Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94653 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
My gaze slices to his, only to find him watching me with an intensity that nearly steals my breath away.
“Do you know her?” It takes effort to keep my voice level. The last thing I want is for him to think that I’m jealous.
A spark of humor ignites in his eyes. Somehow, he knows exactly what thoughts are running rampant through my brain. The longer he stares, the more heat gathers in my cheeks until it feels like they’ve been set ablaze.
I press my lips together so I don’t dig myself any deeper into a hole. One that I won’t be able to climb out of.
His gaze never deviates from mine as he leans closer and drops his voice so that only I can hear. “There’s nothing for you to be jealous of.”
The words, so like the ones from our past, echo in my ears.
With that comment, my humiliation is complete.
I clear my throat. “I’m not.”
His attention stays focused on me as he nods toward the girl who has disappeared from the ice, leaving us alone.
“That’s the new coach’s daughter.”
“Oh.” Now I feel like an idiot.
A jealous idiot when that’s the last thing I should be. It shouldn’t matter who Wolf dates or sleeps with.
We’re no longer friends.
We’re…nothing.
Damn it. I knew spending time alone with him was a disastrous idea.
I’m so focused on my thoughts that I don’t realize that Wolf has maneuvered us to the team benches until his hands encircle my waist, hoisting me onto the half wall before setting me down so that we’re eye level. My heart picks up tempo as our gazes cling.
It’s slowly that he swallows up the space between us until his warm breath feathers across my lips. I can’t help but inhale a big breath of him, taking him deep into my lungs.
“Fallyn,” he groans, sounding as if he’s in distress.
As if his insides are twisted up into painful little knots.
Maybe I haven’t wanted to admit it, but I know exactly how he feels because I’m experiencing it as well.
My body gravitates toward his until his mouth can drift across mine. Even when my lips part, opening in silent invitation, he doesn’t lose control like he did the other night. His movements are measured as if we have all the time in the world to explore.
My brain clicks off as need spirals through me and I twine my arms around his neck before drawing him closer. In this moment, nothing matters more than the feel of his mouth coasting over mine.
Not the heartbreak of our past.
Or the uncertainty of our future.
It’s only when someone clears their throat that we splinter apart. Our heads twist until a middle-aged guy with a clipboard comes into view. He stares at us with a raised brow.
“Hey, Coach.”
Well, hell...
“Wolf.” His gaze slices to me before bouncing back to his goalie. “Have you seen my daughter around? I thought she was here practicing.”
“I think she took off about ten minutes ago.”
“Thanks.”
Without another word, the older man disappears into the locker rooms, leaving us alone in the frigid rink. I glance at Wolf only to see a smile trembling around the corners of his lips.
I whack his chest before burying my face against his jacket and mumbling, “I’m so embarrassed.”
That’s all it takes for his shoulders to shake with silent laughter. He slips his arms around me before dropping a kiss against the crown of my head. As I burrow against his comforting strength, I realize that I could stay here forever. Wolf has always been my safe space.
Just as I sink further into his touch, my eyelids fly open, and I quickly untangle myself from him. My fingers wrap around my cell before slipping it from my pocket so I can glance at the screen.
Crap.
I didn’t realize how much time had slipped by.
“What’s wrong?”
My gaze jerks to his as regret crashes over me.
How could I kiss Wolf when I’m about to meet with the man who’ll take my virginity?
I glance away and mumble, “Nothing. I have someplace to be and need to get moving.”
Silence descends as thick tension vibrates in the chilled air.
“Where?”
I open my mouth, but not a single sound escapes from it. The longer I remain silent, the more tense the atmosphere turns. There’s no way I can tell him the truth. That I sold my virginity in order to pay my tuition bill for the semester. I can’t imagine what his reaction would be.
Or maybe I can.
His likely response is more than enough to dissolve the laughter bubbling up in my throat.
My tongue flicks out to wet my lips.
It’s difficult to force out the excuse. “I have an appointment downtown.”
More awkward silence stretches between us as he sifts through my gaze as if trying to get at the truth. There’s no way I can allow him to do that. I’d rather die than tell him what’s going on.