I like the way that sounds, how it sounds coming from her. The way her sweet voice claims me, better than any other high I’ve experienced before.
"Is that right?" I ask, tightening my grip in her hair. "You think you own me, baby girl?"
"I know I do," she says with a confidence that drives me fucking wild. "Just like you own me."
Chapter 39
Reese
The buzzer screams, and I scream right along with it, jumping up so fast I nearly drop Rebel. The arena fucking explodes as Ramsey's game-winning shot slides past the goalie like it was fucking destined to be there. My heart's beating so fast I swear it might actually burst through my chest.
"Holy shit!" I yell, bouncing my niece on my hip while she coos. "Did you see that, baby girl? Did you see what Uncle Mini-Me just did?"
Rebel shrieks, pointing her chubby hand toward the ice where Ramsey is being mobbed by his teammates.
The crowd around us is losing their collective minds, bodies pressed together as everyone jumps and screams. Penn's voice booms above everyone else's, his fist pumping the air as he yells something that's definitely not appropriate for his daughter's ears. But fuck it—this is Ramsey's last college game ever, and he just went out like a goddamn legend.
"That's my fucking MINI-MEEEEEE. It’s fucking Blackwood BABYYYYYYY!" Penn roars, grabbing Jeremiah next to him in a headlock that's half-hug, half-stranglehold.
I can't stop smiling, can't tear my eyes away from Ramsey as his teammates tackle him to the ice. His helmet goes flying off, revealing that wild dark hair I love running my fingers through. Even from here, I can see the fierce grin splitting his face.
"That's your man," Reagan leans over, her lips close to my ear so I can hear her over the noise. "I'm so happy for you, baby sis. This is all I've ever wanted for you."
I turn to look at my sister, surprised to see tears in her eyes. "What?"
She squeezes my arm, smiling so wide her dimples are showing. "To see you this happy. To see you with someone who would literally die for you."
My stomach does a weird flip at her words, thinking about Oli's body being fed into whatever industrial nightmare Weston used to make her disappear. But then I look back at Ramsey—my Ramsey—and all I feel is this overwhelming wave of fucking love.
"I never thought I'd have this," I admit.
Reagan laughs, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "You two are perfect for each other—both a little unhinged in all the best ways. But just for the record I’m still not sorry I threatened him and it took a couple of years for you two to get together."
I roll my eyes but can't help grinning. "Says the woman who stayed married into the Blackwood family willingly."
"And look how well that turned out," she says, glancing at Penn who's now got his shirt off, swinging it around his head like he's at a strip club instead of a hockey game.
"I love him so fucking much," I whisper back, unable to tear my eyes away from him.
On the ice, Ramsey's scanning the crowd, turning in circles until his eyes lock with mine. Even from this distance, I can feel the intensity of his stare, the heat of it washing over me. He points directly at me, then taps his chest right over his heart.
"Oh my god, I'm gonna fucking cry," I mutter, my voice thick with emotion.
A blonde woman in a tight pencil skirt shoves a microphone in his face, her teeth blindingly white as she smiles for the camera.
We can’t hear what they are saying, but no doubt it will be playing on every local station soon.
His mouth moves, answering her questions, but his eyes—those intense blue eyes—stay locked on mine. Not wavering for a single second. The heat in that stare makes my skin prickle with awareness, like he's already touching me.
It's like I'm the only person in this entire fucking arena. His teammates slap his back, ruffle his sweaty hair, but he doesn't even blink.
Coach Kingston steps up, trying to get Ramsey's attention for the team huddle, but Ramsey just nods withoutlooking away from me. I shift Rebel to my other hip, feeling the familiar heat pool between my thighs.
"Here, give me my baby," Reagan says, reaching for Rebel. "You're gonna need both hands free when he gets to you."
I laugh, handing over my niece. "You're not wrong."
The crowd's starting to thin now, people filing toward the exits, but Ramsey stays rooted to his spot on the ice. I start making my way down toward the barrier, Penn's voice booming behind me as he brags to anyone who'll listen about his fucking mini-me.
