Page 72 of Rule Number Five
“Meet me at the dressing room entrance.” I shouted the words.
She shook her head, and her cheeks turned the beautiful shade of pink I loved so much. She knew that was where girlfriends waited for their men.
I stared her down, hoping she could see just how serious I was. “You better fucking be there, Trouble. You don’t want me tracking you down, and I promise you I will.”
A shudder ran through her. Maybe she would like me hunting her. I stored that away for later.
Her hands wrung in front of her, and she nodded. “Hurry.”
Fuck. With that word, I raced to the dressing room.
Alex charged into me, nearly knocking me over. “Buddy, that pass was wicked.”
“Get off me.” I broke from his arms, trying to strangle me like a motherfucking python. “I don’t have time for this.”
“Your girl meeting you, Jaxy?” Lucas smiled from across the dressing room. This time, instead of denying it, I smiled wide, letting every player in here know she was mine.
Alex patted my back. “You better hurry the fuck up, then. That one’s skittish.”
Didn’t I fucking know it? It felt like any second she could disappear on me, but screw that. I was claiming her today, letting every asshole know who she was with.
Sidney’s muffled voice came from the hall. “He asked me to come.”
I was on my feet, half-dressed with my hockey pads still on but jerseyless.
Our security guard laughed and pushed her back. “Listen, I’ve heard that at least a dozen times today. That’s what all the bunnies say.”
Anger flashed through me, and I pulled the guard back by his collar. “Call my girl a bunny again and I can promise you will regret it.”
Both of his hands flew up in defense. “Sorry. I just—well, you know how it is.”
“No, how about you tell me why you stopped my girl from coming in?”
Sidney gasped at my words. There was no way anyone missed them. The place was packed with reporters and fans.
“I—I didn’t know. It won’t happen again.” I must’ve looked feral because there was genuine fear in his eyes.
“Jax, let him go. I’m fine.” I instantly dropped him and moved toward Sid. I was always taller than her, but I was more than a foot taller in my skates.
She chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes blown wide. She always loved making me jealous. “No one touches you, Trouble.”
She smirked in response. “Except you.”
“Smart girl.” I hauled her off her feet into my chest, eating up her squeal, followed by a giggle. I lifted her high enough so she was a few inches above me, looking down. Our eyes searched each other’s while cameras clicked around us. I’d publicly claimed her, but she hadn’t claimed me.
Her slow, seductive smile grew, and she leaned down, owning my mouth, showing every single person here that she was mine and I was hers.
At least for now. That thought sank like a stone, and I struggled to take my next breath. Sidney caught it, searching my gaze before capturing my lips again in an all-consuming kiss.
Fuck it. This was worth everything that was coming. She was worth it.
My coach yelled from behind me. “Hurry the hell up, Ryder. You’ve got press in five.”
I reluctantly let her slide to the ground, my grip still tight on her hips. She looked around, her brows pulled together as she took in the dozens of cameras pointed our way.
“Eyes on me, Trouble.”
She didn’t hesitate, gaze flashing to mine, and I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll come to your place as soon as I’m done.”