Page 42 of Boarded Hearts

“You can say to her whatever you need in front of me.”

For the first time, Elliott looks uncomfortable, his shoulders slightly slumped. “I wanted to talk about us.” He takes a step toward me, a look of vulnerability in his eyes, one I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. “I think. I think we made a mistake. I miss you, Felicity.”

I’m fixed to the spot. I don’t know how much time passes, Elliott staring at me, Jon staring at Elliott with a murderous look in his eyes, and me? I’m just zoned out, looking right through Elliott. I hear his words, but they mean absolutely nothing. I feel nothing at all for this man. My ex-husband and father of my children.

Finally, I break the silence, shaking my head as I do. “I’m sorry, but I think we made exactly the right decision. Separating was the best thing that could ever happen to me. I was miserable in a loveless marriage, and if you’re being honest, I know you felt that too.” My voice begins to crack but I press on, desperate to get the words out. “I felt unloved and unappreciated. Our entire relationship revolved around you and what you wanted, where you wanted to be. Your job came first above us all, and lately, I’ve been able to find myself again. Make friends, go out, have fun.”

“So that’s it, huh? Almost two decades of marriage down the drain all because you want to go out and have fun?” he retorts in a mocking tone, his fists propped on his hips.

I shake my head and take a step toward him, trying to steady my breathing. “No. Our marriage has been over for many years, way before we came to live out here. I’m moving on with my life, and you should, too.”

“Moving on with him?” he bites out, pointing a finger in Jon’s direction. “Some NHL playboy? Surely you don’t think it’s possible to have a serious relationship with someone like him. He’ll take what he wants from you and dump you the first chance he gets.” A disgusted sneer crosses his face as he casts his eyes down my body. “Jesus, he probably already has. You should get yourself checked out.”

“You fucking what?” Jon grits out, his jaw ticking. I can tell he’s about to lose all control, but something holds him back, and I know it’s out of respect for me. But if I gave the word, I suspect my ex-husband would be flat on his back, nursing a broken jaw at best.

Steeling my shoulders I reply, “Who I do or don’t date has nothing to do with you anymore. You lost that right the moment you started treating me like a second-class citizen.”I’ve never stood up to Elliott, always choosing to back down and yield to his demands. But not tonight, not anymore. I’m worth more than the way he treated me.“I think you should leave.” I point to the front door.

He scoffs, “You’re kicking me out?”

“She asked you to leave. Now go before I put you through the fucking wall.” Jon strides across the room once again, Elliott’s palms flying up in front of him in surrender. He’s clearly intimidated.

“Okay, fine. I’m gone. But this isn’t over, Felicity. You’re making a mistake. Darcy wants us to give it another go, and I think she’s right. If she finds out you’re shacked up with some hotshot hockey player, she’ll be devastated. Is that the example you want to set for your children? That their mum has lowered herself to some sort of puck bunny? I’m giving you a second chance, an opportunity to come home to your family. Just, think about it.” Then he turns, strides down the hallway, and yanks the door open, leaving it to slam behind him.

I fall to my knees, every emotion that’s been simmering under the surface finally erupting out of me. And I sob. All the while, I’m being held in Jon’s comforting arms, his hand gently smoothing my hair as he rocks us slowly, reassuring me it’s all going to be okay.

CHAPTER TWENTY

JON

“Stay with me?”

Elliott left around twenty minutes ago, and I’ve finally managed to calm her enough to get her to eat at least a slice of pizza, complete with gross black olives.

We’re sitting on her black corner couch, my back against one of the side arms as she sits between my legs, her back pressed against my chest. The position is intimate, but she’s been way too upset because of that asshole for me to even think about anything other than comforting her.

“I’m right here,” I softly reply into the shell of her ear, smoothing her shoulder with my palm. In this position, I can inhale her gorgeous coconut scent that I’ve figured out is her shampoo.

She turns her head around to face me, her eyes slightly puffy from crying, and her cheeks still stained from tears. “No. I mean stay with me. Tonight. Here.”

I can’t lie, I’m taken aback by her request, but being totally honest, I hadn’t planned to leave her. Not until I knew that fucker was back on a plane to London and out of this country. I want him nowhere near her.I rub my thumb lightly across her cheek, drowning in her slightly red but still beautiful, emerald eyes. “I wasn’t planning on leaving you tonight, Angel. I can take the couch.”

She shakes her head, her lids fluttering shut at my touch. “No, I mean stay with me. In my bed.”

I freeze. I was not expecting her to say that. “I can sleep on here; it’s no problem.”

She sets her half-eaten slice back on the plate and turns her body toward me fully so that she’s on her knees and between my legs. Despite my best efforts to keep this PG, my dick twitches, and I run my hands down her sides, feeling her firm body beneath my palms.

“No, I want you with me. I need you, Jon. I feel safe when I’m with you. In your arms.”

Fuck me. My heart squeezes at her admission. The trust she places in me, the way she’s looking at me with longing and expectation. It's everything I’ve hoped for.

I’ve shared a bed with many women over the years, but never like this. And never with a woman like Felicity. In my past, being in bed with someone has only resulted in one thing for us both. But tonight, Felicity wants me for an entirely different reason, to hold and comfort her. I’m in uncharted territory, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared shitless.

It’s eleven p.m., and I find myself in Felicity’s tiny bathroom feeling like a sixteen-year-old about to lose his virginity. The thought of sharing a bed with the woman I’ve lusted after for months has got me all twisted up. Not to mention my dick which clearly hasn’t gotten the memo that tonight will likely get no further than first base.

“There’s a spare toothbrush under the sink,” she shouts from the other side of the door.

At least that’s one dilemma sorted. I’ve fantasized about sharing a bed with her hundreds of times—okay, probably thousands, most ending with me getting myself off in the shower to the thought. But I was not prepared for the way tonight has unfolded.

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