Page 77 of Timelessly Ours
“There’s a gala in a few weeks. With the team on a losing streak, Grove, the GM, wants me to show up with a few trade recommendations.”
“Oh.” I don’t know what to say, but instantly, I understand why practice was so hard today. “You had to watch them with a different eye today. A critical one.”
“It’s the worst part of my job. Hell, it’s not even my job. I’m supposed to make them better.”
“I’m sorry,” I say and it feels like deja vu. Because I’m sorry for making his day even more stressful than it needed to be because of my own issues.
But this isn’t about me. This is about the relationship he’s built with his team—and the choices he has to make.
He runs a hand down his face and looks me over. “How are you?”
I shrug and scrunch my nose. “Besides feeling like I may have crossed some lines today…I’m alright.”
He grunts out a laugh. “It was the highlight of my day, Nicole.”
My eyes flash. “It was?”
He rubs his forehead. “I’m always scared that no one is truly looking out for Rory when I’m not around—and I’m not around a lot. My…annoyance was…misplaced and the technicality of forgery is more my issue, not yours. You did what felt right. The truth is, while I was at practice today, dealing with what’s going on there, I had some peace knowing that my little girl is safe. And you’re making sure she stays that way.”
I swallow the threat of fresh tears and offer a soft grateful smile.
He winks and touches my hand gently before standing. “I’m going to go check on her.”
My stomach drops. He just got here and I want so much more of him. I’m not ready to say goodnight. I want to talk to him, open up to him the way I’ve longed to. Thank him for today.
And it can’t wait.
I jump to my feet and call after him, a little too eagerly. “Royce.”
He swings his head back.
“I…liked it when you held me today.”
And when you called me baby.
He releases a breath, along with the tension in his shoulders. “I liked it too.” Then his brows jump, and he bends to pick up the paper bag. “I got you something.”
He hands it to me and I take a peek inside, only to see pink tissue paper wrapping.
“It’s a bathing suit. You didn’t bring one and I thought after the day you’ve had…”
I look up tentatively. “Like tonight?”
He nods toward the backyard. “It’s all yours.”
An hour later, alone in my room, I’ve dissected the hell out of what it means that the man of my dreams buys me a bathing suit. It’s practically lingerie.
Is it…an invitation? Or just a thoughtful gift?
Finally, I try it on. It’s a solid white one-piece with thick straps. And it’s…almost perfect. A little snug around the bust, but I can make do.
I tie my hair back and throw on my bathrobe before heading downstairs. Soaking in his hot tub? It’s an offer I can’t refuse. But I don’t want to do it alone. I’d rather…lurk in the hallway just in case I’d catch him. Or linger in the kitchen with a cup of tea in case he gets another chocolate craving.
Chocolate.
Maybe over confessions, I can open up to him. I can tell him why I turned to stone when he touched me.
And maybe…oh for the love of God, maybe…he’d do it again.
