Page 138 of Behind the Net

“You’re going to wear this again,” he says, catching his breath, nostrils flaring as he runs his fingers over the strap of my garter.

“Fine by me.” I kiss him and rake my hands through his thick hair. “We should probably finish getting dressed.”

After I’m finished getting ready and Jamie’s showered and dressed, I walk into the living room in my gown. My breath catches at the sight of him standing by the big windows, gazing out at the snow-covered mountain with his hands in his pockets, looking so handsome and strong in his tux. He turns at the sound of my footsteps.

“Pippa.” He says my name like a prayer, taking me in. He blinks at me like I’m a dream. “You’re so beautiful.” He pulls his hand out of his pocket, holding a small black box. “I got you something.”

He flips it open, and my lips part. On a delicate silver chain, a blue-gray stone catches the light, sparkling brilliantly. It’s the same color as my dress. Something warm floods my chest and it’s hard to get a full breath.

“It’s beautiful.” I glance up at Jamie, and he’s watching me with interest. “It’s too much,” I tell him, because my heart is exploding into confetti right now.

“Do you like it?”

I nod, gazing at the necklace. I can’t help but smile. It’s gorgeous. “I love it.”

“Then it isn’t too much.” He gently lifts the necklace out and unlatches the clasp with impressive dexterity. It’s so funny, seeing his big hands hold something so dainty. He tilts his chin at me. “Turn around, songbird.” His voice is low, and a shiver runs down my back.

I do as I’m told, and Jamie drapes the necklace over me. More shivers run down my spine as his fingers brush the back of my neck.

“There,” he says, and I turn. His gaze drops to the necklace, and when he gives me that small, serious smile, my stomach does a slow, warm roll forward. “Beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I bite my lip, looking down at the necklace, running my fingers along the fine chain. “I love it.”

“Good.”

My smile is shy as I glance down at my dress. Everything about today, about my life right now, feels like a fairy tale. The princess goes to the ball in a beautiful dress, swooning over the handsome prince.

It’s not just the dress, or the necklace, or the lingerie, or the hair and makeup. I feel beautiful around Jamie. I never felt more special and beautiful than I did sitting on Jamie’s lap the other morning, with no makeup, with wet, messy hair, wearing his old hockey hoodie. The confidence he’s helped me build over the past few months has seeped into my veins—every time he saidyou can do itorI believe in youoryou’re so talented, songbird—and now it’s a part of me.

I give Jamie the brightest smile I have. “Let’s go, handsome.”

He laughs in surprise, and I can tell he likes that nickname.

CHAPTER66

PIPPA

Outside the ballroom,Jamie’s hand slips into mine, and his serious, watchful gaze searches my face.

My heart is pounding. In the elevator, he didn’t want to mess up my makeup, so he kissed a soft, torturous line down my neck as I watched our reflection in the mirror, breathless. Part of me wanted to stay in that elevator forever so I didn’t have to face Zach. Part of me couldn’t believe the gorgeous, towering guy in a tux was mine. And part of me roared with anger and resentment for Zach pushing his way back into my life like this after what he did.

Jamie’s thumb strokes against my hand. We’re about to encounter the person who hurt me, and his protective instincts are flaring, just like at the wrap party. Except this time, it’s worse, because Zach stole my song and made it his.

I drag a deep breath in, looking up at him, counting every dark eyelash rimming his green eyes. His eyes tell me everything—Jamie won’t let anyone hurt me tonight.

I remember Jamie’s words outside the wrap party about getting back on the ice, and how every time I was scared to do something bold, I shocked myself with my bravery.

“I know you’ll never let anything happen to me,” I whisper to Jamie. An energized, strong, stubborn feeling fills my chest, and I stand a little straighter. “And I won’t, either.”

I can stand up for myself now. Jamie helped me develop that skill, and now it’s flourishing.

“We’re going to pretend he isn’t there,” I tell Jamie. His jaw tightens, and I smile at him. “I got all dressed up for you, and I’m not going to let him ruin this.”

His face looks like he wants to argue, but his expression softens. “Okay.”

“Come here, handsome.” When he leans down, I press a kiss to his cheek before leading him inside.

“Wowza, Hartley,” Hayden says as soon as we enter. He’s in a tux like Jamie, wearing his own black eye. “Babe alert.”

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