Page 51 of Mine to Take

“That’s doubtful.”

“No, really. I’m curious as to what you left behind. Is it a pair of panties? Maybe a bra?”

“Of course not.” I straighten to my full height and point to the second floor. He’s wasted enough of my time. “I’m going to take a look.” Without waiting for a response, I rush up the staircase.

“Just let me know if you’d like some assistance,” he calls after me, voice brimming with humor.

“No thanks,” I mumble beneath my breath. “I’m good.”

It takes a few moments to find his room. I open one door and peek inside before realizing that it’s not the right one. Once I find his private space, I slip inside and shut the door before leaning against it.

My heart feels like it’ll pound right out of my chest.

Only wanting to get this over with, I launch myself toward the bed. The sheets and comforter look like someone just rolled out of them. There’s a maroon Western Wildcats hockey T-shirt crumpled near the end of the mattress. Unable to help myself, I pick up the cottony material and bring it to my nose before inhaling. My eyelids feather close as his masculine scent inundates my senses.

That’s all it takes for memories to hit me like a freight train, knocking me off kilter and sending my pulse thrumming.

No guy should smell this amazing.

I really need to focus on the reason I’ve returned to the scene of the crime.

It’s reluctantly that I drop the shirt and whip back the navy comforter, hoping that my necklace will be there.

Instead, I find the sheets empty.

Crap.

I pick up each pillow and glance beneath them.

Nada.

Then I look between the sheet and the comforter.

In desperation, I drop to my knees and peer under the bed. Swearing under my breath, I pull my phone from my pocket and turn on the flashlight to make sure I haven’t overlooked it.

Other than a pair of shoes and a wadded-up piece of tissue, there’s nothing.

Huffing out a breath, I blow a piece of hair from in front of my eyes as my brain cartwheels.

I really thought I’d find it here.

Is it possible that it fell off at the bar?

Or maybe the hockey arena?

Ugh.

I’ll have to give both places a call.

As tempting as it is to tear the room apart, I need to get moving before my luck runs out. It’s bad enough that I ran into Hayes.

Again.

I’m afraid he’ll mention to Maverick that I dropped by.

Or River.

Just as I reach the door, ready to slip into the hallway, there’s a loud slam from downstairs. A flurry of nerves explodes inside me and sweat springs to my palms as I press my ear against the thick wood, hoping it was Hayes taking off.

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