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)
The truth?
Ha!
The guy would definitely give me a beatdown right here in the middle of the ice. And unlike some of these other guys, Maverick knows how to throw a punch. Brody had us both take boxing lessons while we were freshmen in high school for just this reason. He’d wanted us to know how to take a hit and give one in return. We’re evenly matched in height and weight. We’ve spent hours sparring in their basement gym. Although, to be fair, Mav has righteous anger on his side.
That’ll win out every time.
He narrows his eyes from behind his cage. “Didn’t look like nothing to me.” Before I can respond, he grits out, “She was sitting on your lap.”
“There weren’t any available chairs. You saw how packed the place was.”
He presses his lips together. “And then you sang karaoke? Since when do you get up on stage and perform?”
I shrug and continue to lie my ass off. “She didn’t want to do it alone. It was nothing. We’re friends.”
He lifts his chin, trying to poke holes through my excuses. “Since when? You two have never been friends.” He knocks his glove into my chest again before reversing on his skates. His gaze stays locked on mine. “Do us both a favor and stay away from Juliette. She doesn’t need you messing with her.”
And then, he swings around and skates back to the other side of the ice.
Fuck.
Maverick is the last person I want to have issues with. We’ve always been solid. Friends and teammates since kindergarten. That’s not a relationship I want to jeopardize.
If this were about any other girl, I’d back away without a second thought and wash my hands completely of the situation, but there’s no way I can do that with Juliette. She’s always been there, circling around in the back of my mind. I’ve stayed away because I thought it was best for both of us, but that’s no longer possible.
Especially after the other night.
She’s so damn responsive to my every touch.
It fucking turns me on.
Then again, everything about her has that effect.
It always has. Even when I didn’t want it to.
And now that I’ve finally laid my hands on her?
Felt how soft her skin is?
Kissed her sweet mouth?
It’s game over.
For better or worse, this is happening.
“Get your ass moving, McAdams,” Coach shouts, snapping my attention back to the present.
With a wince, I skate to my position on the blue line. As I do, Akeman snags my gaze. A slow smile spreads across his face from behind his cage.
“Thanks, man,” he says as we pass one another. “You’re making it easier and easier to snatch your position away.”
I grit my teeth, refusing to rise to the bait.
Although, it’s hard.
Really fucking hard.
CHAPTER 21
JULIETTE
Just as I’m about to delve into bio stats, there’s a knock on the apartment door.
Carina left thirty minutes ago to grab something to eat. So, unless she forgot her keys, it’s probably not her. I pad to the door and peek through the peephole, surprised to find Ryder on the other side. We haven’t seen each other since Thursday night when we messed around in the front seat of his truck.
Those memories are all it takes for heat to flood my cheeks.
Have I ever experienced something so hot in my life?
And we didn’t even have sex.
Just made out.
I suck in a lungful of air before wrapping my fingers around the handle and pulling open the door.
“Hey.” As soon as my gaze locks on his, awareness explodes inside me before scuttling down my spine. “What are you doing here?”
He shifts before shoving his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants. “I thought we could tick another item off your list.”
I break eye contact and glance toward the small dining room table where my books and computer are spread out. “Oh. I was studying.”
“Do you have a test or paper due tomorrow?”
“No. I was just trying to get ahead…”
“Then it sounds like the perfect time.” He jerks his chin toward the apartment. “Grab your jacket and let’s go.”
When I chew my lower lip with indecision, he steps forward, swallowing up some of the distance between us. It becomes necessary to tip my head in order to hold his gaze. The scent of his beachy cologne hits me, and my belly hollows out.
His tone turns cajoling. “Come on, Juliette. Remember what you said in the truck the other night about feeling like you’ve missed out on experiences because your nose has been buried in a textbook? All I’m trying to do is rectify the situation.”
That comment is all it takes for my shoulders to loosen. He’s right. This is exactly the kind of opportunity I’m trying to seize.
But it’s not easy to step outside my comfort zone.
“Okay. Let me grab my purse.”
His lips quirk into a smile.