Page 30 of Stick Handled

“Not your turn to ask questions.” I shake my head.

“Fine. You gave me a lot, so it’s only fair for me to answer the next one. Go ahead.” She nods with certainty and folds her legs, leaning sideways on the backrest.

“Did you date anyone in college?” I don’t know why I do this to myself. Maybe I’m a masochist. I mean, I know the answer—it’s fucking college. Everyone fucks like rabbits. She looks up at me and freezes.

Shit. How many guys?Anger is already bubbling up inside me at the thought of anyone else with her that way.

I expect her to deflect or maybe laugh it off, but she doesn’t.

“I’ve only kissed one guy before. That’s it. Nothing more,” she admits softly.

My glass freezes halfway to my lips. I stare at her, trying to process what she just said. The confession knocks the wind out of me.

Only one guy? One kiss?

“You’re kidding,” I mutter, half-disbelieving. Involuntarily, my anger turns into lust. Need—a craving. The way I feel about her feels like molten lava.

She shakes her head, her cheeks flushing. “I guess I’m not really… the type of girl guys look at.”

My stomach twists at her words. Is that what she thinks? That she’s not worth looking at? My gaze sweeps over her again, taking in every curve, every inch of her that I’d never been able to stop staring at. She has no idea. She has no idea how stunning she is. How distracted she made most of our teammates at practice. Rowan kept asking them what the hell was wrong with them, but it seemed like only I knew the answer. Seemed like only I noticed the way they stole glances her way, resulting in them missing their cues, slipping, and failing to meet the puck on time.

She’s a damn siren.

I set my glass down, leaning closer, my eyes locked onto hers. “That’s the dumbest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.”

“What?” Her eyes widen in disbelief.

“You have no idea, do you?” I smirk, but it doesn’t quite reach my eyes. My hand reaches up to brush a strand of auburn hair away from her freckled face.

She sucks in a breath. The tension thickens, wrapping around us like a noose. She shifts in her seat, clearly flustered, but she doesn’t pull away.

“Damien…” she breathes, her voice shaky, unsure.

I watch her for a long moment, my own pulse hammering in my chest, my self-control hanging by a thread. But I’ve pushed hard enough for tonight. One step at a time, though my entire being begs me to sprint instead.

I pull back just a little, sensing her disappointment. No, I don’t think I’m done playing just yet.

“Give me a shot,” I say softly, nodding toward the tray on the table. She hesitates, then reaches for one of the shots, handing it to me. I shake my head, and she furrows her brows. “I said, give me a shot, Avery.” God, it feels good to say her name.

She studies me for a moment before her eyes widen with realization, making the corners of my mouth lift up.

What are you going to do now, baby?

She looks down at the shot and then up, straight at my mouth. I nod in confirmation, parting my lips. Let’s see how far my little liar will go.

Chapter eleven

~AVERY~

I stare down at the shot in my hand, a pulse thrumming low in my stomach. He wants me to pour it into his mouth.

The anticipation buzzes under my skin, setting every nerve alight. I slowly scoot closer, so slowly it feels like moving through water, my heart hammering with each inch. Damien leans back, his head tipping as his lips part, waiting, watching—for me.

Oh, God.

Carefully, I tilt the tiny glass, pouring the amber liquid into his open mouth, and for a moment, everything around me vanishes. My gaze locks on his throat, the muscles and Adam’s apple shifting as he swallows, each movement unbearably seductive. I’m the one who feels like I’ve downed the shot as heat floods me, a heady excitement leaving me breathless. I’ve never experienced this kind of intimacy before.

“Delicious.” Damien sits up, his lips curling into a grin that lights his eyes with mischief. “So,” he murmurs, his voice smooth as silk, “you’ve only kissed one guy?”

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