Page 15 of Kick Out of It

He takes my hand, pulling me inside. As the door clicks shut, I’m walked backwards a step until I’m pressed against it. “Two,” he repeats.

Ronan’s fingers are still laced with mine, his other hand is braced against the door, caging me in. He’s only a few inches taller than me, so this isn’t intimidating—my nipples certainly aren’t pebbling due to fear. I’ve never been so thankful for a padded bra to hide myself.

If he wasn’t Ronan, I’d climb him like a tree.

Swiping his thumb against mine, he sighs, “We’re supposed to talk. How can I do that with you looking this good, and not want to taste every inch of you?”

My voice shakes as my breath catches and I try my best to make light of it. “So, covering me in more clothes is the best solution?”

“It’s theonlysolution. Then again, I’m sure you’d look even more beautiful in my clothes.”

“We’re just friends, Ronan,” I counter. There is zero truth in that statement, and he knows it. I don’t know what this is between us, but it certainly isn’t friendship.

“Fuck, say that again.”

My brows pinch. “We’re just friends?”

“No,” he laughs. “Feel free to never saythatagain.”

“What? Ronan?” His name comes out as a whisper.

He releases my hand and snakes his arm behind my back, bringing me flush against his solid body. I gasp, noticing his chest isn’t the only thing that’s hard. Leaning in closer, he whispers beside my ear, “Say it one more time and I’ll show you exactly howfriendlyI can be.” His warm breath fans my neck, causes goosebumps to erupt down my arms. If he tried to kiss me, I’d let him.

Ronan doesn’t pull back and I can’t think, can’t speak. Being this close, I’m enveloped by his pine-scented cologne, body wash, shampoo—whatever has him smelling so damn good. My instinct is to slide my hands up his chest, but I’m unsure if it’ll bother him. After his announcement to the press, I came here to tell him about Leo, with no intention of anything happeningbetween us. I don’t know if he’s facing any negativity from it, and the last thing I want to do is cause him physical discomfort.

I swallow hard, resisting the urge to touch him, and make light of this incredibly compromising position. “You’ve had me at your door for a while now…”

“I’m afraid if I let you go, you’ll walk out of it.”

“Ronan,” I sigh, and am startled when a purr comes from him, strong enough to vibrate his whole chest.

“Don’t say I don’t warn you.”

“What do you?—”

In a swift motion he releases me, lowering enough to sling me over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry. It steals all of the air from my lungs and he chuckles darkly, “I may not have a knotted cock, Nora, but by the time I’m done with you, you’ll never want to moan another man’s name again.”

“Put me down!” I giggle, swatting his toned back. “And stop reading my books!”

CHAPTER 7

RONAN

“You’re staying the night,” I command as I stalk off to the bedroom, tossing Nora onto the mattress.

She lifts onto her elbows with a defiant chin, but her wide smile betrays her. “I told you, I don’t date athletes.” Hands on my hips, I narrow my eyes at her. Nora sits up, mirroring my expression, folding her arms over her chest, and crossing one leg over the other. “I’m serious! I came here to tell you something, not for…” Her eyes briefly fall to my cock.

“Came to tell me what, exactly? That you and I have been flirting for a year, and now that you’re here you can’t resist my rugged charm?” I tease, wiggling my eyebrows.

Nora’s grin quickly dissipates as her shoulders fall. She pats next to her on the bed and I hesitantly take a seat, worried I’ve taken things too far. Her voice is quiet as she admits, “You’re right, you’re quite charming, but I need to get this out first. Why didn’t you tell me? Did you think I would report on it?”

“No.” I shake my head and take her hand, loving the feel of it in mine. “I trust you. I didn’t plan on saying anything at the pressconference, but I didn’t want to admit the truth of why I missed a fucking hat trick when I had the shot.”

“Why did you miss it?” Nora squeezes my hand tighter. “Off the record.”

I huff a small laugh. “You were supposed to be with the press.”

“I was,” she agrees, biting back a smile. “I knew you’d get the third and I wanted to see it up close.”

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