Page 153 of Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Austin: What else were you hoping for?

Gio: Something more hands-on…if you catch my drift.

Austin: Hands-on, huh? Like helping you stretch?

Gio: Probably something lower.

Austin: Lower? You mean, like tying your skates?

Gio: Not what I had in mind.

Austin: Oh?

Gio: Let’s just say my idea involves a different kind of stroke.

Austin: You’re really going there?

Gio: My shoulder’s not the only thing that could use some attention.

Austin: What if we make a little wager?

Gio: Can we make it interesting?

Austin: You lose the game and you have to go down on me.

Gio: And if I win, you suck my dick?

Austin: Exactly.

Gio: I like those odds. Babe, you’ve officially made this the most important game of my life.

Austin: It’s DEFINITELY going to be the most important game of your life—I guarantee it.

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gio

Life is good.

Damn good.

The sex is amazing. Austin and I have so much fun together.

She and my sister get along. The dog has stopped growling at me and has now started letting me pet him.

Work is great.

Finally—we’re fucking winning and it’s all thanks to my good luck charm.

I home in on the forward as he skates toward me, the puck bouncing back and forth between his stick as he skillfully maneuvers through my defensemen. His movements are sharp, fluid—too damn smooth. My muscles tighten, every nerve in my body screaming to react.

Focus.

That word beats in my head like a war drum. I shift my weight slightly, my stick angled down, blocking the tiniest opening. The crowd roars as the forward gets closer, cutting sharply left. My heart pounds in time with their chants.

He shoots.

Instinct kicks in.

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