The Revenge Pact (Kings of Football, #1)(89)

We have tonight.

Tomorrow he leaves to be with his family, and I’m staying to be with Lila and Colette then flying home to meet up with my parents.

I don’t want to think about not seeing him every day.

I don’t want to think about us not being in the same city.

“How are the slopes?” I ask Lila as we head into the lobby, my gaze taking in the elegant interior. “This place is gorgeous.” Giant antler chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and a rustic timber and stone fireplace crackles around a luxurious sitting area dotted with dark leather couches and chairs. I spy a few students from Braxton, my eyes drifting as I search for him.

Lila laughs. “Fantastic for people who can ski. I tried the bunny thing, got an instructor, kinda hot looking, but I fell on my ass more times than I can count. Benji skis like a pro, of course. So infuriating. Thank God he left that lizard with Marilyn from the bar. Should I hook up with him?”

“I’m staying out of that one,” I murmur as I scan the bar area. I see Kian sipping on a beer. He notices and sends up a hesitant wave.

I snort and wave back.

She follows my gaze and giggles. “I knew he wouldn’t work out, but you have to admit, that revenge thing worked for you and River.”

I nod. “How’s the room?”

Someone breaks away from the bar, and my heart skips a beat. He’s tall with broad shoulders, eyes low on me as he stalks our way.

He’s wearing jeans, a cream-colored fisherman’s sweater, and heavy boots. His hair is mussed, his cheeks flushed. He only has eyes for me as he reaches us and hugs me, his nose in my hair, and I sink into him.

“Oh,” Lila murmurs. “Um, I don’t think you’re staying with us. Or, that’s what he told me earlier.” She grins at River then at me. “I’m going to grab another drink. See you later? Tomorrow, you’re all mine,” she adds with a twinkle in her eye.

I nod absently as she and Colette dash for the bar and sit at a table with Benji and a few other Kappas.

River takes my hands. “Surprise. You’re aren’t staying with them. I upgraded to a private room. Honestly, I won’t miss crashing with Benji. He snores like a train.”

I laugh, a bubbly sound as I touch his face, seeing the pink on his cheeks. “It sounds great. You got some sun. How was the skiing?”

“Beautiful. Going down that mountain makes me happy.” He slides his hands into my hair and takes my nape, and I shiver at the ownership I feel in his grasp.

“Everyone’s watching us,” I murmur, glancing around and seeing the gaze of every Braxton person at the bar.

“Get used to it. I told all the guys who are here that you’re with me. Merry Christmas.” He grins, looking happy.

“And?”

“They want us to be happy.” A rueful expression fills his features. “I’m sure it would be a weird dynamic at the house if I were coming back to school, but I’m not. Guess that’s the only positive of me leaving.”

I push up a smile. “Yeah.”

He tugs me closer and brushes his lips over mine, then gazes down at me, searching my face. “The slopes are open. How do you feel about night skiing? We can get you situated in the room, get geared up, then catch the lift. Just you and me and the snow.”

“Sounds like you’ve put some thought into this.”

“Yeah. This is our night.”

My heart dips and I have to shove down the anxiety that wants to take over, the knowledge that this is it for us.

“Don’t think about that,” he murmurs quietly.

I nod.

“The view of the stars is incredible,” he says. “It’s quiet and peaceful, with just the wind in your face and the snow under your feet.”

“Lead the way.”

I’m in this with him, all the way, no matter how it ends…





26





No underwear. Dammit. I drape a fluffy white hotel towel around my waist and open the bathroom door. Anastasia left earlier to pop into Lila and Colette’s room. Before that, we spent two hours on the slopes, had dinner in the restaurant, then came back up to the room.

It’s one of the penthouse suites with a huge king-sized bed, a living room and fireplace, even a kitchen. I won’t get to enjoy it, but I paid for her to stay here while I’m gone.

I blink at the darkness, adjusting my eyes. Water dripping, I make my way to where the light switch is, then pause when I hear “Iris” start playing on the speakers in the room.

I turn around and see her, silhouetted against the big window that overlooks the mountains.

“You’re back?” I say inanely. “I mean, yeah, of course you are.”

“Mhmm,” she says over the soft music.

My chest rises as I take her in, the blood in my veins rushing.

Half in shadow, half lit from the flames in the fireplace, she’s wearing my hoodie from the night on the rooftop. Her back is to me as she sways to the music, her hands in her hair as she lifts it up.

My heart catches as she turns around slowly, eyes on me as she slips one shoulder out of the unzipped jacket. She’s wearing nothing underneath it, yet my gaze eats up her face, the curve of her cheek, the arch of her eyebrows, the curl of her red lips. I love her. Her. It’s not about the sex, although that’s going to be out of this fucking world; no, it’s about who she is.