Chapter 15: Athletic Gala

Gianna’s POV

Friday night arrived too quickly. The university’s annual mid-season athletic gala was held in the grand ballroom downtown. It was the biggest event of the semester, filled with flashing cameras, wealthy donors, and the entire hockey team in formal suits.

I stood in front of the mirror in my bedroom, taking a deep breath. For the first time since running away, I wasn't wearing baggy clothes or a hockey jersey. I wore a fitted, dark emerald-green silk dress with a low back and a high slit up the left leg. My blonde hair was pinned up, leaving my neck bare. I looked like a completely different person.

When I stepped out into the living room, Ryker was waiting by the door.

He was wearing a tailored black tuxedo that made his broad shoulders and chest look attractive and tempting. His hair was styled perfectly back.

When he heard my heels click on the floor, he turned around, but stopped dead on his tracks immediately.

His gray eyes darkened instantly, sweeping down the length of my dress, and lingering on the exposed skin of my bare shoulder and back. His jaw tightened, and his chest rose and fell in a heavy breath.

For a long, silent five seconds, he just stared at me.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Is it too much?"

"No," Ryker said, his voice lower and rougher than usual. He cleared his throat, pulling his eyes up to meet mine. "It’s... fine. Let's go."

*****

The drive to the gala was filled with a thick, heavy tension. Ryker kept his eyes strictly on the road, but his knuckles were white against the steering wheel. Every time I shifted in my seat, the silk of my dress rustled, and I could see the muscles in his jaw twitch.

When we arrived, the red carpet was already filled with lots of people. The moment Ryker stepped out and opened my door, the photographers went wild.

Ryker didn't just offer his arm this time. He placed his large, warm hand firmly against the small of my bare back, right where the silk dress cut low.

His skin felt hot against mine, and a sharp shiver ran straight up my spine.

"Stay close to me," he smiled softly against my ear as we walked past the flashing lights. "The varsity football and basketball teams are here tonight. They like to push my buttons."

Inside, the ballroom was stunning, filled with crystal chandeliers and loud music. The entire hockey team cheered when Ryker walked in.

"Look at the captain!" Miller, the assistant captain, yelled, raising a glass. "Barrett, you definitely outkicked your coverage. Who is this gorgeous girl?"

Before Ryker could answer, a tall, muscular guy with a smug smile stepped into our path. It was Jaxson Reed, the captain of the rival university’s hockey team. He was Ryker’s biggest enemy on the ice, known for playing dirty and trash-talking.

Jaxson didn't even look at Ryker. His eyes locked onto me, tracking the high slit of my dress with a slow, arrogant smirk I found uncomfortable.

"Well, well, Barrett," Jaxson drawled, stepping closer to me. "I didn't know you had taste. Hi there, beautiful, I'm Jaxson. If you ever get tired of a guy who spends all his time in the penalty box, come find a real champion."

Jaxson reached out his hand, his fingers brushing against my bare arm to guide my hand toward him.

In a fraction of a second, the air around us turned to intense.

Ryker stepped forward violently, his massive body completely blocking Jaxson from me. He grabbed Jaxson’s wrist mid-air before it could touch me again, his grip so tight that Jaxson's smile instantly vanished.

Ryker lowered his head, his gray eyes flashing with pure, dangerous rage.

"Touch her again, Reed," Ryker hissed, his voice a low, lethal whisper that made my heart race, "and I won't wait until the next game to snap your hands in half. She's mine. Walk away."