Page 33 of Hooked On Them

“You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

She sighed, dishing pasta onto the plates. “But I can’t exactly slow down. Not yet, anyway. Not until I figure out... everything.”

We settled onto her couch with our food, and she put on a show as we ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. The day’s stress visibly lifted from her shoulders, and there was no greater satisfaction than knowing I’d helped ease it.

When we finished our dinner, I snagged the box containing the shareable cheesecake, deliberately grabbing only one fork. Who was I to deny either of us the intimate pleasure of trading bites across the same utensil?

I watched her close her eyes as I fed her the bite, savoring the way her expression transformed into pure pleasure.

“This is almost better than sex... but not quite.” Her words sent a jolt of electricity through me, especially paired with that satisfied little smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” I couldn’t resist teasing her, even as I tried to keep my voice steady. “Is anything better than sex?” I took my own bite of the silky-smooth cheesecake, fighting back an appreciative sound as it practically melted in my mouth.

“Actually, yes. I skated earlier. It was amazing to let go and clear my mind.” She took another bite.

I frowned. “Should you be doing that?”

The question seemed to hit her like a physical blow, the easy relaxation disappearing from her posture. Her shoulders tensed, spine straightened, and the contentment I’d been basking in vanished faster than my self-control around her.

I’d finally gotten her to relax, and my big mouth had to ruin it. The urge to reach for her, to somehow rewind time and unsay the words, was almost overwhelming.

“I... don’t know.” Her voice was small. “The thought has crossed my mind, but I’ve been skating my whole life. It’s like walking for me.”

“Maybe ask your doctor?” I’d totally overstepped, and now I was scrambling to soften the impact. “I’m just thinking, if you fall...” My voice trailed off as I pictured various scenarios, each worse than the last.

The protective instinct surging through me was new and overwhelming. I wasn’t usually the responsible one in any situation. But something about her made me want to wrap her in bubble wrap while simultaneously respecting her independence, and I was doing a great job of failing at both.

“I could fall walking too. But, yeah, I’ll ask.” Her eyes grew worried. “What if I can’t coach anymore? How am I supposed to show techniques if I can’t demonstrate them?”

I placed the cheesecake on the coffee table and shifted closer to her. “Hey, you’re one of the best skating coaches in the country.”

She didn’t smile. “This could cost me my job, Carter. The timing couldn’t be worse. I was finally getting established with the team, gaining their trust, and now...” She gestured vaguely at her still-flat stomach. “I don’t even know how I’m going to tell Coach Lovell.”

This wasn’t the first time she mentioned her job being in jeopardy.

“If they fire you because you’re pregnant, I’ll personally fund a discrimination lawsuit that will own the entire franchise.” I took her hand, squeezing it gently. “But they won’t. They’d be doing themselves a disservice.” I reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Her eyes met mine, and something shifted in the air between us. The apartment suddenly felt smaller. I moved my thumb across her cheek. I was still touching her face, and she hadn’t pulled away.

“Carter…” Her eyes dropped to my mouth.

“Yeah?” I leaned closer, giving her plenty of time to pull away.

She didn’t. Instead, she closed the distance between us, pressing her lips against mine. Soft at first, but then with growing confidence and need as I responded.

I slid my hand into her hair, cradling the back of her head, her body warm against mine. Her hands fisted my shirt, pulling me closer.

Time seemed to slow as the kiss intensified. The sweet taste of cheesecake lingered on her tongue, mixing with something that made me dizzy with want.

When we finally broke apart, her eyes were dark and wide, lips slightly swollen. A flush had spread across her cheeks, down her neck, and disappeared beneath her collar. I wanted to follow it, to see how far it went.

“I shouldn’t want this.” Her fingers played with the bottom hem of my shirt. “You’re so—” She stopped, shaking her head slightly.

“So what?”

“Infuriating.” But she smiled as she said it. “And persistent. And surprisingly sweet.”

I grinned, trailing my fingers down the column of her neck. “Sweet enough to taste?”

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