“And hotter, obviously.”
I narrow my eyes. “Well, that’s just not true.”
“Andwaybetter at picking up girls.”
I smile, loving how she’s teasing me, turning the awkward as fuck situation into something lighter, though part of me wants to remind her that I had her lips an inch from mine not long ago, her body arching into mine, practically begging me to kiss her.
Fuck it, why not.
I reach out, twirling a brown curl around my gloved finger, my voice dropping a hint as I lean in, the scent of fresh strawberries filling my nose.
“Not how I remember it, Curls.”
She stumbles back, her breath hitching in a way that makes my pulse race. God, I want to hear that sound again… and again.
“Well, then we’ll need to cure your bad memory.” She smirks, her voice hotter than hell, sending a shiver straight down my spine.
I let out a laugh, feeling my chest jump. I haven’t had this much fun with a girl in… fuck. Ever.
I like how she can tease me and still flash me a smile that makes me want to thread my fingers through her curls and bring her lips to mine.
And that’s when it hits me like a bucket of ice-cold water.
I can’t fucking do that.
Her brother.My best friend.
Her dad.My coach.
Christ. There are so many rules when it comes to her, so many ‘do not enter’ signs flashing in my face, blaring red alarms, and yet here I am, a fucking dumbass ignoring them left, right, and center.
I pull away from her, my smile faltering the second I see that same damn look in her eyes.
“I’ll, uh… see you.” I shift awkwardly, trying—and failing—to ignore the sudden tension between us.
“Yeah.” She presses her lips together, a soft chuckle slipping out that makes my brain short-circuit. Goddamn, I love that sound. “See you.”
Like a complete moron, I give her a two-finger salute.
And then immediately want to disappear off the face of the Earth.
Did I just… salute her?
Someone fucking shoot me.
I spin on my skates, shaking my head as I shove my helmet back on, but it doesn’t do shit to clear my head. Her scent is still clinging to me, and I can still picture those pretty lips parting when I leaned in close and twirled her hair around my finger.
Jesus. I need to get laid. Bad.
Austin’s already waiting for me on the ice, eyebrows raised, amusement dripping from his smirk.
“Fucking dangerous, Cap.”
Shit. My skin prickles, but I force a lazy shrug. “No idea what you’re talking about.”
Austin lets out a low laugh, shaking his head. “Come on. You’re not that dumb. Pick literallyanyoneelse. Hell, if you’re that hard up, I’ll kiss you.”
Before I can react, he lunges, hands grabbing my helmet like he’s actually about to do it.
