37
SCARLETT
Hate That I Love You
“Listen up, everybody,” Traeger announced, his voice cutting through his bandmates’ laughter and banter.
They were in the backyard setting things up for the wrap party they were having that evening. It was supposed to be held inside the house, but once the weather turned unseasonably warm, they moved the party outdoors. Seventy-five degrees in February was a rare occurrence in Denver. It felt like a good omen.
When Traeger spoke, all eyes turned to him. He was standing by the long wooden patio table. He’d uncorked a bottle of champagne and filled five plastic wineglasses.
Scarlett wagged her finger at him. “We’re supposed to be saving the bubbly for the party.”
“Quit your nagging, woman. We’ve got plenty of booze. We won’t run out.” He grinned. “Now get over here so we can do a better toast than the half-assed one we did last night at the studio.”
Scarlett laughed. “Half-assed? It was almost midnight and we were exhausted.”
“I know, right?” Gage chimed in. “It was a long day.”
“Excuses, excuses. Just get your asses over here.”
Laughing, Scarlett and the others headed over and picked up a glass of champagne.
Traeger grinned at them. “I’d like to propose another toast. We did something amazing yesterday. We completed our third album, which I happen to think is our best one yet. A lot of bands don’t make it this far. But we did, and I’m feeling pretty damn grateful.” His eyes met Scarlett’s and softened. “It’s been one helluva journey, filled with many ups and downs that tested our faith, our fortitude and our friendship. But we got through it, stuck together and made rock ’n’ roll magic.” He raised his glass. “To Off The Grid.”
“To Off The Grid!” the others roared.
They enthusiastically clinked glasses and chugged down their champagne, laughing when Zander gagged and swiped his hand over his mouth.
“Blech. I hate the taste of champagne. I don’t know how you guys drink that shit.”
“Aww, poor Zandy,” Ryu teased, patting his scruffy cheek. “You can grow a beard but still can’t handle grownup drinks.”
“Fuck off,” Zander retorted.
Everyone laughed.
Traeger poured another round of champagne, skipping Zander. “We have some news for you, Scarlett.”
“Yeah? What?”
The guys exchanged smiles before looking at her and announcing, “We’re staying in Denver.”
Her eyes widened. “Holy shit! Seriously?”
“Seriously.” They were all grinning.
“Yay!” she squealed ecstatically, sloshing champagne as she jumped up and down.
They laughed, enjoying her reaction.
She put her glass down on the table and beamed at them. “What made you guys decide to stay?”
“Besides the heated pool?” Traeger joked.
Everyone laughed.
“Seriously though,” Traeger went on. “As much as we love Boston, we were ready for a change of scenery, and it worked out great that our lease is almost up. We really like Denver. The mountain views, the nightlife, the chill vibe, all those breweries.” He grinned. “Plus this house is fucking awesome and we’re already making friends—”
“Hot next door neighbor,” Ryu coughed into his hand.
The guys laughed as Scarlett rolled her eyes.
“We also enjoy living close to your family,” Gage said warmly. “They’re really fun to be around, and your mom and dad have always been like our surrogate parents.”
The others smiled and nodded in agreement.
“But most of all, Scarlett,” Traeger said quietly, putting his hand on her shoulder, “we decided to stay because of you. Like I’ve told you before, you’re the heart and soul of our band. When you came to Boston in December for our Black Kross show, we realized just how much we missed having you around on a regular basis. After you left, the house felt empty as hell. We all noticed and commented on it. So being here this past month made us finally decide: ‘If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain.’” He smiled softly. “So you’re stuck with us.”
Scarlett’s throat tightened and tears stung her eyes. “Thanks, guys,” she whispered.
“We love you, ScarWar,” Gage said solemnly. “We hope you never forget that.”
“I won’t.” She swallowed hard, looking them each in the eye. “I love you guys so much, and I’m thankful to have you in my life. We’ve got a lot to celebrate, and the best is yet to come.”
“Hear, hear!” the others agreed.
“Group hug!” Zander called out.
Scarlett laughed as the boys tackled her, wrapping her up in a boisterous bear hug that gave her the biggest case of warm fuzzies. They held one another, basking in the love that flowed between them like musical notes coalescing into the perfect harmony.
After the hug ended, they took a group selfie and posted it to their social media accounts, letting fans know that they’d completed their album and would be dropping new music soon.
“One other thing.” Traeger grinned at Scarlett. “We all have new jobs.”
“Really?” She stared at them. “All of you?”
“Yep.” Traeger looked adorably proud. “I got a gig at a tattoo shop.”
“I found another bartending job,” Gage said.
“I’ll be working as a craft beer brewer,” Zander bragged.
“Nice.” Scarlett grinned at him. “You love craft beer, so that’s right up your alley.”
“Totally.” He beamed.
“And what about you, Ryu?”
He grinned a little sheepishly. “My parents hooked me up with a sweet gig as a translator for some Japanese conglomerate.”
“Wow!” Scarlett exclaimed. “That’s awesome!”
“It’s pretty cool.” He made a face. “I have to wear a suit and tie, but the pay’s good and they’re not making me cut my hair.”
“Thank God.” Scarlett winked. “The ladies love your hair, Ryu. We can’t break their hearts.”
“I know.” He ran his hand through his jet-black locks and gave her a sexy wink.
When she pretended to swoon, the others laughed.
She grinned broadly at them. “Congratulations on your new gigs. I’m super impressed.”
Traeger chuckled. “Don’t forget we all had day jobs back in Boston. We might not be rich and famous yet, but we pull our weight—”
“I know.”
“—and we never want Viggo to think we’re just a bunch of freeloading slackers living in the house he bought us.”
Scarlett’s mood instantly clouded at the mention of Viggo.
Realizing his mistake at once, Traeger winced. “Shit. I’m sorry, Scar—”
She waved him off. “It’s okay. You guys don’t have to walk on eggshells around me. I mean, yeah, I miss him and I wish he could have been there last night to celebrate with us since he’s the one who gave us the money to record our album. But he wasn’t there, and that’s okay. I mean, he was at an away game, but he wouldn’t have come to the studio even if he was home because he still hates me and thinks I played him. Which I didn’t, of course, but—” She shut up when she realized she was rambling.
An awkward silence fell over the group. Gage, Traeger and Ryu clenched their jaws and exchanged frustrated glances.
“Hey, Traeg,” Zander blurted quickly to change the subject. “Tell Scar your other good news.”
“Oh yeah.” Traeger grinned wryly at Scarlett. “Remember the one-night stand I told you about? The rando who claimed to be pregnant?”
Scarlett frowned. “Of course I remember. The last time I asked about her, you told me she was going to her first prenatal— Wait. Did you just say ‘claimed’? What happened?”
Traeger’s grin broadened. “Turns out she’s not pregnant.”
“What! How do you know?”
“One of my friends caught her at the store buying tampons. When he confronted her, she started stammering and claiming that the tampons were for her sister. But the thing is, she told me the night we met that she was an only child. So my friend called me right up and put her on the phone. She knew she was busted, so she started crying and screaming at me. I told her to get some help and hung up. And that was that.” Traeger grinned harder, bouncing on his heels. “Didn’t I tell you she was probably lying?”
“You did.” Scarlett smiled wryly. “I know you’re relieved.”
“Fuck yeah. That broad was crazy. Dealing with her would have been a nightmare.”
“No kidding.” Zander snorted and shook his head. “Bitches be scheming.”
Right at that moment, Scarlett’s phone beeped with a new notification. Someone had DM’d her on Twitter. When she opened the message and saw that it was from Audrey, hot anger flashed through her. Speaking of scheming bitches!
Audrey’s DM read: I promised my uncle I’d leave you and Viggo alone. But I just thought you’d want to see this pic of Viggo on a cozy date. It was taken by my friend who works at Elway’s at the Ritz-Carlton. After dinner Viggo and his date went up to her room. Looks like he’s already moved on. So sorry…
Scarlett’s heart plummeted when she saw the picture of Viggo enjoying a romantic dinner with a beautiful woman who had long brown hair and a wholesome smile.
“Scarlett?”
She looked up to find her bandmates frowning at her.
“Everything okay?” they asked.
She jerked her head in a nod. “You guys go ahead and finish setting up for the party,” she mumbled. “I have to use the bathroom.”
They exchanged dubious glances as she strode inside the house and slammed the back door. Her hands were shaking as she tapped out her reply to Audrey: Thanks for your concern. As you noted, Viggo and I aren’t together anymore, so he’s free to date whoever he wants. But I know one person he won’t be dating: YOU. He doesn’t want you, Audrey, and he never will. Get over it and move on. Anyway, it’s been fun but I’m blocking you. That should free up your time so you can go find yourself a man.
Firing off that message should have felt more satisfying. But the pain twisting Scarlett’s insides made it hard to enjoy having the last word. As she stared at the picture of Viggo and his date, she wondered how he could have moved on so quickly when she still got weepy every time she saw a bag of Swedish Fish.
Sucking in a shaky breath, she deleted Audrey’s poisonous message and blocked her on Twitter. She was about to put her phone away when it rang.
When Viggo’s photo popped up on the screen, her knees almost gave out.
She stared at the ringing phone, telling herself she should ignore his call. But she didn’t have the willpower. So she stabbed at the phone and brought it to her ear.
“Hello.” Her voice was as cold as an arctic blast.
“Hey.” He sounded a little nervous, for the very first time. “How are you?”
“I’m kinda in the middle of something. What do you want?”
There was a long pause. After shunning her for weeks, had he actually expected a warmer reception?
“I just got back from Los Angeles and was wondering if I could come over so we can talk.”
She steeled her emotions. “Oh, now you want to talk?”
He let out a frustrated breath. “Scarlett—”
“I think we should see other people. Oh, wait, you’re already doing that, aren’t you?” She smirked. “Hope you enjoyed your night at the Ritz.”
She stabbed the end button and shoved the phone into the front pocket of her hoodie. Heart hammering, she took one step toward the door before clapping her hand over her mouth to choke back a sob.
No. No, no, no. Fuck this. Enough is enough.
She would not shed another damn tear over Viggo Sandström. It was time to take her own advice and move the hell on.
She resolutely swiped the moisture from her eyes and sniffled. Then she squared her shoulders, took a deep breath and marched back outside.
She didn’t have time for heartbreak. She had some celebrating to do.
“I’m open! pass me the rock!”
Traeger rolled out of the pocket and lobbed a perfect pass to Scarlett. She caught the football, tucked it under her arm and took off running across the yard as Gage sprinted after her. Just as she crossed into the end zone, he tackled her from behind.
They fell to the ground, Gage landing on top of her as Traeger called out triumphantly, “Touchdown!”
Scarlett let out a loud whoop as Gage protested, “No way! She didn’t get in!”
“Yes, I did! Don’t even try it!”
“Scar, look where I tackled you!” Gage pointed toward the oak tree they were using as the end-zone marker. “You’re half a yard short!”
“Are you crazy? You need glasses—”
“Uh, guys.”
The sound of Ryu’s voice brought their heads around.
Scarlett froze when she saw Viggo standing on the patio. His hair was tousled, like he’d been running agitated fingers through it. His blue dress shirt was untucked over his suit pants, the sleeves rolled up on his forearms.
He was glaring at her and Gage with a dark, forbidding expression.
Gage looked down at her with a slight frown, then slowly climbed off her and helped her to her feet.
She brushed grass and dirt off her hoodie while watching Viggo stalk toward her. His eyes were fixed on her with predatory focus. Even from a distance, she could feel his body vibrating with a leashed fury that made her insides quiver with fear and excitement. It was like staring down an oncoming freight train. She felt rooted to the ground, unable to hurl herself out of harm’s way.
By the time he reached her, she was practically quaking in her Chucks. “Viggo—”
He shoved his hands into her hair, holding her in place as his hungry mouth crashed onto hers. Her body went up in flames and her legs threatened to buckle. But somehow she managed to recover some shred of defiance and bite his lip.
Growling low in his throat, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. Outraged, she pounded her fists against his back as he began striding from the yard.
Her bandmates surged forward protectively, blocking his path. “Yo, dude, hold up—”
Viggo gave them a death glare. “Stay out of this.”
The boys, to their credit, didn’t back down.
“Put her down, asshole,” they ordered, forming a circle around Viggo. Unfortunately, they looked like dwarves trying to take down a giant. They were tall but Viggo still towered over them—bigger, stronger and dangerously pissed off.
When Zander took a swing at him, Viggo easily deflected the blow, then grabbed Zander by his shirtfront and snarled into his face, “Back the fuck off.”
As the others began shoving and shouting at Viggo, Scarlett stuck two fingers in her mouth and whistled sharply.
“Guys, it’s okay!”
“The hell it is!” they protested.
“No, seriously, I can handle him.”
They eyed her skeptically, flung over Viggo’s shoulder like a sack of flour.
Humiliated and furious at being manhandled, she glared at Viggo over her shoulder. “You can put me down now.”
Ignoring her demand, he shoved the guys out of his way like gnats and proceeded to carry her across the yard and around the side of the house to reach the driveway. His sleek black Lamborghini was parked behind her car.
When he pressed the key fob, the doors lifted vertically. He carried her to the passenger side and deposited her onto the custom leather seat. Then he squatted beside her, grabbed her chin and growled, “Don’t ever leave me again.”
His voice was so low and vulnerable that she froze. As she stared into his haunted eyes, some of her anger subsided—for about two seconds.
“You left me, remember?”
“You moved out. No one fucking told you to do that.” He buckled her seatbelt like she was a child, then slammed the door and stalked around to the driver’s side. When the engine fired to life with a killer purr, she rolled her eyes. Damn him and his super sports car.
As he roared away from the house and rocketed off down the street, she hated that her breath quickened and her toes curled with a rush of excitement.
Scowling at the ultracool digital dashboard display, she grumbled, “Where’s the truck?”
“In the shop,” he grumbled back.
She mutinously crossed her arms over her chest and stewed in the luxurious leather seat. He drove like a maniac, speeding through lights and taking sharp turns and shortcuts down side streets.
She wondered if he was trying to scare her. If so, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of showing fear by asking him to slow down. Besides, his rage driving totally turned her on. How twisted was that?
She watched him rake his hand through his hair, disheveling the blond strands even more as he ripped his speed machine through another yellow light.
“I need to get back to the house,” she bit out. “We’re having a party tonight and—”
“I’m not letting you go until we’ve talked things out, and I don’t fucking care how long it takes.”
The iron resolve in his tone had her heart roaring harder.
He downshifted and coasted through a curve, the custom tires burning rubber against the asphalt.
“Where are you taking me?” she demanded.
“Home. Where you belong.” He shot her a thunderous glare. “Who the fuck told you about my date?”
“Who do you think?” she hissed.
He shook his head, lip curled in scorn. “Still letting her get in your head, I see.”
“Fuck you! I saw the picture! I see you wasted no damn time—”
“It was just Elsa, goddammit!”
She gaped at him. “Your old girlfriend Elsa? The same Elsa you swore you weren’t taking to dinner? That Elsa?”
He slammed his fist against the steering wheel. “Nothing happened!”
“Bullshit! You went up to her room!”
“Jesus!” He jammed his hand through his hair, his fingers clenching on the disheveled strands like he wanted to yank them out of his scalp. “What didn’t that vindictive bitch tell you? Did she also tell you what I ordered? How long it took me to eat? Did she tell you if I picked food out of my fucking teeth?”
“She told me what mattered!”
“I didn’t fuck Elsa! That’s what matters!”
“Then why the hell did you go up to her room?”
“I didn’t make it that far!” he yelled. “I couldn’t even get off the fucking elevator!”
“Likely story,” Scarlett jeered.
“It’s not a damn story. It’s the truth.” He cut the wheel to make a hard right. “I couldn’t go through with it.”
“Even if that’s true,” she countered bitterly, “the point is that you were ready to sleep with another woman barely two weeks after we broke up. I can’t even look at another guy without seeing your stupid ass face! But you know what? They say the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else, so—”
“Don’t.” The word was a bone-chilling snarl. “Don’t even think about it.”
“Fuck you, Viggo! You think you can just come waltzing back into—”
“Jävlar!” He unleashed a string of Swedish expletives that left her ears ringing as he shifted and accelerated, cutting across three lanes of traffic.
Heart pounding like crazy, Scarlett glared at him. “If you’re gonna curse me out, at least have the courtesy—”
“Stop talking, Scarlett.” He shot her a deadly look. “Stop. Fucking. Talking.”
She huffed and turned away to glare furiously out the window.
When they arrived at his place, he slammed out of the Lamborghini and stalked around to the passenger side.
Scarlett stared straight ahead, refusing to get out.
With a feral snarl he reached inside, released her seatbelt and plucked her out of the bucket seat. Then he threw her over his shoulder again and carried her kicking and swearing across the garage, down the hallway and into his penthouse.
The second he closed the door and put her down, she slapped him across the face as hard as she could.
Growling savagely, he grabbed both of her wrists and pushed her back against the entry wall with his big body.
“You son of a bitch!” she screeched as he pinned her hands above her head with one hand and let his other hand slide over the curve of her hip. “You have no damn r—”
He bent his head and crushed his mouth to hers with a searing roughness that demanded her total submission.
She gave it to him, helpless to do anything else. He tasted so fucking good and intoxicating that if he were a bottle of wine, she would already be completely wasted.
The heavy pressure of his erection against her belly had wet heat gushing from her pussy to soak her underwear. She wrapped her leg around his hip and rode his thigh, making him groan. His huge hand grabbed her ass and lifted her right onto the mammoth bulge in his pants.
She gasped and rocked her hips forward, grinding on him as his hot tongue speared her mouth in a blistering kiss. She shook with need as he dry-humped her against the wall, dragging his cock along her slit and hitting a spot that made her eyes roll back in her head.
“Viggo…” she couldn’t help moaning against his mouth.
He broke their kiss and gripped the hem of her hoodie with one hand, tugging it over her head and up her arms before throwing it somewhere behind him. When she arched off the wall he recaptured her wrists, keeping them bound above her head while his other hand unhooked the front clasp of her strapless bra and let it fall away.
Her breath stalled as he stared down at her naked breasts. Her nipples were thrusting brazenly toward him as if to let him know how much they’d missed him. He must have had the same thought because an infuriating little smirk tugged at his lips before he palmed her breast, reveling in the full weight of it as she shivered from head to toe.
Lowering his head, he wrapped his lips around her diamond-hard nipple, making her groan. He deepened the suction, sucking her with long, strong pulls that had her womb clenching and her knees almost buckling.
As she whimpered and squirmed against him, he released her nipple and slammed his mouth back down on hers, thrusting his tongue between her lips. He kissed her with a ravenous need that left her breathless and arching against him, trying to climb into his very skin. She was furious with him but oh God, she still wanted the man like nothing she’d ever wanted before.
He ripped his mouth from hers, breath rasping out.
She stared up at him, her breasts heaving as he freed her wrists from the wall. Her hands fell upon his shoulders when he dropped to his haunches and yanked off her sneakers and socks. Then he grabbed the waistband of her leggings, pulling them down and with them her sodden panties.
He tossed them aside, his gaze riveted to her recently waxed mound. When he bent toward her, she put her hand on his head to stop him.
“No.” Her voice was sharp. “You haven’t earned back that privilege.”
His eyes glowed up at her like molten silver. “You’re right. I need to get inside you first.”
Her heart went topsy-turvy as he surged to his feet, tearing open his zipper and shoving his pants and briefs down to his thighs. His cock jutted out from under his shirttails, huge and hard.
She let out a hungry whimper, the tip of her tongue wetting her bottom lip.
A low growl rumbled in his throat before he grabbed her hips and lifted her, holding her against the wall with the weight of his body. She wrapped her legs around him as he gripped his massive cock and positioned himself at her slick opening, easing just the head inside.
She wanted him so bad she was ready to beg, and that pissed her off even more. “I’m so fucking done with you,” she panted.
“No, you aren’t. Not even close.” He slid in another few inches and then paused to stare into her eyes, letting her know who was in charge. Who was in control. It was a look that told her he was going to fuck her good and hard. She wouldn’t have it any other way.
“What’re you waiting for?” she rasped, flexing her muscles around him. “I don’t have all damn—”
“Don’t ever leave me again,” he breathed dangerously, close to the edge. “And don’t even think about going near any other man.”
She managed to glower at him. “You can’t—”
He thrust his hips, driving his length deep into her core.
She screamed his name, squeezing her eyes shut as raw pleasure slammed into her and snatched the breath from her lungs.
“Open your eyes,” he commanded darkly. “I want you to look at me when I fuck you.”
She made a pitiful whimpering noise, but did as he told her.
“Du är min,” he growled and began rocking into her.
She threw back her head with a sob of pleasure, her nails raking his back through his shirt. He shuddered against her, a primal groan rumbling out of his chest.
Scooping his hands under the curve of her ass, he pounded into her with relentless strokes that shook the wall and probably the roof.
She clung to him, crossing her ankles above his fiercely clenching ass cheeks. Her pulse jackhammered with every bounce of her breasts, every thud of her back against the wall, every slam of his hips that made her cry out in ecstasy. The scent of sex and fury, desperation and need rose between them like pheromones, intoxicating her senses. He was as rough and ruthless as she’d expected. And it was absolutely perfect, just what they’d both needed.
Staring possessively into her eyes, he eased one of his hands between their bodies and stroked her clit in time with his ferocious thrusts. It felt so good she moaned loudly and lustfully.
“That’s right,” he growled in feral satisfaction. “Don’t fucking tell me you’re done with me. We’re just getting started.”
“I thought you were mad at me,” she managed to choke out. “Why the hell did you come back?”
“Because I can’t live without you.” His eyes blazed into hers, scorching her body and branding her soul. “I love you, Scarlett.”
Her heart soared, tears rushing into her eyes. “Oh God…”
“I. Fucking. Love. You.” He punctuated each word with a thrust of his hips. “Do you understand? I don’t want anyone else. You’re it for me. Now and forever.”
“I love you, too,” she cried, reeling with euphoria. “I always have.”
He kissed her fiercely as he drove harder into her, delivering more power with every stroke. She came violently, crying out against his mouth in ecstatic release.
He let out a rough sob as he exploded, pumping jets of semen deep inside her. He shuddered and groaned through the entire orgasm, slapping the wall with his hand as he poured everything he had into the spasming depths of her body.
Long moments later, he buried his face in the hollow of her neck, their hearts thundering together as her breasts clung to his sweat-dampened shirt.
Her eyes were closed, a dreamy smile curving her lips. She was so happy she thought she might float away.
“Ah, Scarlett.” Viggo whispered her name like the most reverent prayer. “Scarlett, Scarlett, Scarlett. Min själ.”
She pressed a kiss to his hair and rubbed her face against the soft strands. When he exhaled long and slow, the bristles on his jaw tickled her skin and made her giggle.
Slowly he lifted his head, brushing her hair off her face as he murmured, “What’s so funny?”
She dragged her eyes open to give him a lazy smile. “I missed you.”
He gave her a look so indescribably tender that her ovaries ached. “I’m never letting you go,” he said with quiet fervency. “Never again.”
She cradled his face in her palm. “I’m holding you to that.”
An hour later, they snuggled together in bed with her head resting against his chest, his arm wrapped securely around her waist, their hands and legs entwined. It was pure bliss.
“What was that thing you called me?” she whispered.
“What thing?” Viggo’s voice was lazy, a contented murmur.
“It sounded a little like ‘mean well.’”
“Min själ.” He was smiling. “It means ‘my soul.’”
Everything inside her turned to mush. God, she loved this man.
“What time is the party?” His voice flowed over her like warm molasses.
“It starts at seven. But I should get back soon to help the guys finish setting up.”
His lips nuzzled her hair. “I’ll go with you.”
“Awesome.” She grinned like an idiot. “We’re stringing fairy lights on the trees, and my job’s letting us borrow the karaoke equipment.”
A chuckle rumbled in Viggo’s chest. “Karaoke with Off The Grid. Sounds like fun.”
Her grin widened. “I expect you to get up there and rock the hell out. Same goes for Reid, Logan and Hunter.”
He released another gravelly chuckle. “I’ll see what we can do.”
She laughed as she laced and unlaced their fingers, marveling at how much longer and broader his were. “We’re expecting a really nice turnout. My family’s coming, Seth is bringing some friends, and the guys invited most of their neighbors. By the way,” she added warmly, “they really love their new neighborhood. With all those young people and hipsters and artists, it couldn’t be more perfect for them.” She tilted her head back to smile at Viggo. “That’s why you chose that house, isn’t it?”
He nodded, rubbing slow circles on her back with his other hand.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For everything.”
A crooked little smile curved his lips. “You don’t have to keep thanking me, Scarlett. You’re not indebted to me.”
“But—”
“Like I told you before, I’m a huge fan of Off The Grid and I want you guys to keep putting out great music. I just did my part to help the cause.” His tone softened. “I’m sorry everything got so fucked up and complicated. I just hope we can put that whole misunderstanding behind us and move on.”
Her heart melted with gratitude. “I have so moved on.”
“Same.” His eyes glinted at her. “Seth kept me updated on everything. I’m really proud of you guys for completing the album. I can’t wait to hear it.”
Scarlett beamed. “Once Seth and his engineers finish working their magic, we’ll have a private listening party for you and my family.”
“Awesome.” Viggo lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers, watching her lips part as her breath quickened. “I just remembered we have the GQ interview tomorrow morning.”
“Holy crap,” she exclaimed. “I totally forgot!”
“So did I.”
“The editor’s coming here, right?”
“Yeah. At eleven. Does that work for you?”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “I’m just glad we kissed and made up before the interview.”
“Me, too,” Viggo murmured, still nuzzling her fingers. “After the interview, let’s go pick up your stuff and bring it back home.”
She smiled, warm pleasure curling through her. “Don’t waste any time, do you?”
“Too much time has already been wasted.”
“Agreed.” She gave him a rueful smile. “Sorry about the guys trying to fight you.”
He snorted. “Are you kidding? I woulda kicked their asses if they hadn’t tried to protect you.”
She laughed. “Save all that aggression for Friday’s game against Tampa Bay.” When he grunted at the reminder, she gave him a ruthless little smile. “On behalf of all Denver Rebels fans, I want you to demolish Jöran Axelsson and send that motherfucker crying back to Florida. You feel me?”
Viggo smiled darkly. “Aye, milady.”
“Ooh, milady. I like that.” She grinned.
He brushed his lips over her hand, chuckling when she batted her lashes at him.
Sobering after several moments, she unlaced their fingers and gently cupped his cheek, her eyes probing his for a long moment.
“What happened between you and your grandfather?” she asked quietly.
His expression instantly darkened, jaw clenching. “It’s a long story.”
“I’d like to hear it.” She didn’t want to cause him any pain, but it hurt that he was keeping such a big part of himself from her. “Why didn’t you tell me you’ve been estranged from him for six years?”
“Because talking about it is painful. When I’m with you I feel untouchable. Invincible. Like nothing and no one can ever hurt me again.” He tightened his arm around her. “I’m trying to hold on to that feeling for as long as I possibly can.”
Scarlett studied the deep shadows in his eyes, her heart twisting with compassion. Whatever had happened in the past must have been devastating. She knew it would be hard to hear and even harder to stomach. But she was ready to listen. Ready to comfort him. Ready to help make him whole.
His broad chest expanded on a deep breath. “I’ll tell you everything after the game on Friday, I promise. Until then I just wanna hold you and savor you the way I’ve been dying to for weeks.”
She slid her fingers around his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers, kissing and nuzzling him softly, breathing him in.
“I love you,” she whispered. It felt so good to say the words to him, not just in the secret chambers of her heart. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, too.” Angling himself over her, he eased her onto her back and gazed down at her with adoring eyes. “One more hour.”
Her heart squeezed at the memory of their time together in Buffalo. One more day, he’d asked her on Christmas morning. Let’s stay one more day.
She’d refused him before. No way was she refusing him now.
Giving him a seductive smile, she curved her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist. “One more hour.”
With his eyes steady on hers, he entered her slowly, penetrating her slick walls as easily as he’d penetrated and stolen her heart.