A possessive ache fills me. I’m so happy with her that it hurts, so I put my hands on her waist and skate us to a stop, holding on tight to her because she isn’t great at braking.
“I don’t want it to end, either,” I tell her, brushing her hair back, looking down into her eyes. “Let’s keep it going.”
“For how long?” She looks so hopeful but uncertain that my heart breaks all over again.
“For as long as you want, Hartley, I’m yours. Even longer, probably.”
Forever, I hope.
“I need to tell you something,” she whispers, and her eyes flash with worry and nerves.
When I take her hands, they’re shaking.
“I love you,” she says quietly, searching my gaze.
All I can hear is my pulse beating in my ears; all I can see is Hazel.
“I was scared to say it. I’m still scared, but—” She cuts herself off, biting her lip, studying me as my heart does somersaults. “I always want you to know you’re loved.”
Christ, my heart. My sweet, terrified Hazel is handing me her fragile trust to hold in the palm of my hand. I’ll do anything to protect it.
“I do.” Emotion surges through me, so strong it hurts. “I’ve known for a long time.”
“You have?” Her brows lift.
I nod. My hand slips to her cheek, and her skin is cold under my touch. “I was waiting until you were ready.”
She holds my eyes, swallowing. “You’re so patient.”
“You’re worth the wait.”
The furrow in her brow eases, and she lets out a long breath. “Aren’t you going to tell me you love me, too?”
My mouth tips into a smile. “You know I do.”
She nods. “Yeah. I know you do.”
I lean down to kiss her, hands in her hair.
“I love you,” I say anyway, and she smiles against my lips.
This must be what it feels like to have everything I’ve ever wanted.
“I love you, too. Happy New Year, Rory.”
“Happy New Year, Hazel.”
CHAPTER 74
HAZEL
Telling Rory I loved him unleashes something in him, because the second we’re in the elevator ascending to our suite, his hands are all over me.
“I thought about this all day,” he says as he rubs slick circles on my clit, hand down the front of my pants with a strong arm locked across my front to hold me close.
In the mirror, I watch my lips part, arching against him. His erection pushes against my ass while he strokes me higher and higher. My body responds to him, thrumming and tightening.
The elevator stops at a floor that isn’t ours, and Rory takes his hand back, straightening up. The doors open, someone steps on, and the three of us stand there in silence while my heart hammers and my clit aches for more attention.
Rory meets my eyes in our reflection and he gives me a tiny smirk. I press down on my laugh.
He’s wild, and he makes me wild, and I can’t imagine the trajectory of my life if we hadn’t gotten together. Life would be so dull without him.
When I’m a hundred years old and thinking back on my life, I’ll think about being in love with Rory Miller.
The person steps off and before the door is fully closed, his mouth crushes mine, claiming me. On our floor, we stumble to the door of our suite, kissing and laughing and fumbling for the keycard.
“We’re not even inside yet,” I laugh as he pulls my jacket off.
“Hurry up, then,” he says.
My sweater is off the second we step in the door. His follows. The path to the bedroom is a trail of discarded clothes. Rory’s hands are everywhere on me. His mouth is urgent, pressing kisses down my neck before returning to my mouth, coaxing me open. He slips an arm around my waist to hold me upright while he yanks my leggings off before his gaze drifts over the cream lace set I’m wearing.
His eyes glaze and he lets out a heavy breath before he hooks the bra cups down and flicks his tongue over my nipple, fingers toying with the other. My pulse thrums between my legs, and I sigh as his mouth works, sinking my fingers into his hair and tugging lightly, pulling a deep moan from him.
It’s not sex with Rory; it’s so much more.
His pants and boxers disappear, and he removes my bra and underwear in a distracted way that makes me smile. He’s already hard, cock jutting out at an angle as he hands me my jersey.
“Put this on,” he says in a rough voice, eyes going dark, and a shiver runs through me.
I’m independent and strong and self-sufficient, but I’m powerless against Rory’s possessive, demanding side.