Page 100 of Ice Mechanic

“Nothing.”

A muscle in his jaw jumps. His smile disappears and is replaced with an intensity that sends my head reeling. “Is that why you stopped answering my messages? Do you think I’ve been talking to other women?”

“Just drop it, Chance.”

“It’s only been you,” he says firmly. “There’s been no one else, April.”

Liar!

My heart beats faster and faster. If he keeps talking, if he keeps explaining himself, I’m going to believe him. I’ll pretend that I didn’t see what I saw with my own eyes that night. Like a total idiot, I’ll succumb to the Chase effect.

And after Evan, I’m not signing up for another ‘bad boy who can’t keep his pants zipped’ package.

“You don’t have to explain anything,” I say firmly. “I don’t have any expectations of someone like you.”

His eyes flash. “Someone like me?”

“Yeah, someone like you.”

“And who exactly am I in your eyes, April?”

Chance’s voice has a dangerous edge, but I don’t back down.

“You, Chance McLanely, are a man who always gets what he wants, especially with girls, and for the first time ever, you met someone who isn’t swooning every time you flash those pretty blue eyes or whip out your charming smile.”

“You think my smile is charming?”

I glare at him. “Is that all you heard?”

“That’s all that matters.”

I throw my hands high. “You’re full of it, Chance McLanely.”

My wrath is building to a boil. I’m angry with Chance for making me feel this way. Angry with myself for being unable to control these feelings despite my best efforts.

And through it all, he keeps looking at me with this penetrating gaze, like he’s so close to breaking down my walls and seeing right through me.

“Just so you know, the attraction isn’t one sided,” Chance says with a smile.

My jaw clenches and my blood simmers. He really thinks this is all a joke.

“There is no attraction. There hasneverbeen an attraction.” I point an accusing finger, stalking in front of him. “This is me drawing the line with you. Sorry to disappoint, but I haven’t fallen for any of your tricks.”

He massages his forehead like I’m a wayward student who refuses to get the lesson. “You think… all this time, I’ve been playing tricks?”

“I think none of this matters and this conversation is pointless. After the way you played tonight, you’re definitely going back to the league and you and I will never see each other again.”

His voice is a thin, restrained sound, like I’m stretching out his last nerve. “So in your mind, you’d never date me if it wasn’t for the contract.”

“Exactly!”

“You think the absolute worst of me.”

“I do!” I agree vehemently.

“And yet…”

“And yet?”

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