Page 15 of My Athlete Neighbor

The door opened behind her.

"Cataloging, huh?" Kane's voice was amused. "In the equipment room?"

“Checking library hours? Stalking much?”

She turned to face him, ready for battle, but the words died in her throat. He was still flushed from working out, his hair damp with sweat, and the look in his eyes made her forget why they were trying to keep their distance in the first place.

“Guilty as charged.”

"We shouldn't," she managed, even as he stepped closer.

"Probably not." His hands found her waist, backing her against the weight rack. "But I've been thinking about kissing you again all week."

"The guys are right outside," she protested halfheartedly.

"Then we'll have to be quiet." His lips brushed her jaw, then her neck, making her shiver. "Think you can manage that?"

She meant to say something smart, but then he was kissing her properly, and all she could do was hold on. He tasted like mint and coffee, and his skin was hot under her palms when she slid her hands under his shirt. He made that sound again, the one that drove her crazy, and pressed her against the shelving unit for better access.

A loud laugh from the gym made them freeze.

"—where's Kane?" Oliver's voice carried through the door. "Coach wants him to look at the practice schedule."

Kane's forehead dropped to her shoulder with a groan. "To be continued?"

"To be continued." She straightened her shirt with shaking hands. "Though maybe somewhere with fewer interruptions next time."

They tried to look casual when Oliver stuck his head in, though Allison was pretty sure her face was still red. Kane was suddenly very interested in his phone.

"There you are," Oliver said, his knowing look saying he wasn't fooled. "Coach Vicky wants us at the arena in an hour."

Kane's ears went red. "An hour, yeah got it."

Oliver disappeared back into the gym. Through the door, they heard him tell Dmitri, "You owe me twenty bucks. They were totally making out in there."

"Damn." Dmitri's voice carried clearly. "Was hoping they finally admit feelings like adults. Making out in storage is amateur move."

"We should..." Kane gestured vaguely at the door.

Allison smoothed her ponytail. "I actually do need to get ready for work."

"Right." He hesitated, then stole one more quick kiss. "Have dinner with me tonight? Somewhere not in the equipment room?"

She should say no. The team was on a winning streak, media attention was growing, and Coach Vicky was already suspicious of Kane's focus. Adding a real date to the mix would only complicate things.

But Kane was looking at her with those blue eyes, still slightly dazed from kissing, and she found herself nodding.

"Good." His smile was brilliant. "I'll text you the details. And Allison?" He paused at the door. "Dmitri's right about one thing."

"What's that?"

"The ice does feel different when you’re there."

He was gone before she could respond, leaving her perched on the weight rack with burning cheeks and a racing heart. Through the wall, she heard Dmitri start humming what sounded suspiciously like the wedding march.

"Too early for that," Oliver complained.

"Is never too early for love," Dmitri declared.

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