Page 38 of Anti Player

“You aren’t wrong,” I admit quietly. I open my eyes and look in his and, whoa, what a mistake. His dark orbs smolder as he watches me, almost like he is undressing me.

“Then let’s do this. You don’t need to swear off men. You need to have fun and enjoy life. You can trust me and relax with me. This will be about our physical pleasure.”

I lick my lips, thinking of Kaleb bringing me physical pleasure. “I’ve never been in a physical relationship where I didn’t catch feelings,” I confess because all this is making me feel a little panicky. I want to be in control of my feelings. That’s why I swore off men.

“Wouldn’t it make sense then to prove to yourself that you can be with me and have pleasure without falling in love?” he asks.

“You’re making a solid point.” I swallow. I stand from the ledge and begin to pace while I repeat his arguments in my head. What if I proved to myself, I could have a sexual relationship with someone as hot as Kaleb without falling for him? I would be cured. I could go to culinary school, get myself on my feet economically speaking, and have a healthy dose of sex withoutputting my heart on the line. In theory, this is all brilliant. My life would be better, and I could prove to myself I am strong.

“You’re pacing is making me nervous,” he states, his voice pulling me from the arguments in my head.

I pause and watch him. I take a deep breath and take the plunge. I reach my hand out. “Deal.”

He takes my hand, only he pulls me into his chest. “We aren’t shaking on this deal, gorgeous.” Then his lips crash to mine—all heat and warmth—and my legs almost buckle, but I wrap my arms around his neck for support and kiss him back. He breaks the kiss just as I am getting into it. “Can’t chance your brother whipping that door open.”

“Right.” I giggle like a schoolgirl. If our kissing is that heated, I wonder how hot the sex will be.

“We can’t let Brett find out about our plan,” he warns.

“Duh,” I laugh.

“We should meet at a hotel. I know it sounds a little shady, but for my safety I think it’s best.”

“You have a point. Brett would go ballistic,” I snort.

“Yeah,” Kaleb agrees wide-eyed. “Let me know what your work schedule is like. Maybe we can meet up while Asher is at camp.”

“That could work.” I swallow past the lump in my throat. I can’t believe this is my life.

“Brett mentioned you’d be going to Florida. I messaged him and the guys tonight that we need to push the trip off a couple of weeks so I can be here for the end of hockey camp,” he explains.

“I really have to thank you for including Asher. He can’t stop talking about it,” I say awkwardly. It shouldn’t be uncomfortable because this is Kaleb, my old friend. My brother’s best friend. Only it is awkward because we just struck a deal for me to take his virginity.

“You got a great kid,” he says.

“Thanks,” I reply, and then I am walking past him.

“Maddie,” he calls out.

“Yeah.” I pause and turn.

“I’m waiting for your schedule tonight. My patience is running low. I want you,” he says, and hot damn, my ovaries just burst.

“Okay.” I’m grinning so wide it’s ridiculous.

I get close to the door and Kaleb walks past me.

“One more thing, Maddie. I need you to do me a favor.”

I wait to hear what he has to say.

“I need you to get yourself off tonight to thoughts of me. And I’ll do the same for you.”

I’m frozen as I stare at this handsome as hell man in front of me. No one has ever said anything so erotic to me before. It almost feels impossible to think he’s a virgin.

I nod and swallow and then I let myself back into the apartment.

Brett is awake watching television.

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