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)
He mulls over my answer before shrugging. “You’re probably right about that.”
His blue eyes dance with mischief as they shift to the girls. All except Britt are with hockey players.
If I’m being completely honest, Colby isn’t the kind of guy I’d want dating one of my girlfriends. From all the gossip that floats around campus—and trust me, there’s a lot of it—he’s the piped piper of pussy. He sleeps with girls but doesn’t get involved in relationships.
His attention gets snagged by Britt. It’s slowly that his gaze slides down her body before rising to her face and sparking with more interest.
“I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting.” He turns up the wattage of his smile and the dimples wink and flash. “What’s your name, beautiful?”
I steel myself, fully expecting Britt to melt into a puddle of goo at his feet. I’ve witnessed it happen on more than one occasion.
It’s almost a surprise when she flicks a glance at him and then turns away before giving him a snappy response. “I’m not interested. So, feel free to move it along.”
Colby blinks in confusion as his brows slant together. “Excuse me?”
She stops her conversation with Carina and turns toward him again before enunciating with more care. “I said that I wasn’t interested. Hockey players aren’t my thing. Now, if you’ll—”
He flashes another dazzling smile that’s even more high wattage than the first one before giving her an are you crazy look. “Sweetheart, I’m everybody’s thing.”
Her eyes widen as a burst of laughter escapes from her. I almost fall over when she pats his cheek as if he’s an errant child. “I’m sure you are, pretty boy. But not mine.”
Instead of walking away and moving on to greener pastures, Colby’s eyes spark with challenge as he steps closer. “Hey, I have an idea. How about you let me buy you a shot, and we’ll see just how wrong you are when I roll out of your bed in the morning?”
My mouth falls open as my gaze bounces to Britt. This is like a Wimbledon match. And yeah, I’m totally here for it. It’s not often you see Colby McNichols get shot down.
I rack my brain.
Or like, ever.
Britt shakes her head and holds her ground. “No thanks.” She points toward the crowded table in the back that’s buzzing with puck bunnies. “You seem to have your hands full already. My advice is to stick with the groupies. You wouldn’t know what to do with a girl like me.”
A roguish grin slides across his face. “Is that so?”
She lifts her chin a notch. “Yup. Accept defeat gracefully while you still have the chance.”
“Oh, I think we’re way past that now. Don’t you, firecracker?”
“Firecracker?” Laughter escapes from her before she cocks a hip. “Do the cutesy names actually work for you? My guess is that it’s so you don’t have to remember someone’s name in the morning, right?”
His eyes darken.
Needing to defuse the situation before it can escalate, I pick up my tray now loaded with drinks and turn to Colby. “Hey, look—I have your shots. Why don’t you follow me to your table?”
For a long moment, he stares at Britt. My gaze bounces to her only to find my new friend glaring in return.
When I tap him on the shoulder to get his attention, he glances at me. “Here’s the shots you ordered. Ready to head back?”
His gaze flickers back to Britt. “Yup. Let’s go.”
I blow out a relieved breath that a potential disaster has been averted before sliding through the thick press of bodies.
Colby raises his voice to be heard over the music and chatter. “This isn’t over, sweetheart.”
Britt shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “Actually, it is. You’ve just been hit in the head with a hockey puck too many times to realize it,” she says sweetly before tipping her bottle of beer at him and taking a sip.
It’s almost a surprise when he swings around and follows me instead of continuing their conversation.
When we’re about halfway to the table, he asks, “Who is that girl?”
“Her name is Britt.” My brows draw together. “She transferred to Western last semester.”
He throws a considering glance over his shoulder. “Hmmm. I don’t think I’ve seen her around. Pretty sure I’d remember if I had.”
Even though I don’t know Colby well, I twist around and poke him in the chest. “Do me a favor and stay away from her. She’s not one of your puck bunnies.”
He flashes his signature grin before taking one of the glasses off my tray and lifting it to his lips. “Unfortunately, I can’t make any promises.”
He sends a little wink my way before belting back the shot.
Argh.
The last thing I need is Colby McNichols, manwhore extraordinaire, messing with one of my friends.
Just as that thought rolls through my head, strong arms wrap around me from behind, and a deep voice whispers near my ear, “You look tense, angel. Need my special brand of stress relief?”