Chapter 18 Elyse

I wake early, leaning over to check on Jack. He seems to be resting peacefully, and I guess the shot finally took away enough pain for him to sleep. I'm about to tiptoe out of bed to avoid waking him when he suddenly grabs me with his good arm, hauling me on top of him. I let out a startled giggle as his eyes pop open. "You aren't asleep," I say, voice heavy with accusation.

"Oh, I'm up." He thrusts his hips, pressing his stiff cock against my thigh. "And I have a problem I think you can help me with."

"Oh, yeah?" I ask, grinning. "What kind of problem is that?"

He reaches for the hem of my shirt and pulls it over my head with his good arm. "This kind of problem."

I lean forward and kiss him, my tongue sliding against his. I'm soaking wet already, and I grind my pelvis against his, desperate for some friction. He groans, and I pull back. "Did I hurt you?"

"No, baby. You're just driving me crazy."

I bite my lip. "You probably shouldn't…"

He groans. "What if I let you do all the work?"

I pretend to consider it. "I suppose I could do that."

"Good. Now get that sweet ass of yours naked and ride me."

I grin and scramble off the bed, pulling down my panties and kicking them aside. I climb back on the bed and straddle him, reaching for the waistband of his boxers.

"Wait," he says, grabbing my wrist. "Let me look at you first."

My cheeks heat, but I stay still, letting him stare at my naked body.

"Fuck, Elyse. You're so damn beautiful."

I smile and reach for his boxers again, tugging them down. His cock springs free, and I wrap my hand around it, stroking him a few times.

He groans. "Baby, if you keep doing that, this will be over before it starts."

I give him a wicked grin and release him, reaching for the drawer of his nightstand. I grab a condom and rip it open, rolling it onto his cock.

"Hurry up, baby. I need to be inside you."

I position myself above him and slowly sink down, taking him inch by inch until he's fully seated inside me. We both groan when I start to move, riding him slowly.

"That's it, baby. Just like that."

I pick up the pace, bouncing on his cock. He grips my hip with his good arm, helping me move. His other arm rests on the pillow beside him, and I know he's trying not to use it.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't stop."

I continue moving, my breasts bouncing with each thrust. My clit rubs against him, sending sparks of pleasure through me as his cock tightens. He's going to come before me if I don't do something to change that, so I reach between us to rub my clit.

His breath hisses between his teeth. "That is a sexy sight. Show me how you like to touch yourself."

I rub faster, feeling the pressure build.

"That's it. Make yourself come on my cock. I want to feel you squeeze me with your pussy."

His dirty talk pushes me over the edge, and I cry out as I come, shuddering with pleasure as I clench around him.

"Oh, fuck, baby. That's it. Milk my cock with your pussy." He thrusts up into me a few more times, grunting as he spills into the condom. I collapse on top of him, resting my head on his chest.

"Wham, bam," I say breathlessly.

"Thank you, ma'am," he says with a laugh.

"Maybe quickies get an unfair reputation," I say as I snuggle closer. We lay together for a while, enjoying the afterglow. Finally, I sit up and slide off him to remove the condom, tossing it in the trash.

"Did you mean it…last night?" he asks suddenly.

I blink and look at him. "Mean what?"

"That you love me?"

My heart skips a beat. I did say that, didn't I? "Yes," I whisper. "I meant it."

He smiles and pulls me closer, kissing me softly. "Good, because I love you too. I'm sorry I pulled away and nearly let Karina come between us. The team's lawyer is filing paperwork for a restraining order, so we won't have to worry about her anymore."

"Thank God," I murmur. "I was worried she'd try to hurt you again."

"I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about you. She could've really hurt you, but then, maybe I hurt you worse in a different way, by trying to protect you."

I smile and kiss him. "I'm fine. I promise. And now that she's out of the picture, we can focus on our future together." I kiss his cheek. "After a shower."

Stretching languidly, I slip out of bed and head into the bathroom for a quick shower. As I lather up, my thoughts drift to Jack and what I need to talk with him about.

He wants to support me in exposing Coach Matthews' unethical practices, and I'm grateful for his loyalty. Still, a part of me worries about the potential consequences, not just for Jack's career but for our relationship.

Pushing aside those concerns for now, I step out and towel off, dressing in a crisp white blouse and navy pencil skirt. A glance in the mirror reveals a slight flush to my cheeks, no doubt from this morning's lingering intimacies. I apply a touch of makeup, letting my eyes shine through, and run my fingers through my dark locks, allowing them to fall in sleek waves around my shoulders.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lures me into the kitchen, where I find Jack already up and about, clad in nothing but a pair of low-slung sweatpants that hug his muscular frame enticingly. He turns at my approach, a lopsided grin spreading across his handsome features.

"I missed you, beautiful," he says, pulling me into an embrace and claiming my lips in a searing kiss that leaves me breathless.

"It's only been fifteen minutes," I say against his chest, inhaling his masculine scent. "But…fine. I missed you too."

A low chuckle reverberates through him. His steel-gray eyes sparkle with mirth before turning serious. "So, about today…"

I nod, understanding his meaning. "You really want to come with me?"

"Absolutely." His determination is evident. "Vince is a good guy, who got royally screwed over by Matthews. If I can help get some justice for him, I want to do that."

Warmth blossoms at Jack's support. "Thank you, Jack."

He tenderly cups my face, his thumb caressing my cheekbone. "I'm all in, no matter what."

Leaning into his touch, I allow myself a moment to enjoy being near him before reluctantly pulling away. "We should get going. I want to catch Dervin before the morning meeting."

He nods, already heading for the bedroom to get dressed. I busy myself with packing my briefcase, double-checking that I have all the pertinent files and notes. A short while later, he emerges looking effortlessly handsome in a crisp button-down and slacks, his hair artfully tousled. He catches my appreciative gaze and winks roguishly.

"See something you like, Counselor?"

"Maybe," I tease back, falling easily into our playful banter, "But we'd better get a move on before I get too distracted."

He chuckles, snagging his jacket from the back of a chair. "Lead the way, gorgeous."

The walk to the law firm is a comfortable silence, our hands intertwined. I steal glances at Jack, marveling at how right this all feels.

He catches me staring and quirks an eyebrow questioningly. "Everything okay?"

I nod, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "More than okay. I'm just…really glad you're here with me."

The corners of his eyes crinkle with affection. "Nowhere else I'd rather be."

Those simple words warm me from the inside out, bolstering my confidence as we walk into the building. In the lobby, Jack tugs me close for one last searing kiss that leaves me dizzy.

"For luck," he says against my lips.

I can only nod dumbly, utterly captivated by this man. Regaining my composure, I straighten my skirt and lead the way to the elevators, Jack's solid presence at my back anchoring me. When the elevator stops on the right floor, we make our way to the employee lounge, the same place I first met Dervin just a few weeks ago. It feels like a lifetime.

The lounge is empty save for Kerry, the other intern, who is nursing a cup of coffee and scrolling through her phone. She looks up as we enter, her eyes widening almost comically. "Elyse, hi. And…Jack Ford? The hockey player?"

I grin at her starstruck expression. "The one and only. Kerry, this is my…Jack. Jack, Kerry."

Jack shakes her hand with easy charm. "Nice to meet you."

Kerry is practically vibrating with excitement. "Oh, my. I can't believe you're dating a Firebird."

I open my mouth to clarify, but Jack beats me to it, slinging an arm casually around my shoulders.

"Elyse is one of a kind," he says in a low rumble that sends delicious shivers down my spine. "I'm a lucky guy."

The sincerity in his tone renders me momentarily speechless. Kerry, oblivious to my inner turmoil, just giggles delightedly.

"I'll say. I'd better get going—lots of research to do. It was great meeting you, Jack." She scurries off, leaving Jack and me alone.

I turn to face him, searching his expression. "You didn't have to do that, you know. Play up the boyfriend act."

He shrugs, tucking an errant strand of my hair behind my ear. "It's not an act."

The tender gesture, combined with the heated look in his eyes, steals my breath away. Before I can formulate a response, the sound of approaching footsteps breaks the moment. I straighten instinctively as Dervin Kobin strides in, his sharp gaze immediately zeroing in on Jack.

"If it isn't the infamous Jack Ford, captain of the Firebirds." His tone is clipped, bordering on hostile. "I must say, I'm surprised to see you here, Mr. Ford."

Jack meets his stare evenly, his arm still draped around me in a protective gesture. "Elyse has filled me in on your…activities regarding the Firebirds organization."

Dervin's eyes narrow dangerously. "Is that so? And what, pray tell, has Miss Masterson told you exactly?"

I step forward, placing myself between the two men. "Enough to know that Coach Matthews has been engaging in unethical and potentially illegal conduct that has jeopardized player safety and careers."

Dervin arches an incredulous brow. "You found proof, Miss Masterson?"

"She did," says Jack. "From multiple sources, including the team doctor and me."

He folds his arms across his chest, sizing us up contemplatively. "I see, and I take it you intend to share evidence against Matthews and the Firebirds organization?"

"That's the plan," I say, holding his gaze steadily.

A tense silence stretches between us, the air thick with unspoken challenge. Finally, he lets out a low chuckle, shaking his head slowly. "Come on back, Mr. Ford." He looks at me. "Good job, Miss Masterson. You could have a really bright future here."