Page 2 of Dario

The silence between us lasts until she lies back down. I smile, glad she's staying. "What do you want to talk about?" she asks.

"Anything."

"Well, that's helpful."

I snort with laughter. "I'm afraid to ask something that will make you run away."

"I'm not the most extroverted person. In fact, I consider myself socially awkward. I know I'm not one of the boys, and I'm okay with that. I'm used to it. And if you'd bothered to interact with me before, you'd probably already know all of this."

My frown deepens as she continues because I don't agree with what she's saying. She is part of the team. I mean, I understand that she doesn't play on the ice, but she's still an important member of the team. Davy is more than willing to go along with it. Besides, "I suppose it's more awkward for you, considering the whole team is made up of men."

"Men don't notice." She shrugs.

I burst out laughing, causing her head to snap in my direction. I watch her blink away the tears that form on her eyelids. That makes me cold. She swings her legs over the chair and quickly moves away from me. I run after her and grab her arm. She stops and I move carefully in front of her. "Gemma, believe me when I say that men notice you. That's why I was laughing. I'm distracted with you. I can't think straight half the time."

Her mouth falls open. I chuckle and gently push her chin up. Feeling bold, I admit, "If it wasn't for the no-fraternization policy, I would have asked you out already."

“Really?”

I smile softly. “Yes, really.” We stand close together and all I can think about is having her lips under mine.

“Dario, what are we doing?” She asks as our bodies strain closer.

I clear my throat and step away. “I’m not sure.” I wet my lips and with one last look of longing, I head inside the hotel.

CHAPTER TWO

GEMMA

Back in my room,my heart pounds hard behind my sternum. Dario really knows how to get the blood pumping. The urge to go to him is strong. The man seemed sincere in his words and actions. But I don't understand, why me? What is it about me that attracts his attention?

With nerves in my stomach, I quickly change into my shorts and vest before climbing onto the bed. I lay down and open my phone. My finger hovers over one of the social media apps. Before I can change my mind, I open it and see the hashtag #DarioNelson.

My heart sinks. He has been tagged in several pictures, all taken within the last thirty minutes. A certain blonde girl is in all of them.

So much for him wanting to go out with me. At least now I know he was lying. I'll be careful from now on. I plug in my phone and get under the covers. Just as I'm about to drift off, disappointment settles in. I wanted to believe that Dario likes me as much as I like him.

Fool me.

I tryto ignore Dario as I check things off my list as the equipment and team get on the buses. I had a bad night; upset about the first man I'd been seriously attracted to in a long time. I mean, I have sex. It's a bodily function. Not often, in fact, the last time was a couple of years ago. Maybe that's what I need to get over the hurt that Dario's teasing has caused, because I’d gotten my hopes up.

Dario and his two friends are wearing dark sunglasses as they approach. I say hello to Madden and Bradford and ignore Dario. That brings him to a halt. "Am I missing something?" he asks, clearly confused, the glasses going up on his head. He squints as the light hits his eyes.

"Did you have a good night?" I raise a brow.

"If you're mad at me, you're going to have to tell me so, because I've got a headache from hell."

“Naomi posted a lot of pictures of your night together," I say in a sweet voice.

His eyes go wide when my words register.

I clear my throat. "You need to get on the bus."

"Gemma—"

The bus horn honks loudly. He flinches.

"We'll talk on the bus." He waits for me to get on, but I shake my head.

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