I removed the ice pack and eased her arm out to the side so I could get a better look at it, like I actually thought the horrendous marks might have disappeared in the last two minutes. "How's it feel?"
Addy shrugged, her gaze not quite meeting mine. "It's okay."
"Liar." I tossed the ice pack on the counter then leaned in closer and slid my arm around her shoulders. She rested her head against my chest with a little sigh that lodged straight in my heart.
"It's just a bruise. I'll be fine."
I stepped closer, fitting myself between her legs, then tightened my arm around her. I wanted to hold her, just like this, and never let her go. I'd never felt this way about another woman before, never had this urge to just hold someone. I wasn't sure what it was about Addy that made me want all these different things and honestly, I didn't really care. Not right now. Maybe part of it was from walking in and seeing that asshole's hands on her. Seeing what he'd been ready to do. In fact, I was pretty sure that accounted for maybe twenty percent of these odd feelings. As for the other eighty percent...no idea and again, I didn't care. I figured they'd probably go away or at least ease up in fifty years or so and I was totally fine with that.
What I wasn't okay with was how easily Addy seemed to be dismissing what had happened. How readily she was able to accept that the asshole would get away with what he'd done. Not just to her but to her sister as well. When she told me everything that had happened and explained why she'd gone toe-to-toe with the fucker—because yeah, I asked—I nearly lost it again and would have gone after him right then and there. The only thing stopping me was the fact that we were back at my place when I'd finally thought to ask her for the details.
I breathed in, catching the faint floral scent of Addy's shampoo, something light and fresh. Then I eased away and looked down at her, my heart slamming into my chest like a slap shot hitting the pipes. She tilted her head back, her quizzical gaze meeting mine.
There were so many things I wanted to say to her, so many questions I wanted to ask. Why she'd faced him down instead of going for help. Why she'd insisted on me not doing anything. Why she was so certain that nothing would happen to him, and so accepting of that.
But what I really wanted to say, the words that were most important to say, were—
"I love you."
I blinked, wondering if maybe I'd dozed off and started dreaming. Yeah, those were the exact three words I wanted to say but they hadn't come from me—
They'd come from Addy.
And like a damn idiot, I just stood there, staring at her. Probably with my mouth hanging open, too. Yeah, I'd told her the same thing last night and yeah, I'd been planning on telling her again just a few seconds ago. But I hadn't thought I'd hear them from her. At least, not this soon.
Hoped? Yeah, absolutely.
But thought? Hell, no.
Her gaze slid from mine and I realized that I'd been standing there, not saying a word, for too long. I caught her chin with two fingers and tilted her head back before she could look away then pressed my mouth against hers.
Warm. Sweet. And perfectly Addy.
Perfect for me.
I gently broke the kiss then rested my forehead against hers. "Thank you."
A frown creased her forehead and she pulled back, not bothering to hide her confusion. "Why are you thanking me?"
"For taking a chance on me after I acted like an ass all those weeks ago." I leaned forward and kissed her again, just a quick one. "I love you, Addy."
The sweetest damn smile I'd ever seen spread across her face. She draped her arms around my neck and pressed her body closer to mine. Heat rushed through me when our mouths met, hot and wet and demanding. Claiming, Possessing. Giving. Taking.
I wanted nothing more than to scoop her into my arms and carry her into my bedroom. To toss her in the middle of my bed and kiss every inch of her. To see her skin flush and pebble with every lick of my tongue, with every caress of my hands.
I swallowed a groan and stepped back, ending the kiss before I lost the last tenuous hold on my control. As much as I wanted to take Addy back to my room, I couldn't—
Because Marie was in there, taking a nap. Because I hadn't bothered to buy a spare bed for the second bedroom. Hell, I hadn't even bothered to unpack half of the boxes holding all my shit.
I glanced over at the leather sofa, knowing the damn thing was more than big enough for what I wanted to do. Addy must have known exactly what I was thinking because she smiled and shook her head.
"No."
"But—"
"No. Not when my sister could wake up at any minute."
I started to kiss her again, positive I could change her mind, but a loud knock on my door forced us apart. Even I jumped back, the sound completely unexpected. Addy looked as confused as I felt and I motioned for her to stay there as I moved to the door. It was too early for it to be any of the guys—there was at least another hour left in the afternoon game—
A game I wasn't playing in because the coach hadn't been given a choice, not since the Bourdons were playing at home. I was officially in limbo.
No, probably not anymore. Any hope I might have had that my agent could swing some last-minute miracle had totally disintegrated a few hours earlier. I wasn't naive, I'd seen the writing on the wall even before today's events.
And if I hadn't, the man staring back at me when I opened the door would have taken care of any delusions—and hope—I might still be harboring.
We stood there, facing off like two rivals at center ice. My first instinct was to jam my shoulder into his chest then shut the door in his face and I was pretty sure he was thinking something similar.
As much as I wanted to do it, though, I couldn't. He was Addy's father. And no matter what I thought of him, I wasn't going to say or do anything that might create a bigger wedge between them.
Maybe Landry felt the same way because he finally offered me a curt nod. "Shaw."
I acknowledged the greeting with my own curt nod but didn't bother stepping back or inviting him inside. His gaze slid past me, no doubt searching out Addy, and I knew the exact instant he got a good look at her arm. His dark eyes narrowed the slightest bit and his jaw clenched so damn hard I was pretty sure I heard his back teeth shatter.
He turned back to me and for a brief second, I thought I saw real regret in his gaze. Or maybe it had been a trick of the light because when I looked again, it was gone.
"I'd like to talk to you, if you don't mind." His gaze drifted to Addy then back to me. "Alone."
I tightened my hand around the edge of the door and held the man's gaze for the space of several heartbeats. Then I very deliberately shook my head.
"We can talk if you want but you don't dictate what Addy does. If she wants to give you privacy, that's her choice. Not yours." Especially not here in my own damn home, but I didn't say that last part out loud. From the expression that crossed Landry's face, I didn't have to—he'd heard it loud and clear.
I finally stepped back to allow him in, then very deliberately closed the door and moved past him to stand next to Addy. It was a totally possessive move on my part but I wanted to send him a clear message.
A message that grew even clearer when Addy curled her hand around mine. I squeezed her fingers, pissed that they were now cold and trembling. Landry's gaze dropped to our clasped hands then shot back to mine. No, he wasn't happy. At all.
Tough shit. He could either deal with it or get out.
Several minutes passed by as Landry quietly studied the apartment. His expression was carefully blank but I had no doubts that he was judging it and finding it lacking. My place wasn't a cheap hovel—far from it, despite the minimal furnishings and stacks of boxes shoved against one wall. But I'd seen the place where Addy had been born and raised and lived. I could have had a professional decorator come in here to dress the place up and it still wouldn't have measured up to Landry's expectations.
He finally turned his attention on me, his ex
pression carefully blank. "I came to thank you."
The words blindsided me, they were so completely unexpected. I think they surprised Addy, too, because I felt her body jerk just the tiniest bit. I opened my mouth to say something—what, I had no idea—but Landry stopped me with a simple shake of his head.
"I also came to tell you that my attorneys are in the process of reaching out to your agent." Landry's gaze shifted to Addy then back to me. My lungs froze and for a solid minute, I was positive my heart stopped beating. This was it, the news I'd been preparing myself for. The news I'd been dreading. My hockey career was officially over, finished before I had a chance to redeem myself.
At least he had the balls to tell me to my face. I had to give him credit for that much.
"I hope you like New Orleans because you'll be playing for the Bourdons for a while."
I saw his mouth move. I heard the words. But there was a slight pause before their actual meaning sunk in. Even then I just stood there, afraid to move. To breathe. Afraid to believe.
But I wasn't hearing things and the words weren't just wishful thinking. Landry was dead serious.
I fought against the dizziness of overwhelming relief and managed to clear my throat enough that I could actually get out a few coherent words. "Thank you."
"Coach Somers told me he expects a lot out of you. I'll expect the same, and not just on the ice." Landry's gaze dropped once more to our clasped hands, his meaning perfectly clear. I wasn't foolish enough to think he approved of me being with Addy—I had a feeling I'd never live up to his expectations—but something told me he wouldn't interfere.
At least, not too much.
Landry took an awkward step forward then hesitated. I could sense his discomfort, knew he had no idea how to mend whatever rift had been widened between Addy and him. I sensed the same coming from Addy, could feel it in the way her hand trembled in mine and the new tension overlaying the relief she'd felt when he'd announced I'd be staying with the Bourdons.
And if they couldn't figure out how to mend their relationship, I sure as hell couldn't. But he was Addy's father. I could at least make an effort.
I shifted my weight from one foot to the other then awkwardly motioned to the refrigerator against the far wall. "Can I get you something to drink?"
The offer surprised him and he hesitated before slowly shaking his head. "No, but thank you. I have another meeting I need to get to." He looked down at the bruises circling Addy's arm then, for the first time since he walked through my door, he looked directly at Addy. "I'm having charges brought against Quinn. I'm sure Harding will do his best to have them dropped. He might even succeed. But even if he does, Quinn won't be able to harass anyone again. I'll make sure of it. I just wanted you to know that. And I'm sorry, Adelaide. For everything."
He looked back at me and offered another curt nod then turned and started toward the door. I glanced at Addy, saw the tension in her shoulders and the tears filling her eyes. I also noticed the mix of uncertainty and yearning on her face. Maybe I didn't know everything that had happened between them, maybe I never would—that would be up to Addy to tell me but only if she wanted to. And no matter what I thought of Landry, he was her father and I had a feeling she wanted to try to repair their relationship as much as he did.
I released her hand then placed my palm in the middle of her back, gently nudging her from the stool. She hesitated, the uncertainty still clear on her face. I offered her a nod of encouragement then stood back, letting her know the choice was hers.
Addy still hesitated, finally calling out when Landry's hand closed over the doorknob. "Daddy, wait."
The man turned and I was surprised to see the emotion on his face. Regret. Shame. Sorrow. Grief. And, beneath it all, reluctant hope.
Addy rushed toward him, her arms going around his waist as he pulled her into a gentle hug. I turned away, giving them privacy, deliberately tuning out their low words as they spoke for several long minutes. Then I heard the door close and turned in time to catch Addy as she launched herself into my arms.
"Everything okay?"
"It will be. In time." She wiped the tears I pretended not to notice against my shirt then tilted her head back. "You get to stay here and keep playing."
"Yeah, I do."
"Good. I didn't want you to move."
"Addy, I wasn't planning on moving anywhere, whether I kept playing or not."
"But—"
"Why the hell would I move away from the woman I love?" I tightened my arms around her waist and pulled her closer. "I hate to break it to you but you're stuck with me, Addy."
"I think I can handle that."
"Yeah? You sure about that?"
"Oh, definitely." She leaned up on her toes and pressed her mouth to mine in a searing kiss that made me forget everything except the woman in my arms.
I had no idea what the future held. For me. For Addy. For the two of us together. All I knew was that there would always be an us, no matter what. I'd break every damn rule in the book to make sure it happened.
After all, breaking rules is what I do best...
Epilogue
Nathan
Three years later.
"Are you nervous?"
"Who, me?" I forced a laugh and shook my head. "Why the hell would I be nervous?"
Dylan lounged against the wall, a shit-eating grin playing around his mouth as he tossed the small box up in the air then caught it. Again. Over and over until I was ready to reach out and grab the box with one hand—and maybe slam him in the face with the other.
I sucked in a deep breath instead and focused on adjusting the bow tie. I wanted it to be just right. No, I wanted it perfect.
A man only got married once. At least, he did if he was doing things right—and I had every intention of doing this right.
"Yeah, you're definitely nervous."
I caught Tristan's reflection in the mirror and frowned. Thought about denying it. Decided it wasn't worth the headache—because they were right, both of them.
Damn straight, I was nervous. I was getting married.
To Addy.
Which is exactly what I wanted for the last three years. She was exactly what I wanted. I wasn't nervous about the fact we were getting married—I was nervous that we were getting married here. At her father's home.
Addy's relationship with her father had healed and even improved over the last three years. My relationship with Landry, on the other hand...well, I still wasn't convinced he entirely approved. Addy kept assuring me he did but I figured she was just trying to keep the peace between us.
Not that I cared one way or the other because it was Addy I loved and it was Addy I was spending the rest of my life with. That didn't mean a small part of me couldn't be just a little worried.
"You almost done? We need to get out there."
I glared at Dylan, shot one last look at my reflection, then nodded. The three of us headed down the sweeping staircase and made our way outside and across the manicured lawn. A white arbor was set up in the shade of the huge magnolia trees that bordered the property, the full blooms filling the air with their sweet scent. Guests were already in their seats, decked out in their best clothes under the bright blue sky.
The setting was perfect and I suddenly understood why Addy had insisted on the wedding taking place here instead of some fancy hotel. As far as I was concerned, we could have gotten married at the courthouse—not that I'd been stupid enough to say that out loud. At least, not after the first time.
I took my place in front of the minister, trying to hide my nervousness during those few silent minutes of expectant silence as everyone waited for the ceremony to begin. The music started and a minute later, the back door opened and Marie stepped out, a wide smile on her face as she made her way up the makeshift aisle. Jacqui soon followed, wearing a pair of her signature stilettos that would put her at least a full head above everyone else.
I caught her gaze as she approached the arbor and nod
ded in silent acknowledgment at what I owed her. Addy's best friend had turned into my biggest ally and, as odd as it sounded, she was part of my family now, the same way my teammates were part of my family. It may have taken us a while and a hell of a lot of bumps and bruises along the way, but we'd finally become a real team.
The music changed, soft strands filling the air with anticipation. I straightened my shoulders and reached up to check my tie but Dylan nudged me from behind, stopping me. I started to turn and say something but Addy appeared just then and my entire world stopped.
No, it didn't stop—
It started.
My heart ached just looking at her, she was so damn beautiful. Her thick hair was swept up in some fancy style that was also sexy as hell, with loose strands curling around her face and teasing the back of her neck. The gown was almost as beautiful as she was, a simple off-the-shoulder sheath that clung to her curves before flaring out below her knees and trailing behind her in a shimmering wave.
My gaze met hers and what I saw in the depths of her dark eyes knocked the breath from my lungs.
Love.
Pure. Complete. Eternal.
It was the same thing that burned in my gaze every damn time I looked at her.
She came to a stop a few feet away, a small smile teasing her full mouth before her gaze drifted to the minister.
"Gerard, do you support Adelaide in her wedding to Nathan today?"
I inwardly cringed at the question, wishing once again that Addy had nixed it from the ceremony. Then I held my breath as I met my future father-in-law's gaze. A second went by, then another and another and I was starting to think he was going to say no. That he'd shake his head and drag Addy up the aisle, away from me.
"It's my pleasure to do so."
I stood there, momentarily stunned by the conviction in his voice and the hand he was extending to me. I stepped forward and accepted it, surprised to realize he actually meant it, that this wasn't just some show for the guests.
Rule Breaker (New Orleans Bourdons Book 1) Page 16
