Page 18 of Face Me Off

“I’m doing fine. Hardly your girl.”

“Way to pierce my heart.”

“I’m sure you’ll survive,” I laugh. We don’t hate each other. Quite the opposite, really. We just weren’t looking for anything long-term.

“How’re you liking the mix?”

I glance at the full drink in my hand. Do I tell the truth? “It’s a little strong.”

“What’s the matter, Maddy? ’Fraid you might have too much fun? We could resurrect that night a couple of years ago. Give it another round.”

I playfully shove him away, laughing. “You’re ridiculous. You know that’s not happening.”

He laughs, but my back goes rigid. There’s a disturbance in the force. I can feel it.

Jim leans in, erasing the distance between us. “Not even once? For old time’s sake?”

One moment, Jim’s stale beer breath is in my face, and the next, he’s gone.

“She said no.” Ryan backs him into the counter, hands twisted in his shirt. I’m too shocked to speak.

Jim tosses his arms up in surrender. “Hey, man. Chill. We were just kidding around.”

“Go kid somewhere else.” Ryan looks at me. “You okay?”

The concern in his voice cracks my chest. That’s the only explanation I can think of for the heaviness that has settled on it. I find my voice. “Yes, of course. Jim’s right. We were joking.”

Ryan grunts but releases his hold. “Find better jokes.”

His voice is colder than the ice he skates on. His chest heaves. I’ve never seen him this riled up except on the ice. He’s pissed on my behalf. A mix of guilt and gratitude swirls in my stomach. This reminds me of the old Ryan. The one I crushed on throughout high school.

“Whatever, man.” Jim pats Ryan’s back. “I’m out of here.”

“Thanks, Ryan.” I try to keep my voice steady, avoiding his piercing stare. Jim slips into the next room.

He just nods, stuffing his hands in his pockets as if looking for something to do with the pent-up energy coursing through him.

The kitchen suddenly feels too small, and I’m hyperaware of every inch between us.

Ryan breaks the silence, his voice a low rumble that sets my blood pumping. “You shouldn’t have to put up with that kind of crap, Maddy.”

“I know.” My voice is barely audible. I take a deep breath to steady my nerves. “But I can handle it. I’m not some damsel in distress.”

He rakes a hand through his light brown hair, looking exasperated. “That’s not what this is about, Maddy.”

“Then what is it about?” I challenge him, feeling the heat rise in my face. It’s not just from the alcohol.

I dare to meet his gaze, and the intensity in his eyes steals my breath. Without pause, he closes the distance between us. I try not to watch the lean muscles rippling under his shirt with each movement, but he’s just so damn perfect. Nobody should be built this fine.

Before I know it, only an inch of space is left between us. Can he hear my racing heart?

“Maybe it’s about this,” he whispers as his gaze drops to my lips and back to my eyes again.

I swallow past the lump in my throat. This is dangerous territory. We’re teetering on a precipice here. If we make one wrong move, we could freefall into something we might not be able to crawl out of.

His hand reaches up to gently tuck a loose curl behind my ear, his touch setting off fireworks under my skin.

For a moment, we stand there frozen in time. The noise from the party filters through as a muted background hum. Everything pales compared to the electricity crackling between us. Part of me wants to rub along his cock and tell him to find us an empty room, while the sensible side says to duck and run.

---