“Wait. Let me.”
I run around to the passenger side to open the door for her and offer her my hand to help her out of the car.
“I’m capable of opening a car door, Jamie.” She frowns.
I look down at her, running the pad of my thumb over her silky eyebrows to smooth out that annoyed grimace. “I know that. I might be new at this boyfriend gig, but this is what I would do for my girlfriend, so humor me, please.”
The tension in her shoulders eases just a fraction. “Ok. Thank you, Jamie.”
Fuck.
I really like the sound of my name coming out of her lips. I wonder how it would sound if she was panting it, moaning it, or screaming it in the throes of pleasure; if I had my face between her legs and—Jesus, fuck.
The way she flinched away from my touch the night we met comes to mind. I need to slow my roll, or she’s going to back out of this deal before we even started.
I have to remember what Luke told me about why she practically left her fiancé at the altar. I mean, fuck. She was about to marry Kurt Priestly, so I shouldn’t be surprised, he is a violent psycho. Violence exudes from that guy in spades when we face off on the ice. He’s always given me major creepy vibes.
If this fake relationship is going to work, and last the distance until summer break, I’ll have to show Bex that I’m nothing like her ex.
Violence is something I don’t shy away from if it’s for a worthy cause. To protect someone from a bully, or my teammates on the ice. But I would never lift my hand against someone smaller than me, or against a woman. I want Bex to know that she’s safe when she’s with me. That I know the meaning of the word no, and I would never take advantage of my size to force myself on her.
“Let’s go get a coffee first,” I suggest. “Coach texted me early, and I didn’t even have time for some much needed caffeine. Let’s get that into our systems, and then we can go check out the clothes stores.”
She stares at my hand as if it could bite her when I offer it to her.
“Boyfriend and girlfriend, remember?” I whisper. “Come on, let’s get out there and be seen.”
I lace my fingers through hers, suppressing a shudder at the sensation that courses through me when my skin touches hers. Her hand is so small, it’s completely engulfed by mine. But it’s how soft her skin is that just makes me want to never let it go.
I’ve never held hands with a woman. The last time I had a girlfriend was probably in elementary school. I have to admit that I don’t hate it one bit.
“Wait,” I murmur, pulling her closer to my side, as I motion to open the door of the coffee shop for her. “Let me.”
I can feel the eye roll she suppresses and chuckles.
“This will take some getting used to.” She says, as we enter the crowded coffee shop.
Bex is right about that. But we’ll figure this out.
Coming here was a great idea because the second we set foot inside the shop, all eyes are on us.
We advance to stand at the end of the line, and I notice several people turning to look at us from the tables dotted around the cafe.
Bex put on my jersey, like I asked. The whispers start within seconds as soon as someone notices the number six on her back.
I focus my attention on my girl and our coffee order. “What would you like, baby?”
“Baby?” she begins to argue, but my smile must convey the message to just go along with it. “Coffee, black. Please.”
“What?” I gasp, genuinely shocked. “That’s your coffee order?”
She shrugs. “Yes, why?”
“I don’t know. I guess I just didn’t peg you for a black coffee drinker, that’s all. Wanna get something to eat? They have this toasted everything bagel with smashed avocado and crispy bacon. That’s delicious.”
Bex hesitates. “Hmm, I don’t eat much in the morning.”
“It’s closer to brunch time,” I argue. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s order one and you can try it. If you like it, we’ll split it. If not, that fucker’s too good to go wasted.”
