Ellie Thunberg

Thorin came back later that night, and this time, I didn’t stop him.

Every inch of him was a map I explored with my palms, each contour of muscle beneath my fingers making me dizzy with want. His hands traced the curves of my body like they’d been crafted to fit there, each touch unraveling another layer of my restraint until my mind could no longer keep up. I wasn’t on the ground anymore—no, I was floating somewhere high above, suspended in the clouds with every slow, deliberate stroke.

When I finally shattered in his arms, he held me as if he never wanted to let go.

He scattered kisses like confessions—along my neck, my shoulders, my cheeks—each one softer than the last. His fingers slid through my hair with patient tenderness, his voice low and reverent as he told me how beautiful I was.

I was still beneath him, my breathing uneven, my body trembling with aftershocks. For a few moments, it was as though my ears refused to work—just the sound of his heartbeat and my own ragged breaths. My legs felt weak, but Thorin’s strength carried me effortlessly to the bathroom. The warm water and the gentle soap on his hands massaged my skin in slow circles, coaxing me into surrendering to him all over again…

The sharp slam of a door jolted me awake.

“Thorin! You have to wake up!”

The voice was sharp, angry—then suddenly paused.

I forced my eyes open, sluggish from sleep, only to realize I was curled up against Thorin, tangled in the sheets. His arm was draped firmly around me, the solid heat of him making me feel safe in a way I didn’t want to question.

“Good morning to you too, Ari,” Thorin’s voice was deep, husky with sleep, as he tightened his hold on me possessively. “What is the matter?”

My heart seized at the name.

Arianna.

The name hit like a stone in my chest. Why was she here? I was certain she’d left after Thorin had walked her out last night. What reason did she have to come back—this early?

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were busy.” Her tone was low, wounded. There was something brittle about it that made my chest ache with guilt. “But… Uh… Coach is calling you. Both of you, actually.” The last part faded into a whisper.

“We will be on our way.” Thorin dismissed her without so much as a flicker of emotion, then groaned softly and pulled me closer again. “I wonder what it is this time.”

I wanted to stay there, wrapped in that warmth, but ignoring Coach Thunberg wasn’t an option. Not for Thorin. And not for me—his maid.

Coach’s study was colder than usual that morning, the air tight with unspoken tension.

“Sit!” Coach Thunberg’s bark cracked through the silence the moment we crossed the threshold. His face was carved from stone, his eyes unreadable as they swept over us.

“Is everything okay?” Thorin asked carefully, his voice dipping with concern. “You seem out of it this morning.” He claimed the nearest chair without hesitation, while I hesitated at the door, unsure if I was meant to take a seat.

“Surprise, surprise!” Coach’s words dripped with sarcasm. “Thanks to last night, you’re more famous than ever!”

Thorin scoffed, leaning back lazily, a smirk playing on his lips. “Well, I am a magnet for fame, you see. Born to it, really. Can’t say the same for everyone…”

“Don’t get smart with me, Thorin!” Coach’s voice thundered. “A magnet for fame? For the wrong things? Have you even seen the news?”

Something in my stomach tightened. I didn’t like the way that sounded. At the same time, Thorin and I reached for our phones. One glance at the headlines, and my jaw went slack.

THORIN PARKER KISSING A COMMON MAID

FAMOUS STAR PLAYER CHEATING ON OUR GORGEOUS ARIANNA BELL WITH A MUTE HOUSEMAID

My heart sank further with each headline I scrolled past. The video of last night’s kiss was everywhere—splashed across every feed, dissected in every comment section. The press had turned Thorin’s charm into a scandal, and the way they described me…

Lowly. Common. Mute. Ugly.

The words stabbed deep, each one another weight pressing against my ribs until my eyes burned.

“Who made this video and posted it?” Thorin’s voice was a dangerous low rumble now. His leg bounced rapidly, a barely-contained fury.

“That’s beside the point, Thorin! Your image is in pieces. What have I always told you about reputation? You guard it like treasure!” Coach’s voice climbed higher with every word until it was nearly a shout. Then his gaze snapped to me like a whip. “And you! Haven’t I warned you about boundaries? Are you that desperate for attention? That desperate to—”

“That’s enough!” Thorin’s roar cut him off, his palms slamming against the desk so hard the wood groaned. “Do. Not. Speak. To. Her. Like. That.” His teeth clenched, his eyes burning with protective fire.

My chest swelled. Thorin always defended me, but it still made my heart ache to see him do it now.

“How are we going to solve this, Thorin?” Coach challenged, voice still tight.

“It’ll die down in a couple of days. It always does.” Thorin’s tone was calm, almost dismissive, as he rose from his chair.

“Do you know how many ambassadorial deals you’ve already lost because of this?” Coach’s voice dropped low, heavy. “You’re at the very start of your career. Don’t throw it away.”

Thorin’s jaw flexed. “What’s your suggestion?”

“Marriage! That’s a really good suggestion, Ellie.”

The voice came from directly behind me. I stiffened and turned to find Arianna standing there, her smile soft—too soft. It was the kind of smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Marriage? I’d never suggested such a thing. What game was she playing?

“Marriage?” Thorin’s voice was hesitant now, his gaze locking onto mine. I barely had time to process the thought before Arianna stepped further into the room, taking control of the conversation like she’d been rehearsing this moment.

“Yes, marriage,” she said lightly. “It could be a marriage of convenience, but it would salvage Thorin’s image.”

“How so?” Coach leaned forward, listening intently.

“It would show the world Thorin is a romantic—someone who chooses true love regardless of background. Most high-profile players treat those of low social standing with disdain. Thorin would stand out. The press would see him as principled and loyal, and it would silence the backlash completely.” Her glance slid to me, just long enough to sting, before returning to Thorin.

Coach nodded approvingly. “You’re a smart girl, Arianna. Would’ve been better if you were the one marrying him, not her.” His eyes flicked toward me, sharp and assessing. “There may be a chance soon.”

Thorin ignored him entirely, his focus fixed on me. His voice softened. “Are you okay with the plan? I know this isn’t the most romantic proposal, but… will you walk down the aisle with me?”

The weight of the room pressed in on me—Arianna’s calculating eyes, Coach’s cold stare, Thorin’s quiet sincerity. My fingers hesitated in the air, but Coach’s gaze hardened. A dare. A warning.

“Yes.” My signs were slower than usual. “I will love to walk down the aisle with you.”

Thorin’s face lit up, and he stepped closer, brushing his knuckles along my cheek. “Thank you,” he signed back.

Arianna cleared her throat pointedly. “Thorin, you should find out who recorded that video and posted it. Make an example of them so it never happens again.”

“I will. Thanks, Ari.” Thorin bent to press a kiss to my forehead, his voice dipping into something intimate. “I’ll see you later, mi amor.”

I felt the blush rise, warm and impossible to hide, but it froze when Arianna lingered behind him. Her whisper was a blade against my ear.

“This is just the beginning of your misery, Ellie.”