Page 51 of Behind the Net

I stand, pull out my wallet, and slip a few bills out, setting them on the table.

“Don’t leave on my account,” she tells me. “I’m going to walk.”

“It’s dark,” I say before I can catch myself. The idea of her walking down dark alleys makes my shoulders tense. “And I’m tired.”

Her gaze flicks to mine, and I regret leaving that hallway a few minutes ago. “Okay.” She puts on a bright smile for Owens. “Hayden, thanks for inviting me.”

He stands and gives her a bear hug. Her feet lift off the ground, and she laughs into his broad chest. “Anytime. We’re going to make you sing again.”

Something pinches in my gut as I watch them, and my teeth grit. I know he’s like this with everyone, but I don’t like it. I want to touch her like that.

When he puts her down, she’s flushed. “Maybe.”

Everyone gives Pippa hugs as we leave, and when we step out the door, she’s smiling her normal smile again.

“That was terrifying,” she tells me. “But I’m happy I did it.”

“Playing for everyone?”

She nods and glances at me. “Thanks for encouraging me.”

My throat tightens as we walk. When she sang tonight, she looked like she was on top of the world. She smiled and sang and played like that fuckface Zach never happened. Like no one had hurt her, or like she had healed from it.

I want that for her. I want it so fucking badly.

That’s why we can’t do more of what we did tonight. She deserves so much better than me.

We stop at a crosswalk and wait for the light to change, and she rubs her arms, shivering. My eyebrows snap together.

“Cold?” I ask.

It’s early November. It isn’t raining, but the temperatures have dropped. She’s wearing a light rain jacket with no insulation.

She nods. “We’ll be home soon.”

I slip my jacket off.

She rolls her eyes. “Jamie. I’m fine.”

“Put this on. Now.” My voice is low, and I see her breath catch.

“Bossy,” she whispers, pulling it on. It’s huge on her. The sleeves are way too long.

She looks fucking adorable.

We walk home in silence, listening to the sounds of the city—the car horns, peoples’ conversations as we pass, noise from restaurants and bars. Inside the apartment, Pippa gives me a quick, tight smile before disappearing upstairs. I take Daisy on a long walk, thinking about Pippa the entire time, and when I climb into bed, certain that she’s sleeping, I pull my aching cock out and stroke it to the memory of her moaning into my mouth.

I broke Erin’s heart because I wasn’t careful, and I know better than to take chances.

This is as close to messing around with Pippa as I’ll get.

CHAPTER26

PIPPA

The nightof the wrap party, Jamie’s jaw drops as I walk down the stairs.

A ping of delight hits me square in the chest, and I try to hide my grin. I know I look good. My hair is loose in long, undone waves. My dark teal velvet dress hugs my slight curves. Jamie’s eyes linger on the thin straps, the neckline dipping into my cleavage, and the embroidery running down the dress to my thighs.

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