door.
I’m stepping off the elevator as Roman opens his door. He frowns when he sees me. “Where have you been?”
“I was dropping off my key for Aurora.” It’s not a complete lie, but I still feel like a bag of shit. Especially since I can taste her mint toothpaste on my tongue. What if he’d arrived two minutes earlier? How quickly would he put it all together? How would I explain? How could I leave Aurora with the fallout of that?
His brow furrows. “She’s up already?”
“She has a group presentation this morning. She’s heading to campus early so they can practice. I would have dropped my key off last night, but we were up late talking.”
“Right, yeah. She’s still home, though?” He pulls his phone out and starts thumb typing.
“She was getting ready when I dropped off my key a minute ago.” A bead of sweat trickles down my spine.
“I’ll head down and say good-bye now, then.”
“Sounds good.” I take a step toward my door as he moves toward the elevators. “I should be ready to roll in twenty.”
He nods, his eyes still on his phone as he steps into the elevator. I disappear inside my penthouse, the weight in my chest growing with every lie I tell my best friend.
CHAPTER 27
HOLLIS
Isend Aurora a bouquet of gerbera daisies, wishing her luck on her presentation, before Roman and I leave for the airport. I sleep on the plane and watch practice from the bench. They’ve started rotating in our backup goalie during practices to prepare for the inevitable shift when Roman hangs up his skates.
Coach takes a seat beside me as the team skates. “Doc said your knee is healing well.”
“The strength is coming back faster this time.” I’m crossing my fingers it means I’ll be back on the ice sooner.
“I know it’s frustrating to be out with another injury,” he says.
“It’s important to give it the time it needs to heal.” I know this is the right answer, though I hate it. “I’m doing everything I can to get back on the ice before the playoffs.”
“One step at a time, Hendrix. Hopefully, you’ll be cleared for practice soon.”
When they’re finished on the ice, I join the guys in the sauna and grab lunch with the team. Roman and a bunch of the guys plan to rewatch Seattle’s last couple of games when we return to the hotel. But my kitty-cam alerts show activity in my penthouse. And I have new messages from Aurora.
“I need to call my sister, but I’ll catch up with you in a bit, if that’s okay,” I tell Roman when we get back. The lies feel like quicksand these days. But I want to check on Aurora, make sure she’s okay, and I need privacy for that.
“Everything okay there?” Roman asks, always the concerned dad.
“Oh yeah, just our weekly call.” We have a standing date we rarely miss. It’s just not right now.
“Okay. We’ll be in Dallas and Ash’s room. Sixteen-thirteen.”
“See you in a bit.” I flip the safety latch after he leaves and check my messages.
Princess
Someone sent me flowers today. Without a card. They’re beautiful.
It’s accompanied by a picture of them on her dresser.
Princess
Too bad you’re at practice because I’m about to visit the kitties.
Another picture, this one of her lying on my bed with my cats, follows. Postie is stretched out on her chest, and Malone is snuggled up beside them, looking disgruntled. It was sent half an hour ago.
I keep scrolling, jaw clenching as I scan the next messages.
Princess
Now that you’ve had your fingers in my pussy, am I allowed to use Batdick in your bed?
Guess I’ll find out later.
Might want to check your kitty cams.
You’re missing all the fun.
I fire off a reply.
Hollis
What bad things are you doing in my bed without me, Princess?
No response.
I retrieve my laptop and flip it open, popping in my earbuds as I pull up the video feeds. My living room is empty. And I’m momentarily confused when I check the camera in my bedroom. I’m looking at my shower instead of my bed. The glass is foggy, but Aurora’s naked outline is visible. Her hands are pressed against the wall, and her head hangs low. The sound of the spray hitting the tile muffles her words until she moans loudly. “Fuck, yes. Right there. So damn close.”