Page 53 of Body Checked By the Defenseman

“You go first and tell me if the coast is clear,” I reply, feeling like I need a moment to catch my bearings.

He opens the door and peeks outside. Then he dashes to his room, which is almost across the hall. I think he says, “Clear.” So, I open the door and make a dash, holding my clothes in my hand. But I pause and my jaw drops as I see Charlie and Finn standing there with their jaws dropped.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Crazy For You

Ruby

“Oh shit,” I screech, knowing I must look like I just saw a deer in my headlights.

“Ruby, what is going on?” Charlie asks, her green eyes wide and her tone shock-filled.

“Ah, da. . .” I’m at a loss of words. I’m still tipsy and that warm shower and amazing orgasm has my mind floating in the clouds.

“Periwinkle. . .” Macklin walks out of his room in his boxers, probably because he was expecting me to walk in right after him. “Oh shit,” he mutters when he sees Charlie and Finn. “I can explain. . .”

“Really?” Finn says, looking more curious than anything.

“Okay, look,” I cut in. “Charlie, this is why I wanted to talk to you before, then Aaron threw this party and I didn’t get a chance.”

“How long has this been going on?” Charlie asks, looking hurt.

Finn mutters something about going to his room and leaves, which I appreciate because I am in a towel.

“Can we not do this now? I promise I’ll tell you everything,” I assure. She understandably looks hurt. She confided in me about her secret relationship with Finn, and I didn’t do the same.

“Yeah, okay.” She frowns. “We’ll talk later,” she says quietly, turning to Finn’s room.

“Charlie,” I call out. “I’m sorry, this is very complicated.”

The loud music radiates through the house and the party seems to be going strong downstairs.

Charlie nods and walks into Finn’s room. My stomach turns as I enter Macklin’s room. Tears sting my eyes, and I begin to cry as I close his door and lean against it.

“Oh no, Periwinkle.” He walks up to me and gathers me in his strong arms. He holds me tight. “Please don’t cry.” But I cry against his chest.

“I screwed up, Mack. Finn knows and he could tell Hayden, and your friendship will be all screwed up. I don’t even know why I am crying so hard.”

“Probably because you’re a bit drunk and the alcohol is intensifying your emotions,” he says, sounding soft and sweet. “But I’m not sorry about any of this, Periwinkle.”

I pull my head off his chest and look him in the eyes. “You aren’t?”

“No, I really like you and I cherish what we have here. I know we aren’t going to be together, but you trusting me with something so important to you means a lot to me.”

My chest expands, the same feeling of warmth and comfort I’ve been feeling in his presence returns with a vengeance. “I’m happy it’s you, Mack. I don’t want you backing away from me now. Please say you won’t.”

He cups my face, and his thumb slowly strokes my cheek. “I couldn’t walk away now. I’m in too deep.”

He kisses me with a tenderness that makes my heart beat different. He takes his time and spreads the kisses down my neck before undoing my towel and allowing it to drop to the floor. My breasts press against his chest. Against the tattoo he said means nothing. Being skin to skin with him makes me feel things I can no longer deny.

“I need you, Mack,” I whisper in his mouth.

He breaks the kiss. “Not tonight. We both drank too much and emotions are running high. When it happens, I want it to be special. Something you’ll remember.”

“Okay,” I concede and then he swipes me off my feet and lays me on the bed. I squeal and laugh. “What are you doing?”

“Spread your legs, honey, I’m going to eat you like you’re my last meal,” he declares, leaning on the bed with one knee on the mattress, using his hands in front of him for support. He looks like the best kind of predator. Strong, stealthy, with his steely gray eyes filled with so much heat I am a mess anticipating what he will do next.

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