Page 31 of Face Me Off

“You ready, Berry Girl?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why not? It fits.” Between the watermelon drink she wore and her strawberry-smelling hair, I can’t think of anything sweeter.

“It’s stupid. That’s why.”

“You preferred Melon Girl?”

“No! That’s worse.”

“Well, you smell fruity, so Fruity-Tootie?”

“God, no! Just stop.”

“Toots for short, then.”

She rolls her eyes, which causes me to grin. I glance over my shoulder and pull back to the road.

Once we head down the road, I keep my eyes straight ahead. “You didn’t answer the question.”

There’s a slight tease in her tone when she asks, “What question.”

Peering over at her, I’m met with the teasing sparkle of her eyes as the corners of her mouth lift into a seductive smile. “Are you ready,Toots?”

“Only if you stop calling me that,” she says, but the playful sparkle refuses to leave. That’s my Maddy.

My Maddy?

“The name stays.” I feign sternness but can’t keep my own mouth from grinning. How can I when she’s so fucking radiant under the dim glow of the streetlights? “Answer me.”

She tilts her head, wearing that sexy and confident smirk I extract from her. “I am. The better question is, are you?”

Well, damn. Looks like I’m driving to the beach with a hard-on after all.

CHAPTER TWELVE

MADISON

We’reon the interstate heading away from the city. I’m unsure where he’s taking me, but I’m too nervous to care.

Well, nervous and excited.

Dick trance is a real phenomenon, and I’ve been in one ever since I’ve seen his big snake.

I shake my head as if to scatter my thoughts and try to think of anything else.

“Congratulations on winning the game,” I say. “The team seems to be doing great.”

“Thanks. I’m stoked. Our chances to make the playoffs this year are good. The team set a goal to make it to the Frozen Four, and we’re out to prove a point.”

“What point is that?”

He turns his gaze on me. “To prove we belong.”

The inflection in his voice causes a shiver to race down my spine. It’s as if there’s another meaning behind it. One I don’t quite understand.

He directs his attention back to the road, and the tension eases. After a few moments, his hands fidget on the steering wheel.

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