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“No, that’s not what I’m trying to say. Look at it like this: a lot of guys who have no chance of making it to the pros toil away in the minors for years. The travel sucks. The money’s even worse. It’s like being trapped at a shitty job, right—most of these guys have no chance of being promoted, but they stick around because they don’t know what the hell else to do with their lives. That was the path your dad was on until you came along. Hehatedbeing on the road, away from you and Eleanor.”
I sighed and stared at the floor. “I guess I don’t really understand the difference you’re making.”
“Isabelle, you were the wake-up call your dad needed that hockey wasn’t his calling, no matter how much he might’ve thought he wanted it. I’m really sorry for how that’s played out inyourlife—because I think you’re picking up on his disappointment that he didn’t have what it took. But youare not the reason he came up short. In fact, you’re the best thing that ever happened to him. You gave his life meaning. And I can promise you he’d agree with me.” He gently lifted my chin and stared into my eyes. “Am I making sense now?”
Rust couldn’t magically sweep away all my conflicting emotions or heal years of guilt and shame, but hehadgiven me a new perspective to see things from.
I blew out a heavy breath and said, “Yeah. I think I get it.”
“By the way, I’m not saying that your dadisn’ta total ass-hat,” Rust said, and we both shared a much needed laugh.
“It’s just not my fault,” I said. “I didn’t ruin his life.”
“Exactly.”
“Thank you for telling me all that. I feel better already.” I rested my head on his solid chest. “You’re really, really sweet, Rust.”
He stroked my hair. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Glad I could help.”
For a few sweet minutes, we sat in silence, basking in each other’s warmth and company. His pec was like a pillow, and my head rose and fell with his breath. He kept playing with my hair, twirling his fingers in it and running his hand through it like a comb, all the way down to my waist.
“You know, I really love your hair,” he said, his voice husky.
“Yeah? You do?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. First thing I noticed about you, back in the club box. That long, beautiful hair.”
“Really? I was in that sexy red dress, but myhairwas the first thing you noticed, huh?”
“Okay, fine.” I could hear his smile in his voice. “The rest of you looked pretty damn amazing, too. But I’m abigfan of your hair.”
“Well, I like it when you play with it,” I said. “And I really love your abs, by the way.” I ran my fingers up and down his chiseled six-pack. I lightened my touch and dragged my fingertips through the carved ‘V’ lines that pointed like an arrow towards his crotch.
“Oh, look!” I giggled. My touch had woken his manhood. His dick began to grow with every beat of his heart, pump by pump. His growing cock eagerly reached for my hand like a vine growing towards the light. I lightly raked my nails just above his cock, making it give chase. Rust’s girth began to fill as his he pumped longer and harder until—
“Isabelle,” Rust groaned, lifting my head off his chest.
Our eyes met, a tension dancing between us.
“Yes?” I asked teasingly.
He set his hand on my cheek, his brow heavy. If looks could speak, his said something like,Why do you have to torture me like this?
“C’mon,” Rust said at last. “We can’t.”
“Can’t what?” I asked sweetly.
“You know what you’re doing.”
“I can’t help it. I like you,” I said. “Won’t you kiss me? At least?”
He blew a frustrated gust of air through gritted teeth. “Iwantto. Believe me. I wantyou so fucking bad.”
“And I want you,” I whispered. “So just do it.”
“I told you, Isabelle. I can’t. Johnny’s my best friend. I can’t throw that away for a fling.”
“Well …” I wagged my head from side to side.
