Page 102 of Cross Check Hearts

Hannah is across the room, talking to a woman about her age with long, curly hair. I make my way through the crowd, careful not to spill the drinks as I navigate around groups of future attorneys. When she notices me approaching, her eyes light up, and I catch a glimpse of the same heat that filled her eyes when I had her spread out on her bed—a reminder that she’s still simmering from earlier.

“Perfect timing,” she says, accepting her drink with a grateful smile. “Declan, this is Stevie, my best friend since undergrad.”

I politely shake hands with the woman beside her. “Nice to meet you.”

Stevie looks me up and down with a knowing smirk. “The pleasure’s all mine.”

She shoots Hannah a glance, and Hannah immediately blushes. Clearly, she’s been telling Stevie about us—which only makes my grin widen. I’m happy to know that I’ve become such a big part of her life that her friends know who I am.

“So Declan,” Stevie says, sipping her champagne, “Hannah tells me you’ve been teaching her some… flexibility moves of your own.”

“Stevie!” Hannah hisses, nearly choking on her whiskey sour.

I laugh, enjoying the playful dynamic between them. “I’d say we’re both pretty good teachers.”

We chat for a few minutes about how Stevie and Hannah met in a freshman economics class they both hated. I notice Hannah shifting her weight from one leg to the other, the slight flush in her cheeks not just from embarrassment but from the lingering arousal I deliberately left her with earlier. The knowledge that she’s standing here making small talk while still aching for release sends a rush of satisfaction through me.

After a few minutes, Stevie glances at someone across the room. “I’ll leave you two red carpet superstars to it. Good to meet you properly, Declan,” she says, giving a little wave as she melts back into the crowd.

Once we’re alone, Hannah takes a long sip of her drink before meeting my eyes. “Listen, I know these mixers aren’t the most exciting thing, but will you come be my wingman for a bit?”

“Absolutely,” I reply without hesitation. “Whatever you need tonight, I’m here.”

She might not love law school and all the shit that comes with it, but if it matters to her career, it matters to me. That’s how this works—I’d back her up whether she’s schmoozing with lawyers or teaching yoga or anything else. Besides, watching her charm all of these snobby lawyers is pretty damn impressive.

“Thanks.” She smiles, taking my arm.

Clearly, she’s not even trying to hide what’s going on between us anymore, and I can’t help smiling at how proud she seems to show me off. She leads me through the crowd of people straight to an older, balding professor in a crisp suit. I don’t know why she singled him out, but he lights up as soon as she taps on his shoulder.

“Ah, Hannah, there you are! I was hoping you’d make it tonight,” he says and immediately pulls her in for a hug.

“I wouldn’t have missed it,” Hannah says, blushing at me over the professor’s shoulder as they embrace. She flashes me a look that says,Don’t even think about contradicting me on this, and I smirk at her because I can think of at least one thing she was willing to miss it for. She was practically begging me for it, actually, so if I hadn’t left her on pins and needles, we’d probably still be in her bed. I’m drawing her pleasure out and enjoying every second of teasing her with it, but I’m not going to make her wait forever.

Hannah and the professor part, and she gestures between him and me. “Declan, this is Dr. Price, one of my favorite professors. And Dr. Price, this is Declan Murray, the newest addition to the Aces.”

Dr. Price beams at me as he juts out a hand for me to shake. I take it confidently and give him a nice, firm grip. “I’ve been hearing a lot about you, young man,” he says with a smile.

“All terrible, I’m sure.”

Dr. Price chuckles and shakes his head. “Not quite. But I have to admit, that hit you took in the last game had us all worried.”

“I take it that means you’re an Aces fan?”

Dr. Price raises his bushy eyebrows at me. “Everyone here is, Declan. It’s mandatory if you live in this town.”

I can tell from the half-smirk on his face that he’s playing it up, but I decide I like this professor—and I can see why he’s Hannah’s favorite, too. But before I can tell him that, another man standing behind him who was clearly eavesdropping spins around and locks eyes with me, then smoothly inserts himself into our conversation.

“Hannah! What a lovely surprise,” says the slick-looking man with perfectly coiffed hair. “And who might this be?” His tone suggests he already knows exactly who I am but wants me to say it anyway.

“Max, this is Declan Murray.” Hannah introduces us with a professional smile. “He plays for the Aces.”

“Max Whitmore.” The man extends his hand with a too-wide smile. “Personal injury attorney. You probably already know me. My face is on damn near every highway billboard in the city. You know, ‘Get Whitmore, Get Paid!’” He laughs at his own tagline. “I made seven figures last year just from slip-and-fall cases.”

I return his handshake with a firm grip, barely resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “Can’t say I’ve noticed.”

Hannah squeezes my arm gently, and I swear I can see the corners of her lips twitching as if she’s holding back a laugh. “Max is a former student who comes back to recruit for his firm.”

“Only the top one percent,” Max interjects. “Hannah here is on my shortlist. Brilliant legal mind.”

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