Page 158 of Evil Hearts

He loves me?

I wait for the panic alarms. The red flags to wave inside my mind.

I waited for years to hear Felipe say he loved me—outside of one of his diatribes where “Look, I love you, so listen to me” was used as blackmail and control.

“Oh, God.” Bryce’s sleepy, relaxed voice turns fearful. “Oh, God, I said it out loud. Fia, I didn’t—”

“Shhh. It’s okay, my love,” I say soothingly. It’s not quite an “I love you,” but it feels right for right now. “Shh, my mate. That was wonderful.”

***

She sleeps. I doze. We’re a mess, and I think I’m just going to throw these sheets out and reimburse the hotel for the damages. Maybe I’ll throw the mattress out, too, I think as I slowly withdraw from my sleeping beauty, blushing in awe as at least a cup of our combined essence flows from her in a creamy, glistening tide.

“Bryce?” She reaches for me in her sleep, my name on her lips.

I know she’s mine. I know it.

But I can’t force her to believe it. Truth-or-Dare games don’t work in the light of day, which is just a few hours away.

“I’m right here, Fia. You can sleep.”

“Don’t wanna sleep,” she pouts, shivering. “Get back here.”

I laugh softly and cuddle back up to her, my cock sliding between her thighs instead of filling her. “I will never leave you—except to go to work. Or while you’re at work.”

Her sleepy nod and noise of agreement lull me into relaxing—for a second.

“I’m not going to stop traveling because I found someone,” she says, a yawn breaking her sentence in half.

Found someone?My heart leaps.That sounds promising.

“I wouldn’t ask you to! I’m your biggest fan. I love your work. What kind of idiot would I be to ask you to stop doing what you love, especially when I love it, too?”

“You’re smart.”

I have to laugh at the factual way she declares it. “So are you. You wouldn’t ask me to stop playing hockey, would you?” I hold my breath. I know she won’t—but I also know I would give it up this second if she said it meant she’d stay with me.

“No! I… I really like when you play and I watch.” Her voice is more alert—and more sensual.

My cock starts to harden. I guess he’s making up for years of voluntary celibacy.

“You like to watch me play?”

“So hot. The way you… It’s like you hunt the other players. Ruthless. Skillful. Graceful.” She turns to me with a sudden roll, dark eyes meeting mine as she licks her lips. “Would you ever make love right after you played?”

“I wouldn’t even take off my helmet if you like it on,” I tease—only I’m not really teasing.

Fia stares at me.

“What?”

“I’m trying to figure out the right word for you.”

“Yeti?” I suggest, brow wrinkling in confusion—and cock starting to throb as she mashes herself to my chest, apparently not caring about my soaked, matted fur from the waist down.

“You’re not a cinnamon roll. Or a golden retriever.”

Did I fuck her brains out?“Did you hit the headboard, love?” I ask, cupping her face with a frown.

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