She was fucking sad.
I regretted opening my mouth when I saw her later, shooting videos of us in the rink with the saddest fucking expression I’ve ever seen on her face since I’ve known her.
She wasn’t this sad even when she thought she didn’t get the job all those years ago.
She didn’t glance my way once. Not once. Well, not beyond professional capacity. There was nofire burning in her eyes, no blush on her cheeks, and no energy even while doing her favorite job in the world.
That made me feel like shit for the way I behaved with her. Yet, that wasn’t what wrecked my heart.
What wrecked my heart and drowned it in an ocean of shame and guilt were her red, swollen eyes, which were proof that she had been crying.
She had been crying because of me, and I couldn’t do a damn thing about it. Not in front of the team and the staff. I couldn’t drop to my knees and apologize like I wanted to. Not if I didn’t want to get acquainted with the tip of the heels she loves to wear so much.
So, even when every fiber in my being was protesting against the idea, I stayed put and concentrated on the practice to get through the day.
* * *
After half an hour of debating with myself, I jump out of my SUV and stride right for her house.
I ring the doorbell, like a sane civilian, but when she doesn’t open the door, worry starts to gnaw at me. Forging ahead like a raging bull, I start pounding on her door.
Sounds of hurried footfalls resonate from the other side of the door, and my shoulders drop in relief, the worry deflating just a little bit.
The door swings open, and there she stands, wide-eyed and out of breath, dressed in the shortest shorts she could find and a camisole, and it’s clear she’s not wearing a fucking bra as her peaked nipples poke through the flimsy material.
What if it were someone else at the door? Fury licks at the thought that she would open the door for anyone looking like this, all sexy and hot.
“What are you doing here?” She tilts her head in question.
My hand rubs the back of my neck, nervous to be put on the spot like this. I clearly didn’t think this through. I open my mouth to answer, but she cuts me off.
She stretches her hand in front of her and shakes it along with her head. “You know what? I can’t fight with you, not today. So, you can go,” she mutters meekly as her shoulders curl in onthemselves.
I jam my foot in the door, hand reaching out to stop her from closing it. Without giving her a chance to protest, I walk in and shut the door behind me, while she looks at me, all befuddled.
Grabbing her waist, I yank her to my chest and hug. The first thing I should’ve done when I walked into her office today.
“What are–” she begins, unsure of what to make of any of it.
“Shhh and listen,” I tell her as I pick her up with a hand under her ass, her hands and legs wrapping around me instinctively.
Kaeli pulls back to look at me, but I press her face in the crook of my neck, her breath sending a shiver down my spine. “Don’t. I won’t be able to say everything I need to with your eyes on me.”
Acquiescing, she stays wrapped around me as I walk us to the couch and drop on it so we’re both comfortable.
I clear my throat and begin, “So, what I wanted to say is that I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry for today. I’m sorry for being an asshole to you when it wasn’t warranted. I should’ve shown some maturity using the two brain cells I have, andasked you what was wrong, and instead I made you cry.”
Her hands tighten their hold on my t-shirt with every word as I stroke her back smoothly with my hand while the other massages her shoulders and neck. “Fuck, I’m so sorry for making you cry, Feather. I promise I’ll never make you cry again.”
After minutes of silence, she finally releases a sigh. “Can I look at you? Please let me look at you,” she whispers in the softest voice I’ve heard her speak to me in.
Fuck, if I’ll do anything if she asks me like this. So, relenting, I remove my hold from her shoulders and lean back on the couch, placing my hands on her waist as she sits on my lap.
Her gentle eyes roam over my face as her hand strokes my cheek, her scarlet hair falling over her shoulder. I lean into her palm, my eyes fluttering shut at how good her soft hand feels against my rough skin.
“Thank you,” she mumbles, and with that, she puts her lips on mine.
My hands drag her close, and tilt her head to kiss her sweet lips deeper. She releases a surprised moan, but doesn’t stop kissing me.
