Page 94 of Rinkmates

I tear my gaze away, pretending to focus on the guy in front of me, who’s babbling on about his…ducks? Who gives a shit. All I can think about is how badly I want to make Riley squirm after the stunt he pulled today. Childish? Maybe. Worth it? Absolutely.

And really, what’s the worst that could happen in seven minutes? I glance around at the other hockey guys I’ve been chatting up all night. They seem harmless enough. Riley’s teammates would never try anything sketchy. But I down another drink, nerves fraying.

My stomach twists into knots as the first girl reaches into the bowl and draws out a watch. I hold my breath, watching intently to see which guy she picked.Not Riley. Please not Riley.It’s Colton. Thank God.

The lucky couple disappears into the closet and emerges exactly seven minutes later, faces flushed. This goes on for several rounds. Some couples make a beeline for the door oncethey get out, clearly eager to take things further. Others head upstairs—apparently this party house has plenty of rooms for exactly that purpose. But there are some who quickly chat up with others.

Derek thrusts the bowl toward me, and I hesitate, my hand hovering over the tangle of watches. Shit. Riley’s penetrating gaze bores into me, silently warning me not to do it.

But screw him.

I’m so sick of his head games.

My pulse races as I snatch a watch and drop it into Derek’s open palm, my heart thudding wildly in my chest. “Great choice.”

“Whose is it?” I know it’s not Riley’s. He’s got a red rim around the clock face. I can’t lie that I’m disappointed. But it’s the game. A kiss won’t hurt, right?

Maybe kissing someone else will help us. Maybe that’s what we need to fix whatever wires got crossed between us.

Derek puts his hand on the small of my back. I turn to see Riley, and he’s either trying to kill the person whose hand is on my back with his gaze alone or me. I suddenly can’t lie to myself anymore. I want to kisshim. No one else. But Derek leads me to the closet anyway, and doubts flood my mind even more. What the hell am I doing? This is my first swinger party, and I’m about to take part in a game that could go horribly wrong. I should back out now before it’s too late.

But then I think of Riley’s face if I bail. I don’t want him to be right. No. I’d rather kiss another guy than admit I was wrong. The only intelligent choice here, am I right?

Shoot. I’m an idiot.

Derek shuts the door behind me, leaving only a faint red glow to illuminate the room.

It’s empty—just me and my pounding heart.

My thoughts spiral into a frenzy. What if Riley never looks at me the same way again? What if this ruins everything? But then I recall his infuriating smirk, that knowing look that makes it clear my heart beats only for him these days. My resolve stiffens.

I’m going through with this.

But instead ofa stranger’s face, it’s Riley who steps in, his expression rugged.

A sigh of relief escapes my lips and I realize how much I desire him. Despite everything inside of me screaming that he is off limits, I can’t help but want him more than anything else.

He slams the door shut. “Surprised to see me?” There’s nothing nice in his voice, not a hint of that joking side of his.

“Disappointed, actually. I was hoping for someone else.” Oh, what a lie.

He laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Well, too bad. I’m the only one for you. And I’ll make you pay for putting me through this.”

I stumble backward until my spine hits the unforgiving wall.

The look on his face—pure hate and bliss—makes my heart expand and my skin prickle.

Riley’s presence fills every inch of the room, shrinking its already small space.

He strides toward me with hungry eyes and slams me against the wall. He grabs my wrists, yanking them above my head in a vise-like grip while his strong body holds me captive, not giving an inch of mercy.

And then his mouth crashes onto mine in a bruising kiss that takes all the air in my lunge.

I try to resist, but my body melts against his strong touch, unable to fight the firestorms that race through my veins. I can’t move anymore, feeling nothing but all of him against all of me. I’m just standing there, letting him fight with my mouth until I manage to bite his lips.

He pauses, and we both take deep breaths as if we’ve just finished a marathon.

“I hate you,” I growl against his mouth, but he stops me from speaking with his.

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