Page 32 of Orlando

“Of course I could, but let’s not pretend a six-month-old is a fan of hockey. Who exactly do you want to meet?”

“Liam King.” Aleeka smiles with a dreamy look in her eyes.

“You do know the guy is married, right?” I remind her.

“I know, but he’s the best player,” she says.

“Don’t let Travis hear you say that. We’re supposed to pretend he’s the best—you know, family and all. I can introduce you to King.”

“Really?” Aleeka squeals in excitement, and I know right then that I’ll do anything to see her face light up like this.

I reach out and cup her cheeks before leaning forward and whispering in her ear. “You know I’ll do anything for you. All you have to do is ask. Anything,” I tell her, letting the tips of my fingers trail up her thigh.

Aleeka clears her throat and sits straighter in her seat. “Thank you. Want us to meet you there?”

“Fuck no. I’ll pick you up,” I tell her. Then quickly turn to our captive audience, AKA Dante and Josie. “You guys coming to the game?”

They share a look before Dante turns back to me. “If anyone asks, we’re coming with you,” he says.

“What are you really doing?” I question him. But then Josie’s face turns a bright shade of pink, and I shake my head. “Never mind. I don’t need to know.”

I have Seb in one of those baby carrier contraption things that hangs off your body and Aleeka’s hand in mine as we make our way through the crowded arena. The game hasn’t started yet, but I told Aleeka I’d introduce her to King. She needs to know I don’t go back on my word.

I have a few of my father’s soldiers here. I don’t usually bring security with me, but it’s not me I’m concerned about. It’s Seb and Aleeka. Especially with the increased paparazzi interest over the last couple of weeks.

We get to the tunnel and my cousin’s fiancé, also one of the Knights players, meets us there. “Hey, man. Thanks for doing this. This is Aleeka, and this little man is Seb.” I shake Travis’s hand.

“Sebastian,” Aleeka corrects me.

“Anything for family, right?” Travis chuckles. “Come on.” He turns and starts walking before stopping and turning back to us. “Actually, you might want to wait here. They’re gonna be in all stages of undress in there,” he says to Aleeka. “I’ll bring him out.”

“I don’t mind.” Aleeka smirks.

“We’ll wait here,” I grunt.

When Liam King saunters out like he owns the damn place, Aleeka’s hand literally shakes in mine.

“Someone might forget you’re dating a rock star with how excited you are to meet a hockey player. You know they don’t even have their own teeth, right?” I whisper in her ear.

“Orlando, I hear congrats are in order,” Liam says while his eyes drop to Seb.

“Thanks, man. This is my girlfriend, Aleeka. She’s a huge fan of yours.” I make a quick introduction, and it doesn’t go unnoticed that Aleeka must be fucking nervous or excited because she doesn’t correct me when I use the label this time. Maybe I’m finally wearing her down.

Chapter Twenty-One

“Oh my god, thank you so much!” I scream before turning to Orlando and slamming my lips against his. My arms wrap around his neck, careful not to squish Sebastian. And then, as if a bucket of ice water has been tipped over me, I pull back again. “I’m sorry.”

“Why? I’m not.” Orlando smirks.

“We can’t…” I shake my head.

“We can. We’re good together, Aleeka. We have a child together. Don’t you think we owe it to Sebastian to try to make us work? To be a family?”

“The only reason you want to be with me is because you feel some sense of responsibility because of Sebastian. You don’t really want me, Orlando.”

“That’s bullshit and you know it. I’ve wanted you since the morning I woke up and you were gone, Aleeka. I fucking wrote songs about you. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. It’s not because of Seb. It’s because of you. I want you.”

I don’t know what to do. My brain is telling me I need to stop this. I need to set the boundaries and stick to them. But my heart…? It wants to jump and dive into everything that is Orlando Valentino. It wants to sayto hell with itand believe in everything he’s saying. Because, if I’m honest with myself, I’ve been in love with him since our first date.

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