Page 37 of Melting the Ice

I squeezed my water bottle, but it wasn’t a disposable one that I could crush.

Yup. She was one hundred percent fucking with me. Was that a tiny smirk playing on her lips? What the hell was her angle? And was I reading too much into the ponderings of my dick at her actions instead of thinking with my upstairs brain?

“Ooh, can I have a sip?” she asked, reaching for the water bottle still in my hands. I couldn’t do anything except hand it to her like I was in a damn trance or some shit.

“So good,” she all but moaned.

“Fucking hell, Hurricane. You done?” The words were out before I could stop them.

She held the bottle to her lips and quirked her brow at me. “What? Sorry, I was thirsty.”

“Is that what this is?” I waved my hand between us.

“What what is?” She paused, that delicious smirk back in place.

“You’re torturing me on purpose. Messing with my routine and driving me crazy.”

She pushed out her lower lip, and I wanted to tug it between my teeth.

“I know. I’m sorry. You’re just so easy to tease that I can’t help it. I’ll try harder to resist messing with you. Want me to make you lunch or cookies? Don’t worry, I’m not really baking them. I mean, I am, but I already have some of that oatmeal cookie dough in the fridge. I’ll just add some chocolate chips again to make them actually taste good.”

I tamped down my frustration. Did she really not feel the sexual tension as brutally as I did? I wanted her desperately, but I knew it would be a mistake to pursue anything with her,and the way she was acting, it was pretty obvious she wasn’t interested in me.

Right?

I raked my hand through my hair again for the millionth time today.

“No, it’s fine. I’m not that hungry. I’m going to go upstairs and get a run in,” I said, walking back to my bedroom to change into workout gear before she could utter another word.

I pulled out my phone and tapped on Dom’s name.

Micah: I need to get out of here. You up for a run or something upstairs?

Three dots popped up. Then went away. Then went back up again.

Dom: A run? There’s a shit ton of snow up there. And it’s still coming down hard. You okay?

See. I was fucking rattled. It was March. In Denver.

Micah: Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. Just want to get in a run. On the treadmill.

Dom: You’re in luck. Ally and Livi are currently napping, so I’ll pull myself away from them to help my troubled friend.

Dom: And I’m nosy as fuck and want to know what sweet Josie has done now.

He finished it off with a laughing emoji.

I groaned. Why had I texted him?

Oh, right, because Josie had me not thinking clearly.

Micah: Forget it. I can text someone else.

Dom: Dude, I’m your best friend on this team. See you up there in five.

What the hell was I doing right now?

I snagged a pair of socks and my running shoes from the closet, ignoring her clothes hung up next to mine. I should’ve made space in the guest room for her stuff.

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