Page 31 of Body Checked By the Defenseman

I look at the time on my watch and my eyes widen. “Shit, I need to be in class in five,” I tell him.

We both scramble to get ourselves together. I use a scrunchie I have on my wrist to put my hair up since Macklin had his fingers going through it, and now it looks like a big mess.

“Is there a restroom up here? I need to clean up. I can’t walk into a classroom smelling like. . .”

“Sex,” he finishes my sentence.

“Yeah.”

“Come, I saw one by the elevator.” We grab our backpacks and both of us head into the bathrooms.

We meet outside.

“I kind of liked smelling like your pussy, but I get why that may be a problem in the middle of the day,” he teases, his gray eyes twinkling with mirth.

I smack his chest and laugh.

“We should head downstairs separately,” he suggests. “Just in case we bump into someone. I feel like we are both sporting I just got laid vibes.”

“Good call,” I agree with him.

He leans in and gives me the most tender kiss. It makes butterflies flutter in my belly. I’ve never felt like this before. All the other kisses I’ve had were mediocre at best.

“Have a good rest of the day. I know I will.” He winks.

I grin stupidly.

“Bye, Mack.”

“See you later, Periwinkle.” He presses the button for the elevator so I take the escalator and I stop on the second floor for a couple of minutes.

I hate walking into class late, but I have no choice because I don’t want to miss the lecture.

I head into class and take a seat at the back, so I don’t disturb anyone. My phone vibrates with a message from Charlie.

Charlie:I’m screwed. Had to quit.

I answer her on my laptop since I feel like it’s rude to text on my phone.

Me:Oh no. I’m in class.

Charlie:I’m fine. It was meant to be. I’m going to Annie. Please don’t tell your brother or Finn where I am.

Me:I won’t. I’ll be in touch after my class.

I feel terrible for my best friend. She went after her heart and now she’s paying a high price for it. It makes me think of my situation with Macklin. I know we are only casual. He’s helping me out because he is a good guy, but I’ve always had a crush on him and I don’t know if I am able to separate my feelings from the physical attraction I feel toward him. After everything we’ve done, I can barely look at him without blushing. I’m blushing now in class just thinking about him on his knees in the library.

No, Ruby, don’t think that now.

I have to go home later and discuss my Thanksgiving travel plans with my brother, and it would be better if I didn’t have a perma-smile on my face.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Forbidden Love

Macklin

When I get home from class at the end of the day, the guys in the house are all on edge. Charlie, our social media coordinator, had to quit. She’s also Ruby’s best friend and has been staying here in the house since their dorm flooded. And she’s been secretly hooking up with our captain. Now Finn is losing his shit because he can’t find Charlie.

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