Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 464(@200wpm)___ 371(@250wpm)___ 309(@300wpm)
I slow to a crawl, spinning us so that I’m skating backward. Looking down at her, I can’t help but smile. I think that’s all I do with her now . . . smile, grin, laugh. She’s somehow managed to turn me into Chuckles the Clown.
“What’re you looking at?” she asks.
This girl cannot be fishing for compliments. She knows she’s fucking gorgeous and is well aware that I’m completely gone for her.
“Pretty poison,” I answer, and her brows furrow in confusion. I pin her with my gaze, forcing her eyes to stay locked on mine. “You come with every warning label known to man on you . . . danger, caustic, may kill you if given half a chance. There’s only one problem with that.”
“One problem with me being poisonous?” she bites out sarcastically. Her brows have climbed her forehead, and fire is sparking in her eyes.
I run a thumb over her bottom lip, willing her sassy mouth to let me finish what I have to say. “Yeah, it’s a lie. You’re not poison at all. You’re like one of those Sour Patch Kid candies—caustic and sour as fuck on the outside, but once you get through that, you’re sweet on the inside. And I want to do it again and again, because I know I’m the only one who’s taken the time to go through the near-death experience that is Joy Barlowe to get to the good stuff.”
She frowns as she thinks about what I’ve said. “What if the sour part is the only good stuff?”
I shake my head. “It’s not. Don’t get me wrong. It’s good too—fun and challenging—but it’s not the best part. The best part is the secret side you hide from everyone else, but let me see because you trust me enough to let me in.”
I scoop her up to bring her mouth to mine, holding her body against me. The kiss is one of surrender—to the moment, to our feelings, and even to each other. I have completely and utterly fallen for this woman, who I fear still isn’t entirely sure about me. Oh, she’s let me in. Of that, I’m certain. But she’s holding back, the past still whispering in her ear. It doesn’t help that we’re hiding our relationship. I think if everyone knew I’m hers, she’d feel more secure, but she’s not ready, and though it frustrates me, I’ll respect her wishes.
Especially since it’s her brother. And her career.
“I should probably go,” she whispers, sounding like that’s the last thing she wants to do. “I told Ellis I’d go to the station to watch footage with him before we come back for this afternoon’s session.”
She’s not running away, but she’s slowing us down. I nod, skating us to the wall where I help her carefully step to the ice. To my surprise, she lifts to her toes and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “You looked so sexy out there. Not skating—I’ve seen you do that a million times. But with the kids and even DeBoer. You seemed different—mature, happy, confident.”
“Mature? Are you calling me old again?” I tease, though inside, I’m beaming at her compliment. I’ve done the hockey camp before, and usually I’m fairly indifferent to it. It’s a requirement, so I show up and do what’s expected. But this time I could really feel it, like my love for the game was driving me, so I’m glad she could tell.
“Yeah, forty-five looks good on you, Days,” she drawls as she pats my chest. “I’ll see you at your place later?”
I nod, not able to resist smacking her ass as she walks away.
She gasps in feigned shock. “Mr. Days!”
I chuckle in surprise at the name-calling. “Keep it up and I’ll make you call me that when you’re coming on my face later,” I vow darkly.
“Make me? I’d like to see you try.” Her brow arches sharply as she issues the challenge, and then she whirls, giving me her back as she sashays up the bleachers and out of the arena. I watch the whole way, planning ways to grip those hips, pull the hair at the base of her neck, and fuck her hard.
Sounds like our last night before I leave for Christmas with Mom and June is going to be extra special.
I glance up at the clock on the wall and hiss. I need to get out of here before I get roped into helping Shepherd and Hanovich with the afternoon session. This morning was fun, but I’m exhausted and still have to wrap a few presents before I fly out tomorrow.
I grab my bag from my locker and then stride down the back hallway to leave the arena. I go through a set of double doors and almost run right into someone.
“Oh! You scared me!” Mollie exclaims, her hand over her chest.