“Who was cheating on me while dating her.”
“The irony’s not lost on me.”
She’s staring down at the ribbon in her hands. “So that’s why you kissed me. In front of everyone.”
“No.” The word comes out sharp. “I kissed you because I needed to. Because watching you doubt yourself for even a second made me crazy. Because I needed you to know, needed everyone to know, that I’m yours.”
She looks up and blinks at me.
“The fact that she’d just hit on me and I got to prove a point? Bonus. But JuJu...” I move closer, close enough that our knees touch. “I want to kiss you like that all day. Every second that I’m with you all I can think about is that.”
“Rodriguez—”
“Actually,” I continue, letting a grin spread across my face, “I mostly kissed you so you’d stake your claim on me. Mark your territory. Make sure everyone knows I’m taken.”
That surprises a laugh out of her. “My territory?”
“Absolutely. I’m hoping for a collar with your name on it. Maybe a little tag that says ‘Property of Juliette Chastain.’”
She laughs. “You wouldn’t wear a collar.”
“I absolutely would wear a collar. Black leather, little spikes. Very punk rock. I’d have to take it off for games but I’d put it right back on after.” I’m warming to this theme now. “Maybe get a matching leash for formal events. You could lead me around the reception Saturday.”
Her face is bright red. “I’m not leading you around on a leash.”
“Or we could go subtle. Just a nice choker. I could start a whole new trend in the NHL. Post-game interviews with my Juliette collar on.
She’s laughing for real now, the kind that makes her whole face light up. “Stop.”
“I’m completely serious. I’ll go to PetSmart right now. They probably have a whole selection. What’s your color preference? I’m thinking blue to match that scarf I got for you.”
“You’re not getting a collar from PetSmart.”
“You’re right. This is a special occasion. We need to go somewhere fancy. Maybe a nice jewelry story. Collar shopping could be our activity tomorrow before the rehearsal dinner.”
“We are not going collar shopping.”
“Fine. But I’m keeping it as a backup plan. You know, for our anniversary or something.” I lean closer, dropping my voice to that fake-serious tone. “Six months from now I expect to get a beautifully wrapped box and it’s just going to be a collar with a little engraved tag. ‘If found, please return to Juliette.’”
She cuts off my laughter by leaning forward and kissing me. Soft and quick, but deliberate.
“No collars,” she says against my mouth.
The door bursts open and Olivia tumbles back in. “Food will be here in thirty minutes! Did you make progress—oh my god, are you two making out instead of making favors?”
“We’re multitasking,” I say, not moving away from Juliette.
“No multitasking! Favors first, making out later!”
Juliette pulls back, but she’s smiling and when she goes back to tying ribbons, she shifts so her thigh stays pressed against mine.
Yeah. I’m completely gone for this woman.
The elevator rideback to our room is quiet, her shoulder brushing mine.
“Thank you for telling me. About Melissa.”
“You asked.”
