Page 100 of Icebound Hearts
After changing into a cute skirt and a simple t-shirt, I head downstairs and grab my keys from the little hook by the door, then drive to the arena.
Between Reese and now Sawyer, I’ve been a part of the Aces extended family long enough that several of the arena staff know who I am. Marty, one of the older members of the security team, gives me an indulgent smile as he lets me into the building that houses the Aces practice arena.
I don’t quite know where Sawyer is, but since he stayed after practice for a meeting, I assume he’s somewhere on the second floor, where all of the offices are. I step into the elevator and punch the button with a two on it, running my fingers through my hair as I wait for it to take me up.
When the elevator dings and the doors open, I step out into a hallway full of offices. I’ve only been up here a few times, so I don’t really know where I’m going, but I pick a direction and walk that way confidently. I pass a few people in business suits whom I don’t recognize, but fortunately, none of them bat an eye at me.
When I round a corner, I hear a voice I’m reasonably sure is Sawyer’s drifting down the hallway from an open office door. With a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth, I follow the sound and hesitate near the open door to make sure it’s him I’m hearing.
There’s no mistaking his deep, smooth voice, so I step into the doorway to give him a little wave and let him know I’m here—but my feet freeze to the floor as I look inside the room. Sawyer is standing near a conference table with a willowy, beautiful woman standing very close to him, her hand resting on his arm.
My heart stutters in my chest when I see her lean toward him like she’s going to kiss him, and I turn stiffly and half walk, half run away, feeling like I just saw something I wasn’t supposed to.
It’s not rational. I know it isn’t. But jealousy and self-doubt twist in my stomach, curling so tight that I feel like I have a knot in my gut.
“Violet?”
I hear Sawyer’s voice behind me, but I keep walking. I don’t know what I just saw, or whether I saw anything at all—but it struck a nerve inside me, something more raw and exposed than I realized until now, and I need to get my emotions under control before I can face him.
I can hear his footsteps behind me, but I don’t turn around, making a beeline back to the elevator and jamming the call button to make the doors open. They slide apart, and I step into the small elevator quickly—but just as the doors start to close, Sawyer’s hand reaches out to stop them.
He slips inside the small space with me, and it suddenly feels even smaller. Almost suffocating. I glance down at the floor as the doors slide shut behind him, and Sawyer takes a step toward me.
“Violet,” he repeats. “Are you okay? What are you doing here?”
I swallow hard, not answering. I feel so fucking stupid, but for some reason I’m afraid that if I open my mouth, I’ll cry.
Sawyer sighs and pulls the emergency stop. We both lurch a bit when the elevator grinds to a halt, and he comes to stand in front of me, taking me by both shoulders. “Heartbreaker, please, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
Trapped and without another choice, I finally let out a breath and shake my head. “Nothing.”
“That’s not true. I can tell you’re upset about something.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not. What is it?”
My gaze shifts to the wall behind him, and I drag in another breath, wishing I could rein in my chaotic emotions. Wishing I’d decided to do another load of laundry instead of stupidly trying to surprise Sawyer for lunch.
“Who was that?” I ask, and although I’m going for casual, my voice sounds strained even to my own ears. “She seemed… nice.”
Sawyer blinks, seeming startled by the question. Then he makes a low noise in his throat. He rests his fingers on my chin, turning my face toward his so that he can meet my eyes, and although I expect to see annoyance or frustration in his gray irises, all I see instead is something soft and warm. Something like understanding.
“That was Desiree,” he says quietly. “She’s a rep at a new agency that’s interested in representing me. She’s European, and she says hello and goodbye with a kiss on the cheek. That’s all. I don’t know her, heartbreaker. I’d never met her before today, and I certainly don’t have any interest in her.Youare the only one I want.”
I shrug, both loving and hating that he somehow managed to read my mind so easily. It’s not fucking fair.
“I’m sorry.” I swallow, unable to banish the unpleasant pit in my stomach. “I just saw her touching you… and I thought she was going to kiss you, and… I don’t know why, but it bothered me.”
Something passes across Sawyer’s face, and he grips my chin between his thumb and fingers, tilting my face up as he studies me.
“It bothered you?” he asks quietly, his eyes bouncing between mine. “Seeing me with another woman?”
Even hearing himsaythat bothers me, and although he just explained who she is, the irrational rush of jealousy shootsthrough me all over again at the memory of her standing so close to him, the way her hand rested on his arm.
“Yes,” I say, frustration making my voice harsh. “It bothered me, okay? I’m sorry! I shouldn’t care either way! It doesn’t matter. What’s happening between us is noth?—”
Sawyer’s grip on my chin tightens suddenly, and I break off mid-word. His blazing eyes hold mine as he takes another step closer, so close that our chests are nearly touching.