Page 39 of Rush

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“The pointisto fool people.”

“Yeah, but you’re taking things to the extreme. If looks could kill, Jay would be dead by now.”

“You’re being dramatic. I know they’re just dancing.”

Nora chose that moment to tip her head back and laugh and Linc’s jaw locked. If Jay lowered the hand he’d placed at the small of Nora’s back even a fraction more, teammate or no, the dude would be missing a few fingers.

He heard Oz laugh and shot him a scowl. “What?”

Oz’s expression turned sober. “You’re my best friend and she’s my sister. Even armed with that, I know I can’t stop whatever’s gonna happen. Just promise me one thing. Try not to hurt her.”

Linc sought Nora out again, finding her instantly even though she wasn’t at the same spot on the dance floor. He didn’t pull his gaze from her when he murmured, “Hurting her is the last thing I want to do.”

Chapter Fourteen

“Did you have a good time?”

They’d been driving in silence for so long that Linc’s question, coming out of the blue as it did, startled her. For the evening being such a joyous occasion, he’d been quietly subdued through most of it.

“I did. But the better question is, didyou?”

“I did.” She was about to call his bluff and accuse him of lying when he clarified, “For parts of it.”

The interior of the car was too dark to read the nuances of his expression. Not even passing under the occasional glowing street light helped. “Which parts didn’t you enjoy?”

She couldn’t imagine what they could be. Their dinner of filet mignon, fondant potatoes, and glazed baby carrots had been amazing, and she’d seen Linc’s expression when he’d opened the ring box after a heartfelt speech from the team’s coach—with the emotion she’d seen displayed, there’s no way he’d been disappointed then.

“Right before we sat down to eat and after, during the dancing.”

Pursing her lips, she thought back over their evening. Before dinner had been the meet and greet and while she enjoyed meeting all his friends, she could see how Linc would think it’d been a bit tedious. But during the dancing? Nora supposed she had monopolized most of his time, only giving him a respite twice when she danced with Oz and then Jay. Did he not enjoy dancing with her?

Dejected, she stated, “But you danced every dance with me.”

“Yes, butyoudidn’t.”

It took a few seconds for what he implied to fully sink in. It would be ridiculous for her to think he was bothered by her dancing with Oz so that only left Jay. Was he jealous? The last thing she would do was assume anything. She’d been wrong before when it came to Linc. This time she wanted clarification. “What are you saying?”

“I didn’t like you dancing with Jay.”

Her heart skipped a beat. That was direct, but still not enough. “Why?”

“I don’t like other men touching you.”

Heart feeling like it was about to pound out of her chest, she pushed, “Why?”

The car came to a stop. Linc disengaged his seatbelt then leaned across the space that separated them and released hers. Reaching around her with an arm, he slid her along the bench seat until her body was flush with his. His hand came up to cup her cheek, his face mere inches from hers. “Because I want to be the only man who has that privilege. I’m tired of trying to fight my feelings for you. I want this to be real.”

There was no way to mistake that declaration. Left speechless, her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.

Catching the action, his gaze flicked down and locked. When she got his eyes back they were like twin orbs of heat. “I’m going to kiss you. You have two seconds to tell me no.”

She’d imagined a moment like this so many times the past few weeks. With her mom’s words from so long ago floating through her head, she made her decision. Linc made her heartrace. His touch set her body on fire. When he kissed her it felt as if she were about to explode. That’s what she’d been waiting for since she’d first discovered boys so there was no way in hell she’d say no and blow this opportunity.

“Time’s up.” His lips touched hers. Soft at first but then they grew more demanding. His tongue swept her bottom lip before claiming her mouth. Unlike the many shared kisses they’d performed for the press, this one was full of intent, urgency, passion. He was staking his claim.

His hand slid into her hair, cupping the back of her head. Her hands clutched at the lapels of his jacket, her fingers twisting into the expensive fabric.

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