Page 98 of Let Me Love You

The girl looks at me and smiles, but she doesn’t remove her hand from his chest, practically cupping his pec through his suit. “Oh. Hi.”

It takes me a second to recognize her, but when I do, my eyes widen for a split second before narrowing. It’s one of the girls from the restaurant. The one who cornered me in the bathroom with her friend. The girl who full-on admitted she wanted to steal Colt away from me.

No. Freaking. Way.

I look at the cameras, pasting on an innocent smile as I step closer and drop my voice low so only she can hear me. “I think it’s time you move on and let some of the other fans greet Colt, don’t you?”

Sensing the animosity emanating from me despite my smile, she lifts her hands and rubs her fingers together as if savoring the feeling of his muscles beneath her palm from a moment ago. “I’m sorry. I was under the impression he still had his balls and could speak for himself.”

I laugh and step closer to her as if we’re old friends, when in reality? I’m seconds from wrapping my hands around her neck and squeezing. “Oh, trust me. He most definitely has his balls and a great cock too.” I smirk. “But he’s also a gentleman, and it’s the only reason he didn't rip your hand off when you touched him the first time. Do you want to know a secret?” I whisper, pulling her into a hug while feeding the perception we’re friends. The cameras click around us and document our embrace as I drop my voice even lower. “Colt might have to keep the peace because his contract tells him to, but I haven’t signed a single document stating I need to play nice or keep up appearances. Do you know what that means? It means I don’t care if I look crazy for the paparazzi anymore because they will write what they want to write no matter what I do. I don’t care if they paint me as a villain or a deranged sociopath. If you ever touch him again, I’ll rip out your extensions and shove them down your throat in front of everyone.” I smile and pull away from her. “Understood?”

Her expression tightens, but she backs away like she believes me.

Good.

She should.

“Good to see you again,” she mutters, continuing the charade.

“You too. Have fun saying hi to the rest of the players.” I wiggle my fingers back and forth and watch her move on to the new goalie, Beck.

Poor guy.

A pair of hands wrap around my waist, and a husky voice tickles the shell of my ear as people continue shuffling around me, each of them making their way to their own personal hero while mine cradles me against this chest.

“What was that?” Colt murmurs.

I twist around and rise onto my tiptoes, kissing him softly. “That was me standing up for myself. And for you. You deserve to be up here, Colt. You deserve to shine and have fun. And while I can’t be more grateful for how you’ve tried to take the heat and protect me from all of this, I’m not afraid to rock the boat anymore. Not afraid to set boundaries and enforce them. Now, get back to work. You have some fans to pose with.” I kiss him one more time, then head to the back of the room, taking my place beside Blake, who looks thoroughly impressed.

“What was that?” she asks.

“That was me claiming my man instead of letting all the stupid puck bunnies push me around,” I announce.

“Yeah. I thought she looked familiar,” Blake notes, barely casting a glance at the bitch as she turns back to me. “Wanna know what else it was?” She kicks her feet up onto the chair in front of her.

“What?” I ask.

“Freaking hot.” She laughs. “Seriously. I kind of want to high-five you for it.”

“Well, I think it’s past time I stop letting people push me around, don’t you?”

“Yup.” Her shoulder bumps against mine. “And I couldn’t be more proud.”

37

COLT

Igrab Ash’s waist and pick her up, pressing her back to the wall inside our apartment as I devour her whole. Watching her defend me after the game, watching her claim me and kiss me in front of all those cameras, was the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever experienced.

Her arms and legs wrap around me as she kisses me back, our tongues dueling for dominance.

“Do you have any idea,” I grit out between kisses, “how fucking hot you were defending me?”

She laughs and bites my bottom lip but doesn’t answer me, her hands tangling through my hair and tugging. Hard. The sharp pain shoots straight to my cock. I groan. With my hands on her ass, I carry her to the bedroom and fall on top of her, caging her in on both sides.

“Fucking love you,” I grunt. The flimsy material of her leggings is wrenched down while she unbuttons my slacks and shoves them past my ass, making my dick spring free. Once we’re both undressed, she pumps my cock in her hand and guides me back down.

“I’m not afraid anymore,” she whispers. “Not afraid to give you everything. To let you be my everything.”