Page 135 of Behind the Net

“Yes,” he gasps, moaning again, watching me with fascination. “Yes. Now. Going to come, Pippa.”

My gaze is encouraging as I hum in approval, and he tenses, abs rippling.

“Fuck, baby, fuck. Yes,” he grits, spilling salty liquid into my mouth. His fingers twitch against my scalp. “Pippa. Fucking love this.”

He fills my mouth and I swallow it down. He watches like I’ve stolen his soul, and he’s not even mad about it. He pulls back, heaving for air, gaze still on me as I drag my finger over my lips, catching any spillover.

In a rush, he hauls me to my feet, and his mouth is on mine, tongue stroking into me, hands in my hair, walking me back to the bed.

“So fucking good,” he growls against my mouth between kisses. “That’s the hardest I’ve ever come. My legs are shaking. Get this off.” He lifts the jersey over my head before he lowers us to the bed and tucks me into his chest, one arm under me and one locking around me.

We look at each other for a long moment.

I want to say it, but now that we’re in this, the thought of losing him terrifies me. I know he’d never do any of the things that Zach did, but there’s no guarantee what we have right now won’t fade away one day. Telling him I love him would make a breakup so much worse. I’m frozen like I’m standing on a crumbling cliff, rocks breaking off around me, and any sudden movement will bring the whole thing down.

Tomorrow, we drive up to Whistler for the charity gala. I can picture it—his hand on my lower back, the private smile he reserves just for me. My heart aches. I want it to be real and forever.

Jamie’s eyes flicker with an emotion I can’t pin down.

“I want to tell you something,” he murmurs.

My heart stutters.

“I—” He stops himself, searching my eyes.

I wait, and it feels like I’m standing on that cliff edge again, clinging to it. I’m equal parts terrified and excited at whatever is about to fall out of his mouth.

He blinks like he’s pulling himself back, reining it in. “I’m really looking forward to going to the gala with you.”

Even if that asshole is there, we’re both not saying.

“Me too,” I whisper.

His lips press to my forehead, and we fall asleep like that.

CHAPTER65

PIPPA

The next day,Jamie pulls up to the hotel in Whistler, and I gape at the elegant, chateau-style building. It’s the highest-rated luxury hotel in Whistler, where all the celebrities stay, and with the whimsical winter lights and snow-topped trees, it looks like something out of a fairy tale.

Anxiety weaves into my mind, because Zach’s going to be there tonight. Maybe he’s even staying in the hotel. My stomach tightens. This morning, my phone buzzed with an unknown number, but I ignored it. They didn’t leave a voicemail, but I have a cold, sinking feeling that it was Zach.

I really, really don’t want to run into him, but more than that, I don’t want to bail on Jamie. He bought me a gorgeous dress, we arranged for Donna to watch Daisy all weekend, and this feels like our first trip together. I don’t want my dickhead ex to get in the way of that.

“Welcome, Mr. Streicher,” the valet says, taking Jamie’s keys when he steps out of the car.

Jamie thanks him, and when the valet walks around to open my door, Jamie shakes his head. “I got it, thanks.” He opens my door and lifts his eyebrows at me, the corner of his mouth tipping up.

I climb out and give him a shy smile. “Thanks.”

His eyes are soft. “Don’t mention it.”

“We’ll take your bags,” the valet says. “I hope you and your wife have a wonderful stay.”

I open my mouth to correct him.

“Thank you,” Jamie tells him, guiding me to the front door. I look up at him in surprise, and he just winks at me.

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