Page 49 of Rules Of Our Own

I bark out a laugh, and my tension drains with it. “You’d scare the crap out of him.”

“That’s kinda the point, Kitten.” He winks.

I chuckle. I just can’t with him. “Wait. How did you know something happened?”

“You didn’t answer.” River’s gaze bores into mine like he’s searching for secrets.

“Answer?”

“Check your phone.”

I flip through my texts, and there are at least twenty messages growing in concern. I make a note to message Sidney, who they clearly contacted to tell her I’m fine. The last message mentions if I don’t pick up, they’re calling the police.

“You guys sure know how to freak out.” I force a laugh.

“I hate that we’re not there,” River responds, ignoring my comment completely.

My eyes snap to his, and I swallow. I hate it too. “It’s fine. I promise. I’m just tired.”

“Promise to call us if you’re not?” Alex asks, and he looks so unsure for a moment that I want to tell him I need him. But what good would that do?

“I promise. But I’m good. Really. You guys have a good night.”

“Goodnight,” they reply in unison, and I click off the call. It takes another ten minutes for me to assure Sidney that Jax doesn’t have to come here before I lift Crookshanks in my arms. Heading to my bedroom, I climb in and let exhaustion take me under.

CHAPTER23

ALEX

I duck justin time to dodge River’s fist. It’s so close it grazes my ear, and I have to dance back on my feet.

Moisture drips from my forehead and lands on my bare chest as I watch his hand close in preparation for another round. The musty smell of sweat coats the Bruins’ fitness room, filling my nostrils. I can taste it in the back of my throat, and my arms are beginning to feel the strain of blocking punch after punch. His brows furrow, and he grits his teeth—if I don’t do something quick, I’m not going to make it out of here.

“Why did I agree to this again?” I ask as River comes at me again. “Oh yeah, I remember now. I’m taking one for the team because you’ve been a pent-up ass since we got back two weeks ago.”

River stalks in closer, and his lips pull into a sneer. “Keep talking. I dare you.”

“Fuck, I miss her too,” I say, exasperated. “You aren’t the only one fucking going through it.”

His eyes widen, and I take advantage of his momentary distraction to sweep his legs from under him. He lands hard on his back with a thud. We’d silently agreed not to mention Mia since we watched her disappear into the airport. It was an asshole move to do it while sparring, but fuck, he’s been a beast this morning.

I drop down onto him, throwing my leg over his side before he can get up, and straddle his hips to keep him in place. He struggles against me, but I grip his shoulders, slamming them down. He hisses out a breath, and I lean forward until my face is directly above his. “You need to fucking relax, man.”

His intense black eyes meet mine, and fire ignites inside me, suddenly all too aware of our position. My hips pin his to the mat, and there’s no mistaking his rock-hard length against mine. I bite back a groan when I involuntarily rock forward as heat ties a knot in my gut.

River takes advantage of my distraction and flips us over so I’m underneath him, looking up. His pupils are blown wide, and his gaze searches mine. I feel the heat emanating from his body as he looms over me, his powerful presence commanding my attention.

My heart pounds in my chest, sending my pulse rushing in my ears.

What the fuck is happening?

Why aren’t I pushing him off?

“Fuck, Alex.” River’s fingers dig into my shoulder, and his thumb presses into the base of my neck. “You’re not ready for this.”

He springs up, leaving me panting on the floor, and walks to the corner of the ring. I struggle to process what just happened. My chest is so tight I’m struggling to breathe, and my cock is painfully hard.Fuck me.

A white towel sails through the air, dropping onto my chest, and I can’t help but shift my gaze upward to River. His wide shoulders twitch with tension as he vigorously rubs his face and hair with the cloth, every muscle in his back and arms flexing and moving gracefully. I swallow hard, unable to look away, trailing my tongue over my lips, and the taste of salt fills my mouth.

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