Page 116 of Watched

He turns away, the stomp of his leather boots echoing down the corridor. Leather boots, jacket, pants—what the fuck was he thinking? That’s not what Rain wants. He prefers cashmere sweaters and loafers on his partner.

I turn around and wrap my hand around Rain’s throat, pushing him back into the wall.

“Baby.” He grins, dropping his head to the side, looking like a lovesick puppy.

I dig my fingers into his skin and grip his hard dick, my body tight with anger. “I’m still incredibly furious with you, and we may be in disagreement right now, but no one touches what’s fucking mine. Am. I. Clear?”

He bites his lip and groans when I squeeze his balls. “Absolutely, baby.”

Jealousy pulses through my body with every raged heartbeat as I snatch his hand.

I thought I’d be able to move on once all this was said and done, toss him away like I did that prick’s hand and clear my mind of him, but all I can think about is his erotic face while that guy bounces on his dick. An expression only I’m allowed to inflict on him. I’m the only person allowed to touch him.

I hate this bloody bastard for how he makes me feel. I hate that I have no control around him. I hate that he put my family in danger. I hate that, in spite of everything…I’m still falling for him.

“Aston,” an all too familiar voice calls behind us, walking toward the exit. I tighten my fingers in Rain’s, my eyes bulging and breaths taking a downward spiral as I stay standing with my back to Jayce Scott.

How did he get in? We’re all the way in Manchester, but he shouldn’t be allowed in here.

Rain gently strokes hand reassuringly as he turns around. “Can I help you?”

“I need to speak to you, Rome,” Jayce says, closer this time. All I can do is shake my head.

“Leave,” Rain demands. “Or I’ll have security escort you out.”

“Did you help him do it?” Jayce shouts.

My hand trembles, and Rain snakes his arm across my waist, holding me closer and giving me his comforting warmth. “You bribed a referee to throw games against Rome specifically. The last place you should be is in proximity to him.”

“You’ll get what’s coming for you, Aston.”

His footsteps retreat and I release a shuddered breath, wrapping my arm around Rain’s waist. “Th-thank you.”

He cups my cheek, turning my head to face him. “Come on, let’s get to the car.”

Chapter forty-six

ROME

The engine of the jet whirs loudly through the music blasting in my headphones. Rain surveys the tarmac and snatches our bags from the boot, ushering me up the steps of the jet he’d hired, Blade following closely behind.

I move past the sofa and take my seat, my breaths spluttering as I fight with my chilled hands to grip the seat belt. Rain’s move into my vision on my lap, buckling it for me. My right ear bud is gently removed, and I turn my gaze to Rain as he takes his seat beside me. “What was he talking about?” he queries in a soft tone.

“I was the reason he was fired,” I admit quietly.

“Did he hurt you?”

“No. He, um…”

Rain’s hand slides over mine to cease its nervous shaking. “Take your time.” Bile rises up my throat as I look to Blade further down the jet, scrolling on his phone. “Baby,” Rain’s whisper caresses my cheek. “Look at me.”

“He wanted me to suck him off as payment for being drafted,” I choke out, turning my attention back to Rain.

“That piece of fucking shit.”

“I didn’t. I ran out of there and got little game time afterward. He pulled me into his office a month later and said I can ‘rectify what I’d refused to do’. He wanted me to suck him off in return for game time. I refused again and confided in Sergio when he found me in the change room mid-panic attack. Sergio went through every avenue to have Jayce fired. Eventually, the team forced Jayce to make a statement, saying he was ‘retiring’. The team didn’t want to release the true nature of his departure and have bad press surrounding the team. I foolishly signed a twenty-year NDA.”

“Bad—” He cuts himself off, the muscle in his jaw pulsing vigorously.