CAUGHT BETWEEN THE HOCKEY BROTHERS

Chapter 3 - Roman

The moment Arianna Sinclair placed her hand on mine , something inside me went completely still.

“Okay, she whispered .”

Just for tonight .

That was what I told her.

But I would do anything to make her stay longer .

As long she needed a place to stay… she’s always welcome to my residence.

I tightened my fingers around hers and started walking .

She followed quietly behind me .

She looked exhausted.

Broken.

And I hated the reason why .

Luca .

It was the first time I actually saw her crying.

While walking to my car as her small hands wrapped around mine .

I noticed she seemed cold .

I paused immediately .

I took off my jacket and placed it on her shoulder .

She adjusted it slightly.

“Thank you” she whispered .

Unexpectedly she actually wrapped her hands around mine again .

She wouldn’t know but it actually made my heart race .

I hate you so much Luca .

But I can’t thank you enough for giving me a chance .

I opened the passenger door for Arianna.

And shut it once she was fully seated.

I walked around to the driver’s side and got in.

Arianna leaned back against the seat , pulling my jacket closer around herself.

My eyes lingered on her for a while before I started the car .

The drive was quiet .

I glanced at her .

She was staring out the window , watching the city lights pass by .

“I feel so stupid.” I heard her whisper as her voice cracked .

In a few minutes we arrived in my suite .

“Arianna we are here..”

No response.

“Arianna?”

Then her head fell against the window .

She was already asleep .

Her chestnut hair covered part of her face.

The anger had disappeared from her expression.

So had the tears.

She looked peaceful.

She looked so beautiful.

Silence filled the car.

I should have woken her up .

But I didn’t want to disrupt her sleep.

I sat there watching her for several minutes .

I had seen her asleep before .

She had fallen asleep at a Valmont family gathering while waiting for Luca .

She’s always waiting .

Then I sighed .

“Alright princess.”

I got out of the car .

She didn’t wake up when I opened the passenger door.

I unbuckled her seatbelt.

The moment I slid one arm beneath her knees and the other behind her back, her head fell against my chest .

I froze .

Her arms moved slightly around my neck .

Barely conscious.

“Roman?”

“Go back to sleep “

She did .

After shutting the door , I saw one of my house attendants rushing towards me .

“Mr Valmont , let me assist your guest to the guest room .”

“No.”

I glanced at her as she slept peacefully in my arms .

“I’ll carry her .”

“Ok sir .”

Once I was in my suite .

I took her straight to my room .

I walked toward the bed and gently lowered her onto the mattress.

I carefully removed her heels .

Her dress was fine .

She looked comfortable.

I pulled the blanket over her.

I pulled out a clean T shirt and a pair of shorts from my closet .

I placed them on the bed, right beside her .

She said we barely knew each other .

If only she knew just how much I knew about her , she probably wouldn’t have agreed to come home with me .

Maybe it was better she didn’t know .

Not yet .

I switched off the light and quietly closed the door behind me .

My hand remained on the doorknob.

“Get a grip of yourself.” I muttered to myself.

I walked towards the living room.

I dropped onto the couch and pulled out my phone .

I went over to i********: and Arianna’s post was the first thing I saw .

I couldn’t like any of her pictures.

I went through her entire account.

Not like I hadn’t seen it all before.

Then I saw a picture of her with Luca .

She was staring straight at him with her smiling eyes but he paid no attention.

All I could think of was the fact that…

I could treat her better than that.

I knew the most ridiculous things about her.

From her favorite coffee order.

To her food habits.

Tiny things .

I always viewed her story highlights even right before a game .

I had convinced myself that watching from a distance was enough.

Tonight proved how badly I had been lying to myself.

I couldn’t help but smile .

Luca finally messed up.

I couldn’t even feel guilty for thinking like that .

He was my brother .

Not my blood .

But family nonetheless.

I put my phone down .

Eventually, exhaustion pulled me under.

I woke up to the smell of coffee .

I opened my eyes and immediately remembered that I was on the couch .

I rubbed a hand over my face .

I quickly stood and looked towards the hallway.

The bedroom door was still closed .

She was still asleep .

My butler was already making my coffee .

“Good morning Robert .”

“Good morning sir….did I wake you up?”

“No not at all, can you make me something different?”

“Something different?” He asked confused .

“Not for me… I have a guest .”

“Ohhh , ok sir .”

“Iced vanilla latte, oat milk, an extra shot of espresso, light ice… thank you .”

Robert made the best coffee.

I knew she would love it .

I left to go take my bath .

When I was back, Robert was already done .

He left both of our drinks on the counter.

I grabbed mine .

It was still perfect .

I sipped my coffee on the counter as I scrolled through my phone .

A few minutes later .

I heard the bedroom door open .

Arianna stood at the end of the hallway .

Wearing my T shirt .

It reached the middle of her thighs .

Her long chestnut hair was messy .

She looked sleepy.

Still confused.

Then our eyes met.

I cleared my throat.

“Morning .”

Her eyes moved around my house .

Then back to me .

“I hope you don’t mind me wearing your clothes ?”

“They look good on you .”

I grabbed her coffee and handed it to her .

She picked up and took a sip .

Then her eyes widened.

“How do you know my coffee order ?”

“Remember when I took you to the ice rink ? To teach you how to skate when we were younger .”

I chuckled.

“Oh lord, no need to remind me .” She smiled .

“You just thought you could do everything . I tried teaching you but you ended up falling on your face .”

“That was so embarrassing.” She laughed .

“I still hate you for taking me there .”

“Remember I got you coffee to apologize.”

“And you still remember ? That was years ago.”

She said as she sipped her coffee.

“Yh, did you ever learn to ice skate?”

“No.. you left me traumatized .”

“Your house is really nice .”

“You still haven’t changed your style .”

Dark vibes.

Floor to ceiling windows.

“Everything just screams ROMAN”

We both laughed.

“I guess you haven’t changed at all.”

“Can I ask you something though?”

“Hit me up .”

“Can I stay here for a while!”

“Uhn?”

“I mean , I’ll pay rent of course… I don’t really want to stay with Camille anymore.”

My eyes remained on her .

“Sure.”

She blinked.

“Are you sure ?”

“Yeah, why not ?”

“Also I don’t need your money , so NO rent.”

I had to turn away before she saw the smile threatening to spread across my face.

Everything was going exactly according to plan.

Now that she was here in my life.

I had no intention of letting her disappear from it.