Page 42 of Defensive Zone

“You wanted to argue with me. And you only see what you want to see. About me. About the game. About everything in your life.”

“That’s a bold claim, Max. You don’t even know me.”

“You’d be surprised.”

“Please,” she said, but she remained on the couch.

“Let’s see. You say you hate hockey, but I know you’ve been watching all of my games. Ava said sometimes you’re still up watching when she and the kids go to bed.”

“I don’t feel like changing the channel.” It even sounded lame coming out of her mouth.

He grinned.

Bastard.

“If you truly hated the game, you wouldn’t watch. I also know that you don’t want me to get hurt.”

“Because I’m a nice person, Max. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“I think deep down you like me.”

“I think you’re delusional,” she said.

Wait, why was she closer to him. Had he moved?

Oh god, had she?

Her heart picked up speed, his grin doing nothing to calm her nerves.

“You can’t take anything seriously, can you?”

“I take my job very seriously. I take my family very seriously. And don’t ever think that I’m fighting just to get my rocks off. There is a reason for everything I do on the ice.”

“Please. You’re the team joker. You just happen to be good at skating.”

“Now who’s taunting whom?”

“What?”

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to taunt the beast? Sometimes we bite back,” he said.

There was something in his eyes that made her breath catch.

It was heat. His pupils were dilated and there was a faint flush on his cheeks.

And when her eyes locked on his lips, she couldn’t look away.

“Gabi, you’re playing with fire,” he said softly.

“Because I’m arguing with you,” she replied, her voice husky.

What in the ever-loving hell was she doing right now?

“Because you’re looking at me like you want me to kiss you,” he said, smirk back in place.

“Again, delusional,” she said.

“That’s why you’re practically in my lap?”

---