Page 4 of A Whole New Trick

Andthatis exactly why I am.

Dane Larson is sexy as hell, and his attention fills me with a confidence I’ve lacked since I broke up with Aaron, but I know myself. I’m one of those women who catches pesky feelings for guys when she sleeps with them.

And while I can’t be sure, I suspect that’sexactlywhere a dance with Dane Larson would lead—me and him sweaty and panting between my Egyptian cotton sheets.

Would that really be so bad?

A commotion travels over the crowd, bouncing to the upbeat track playing over the speakers, interrupting the words I see forming on Dane’s perfect lips.

We all turn towards the source, along with the rest of the club-goers around us. I spot Carter’s brown head bobbing through the crowd, following Corey Johnson’s massive form as he tugs along his girlfriend, Carlee.

I smile at the sight. My best friend has been in love with Corey long before he became a star baseball pitcher. She was heartbroken by what happened between them in high school, but things worked out in the end. I couldn’t be happier for them both.

“Looks like we’re not the only athletes here tonight,” Cam remarks.

“Looks like it,” Dane agrees. “I need to go say hi.”

His gaze drops to meet mine. “Then I’ll be back for our dance.”

My mouth falls open. “But, I?—”

Dane strides away without another word.

I gape after him, my stomach fluttering. His confidence borders on arrogance, but paired with his impressive physical appearance, it’s incredibly attractive—which is toxic as hell.

I know it.

But I can’t control it.

My eyes dip to admire Dane’s muscular ass in his fitted pants. I bite my lip. You could bounce a quarter on those glutes.

An invisible touch brushes against my cheek. I lift my gaze and see Dane looking at me over his shoulder. His lips tilt into a promising smile, and he winks before I lose sight of him in the crowd.

I experience a crisis of conscience.

While I know it would be wise to find Lacy and enjoy the rest of my evening with her, my feet remain glued to the floor.

I’m eager to see if Dane keeps his word and returns to claim a dance.

And if I’m right in where I believe that dance might lead…

2

MORGAN

“Should we make him jealous?”

I tear my gaze off Dane’s retreating figure. Strobe lights flash to the beat of the new song booming through the club, illuminating Cam’s instigating grin. “Sorry?”

His lips twist with mischief. “Dane. Wanna make him jealous?”

Wariness flows through me. “Why would I want to do that?” Cam and Dane are teammates. From what little the press report on the Ranchers’ team dynamics, the two players get along well enough. They might even be friends off the ice. Why would Cam want to make him jealous?

And why in the world would Dane be jealous overme?

I’m objectively attractive, tall, and still pretty fit, even though it’s been years since my college volleyball days. But I’m not a model by any means.

“Because while I love the guy, Dane could use a slice of humble pie, as my mother would say.” Cam leans forward and says conspiratorially, “And I’m known as the team jokester.”

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