Page 51 of Rules Of Our Own

River stays completely silent, but he seems to relax beside me.

“So what’s the plan? There must be one,” I ask the room.

“I’ve got an idea that I’m just getting the finishing touches on. I’m confident you’ll both be happy to participate.” Misty’s smile is genuine. I tilt my head, trying to figure out her hidden meaning. “I’ve already run it by Damon. I’ve also been working remotely with Dr. Mia Brooks and Piper Knight. There’s still a few things that need to be worked out. Once we’re ready, I’ll set up a meeting to go over the details.”

My heart slams against my chest as I take in her words, and I bite my lip against my grin. No reason to let the bosses know just how much I want this now.

Coach Sutherland drops his palms to the table with a loud smack. “We’re counting on both of you to make this work.”

“We’ve got it.” I put my hand on River’s shoulder, and the muscles twitch at my touch. “Don’t have to worry about anything.”

Damon turns to River. “Is that right? You’ve been quiet.”

River’s shoulder tightens. “Yes, sir.”

“He’s always quiet. Don’t worry. I’ll get him to loosen up a bit,” I butt in, wanting to get the fuck out of here before we screw this up, and pull River toward the exit. The second the door closes behind me, I can’t stop the grin from taking over my face. I’ve been racking my brain, trying to think of a possible reason to see Mia again, and Misty just dropped it in my lap.

River steps closer so the tips of his shoes brush mine, and a hint of a smile plays on his lips. His eyes glint with amusement and something else that I can’t name as his face nears mine. A warmth spreads through me, and my heart rate triples with anticipation. He’s so close that I can feel the heat emanating from his body and smell the mint on his breath.

“You as desperate to see her as I am?” he asks, his voice deep and low.

I nod slowly, looking deep into his eyes, searching for any detail that would tell me more about what he’s feeling.

The corner of River’s mouth quirks upward. “What are we going to do about it?”

A mischievous grin pulls at my mouth. “Whatever it takes.”

CHAPTER24

RIVER

Me:How are you?

Erase the message to Mia and start again.

Me: I miss you.

Erase.

Me: I lied. I don’t want it to be just one weekend.

Erase.

Me: I need you.

The elevator dings, and I step off unsteadily, my heart pounding. The emptiness in my stomach mirrors the hollowness in my chest, and I shove my phone into my pocket, another message unsent.

How could I let her walk away like that? She’s worth more than any fucking career, and if it wasn’t for Alex, I’d already be in Ottawa right now.

Then there’s what happened in the gym today. I can still feel Alex’s hard cock rubbing against mine. The way he looked up at me with his hooded eyes had me nearly coming undone. It was my last vestige of sanity. The knowledge that it would cost me more than I could afford is what had me hauling myself off him.

Alex’s apartment door is closed. He’d gone to Lucas’s place after our shitty-ass meeting with Coach.

I unlock my door across the hall and step in. My place is all modern lines and masculine finishes. I’d told the designer I wanted it to be clean but moody. Somewhere I could sink into after a brutal game.

I pick up the semi-full decanter of bourbon on the sideboard and pour two fingers into a glass tumbler before making my way to the living room. Sunlight floods through the floor-to-ceiling windows, spilling onto the black leather couch.

Collapsing on my sofa, I take a deep drink from my glass and flip on ESPN. Alex’s smiling face immediately fills the screen. He’s got the perfect balance of cocky and playful that the cameras eat the fuck up.

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