"So," she says, setting her glass down. "About the photo... I believe you. I just got scared."
"Of what?"
"Of everything." She meets my eyes directly. "Of caring this much. Of the public scrutiny. Of wanting this, only to have it fall apart."
"I get that. I do. It’s a lot."
"But I realized something tonight, watching you play." She reaches across the table, her fingers finding mine. "I'm more afraid of not trying this—not seeing what we could be—than I am of getting hurt."
I turn my hand over, interlacing our fingers. "I'm all in, Elena. Whatever it takes."
"Even with my dad watching your every move?"
I can't help but laugh. "I think I can handle him."
"Don't be so sure," she says, but she's smiling again.
We order some food—small plates to share, nothing too heavy. The conversation falls into an easy rhythm, the initial tension melting away. She tells me about her work with theSteel, and I fill her in on the team dynamics she's missed since leaving the Blades.
"Oh, I almost forgot," I say as we're finishing our drinks. "I was going to bring you something tonight as a joke, but I decided it might be in poor taste."
Her eyebrows lift. "Now I'm intrigued."
"A pair of panties." I lean in, lowering my voice.
She bursts out laughing, the sound bright and beautiful. "Oh my god, I'd forgotten about that."
"I haven't forgotten anything about that night," I say, suddenly serious. "Or any night with you since."
Her eyes darken slightly. "Me neither."
I signal for the check, holding her gaze. "Come home with me?"
"Yes," she says without hesitation. "I'd like that."
Outside, the valet brings my car around. Elena stands close beside me, her hand brushing against mine. When the car arrives, I open her door, letting my fingers trail over her lower back as she slides in. The simple touch makes her breath catch, and I know we're thinking the same thing.
After we arrive at my building, the elevator ride to my floor is thirty seconds of pure torture. Elena stands beside me, close enough that I can smell her perfume. The air between us crackles with electricity. We both know what's coming. Her eyes meet mine in the mirrored wall, and the hunger I see there makes my cock jump in my jeans.
The doors slide open. I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward my door. My fingers tremble slightly as I punch in the code. The lock clicks, and I push the door open, stepping aside to let her enter first.
"Would you like a?—"
She cuts me off, turning and pulling me down to her mouth. The kiss is desperate, hungry, months of restraint shattering inan instant. I kick the door shut behind us, backing her against the wall. Her hands are everywhere—in my hair, under my shirt, clutching me.
"Fuck, I've missed you," I breathe against her neck. My hands reach under her sweater, finding her smooth skin. "I've thought about this a million times."
"Me too." Her voice is breathless as she works on my shirt buttons. "I can’t stop thinking about you."
I wrestle her out of her jacket and pull her sweater over her head. She's wearing a black lace bra that I’m aching to rip off. I trace my fingers along the edge of it, watching goosebumps rise on her skin.
"You're so fucking beautiful." I cup her face, forcing her to meet my eyes. "I'm never letting you go again."
She tugs my shirt free. Her hands run over my chest, down to the waistband of my jeans. When she reaches for my belt, I catch her wrists.
"Not yet." I brush my lips against hers.
I scoop her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carry her down the hallway. She kisses my neck as we go. I set her on the edge of the bed, standing between her spread knees.
