Page 44 of Breakaway

“Claire flirts with me all the time. I don’t even pay attention to it.” He shrugs, his eyes glued to the road. “She’s invited me to her place several times, but I always say no.”

“Of course you do,” I deadpan snidely. “That’s why you got home thirty minutes after me when I saw you with her last time.”

Roman stops at a traffic light and turns to look at me. “I helped her bring her groceries up to her apartment, and we chatted a little. What did you think I was doing with her?”

“Hooking up. Thirty minutes is enough time for a quickie.”

A burst of laughter pours from his lips. I wait, watching him with my eyes narrowed. When he finally calms down, the light is green. Before he starts driving again, Roman leans over and whispers, “I don’t do quickies.” He pulls back and focuses on the road. “Thirty minutes is like a pregame for me. I find it nice, but nothing special. If I fuck—I fuck long, Malyshka.”

Really looking forward to it.

The words flash in my head, and I feel the lightest throb between my legs. I’m hopeless.

Chapter 18

It Won’t Happen Again

ROMAN

Sauntering to the Thompsons’house with Nevaeh beside me, I can’t stop myself from smiling. It’s been like that since the moment we got into my car. Or even earlier, when she snapped at my neighbor. Her jealousy was so evident, and it’s hard not to be fascinated by it.

Even if fascinated is the last thing I should be feeling.

Her ex and his daily bouquets, her story about her parents…all reasons for me to keep my distance. The girl’s been through way too much already, and she’ll be better off without my shit. Yet convincing myself to stay away from her is becoming almost impossible. Almost…because not letting my selfishness win is one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced lately.

At this point, I’m genuinely curious how long I’ll be able to resist her; I hope at least until the season starts.Away games will be a blessing.

“You think everyone’s already here?” Nevaeh asks as we get to the door.

“Maybe.” I knock, glancing at her. The skirt of her summer dress flutters in the wind, drawing my attention to her toned legs. Her sun-kissed skin glows in the sunlight, making my mouth water. I move my gaze up her chest. Her dress contoursher round tits and hugs her body like a second skin. She is such a beautiful girl, dammit. I can’t take my eyes off her.

The door opens, and Colton’s voice follows. “Punctuality is definitely not your strong suit.”

I shoot my gaze in his direction, instantly noticing his widened eyes as he glances between me and Nevaeh.

“Hey, Colt,” I say in greeting. “Didn’t think two minutes meant being late. You remember Nevaeh?”

He nods, stepping aside to let us in. “Of course. Come on in.”

Nevaeh walks in first, and I follow her every step into the house until I hear Colton close the door. Wheeling around, I stop beside her and meet my friend’s gaze. He watches me with his eyes slightly narrowed, a smile still playing on his lips. Thompson has one of the best poker faces, but now it’s failing him.

“The girls are in the kitchen,” he says to Nevaeh. “My wife, being her stubborn self, refused my help, even at her own birthday party. If you want?—”

The sound of approaching steps makes me turn my head, and I see Angie hurrying over from the living room. She’s in a floral dress that’s wrapped tightly around her waist, showing off her growing baby bump.

“I thought I heard the door opening.” Angie lines up with us and wraps her arm around Nevaeh’s waist. “Hey, Nev.” She gives me the quickest once-over, and my smile dies. “Roman.”

Okay, she’s definitely not my number one fan right now.

“Hey, Angie.” I hide my hands in my pockets, suddenly feeling out of place.

“I need to steal Nev from you,” Angie says sweetly, making Nevaeh follow her.

Colton and I stay silent, watching them disappear into the living room. A nudge to my shoulder forces me to stop staring and look at my friend.

“Let’s go out back,” he suggests, and we head down the hallway. “Everyone’s already here, except Xander, Bella and their kids. They’re running late.”

A burst of laughter rings through the air as Colton and I make our way out to the terrace. I notice Drake sitting at the table and talking to Clay Rodgers, our team’s new goalie. Clay and I have met before, not only during games, when he was playing for the Chicago Hawks, but also at different parties at Thompson’s house. He’s Colton’s best friend, and a really nice guy, always funny and kind. Not to mention incredibly talented. I really believe that with him on our team, we’ll have a chance to finally win the Stanley Cup.

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