Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 200(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 133(@300wpm)
My lungs burn with exertion by the time I make it to my floor, but I don't even slow as I charge toward my room, determined to get to her one fucking way or another to say what I should have said this morning. Hell, what I should have said day ago.
As much as she's mine, I'm hers too. Heart and fucking soul.
I stumble to a stop a few doors down from my room, staring in shock at the gorgeous little goddess curled up in front of my door with her head on her knees, staring at the carpet.
"Emilia?"
"Nash!" She leaps to her feet, her gold eyes full of anxiety as she spins to face me. She's been crying. Probably all fucking day judging by the shadows around her eyes.
I stride toward her, pulled like a magnet. "What are you doing here?"
"I…" She breaks off, glancing around. "Can we talk in your room?"
I shove the keycard in the door, holding it open for her to go in ahead of me. She looks around, her brows furrowed.
"This is way less fancy than I expected."
"You thought they rented us penthouses?"
"Maybe." She shrugs. "Isn't that where stars usually sleep?"
"A bed is a bed after a game, Emilia."
She bites her lip, looking up at me. "I broke into your house today. I mean, I used the key you gave me, but it was probably breaking and entering anyway since you hate me."
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"I love you," she blurts, wringing her hands together. "I should have said it this morning. Actually, I should have said it days ago, but I'm dumb and I didn't. If you never want to see me again after this, I'll understand." Her bottom lip quivers as if the thought alone is going to break her wide open. "But I just wanted you to know that I'm not ashamed of you. I've never been ashamed of you or what we are. I just didn't want him to send you to another team when you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. And now, I've messed it up anyway."
"Two things," I growl, stalking toward her. "First, stop calling yourself names. It pisses me off. Second, I'm so goddamn in love with you it's driving me crazy. Third–"
"You said two things."
I shoot her a warning glare. "Third, you didn't mess anything up. I knew you weren't going to answer him with Montaque standing there." I stop in front of her, tipping her head back until she's looking at me. "I didn't expect you to answer him with Montaque waiting to use every word of it to tear the team apart."
"You looked so disappointed."
"I was disappointed in myself, princess. I was mad as hell that you were in that position to begin with. It never should have happened." I brush my thumb across her bottom lip. "I felt like a fucking asshole watching you cry and knowing anything I did was likely to be the exact wrong thing with that motherfucker standing there, waiting to tell the whole world our business."
Her chin wobbles, tears welling in her eyes. "I thought you hated me, Nash."
I drag her into my arms, my heart pulsing. "Then I'm not doing my job right, baby girl," I groan, pressing my forehead to hers. "I've been telling you that I'm crazy about you for weeks."
"I didn't know you loved me," she whisper-hisses, making me smile.
"You did," I murmur. "You were just afraid to let yourself believe it."
"Maybe you should be the therapist, and I should play hockey."
"Nah, you know people, Emilia. I know you. There's a difference. Besides, the world isn't ready for you with a stick. You're savage enough without one."
"I'm not savage with your stick, Whatley."
"Liar." I boost her up into my arms, pressing her back against the wall. "You're a ruthless little savage when you're on my stick, and you know it."
"Put me on it now. We'll see who's right," she whispers, arching toward my mouth.
I take her invitation, my lips slanting down over hers. She whimpers, her hands flying to my hair to hold me to her. And this shit right here? Her curvy body in my arms, pulling my hair and grinding all over me while I kiss the air from her lungs? This is home. This is worth fighting for. This is worth keeping at any cost.
"Nash, please," she groans, tugging at my hair. "Please."
"What do you want, princess? Tell me."
"You inside me."
I spin, dropping on her the bed before following her down. We kiss and touch and roll and moan, leaving clothes strewn all over the room. By the time I kiss my way down her gorgeous body, lavishing attention on every soft inch, she's already a panting mess beneath me, chanting my name.
She only chants it louder when I throw her legs over my shoulders and set to work, feasting on her. I devour her like the perfect little treat she is, thrusting my tongue in her hole to fuck her with it until she's right on the edge, and then I back off to run circles around her clit. I do it over and over, keeping her right there until she's pleading for mercy.