Page 54 of The Penalty

“Stealing my lines, Maddox?” Her adorable little grin hit me right in the gut.

I will never get enough of her smiles. I’d seen Victoria naked, and in fancy dresses, using that mouth to do wondrous, filthy things to my body, but she was never more beautiful than when she was just being herself. Witty, charming, stripped of all her self doubts, and smiling.

I swear she gets more beautiful every day.

Fucking hell. I’m that guy now, aren’t I? Completely under her spell.

For what it’s worth, it’s my favorite place to be.

I’ll never let him hurt her.

Blushing a little, she squeezed my thigh. I took her hand in mine and held it in my lap. Killian’s slightly arctic demeanor thawed.

“So I guess everything’s been going well since we smuggled you into the fundraiser.” His unwavering stare burned through me.

“Watch yourself, Killian,” Victoria said quietly.

Max shifted in his chair. “We don’t need to bring up—”

“It’s okay,” I interrupted. “Let him say what he has to say.”

Whatever he needed to get off his chest couldn’t be as rough as all the criticism and taunting I’ve been subjected to throughout my career. Some of it came from commentaries or sports writers who had nothing better to talk about. Most of it was just fans being fans, hiding behind their computer screens or mobile phones.

When I put on England’s jersey, I was revered as a national hero. When I stood in goal for Royal City against another club, I was the villain.

Both roles fit me well enough.

My chest squeezed. This was different. I didn’t want to be the villain now.

Strained silence clouded the table. Max grew more fidgety with every passing second. Victoria sat still next to me, the picture of poised elegance. Except for her eyes. They flared with warning.

“Fine.” Killian cleared his throat. “Listen, it’s no secret I haven’t been your biggest fan lately. You did what you did. It was shitty and nothing can change it. But this one—” he waved a hand in Victoria’s direction “—doesn’t let just anyone in.”

“We’re back to calling me this one?” She tapped her nails on the table.

“Are you going to let me finish?”

“Are you going to be an adult?”

“Christ,” he muttered. “Look, I’m not mad at you Xavier. We’re all adults.” He shot a petulant look at Victoria. “We all do stupid shit and mess up, even when the intention behind it comes from a good place.” His tone softened for the first time tonight. “I’ve never seen Tori in love before. She…it’s…it’s hard to want to rip your fucking heart out when she looks at you the way she does.”

“And how does she look at me?” I asked, turning to meet her big, green eyes. A small tremor rolled through her. Small enough so only I could see.

“The same way you look at her,” Killian replied. “Like you never want to look away.”

A few hours later, I surrendered to the truth behind Killian’s words.

I never wanted to look away from Victoria.

Why would I? This fiery redhead with curves for miles, a smart mouth, and the most beautiful heart known to man was the only person who could bring me to my knees.

And I was perfectly happy to let her.

“I borrowed one of your shirts to wear as pajamas,” she called out from the bedroom. “Hope you don’t mind.”

I hadn’t even seen her in it yet and my cock jumped with interest. All things being equal, there wasn’t much about Victoria that didn’t interest my cock. Even after I’d spent the better part of the last hour fucking her.

“Fine by me,” I answered, walking toward the kitchen. I grabbed two bottles of water from the refrigerator, turned, and immediately dropped them.

---