Thick & Thin (Thin Love, #3)(6)
“I’m supposed to be winning you back.”
Her fingers were cold as I took them to lay against my palms. She wouldn’t fight me, not when I rubbed my thumb along the lines creasing her palm, not when my voice went soft, low and I could barely get the words to sound clear. “I’m supposed to remind you how much you love me. I’m supposed to make sure you understand that I’m hurt. That I didn’t buy any of that shit.” She tried moving away again, but didn’t manage more than a half step when I pulled her palm up, kissing her wrist.
“Oh?”
I ignored the argument in that one word, disregarding her rejection when she tried pushing on my chest. “The only thing in my head now is how badly I want to kiss you.” That time she did break free, but only to the corner of the dressing table, sitting atop it as I crowded her. “And how badly I know you want me to kiss you.”
Aly King was no coward. It was one of the things I loved most about her. She gave me her strength when I had none. She held me up when I couldn’t manage to do it for myself and she would not be manipulated. Not when she knew her own mind.
“That is not going to happen.” The firmness in her tone, the bite in each word was the final warning I needed to hear. It was the one that had me checking myself, moving back, putting enough space between us so that Aly could stand, shoulders straight, chin uplifted.
“Because of your fiancé?”
“Yes.” The nod was quick, but certain. She’d convinced herself of her decision no matter how quickly it had come to her. “Because of Ethan.”
There were a million things I looked for in her features—a lie, a protest, something to convince me that she didn’t want me anymore. There was nothing there.
After a moment, I could only grin at her, grasping for things I didn’t see in her expression. “Bullshit.”
I would have kissed her then. Damn the warnings. A kiss, taking back what I knew would always be mine, was my intention, but then the door slipped open and Ethan’s warm greeting and bright eyes lowered only slightly when he stepped into the room, leveling a glance between me and Aly before he approached.
“Ransom Riley-Hale.” This greeting was preceded by a large hand with trimmed nails coming at me and I tightened my stance, stepping in front of Aly, not sure what to expect from this guy. “I’m a big fan, man.” He glanced at Aly, smirking, a little apologetic. “I’ve been telling Aly for a while that I wanted to meet you. I…uh, I’m a little stupid over football.”
“You like the Dolphins?” I asked, laughing when Ethan made a face.
“Well, I mean…”
“It’s fine, man. I’m just messing with you,” I said as I took his extended hand. I couldn’t help myself. It was the same reaction I got from fans outside of Miami who recognized me, who still seemed excited to meet me even though they wore a Broncos or a Cowboys jersey, so I gave him the same automatic reply.
Ethan returned my humor, shaking my hand, slapping me once on the bicep. This would have been easier if Aly had hooked up with some jackass, maybe a loser with no job or some artistic type that was pushing thirty-five and still trying to be a rapper. Ethan wasn’t any of those things. He had a level of swag that was all class. He dressed in an Armani suit, and was built like most dudes that hit the gym to keep themselves up without any real goal for size in mind.
“Good to meet you.” Despite my stupid jealousy, I meant it. Ethan gave me the same look I typically got from every fan I met, though his was more reserved. There was a pause while he looked me over, sizing me up, not as the man who’d taken my girl when I’d stupidly let her slip away, but as a man full of respect and maybe a little envy that I made a living playing a game he loved. I’d seen that look for what it was thousands of times and it never failed to surprise me. And as much as I hated to admit it, he seemed damn genuine.
Ethan’s gaze broke away from me as he settled his hand against Aly’s lower back and he turned to her. “Baby, you almost ready? We’ve got the after party and then we’re meeting Steph and Micah at Restaurant August.” He glanced at me, shrugging. “My sister and her husband. They wanted to celebrate with us.”
I nodded toward Aly, and looked pointedly at the ring on her finger. “Nice piece of ice.” She didn’t seem bothered by the compliment, but Ethan took her hand in his, motioning the ring toward the light, examining it with a satisfied grin brightening his expression. He should be proud. It was a good piece. “You got good taste.”
“Thanks, man.” Another nod, but then when Aly moved around the room to gather her things, he ignored me completely, watching her as I watched him watch her, I got the impression that Ethan was amazed. He reminded me of the first year players coming right out of college onto our team. There was always this dazzled expression on their faces, as though they’d somehow lucked up, snuck into training, making the team without anyone realizing they shouldn’t be there. Ethan watched Aly with that same stunned look—as though he half expected her to wake and realize she was too good for him.
I was familiar with giving her that same look.
He stood next to her, stopping her flurry of activity with a hand to her hip. “We need to go.” He took the blue bin from her, edging her toward the door. I lowered my eyes when he kissed her, hating that I had to watch that kiss, hating that I wanted to tell him he was standing too close to her, touching her with too much familiarity.