Heated Rivalry (Game Changers, #2)

by Rachel Reid

And, oh god, Ilya didn’t deserve him, but he didn’t care. He was selfish like that.

“I want to have a life with you. I know it will be awkward, and will still involve a lot of sneaking around for a while, but I’m playing the long game h...

“I really am sorry. I just wanted to protect what we had. I should have invited you to my real apartment sooner. I want you there. I want you in my life. All of it.”

“Well, I mean...obviously you’re hot. Like, I-can’t-believe-I-get-to-kiss-you hot.”

“Get fucked, Rozanov.” Ilya’s lips quirked up. “Was planning on it.”

But... I love him.”

“I want to tell you, before we do this, that I am...very happy today. My mother would have really liked this. And I think she is with me today. And proud.”

“I love you,” Ilya said. “I love you too.”

“I wanted to kiss you out there,” Ilya said.

“I wanted to climb into your lap out there. I’m so fucking proud of you, Ilya. I’m...proud to be with you. I want you to know that, even if we keep it a secret, I’m proud to be with you.”

It was cute, and Ilya loved him.

“We could talk about what the fuck Shane sees in you.”

“Then you know I can sleep with a million women and still fall in love with your best buddy Shane.”

“You hate...us?”

“I hate how we have to hide. I hate only getting these stolen moments with you. It’s been so many fucking years of this, and I’m tired.”

“You want a normal relationship?” Ilya hoped not because that was something he could definitely never offer Shane, as much as he wished he could.

“I was thinking,” Ilya moved closer, lining his body up with Shane’s. Letting his chest brush against Shane’s back. “About how much I loved this. Being at home with you. Even having friends over. Being a couple.”

“Maybe I don’t think about how it is unfair because...” He paused a moment, trying to choose his English words carefully. “I feel lucky. This is more than I have ever had.”

“I love you,”

moy vozlyublenniy.”

“I will tell the whole world right now, if it is what you want.” Shane’s brow pinched. “You would?” “Yes.”

“I want to just...be with you. But I also don’t want to deal with everything that we would have to deal with. And I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t lo...

“I am serious. If we hide forever, or tell the world right now, I am with you. I will quit hockey, or fight to stay. Whatever you want.”

“I mean... I am yours, yes? To protect that, I will do anything.”

“You’re mine. Yes.”

but he would make damn sure Shane wouldn’t doubt Ilya’s devotion while they were apart. He would spend the rest of this night worshipping him. Ilya could sleep on the fucking plane.

“Yours,” Ilya said again as he sank to his knees.

“Yours,” Shane whispered back.

Ilya Rozanov and his boyfriend, Shane Hollander.

Ilya Rozanov and his husband, Shane Hollander.

Even when they had ostensibly been enemies, Shane had trusted Ilya not to hurt him.

Jesus. Ilya needed to buy a thank-you gift for Shane’s yoga instructor.

“I love this, Shane. I love you so much. You are beautiful. Perfect.” He turned his head and kissed Shane’s ankle. “Perfect,” he repeated.