Page 8 of Rinkmates

Not just anyone, but Riley fucking Huntington—theRiley Huntington. The sexiest hockey player alive, whose face graces billboards and magazine covers.

I think TikTok wouldn’t have much content without him. Even the damn subway we just rode was practically covered in his face.

Now he stands right before me and his presence fills the room like a storm cloud rolling in, and just like that, the air feels oh so charged. I don’t smell cats. No. I smell sandalwood. Amber. Musk. All kinds of alluring smells.

I swear I can’t breathe anymore.

This is it. I’m done.

Thank you for all the months I was granted to live on this planet. But rest in peace, Liora.

“You’re suddenly mute?” Riley says.

I stupidly shake my head, trying to ground myself as I stare at him like a guppy.

Nina wants me to room withhim?

She said it would be a piece of cake.

But there’s nothing easy about being around him. I mean, he’s got a nasty lawsuit on his hands, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Nothing simple about that situation.

But as he just stands there, I’m starting to think Nina meant he’s like a cake. A total eye-candy cake. A towering six feet, three inches of pure sexiness in gray sweatpants and a black shirt with a bold NY Falcons logo—there’s no mistaking him. I’m definitely in Riley Huntington’s penthouse.

My eyes can’t help but drop to his chiseled pecs, which seem to be making a guest appearance through his hoodie.

I find myself gripping the couch’s backrest like it’s the only thing keeping me from falling over.

Swallowing, my gaze flicks up to his tousled black hair, framing his handsome face as his intense eyes lock onto mine.

My pulse stumbles like it’s drunk.

A strange feeling passes between us as our eyes lock, almost like an electric shock. It’s fleeting, but in that moment I see a hint of…well, what was it? Hatred? As quickly as it came, it disappears and he reverts back to his stoic demeanor, but I can’t help but wonder what sparked that quick flash.

Yes, he’s breathtaking. And intimidating. So intimidating.

I know hundreds of girls will hate me for it, but I can’t do this. I can’t. I need to get out of here.

“Ri, this is Liora.” Nina tries to save the situation, but I can barely hear her over the sound of my heart crashing against my ribs. We still stare at each other, and it seems like we’re running out of time. Of what time though? I just met him. This is a bad sign.

“No,” I say, and his eyes darken.

I notice that his sleeves are rolled up and my eyes are drawn to his forearms. There are scars. And muscles. And tattoos. Lots of muscles. And tattoos. “No,” I repeat.

“No? No to what?” His head turns to Nina, who nervously bites her lips.

“We talked about things that need to change, so…” Nina taps her feet on the white marble floor. “Ethan and I had an idea, Liora is going to participate in a TV show and needs a place to crash, and you…well, you need a chaperone. So we thought she could move in for free and help us out!”

I blink at her. Um, what?

“Wait, actually, I think there’s been a mistake,” I blurt out, the words spilling out of me like a clumsy stumble. The sudden urge to fucking run hits me like a slap shot to the chest. “I thought you had a friend, a girl, who wanted me to move in with you.” I point at Nina so that it’s clear I mean her. “To take her room or whatever and, well, pay for it? You mentioned someone named Riley, but I thought it was a girl. Not…not…him,” I say, my voice tinged with disbelief. I thought this was going to be a straightforward housing arrangement. Something that normal people would do.

Nina’s lips stretch into an awkward smile, her cheeks flushed. “Yeah, I might have left some things out…there’s a bit more to it. I thought I’d explain it to you two once you see each other. I thought you might say no otherwise?”

I scoff and notice Riley looking at my hand still clutching his couch. “You left out everything, Nina. I think that’s a rather nonsensical idea and I’m not a charity case.” I totally am a charity case.

“Wait, this isn’t a joke? You’re actually wanting Liora James to move in with me to play my fucking babysitter?” Riley interjects, his tone dripping with sarcasm. I have no idea why,but the sound of my name on his lips struck me like an arrow to the chest.

“Look, Liora,” Nina continues, cutting off Riley’s protests with a raised hand. I’m surprised his assistant would dosomethinglike this without him even knowing. “It’s a win-win situation for both of you. You won’t have to pay a cent—”

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