Jamie’s nervousness abated, and he once again looked like his relaxed self.
“Great photo op,” Ele remarked as they waited for the room to clear.
“Yes. I’m sure the queen will be pleased.”
“What did you say to make him laugh?”
Jamie ignored her question, turning his attention to Robert. “Are we all set?”
“We are,” Robert answered.
Ele looked back and forth between the two of them.
Robert had been put out by her disappearing act with Tristan, so things between her and her head of security had been strained. She understood his annoyance, but she refused to apologize for one of the best days of her life. And she was pretty sure Robert wasn’t expecting an apology.
Will disappeared to check on the status of the room, and Ele waited patiently for the all clear.
“Are you comfortable with the plans for the game tonight?” Jamie asked, stepping closer to her.
She glanced over to him, aware of his concerned tone. Ele gave herself a moment to think through all of the elaborate plans for the evening’s game. It was really unprecedented to be in the same place as Jamie. And in true crazy fashion, she was anxious about not being worried. They’d debated about waiting for the finals to appear together, but with no guarantee to make it, they’d decided on tonight. Only Juliana would miss out, but she’d taken the news rather well. Ever since her disastrous kiss with Rowan Beckwith, she had been compliant and predictable.
“I’m ready.”
Jamie nodded, pleased. “Good. And thank you for coming with me today.”
She smiled. She couldn’t tell him she enjoyed being on the receiving end of his gratitude. For so long, he had propped her up, and she relished in being able to lend her support as Jamie played the overwhelmed fanboy.
At Will’s knock, Ele started for the door.
Jamie’s hand on her arm stopped her. “A token,” he said softly. “Wait.”
He turned away from her and marched to the exit. Robert pulled the door open, and Ele gasped in surprised delight when Tristan bounded through like a hyped Tigger. He rushed her, sweeping her up, her feet dangling. He wasted no time in allowing her to slide down his body until their mouths could properly align. Then, he kissed her. Not a friendly hello peck, but a devouring, hungry, lip-locking, tongue-invading, soul-searing kiss. Ele’s hands slipped up to curve around his neck. Undaunted by a potential audience and unaware of anything other than Tristan’s mouth on hers, Ele let go, meeting his fervor with her own. When they finally came up for air, the room was empty.
Tristan gently set her on the floor before walking her backward until her back hit the wall. “Good surprise?” he asked, his head burrowing under her chin.
She leaned her head back, giving him greater access to her neck. “Best,” she said on a sigh.
“Hmm,” was all he managed as he ran his nose along the length of her neck and his hands slid up her stomach until they reached her breasts.
A sound she could only describe as a purr rumbled in her throat. Even with his hands on her, her body a taut electrical current, she could discern his smile against her skin.
“I like that noise,” he commented, feasting on her neck. His kisses lightened, and he gradually added distance between them. Engulfing her jaw with his hands, he straightened her head, and their eyes met. “Hi.”
Smiling, she said, “Hi yourself.”
He dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. “I don’t have a lot of time.”
Ele quirked a brow. “You have plans tonight?” she teased.
He tapped her on the nose. “Funny.” Releasing her, he turned and leaned against the wall. “Robert still mad at you?”
“A bit.”
“You don’t seem upset.”
“I think he’s secretly proud of me, but he knows he can’t admit it, so he’s hiding his pride beneath a layer of gruff. Can’t have people knowing he lost his charge for a short while.” She shrugged, unconcerned.
Robert had caught up with her and Tristan at Navy Pier, but a couple of hours had elapsed in between. He hadn’t said anything to them in public, but when they’d gotten into the car, he’d lectured them on their irresponsible behavior.
Tristan laced his fingers with hers. “Listen, if for some reason tonight doesn’t turn out like I think it will, I just want you to know I have enjoyed every minute we’ve spent together.” His tone was casual, and when she chanced a look at his face, he was completely relaxed.
But the elation of unexpectedly seeing him seeped out of her. Nothing he’d said was shocking, and if she had let herself go there, she would have realized that a loss tonight would be more than just a loss for her country. A pang of sadness rippled through her. It was just like Tristan to put it out there, to meet it head-on, but some part of her wished he hadn’t reminded her. It heightened everything about this interlude and the game to follow.
“I’m not sure what will happen after the match, win or lose. If we lose, I think we fly back tomorrow. If we win, we might be on lockdown until the final. Either way, it will be difficult to find time.”
He tugged her hand, pulling her into him. She pressed all of her weight against him. He wrapped his arms around her as she rested her head against his chest. Her head was spinning though as she tried to hold on to the memory of their last night together. She hadn’t known at the time, or she would have marked it in some way—a memory bookmark, a highlighted passage. She was a descendant of kings and queens but no more able to define the parameters of her endings than a commoner. It made the trappings of her life seem distinctly unlucky. There were words she was supposed to say, sentiments to share, but she found she was mute. The things looking to jump from her mouth were words better left as unspoken thoughts.
“If there’s time, I’ll come to you after,” Tristan said.
She nodded. But she knew it wasn’t enough. So, she raised her head and smiled at him. He moved his hands from her waist to cradle her jaw, and she leaned into the touch. Then, she lifted up on her toes and pressed her mouth against his. This time the aggressor, she kissed him with all of the emotion she held at bay.
On her tongue were the words she refused to speak. Maybe I can leave them here with him, swirling in his mouth, so he can take them with him and figure them out later.
She ran her hands up his arms, mapping his glorious biceps, touching him wherever she could reach. Imprinting.
Pulling away from the kiss, she looked up at him as he opened his eyes. He cocked his world-famous smile at her, and she melted a little.
“I’ll make time,” he amended.
She laughed, and he joined her. Then, he leaned his forehead against hers and paused. It was a moment where she could say something, injecting some truth, but she didn’t.
As much as it was the time, it wasn’t.
23
11 July
SeatGeek Stadium
Ele was poised on the edge of her seat, her hands shaking with an unfamiliar rush of adrenaline. With five minutes left in the second period of extra time, the teams were deadlocked. The match had been a battle with bodies flying and tempers flaring. The humid night air had settled into the stadium, stagnant and heavy. The players’ jerseys were plastered to their chests, sweat beaded along their bodies, hair matted to their heads. Every tackle sent splatters of sweat flying, particles of water catching the bright lights shining onto the pitch.