Total pages in book: 128
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 124494 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 622(@200wpm)___ 498(@250wpm)___ 415(@300wpm)
“I have to tell you something important.” She fiddles with the collar of my shirt, eyes on her fingers. Her inability to meet my gaze tells me whatever she’s about to say makes her nervous.
“Okay. I’m listening.”
Her eyes lift. “Dred knows.”
“Knows what exactly?”
“That we slept together before I joined the Terror and then again at Christmas. She said she picked up on a vibe, but no one else suspects anything. She won’t tell anyone.”
Dred is as loyal as they come. “Okay.”
Her hand settles on my chest. “You’re not upset?”
“I know this isn’t any easier for you than it is for me. You need someone to talk to. I’m glad you have her.” And it gives me hope that we want the same thing, which is more than a stolen night together.
“Who do you have?” she whispers.
“My position is different than yours.” I give in to the urge to skim her hip, just the hint of connection. “Let me take you home. We can talk without an audience.”
She drops her head and sways into me. Her forehead rests against my chest and her hands curl around my biceps for a moment, nails biting into my skin. I stroke her cheek and press my lips to the top of her head. Holding her in my arms makes me feel like a king. I would fight a thousand armies just to have this moment with her.
She grips my shirt and spins us around until her back is against a wide column, obscuring her from view. I brace an arm above her head, and she looks up at me. Conflict is written all over her face—the weight of our feelings pushing us to the edge of our limits. “I can’t, Roman.”
“I’ll stay in the car.”
“I’m worried about what will happen when we’re in the car.” Her fingers drift up my chest. “I will break if I’m alone with you. I’m breaking now.”
I search her eyes. It wouldn’t be hard to convince her that I’ll keep her from making a mistake she can’t take back. But it would be a lie. “I understand.”
I start to step back, but she fists my shirt, eyes darting to my mouth. The tension between us is electric. “Give me permission, angel.”
Her eyes lock with mine, and she mouths the words, Kiss me, please.
I angle my body, making sure she’s completely hidden before I cover her mouth with mine. Desire runs through my veins like fire as her lips part and our tongues tangle. Brushing and whispering with all the words we can’t say. Her soft body presses closer. It’s weeks of pent-up need, lust, longing, unquenched desire. It’s bliss and agony.
But we’re in the middle of a nightclub, and the longer we stand here, the more at risk I put her. Every taste, every touch leaves me craving more. Eventually I pry my lips from hers. “You need to go, Lexi. You are a temptation I don’t want to resist.”
Her lips brush across my throat as she slips out from between me and the column and disappears into the crowd. The end of the season has never felt so impossibly far away.
And early retirement has never seemed so appealing.
CHAPTER 24
ROMAN
“Stop eyeing my sausage.” Peggy elbows Hollis in the ribs. “You’re the one who ordered peameal.”
He purses his lips. “I thought you’d be willing to share.”
She scoffs and points her speared sausage at his plate. “Your peameal. My sausage.” She nibbles the end of the link.
I barely resist the urge to tell her to use her fork and cut it up like a normal person, but I’m also aware she eats it like this to irk me. Otherwise she has impeccable table manners. Besides, mostly I’m thankful our tradition of breakfast at the Pancake House after an away series has remained intact, despite all the other changes in our lives.
Hollis stares at her and says nothing.
“Get a side, if you’re desperate for your own.” She turns to me. “You were great during the away series. How does it feel to almost have a total shutout over the last three games?”
“Amazing, to be honest.” I was legitimately worried about how I would perform, especially with the constant tension between me and Lexi. But I managed to keep my head in the game. We returned with three wins, shifting us back into the top ten teams.
“I love that you’re both having such a great season. Especially with it being your last. And maybe yours.” Peggy rests her cheek against Hollis’s biceps.
“Probably mine,” Hollis says.
“They could extend,” I argue.
“Doesn’t mean I have to accept the offer, though.” He pokes at his food.
It’s looking more likely that he’ll hang up his skates at the same time as me. Not being alone as I navigate what’s next sounds nice.
“We’ll figure it all out.” Peggy pats his arm and directs her next question at me. “Are you any closer to making a decision on what you want to do next year?”