Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
He finally reaches out, wrapping his sweaty palm around my hand before giving it three hearty pumps and promptly releasing it. I don't even get a chance to say goodbye as he swings around and races to the elevator like the hounds of hell are nipping at his heels.
He stabs the button a bunch of times and glances over his shoulder at us warily. When the bell chimes, announcing the car’s arrival, he shoves his way inside before the doors have a chance to fully open, disappearing from sight.
Once the metal contraption closes, I scowl at Ryder. “Why’d you do that?”
One thick brow slinks upward. It's enough to have me gritting my teeth.
“Do what? I never said a word.”
True enough. But still...
I'm aggravated with him for messing with my date. There was absolutely no reason for it.
“You purposefully stood there and made him feel uncomfortable.”
Why am I picking a fight?
It's not like I wanted to kiss Aaron. If anything, I should be thanking Ryder for his timely interruption.
I almost snort, because there’s no way in hell that’s going to happen.
“How’d I do that? By standing here and patiently waiting for an introduction?” His gaze stays locked on mine as he tilts his head and scratches his shadowed jaw. “Seems kind of odd.”
I bare my teeth before swinging away to dig through my purse for the apartment key. As soon as my fingers wrap around cool metal, I yank it out and jamb it in the lock with more force than necessary. The door reverberates on its hinges as I step inside and swivel to face Ryder once more before promptly closing it with a loud bang.
CHAPTER 2
RYDER
“Well…can’t say I’ve ever seen a girl slam a door in your face,” Ford says with an easy laugh as he claps me on the shoulder. “Looks like there really is a first time for everything.”
I glance at him, unaware that he’d witnessed the terse exchange. I’d assumed he took off with Wolf and the others.
Although, why am I surprised?
That’s exactly what Juliette does to me. She blinds me to the people and things around me. For a Division I hockey player who’s supposed to have his head on a constant swivel, it’s not a good thing. I force my muscles to relax and hitch my lips into a loose interpretation of a smile. The last thing I need is for this motherfucker to sense that I have any real interest in Maverick McKinnon’s sister.
That would be bad for business.
My business.
Even though Ford and I have been friends since freshman year of college, he has no problem pressing on a tender spot if he just so happens to find one. Can’t say I wouldn’t do the same.
What’s the point of having friends if you can’t fuck mercilessly with them?
“Then you haven’t spent much time around Juliette.”
He shrugs as we fall into line and walk down the hallway. As tempting as it is to glance over my shoulder at the apartment the pretty brunette shares with her friend, I keep my eyes focused straight ahead.
It takes a herculean effort on my part.
“Can’t say that I have. She’s never been one to party much, has she?”
“Nope.” And that’s for the best. It would probably kill me to see her out and about, flirting or going home at the end of the night with other guys. I crack my knuckles to relieve the pressure building inside me. Even the thought of her hooking up with another dude is enough to piss me off.
“I’ve run into her at the library a handful of times,” he says conversationally.
“Yeah, she hangs out there a lot. She’s pre-med.” I clear my throat and tack on offhandedly, “I think.”
And smart as fuck.
Way too damn smart for the likes of me.
“Huh. Smart and hot. Now there’s a wicked combination.”
My heads snaps around so fast that I nearly give myself whiplash. “What the hell did you just say?
He pops a brow before studying my expression. “I said that the girl is both smart and hot. It’s not like I’d say it to Mav. He’d probably give me a beatdown.”
There’s no probably about it.
Definite beatdown.
He’d give any guy who looked sideways at his sister a beating. And if I’m being perfectly honest, I’d gladly jump into the fray to help dissuade any further interest as well.
Luckily, most of the guys on the team have gotten the memo without Mav having to crack too many skulls together. It was a real pleasure to watch.
“Well, I don’t wanna hear it either,” I grumble. “She’s practically like a sister to me.”
A smirk simmers around Ford’s lips as we grind to a halt outside his door. “Is that so? It’s all sisterly feelings on your part?”
Apparently, those comments are sus.
“Yeah, that’s right.” With a frown, I dig in a little deeper. “I’ve known her since we were kids. We’re neighbors, and our families have been good friends for years.”