Page 59 of Coach's Temptation

"I was finishing up some reports." Her lips twitch like she’s barely holding back a grin. "But if you think I’m distracting, that sounds like ayouproblem."

I grit my teeth.

We werekissingthree nights ago. Her body was pressed against mine, her tongue tangled with mine. Her hand was on my cock for Christ's sake!

But ever since Greg-fucking-McSmugFace walked in, we’ve been pretending it never fucking happened.

And I’m sick of it.

Ameproblem?

Fine. She wants to play? Let’s play.

"If you’re still here, you need to come with me," I say, pushing off the doorframe.

She folds her arms, weight shifting to one hip. "I do?"

"Yeah. I need to show you something."

Skepticism flickers in her eyes. "I swear to God, Brody, if this is some dumb metaphor about teamwork—"

I smirk, already turning down the hallway. "Just shut that pretty mouth of yours and follow me."

She huffs, but I hear the soft patter of her sneakers as she trails after me.

Natalie follows me up the narrow back stairwell, her footsteps light against the metal as we climb higher. The air shifts as we push through the final door, crisp and sharp with the scent of winter.

Then, with the last final steps up onto the rooftop clearing the sky above us, I see it.

The view.

Endless sky stretches, a perfect sweep of midnight blue, studded with stars so bright they look close enough to touch. Below, Iron Ridge sprawls in a sea of golden lights, the streetswinding through the snow-covered town like veins of molten amber.

The arena sits beneath us, silent and powerful, its rooftop slick with a light dusting of frost that shimmers under the glow of the town. It’s cold, the kind of crisp air that bites at your skin and makes your breath come out in soft clouds.

Natalie steps onto the rooftop, wide-eyed and cold flushed cheeks — all red, beautiful and fucking perfect.

“Holy shit.”

A slow, satisfied smile tugs at my lips.

This is my world. My escape. And I’d trade every inch of it just to see that look in her eyes again.

“Yeah.”

We settle onto the rooftop, the cold breeze harsh but the view making up for it. The lights of Iron Ridge glow faintly in the distance, and above us, the stars stretch on forever.

"I come up here sometimes when it all gets too much." I move over to my hidden stash of blankets and pull them out. "It's peaceful. Silent. A reminder that some things are bigger than the game."

I toss the dark green Icehawks blanket at her, watching as she wraps it around her shoulders with a grateful sigh.

"It's stunning. I’ve lived here my whole life, but I’ve never seen Iron Ridge like this, Hunter. I didn't even know we could get up here."

"We're probably not supposed to be up here." I adjust the blanket around her shoulders, fingers lingering a moment too long.

"Coach Brody breaking rules? I'm shocked."

Her eyes sparkle with mischief.

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