The Hockey Roommate's Filthy Desire novel Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Chapter 45

JULIAN’S POV

I hadn’t planned this. Not tonight. Not this soon.

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But the moment I saw Luca step out of that SUV, the moment he opened his mouth and started talking about her like she was something he could come back for whenever he felt like it….

Something in me snapped. This wasn’t a game anymore. It never was. But now… it was personal.

And I didn’t like the way things were moving. I didn’t like how her name kept getting dragged into places it didn’t belong. Didn’t like how easily people thought they could reach her.

Touch her. Talk about her. Take her.

My jaw tightened slightly as I moved across the ice, my skates cutting clean lines into the surface. I needed control. And right now… the only thing I could control was this.

And her.

My gaze flickered toward the edge of the rink where she stood. Aria. Watching me. Even from a distance, I could see it, the way her expression softened when she thought I wasn’t looking. The way she stayed, even after everything.

She could have pulled away. She should have. But she didn’t. And that alone told me everything I needed to know. A slow breath left me as I came to a stop, the silence of the rink settling around me again.

I needed to keep her close. At all times. Because Luca wasn’t bluffing. And worse… I knew exactly what he meant when he said he’d “tell her everything.”

My jaw flexed. That couldn’t happen. Not yet. Not like this.

By the time I stepped off the ice, it was late. Too late. The lights still glowed overhead, but the quiet had deepened into something heavier. Softer.

I glanced over to where she had been standing earlier. She wasn’t. For a split second, something sharp twisted in my chest. Then I saw her.

Curled up slightly on the bench, her head tilted to the side, her eyes closed. Asleep. My expression shifted instantly.

The tension that had been sitting in my chest all night eased just a little as I walked toward her. She looked… peaceful. Too peaceful for someone who had been crying not long ago.

I crouched in front of her, my gaze lingering on her face for a second longer than necessary. Then I exhaled quietly and slid my arms under her.

Lifting her carefully. She stirred slightly, a soft sound escaping her lips as her body instinctively moved closer to mine. And just like that, she melted into me.

11:44 Thu, May 14

Chapter 45

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Her head rested against my chest, her fingers curling lightly into my shirt like she needed something to hold onto, even in her sleep.

Something in my chest tightened, Damn, I adjusted my hold on her, making sure she was comfortable before heading toward the exit. The cold night air hit us the moment we stepped outside, but she only pressed

closer.

Seeking warmth. Seeking me. And I didn’t pull away.

The drive back was slow. Slower than usual. Not because of traffic. Because of her. Every few minutes, my eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, checking on her where she lay in the back seat.

Curled up. Quiet. Safe. I made sure the heater stayed on. Made sure she didn’t shift too much. Made sure nothing disturbed her. It was… unfamiliar.

This kind of attention. This kind of care. But I didn’t stop. By the time we got home, she still hadn’t woken up. I didn’t try to wake her either.

I carried her inside the same way I had carried her out of the rink. Carefully. Like she might break if I wasn’t. Her room door creaked open softly as I stepped in, kicking it shut behind me before walking over to the bed.

I set her down gently, pulling the sheets over her body and adjusting them until she was properly tucked in.

She shifted slightly, her face turning toward the pillow as she settled deeper into the bed. And for a moment, I just stood there.

Watching her.

USomething about the way she looked right now, it did something to me. Something dangerous. Something I didn’t trust. I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through my hair as I turned slightly.

I should leave. That was the logical thing to do. That was the right thing to do. But my feet didn’t move. Instead… I found myself sitting on the edge of the bed.

Then lying back. Then shifting closer. Until her back was pressed lightly against my chest. My arm hovered for a second before settling around her waist.

Careful. Measured. Like I was testing something I wasn’t sure I should. Her body reacted instantly. She moved closer. Fitting against me like she belonged there.

And that… That was my mistake. My jaw tightened as I felt it. The shift. The reaction I couldn’t ignore.

I stilled. Completely. Because I knew exactly where this could go if I didn’t stop it.

And that wasn’t something I could allow. Not with her. Not like this. Not when she still looked at me the way she did. Like I was something good.

My eyes shut briefly as I forced myself to pull back.

Slowly. Carefully. Like even that took more control than I wanted to admit. I got off the bed and stepped

away.

11:44 Thu, May 14 d

Chapter 45

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Then, I ran a hand through my hair again, exhaling sharply as I moved toward the door. This wasn’t simple. Nothing about her was. I knew I needed a drink to calm myself down.

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