Page 86 of Redeeming the Villain
After using it, I wash my hands and run my fingers through my hair in the mirror before taking a few deep breaths. Giving myself an internal pep talk, I start heading back to Blair.
Turning the corner into the hallway, I slam to a halt, finding Malik leaning against the wall, waiting for me, his arms crossed over his wide chest.
Holy shit.
No one should look that good in hockey gear.
My God.
My eyes travel to his even broader shoulders, his jersey pulled over the pads beneath. I’ve never really found a lot of other hockey players attractive, but he … he is on another level. And standing in his skates and the little skate guards over the blades, he’s even taller.
“Are you done ogling me?” He smirks and pushes off of the wall, walking toward me.
Craning my neck to look up at him, I shake my head. “Not yet.”
His gaze falls to the jersey, and he cocks his head to the side. “Did you stop by the merch shop?”
I shake my head, looking down at it. “No, Blair let me borrow it.”
He growls, his jaw tightening. “Turn around.”
“W-what? Why?” I ask, and he lightly grabs my shoulders, spinning me around.
“No, she fucking didn’t,” he mutters under his breath, his voice deep and angry. He twirls me back around. “Come on.”
Taking my hand in his, he tugs me behind him. My body warms slightly, and my lungs tighten like a warning sign that I need to rest.
“Stop.” The word falls out of my mouth effortlessly.
He turns back with a look of genuine concern. “What’s wrong?”
“Will people get mad if I sit on the ground here?” I ask, waiting for his answer.
Brushing my hair back from my face, he assures me, “No, but I don’t give a fuck if they do. Sit down if you need to, baby. No one will say a word with me here.”
I slowly ease myself to the ground, and the coldness of the concrete floor seeps through my leggings, feeling nice.
Malik drops to the ground beside me and watches me with worry.
“I’ll be okay.”
Reaching over, he wraps his big hand around my thigh, brushing his thumbs back and forth.
“Do you need to lie down? Get your legs up? I can take you to a room that has a sitting area. I can have someone get a Waterboy packet from my bag and some water.” He pauses, studying me while my chest blooms with emotion.
He noticed my Waterboy packets and stocked some in his bag? Maybe he just had some of his own. They are a pretty popular brand.
He holds my stare, and I can see a question in his gaze, but apparently, he doesn’t want an actual answer.
Getting on his knees, he hooks an arm around my waist and beneath my legs. “Actually, I’m not going to ask you, I’m just going to do it. If I leave it up to you, you’ll decline because you’ll be worried you’re beingtoo much.”
He lifts slightly and waits for my go-ahead to continue. I nod, and he gently raises me up as he stands to his feet, cradling me against his chest.
Vulnerability skates across my skin, making me feel exposed and raw. I didn’t realize that he’d watched me so closely. Or that he knows more about POTS than what I’ve told him.
He’s doing research of his own?
“Doing okay like this?” His voice softly caresses my ear.
