Page 22 of The Penalty

“She wanted to talk to you.” Bennet’s expression softened. “I told her I needed you focused for today. I wasn’t wrong about that. You would have buggered off and flown to her the second you knew.”

“Of course I would have,” I shouted, almost pulling the armrest off this chair. “Fuck the match. Don’t you ever stand in the way of her and I again.”

Bennet wisely kept his mouth shut.

The flight to Manhattan dragged on. When we finally landed and arrived at the hotel, I changed into my tuxedo and hightailed it to the event.

Killian and Max were waiting for me in the lobby.

They looked annoyed.

Great.

I could tell Killian wanted to give me a piece of his mind. I’d let him at some point, but right now I needed to see Victoria.

“She’s out on the terrace,” he told me.

I turned to walk away.

“Not so fast. First I’m going to give you some unsolicited advice.”

Fuck.

Exhaling slow, I clasped my hands behind my back and nodded.

“She’ll see right through your bullshit. Be honest with her and don’t rush anything.” Killian narrowed his eyes. “I love her like family. If I ever see her go through what you put her through these last few weeks again, I’ll rip your fucking heart out.”

Not many people could talk to me this way and walk away unscathed. But Killian loved her as much as I did. Maybe even more.

“You have my word,” I vowed.

Maxim cleared his throat. “We like you, Xavier. We want this to work for you guys. But much like Killian said, if you hurt her again—”

“You’ll rip my heart out?” I interrupted, flashing a smile that accentuated the trademark Maddox dimple. If now isn’t the perfect time to charm my way out of a situation, when is?

“No,” he scowled. “I’ll take a sledgehammer to your hands. Can’t be a world-famous goalkeeper if your hands are broken.”

Jesus Christ.

“Point taken.” I swallowed, ready to bolt for the exit. “She’s on the terrace, yeah?”

Killian nodded. “Silver silk dress. Probably nursing a martini.”

We stood in awkward silence for a few seconds.

I didn’t know if I should thank them or just leave, so I left. Maybe this reunion won’t go as well as I’d hoped.

The closer my strides took me to the terrace, the more nervous I became. That’s weird for me since I never get nervous around women. But Victoria isn’t just any woman.

She challenges me, sees me, loves me at my worst. That last bit is debatable since I haven’t been the greatest of boyfriends lately. I let rage blind my actions and it ended up hurting her even more. I’d be lucky if she didn’t break up with me on the spot.

We’ll just talk. No sex. Maybe a hug if she’ll let me. I won’t do anything an actual gentleman wouldn’t do. She’ll like that, right?

Yes.

Well, no.

I choose to play rough. I choose to be spanked, bitten, grabbed, tied up, used in public, used in private. I choose all of it because I choose you. All of you.

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