Page 103 of Bookworm

"There's only one of me."

I smiled at his cocky tone. "I know that, Stryker."

Bo touched the soccer ball on my cheek, and I felt my pulse leap. "So, you liked the game?"

"I liked seeing youplay," I said. "It was truly incredible. You're…incredible."

"What were you talking about before?" he asked. "Something about story time and a deal?"

I exhaled and shrugged, glad to be back on sure footing.

"Oh that," I said. "It's just something we do sometimes."

"Can I come?"

I blinked. "You want to come to story time?"

"Yeah," he said with a shrug. "If you'll let me."

"Okay, but why?" I asked.

Bo cocked his head. "Well, it seems like I'm getting a lot out of this deal. You coming to my game, working at the shop, doing nice things."

"But—"

He placed a finger against my lips, effectively stopping my next words.

"I just wanted to do something for you too," he finished. "Make sure we're both getting something out of it."

When he took his hand away, I rubbed my lips together, still feeling the warmth from his skin.

"But I owe you," I whispered.

Bo was looking at my lips. I both saw and felt his stare.

"You don't," he said after a moment. "You never did. Plus, I stole your first kiss, remember?"

Did I remember?

Was that a serious question?

I was remembering it now, as the desperate urge to feel his lips against mine suddenly hit me, watching as Bo slowly leanedforward. Or was that me who was leaning?

"Awesome game, Iceman," a voice called, and that broke whatever trance we'd been in.

"Thanks for coming," Bo said, voice rough.

"Yeah, congrats on the win," I murmured.

As I started to walk away in search of Scarlett, I heard Bo chuckle.I whipped back around just in time to see him, covering his mouth. Those lips of his were now pressed into a line again, but I knew what I'd heard.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said, but his eyes were dancing. "Nice shirt."

My smile was full of joy. "I thought it was a nice touch."

"No doubt who you're rooting for."

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