Page 116 of Playing Her Game

We start slow, like neither of us wants to hurry this moment. Every movement is exaggerated by the water, every thrust drawing her closer, holding her tighter. I suck on her neck, and she moans, her hips jerking forward, needing more. Out here, in the cold and the dark, she’s the only thing I can feel.

She presses her mouth to my ear, almost whispering, “You’re mine, too.”

Her voice hits some wire in me, and I lift her, slamming her down harder, making the whole hot tub shudder. She laughs, then cries out, the sound carrying over snow and trees and probably half the mountain.

We rock together, finding rhythm even as we lose sense of time. The edge comes fast, too fast, but she’s right there with me, her body clenching, hips grinding. I hold her through it, letting her ride every second out, until she collapses against me, limp and shaking.

After, we just sit there, wrapped in each other, the steam rising around us. She buries her face in my shoulder, and I stroke her back, feeling her heartbeat slow.

Iwake to silence and reach for Anna before I'm even fully conscious. My hand finds empty sheets, still warm enough to tell me she hasn't been gone long.

I sit up, taking in the room. Sunlight filters through the tall windows, brighter than I expected. Must be later than I thought. The space beside me is neat, the pillow undented, like she straightened things before she left.

Then I see the note on the nightstand.

I pick it up, her handwriting clean and precise.

Had to leave for dinner with my family. I'm free tomorrow—or after, if that works better for you.

No apology. No explanation beyond what matters. Just an invitation.

I read it again, slower this time, looking for subtext that isn't there.

Last night didn’t stop at the hot tub; we took it to bed, and to the shower, too. It’s still not enough.

I fold the note and set it back on the nightstand. I want to see her again. That part's simple.

Before I can decide whether to call or wait, my phone rings.

"Reznik."

Leah's voice comes through, formal and direct. "Join me for dinner this evening. I'll send a car."

I pause, weighing the invitation against the note still sitting beside me. Anna's gone to dinner with her family. Now Lenzin’s grandmother is summoning me.

"What time?"

"Five. The driver will collect you at three-forty-five."

I glance at the note again. "I'll be ready."

CHAPTER 21

DINNER

Anna

Iwalk through the front door and feel the atmosphere shift the moment my mother spots me. She doesn't say hello. She doesn't ask how I am.

"Where have you been?"

I set my bag down carefully, buying myself time. "You know where."

"With him?"

The way she says it makes Rez sound like a disease. I straighten, meeting her eyes. She knows the answer, but I give it anyway. "If you mean Daniil Reznik, yes."

Her mouth tightens. "Do you have any idea how this reflects on us? Sneaking off with a hockey player like some⁠—"