Page 88 of Cross Check Hearts

My heart thumbs against my ribs. So shedidhear that part. “Listen, I wasn’t trying to pressure you or put a label on anything you’re not ready for, I just?—”

“It’s okay.” Hannah cuts me off, shaking her head. There’s something soft in her expression that catches me off guard. She leans closer, her lips curving upward into a small smile. “I’m glad you didn’t take her number. I would’ve hated for a fight to break out on the ice—although I’m pretty sure I could’ve taken her.”

Her smile blooms into a full-on smirk, and I chuckle.

“Is that why you came over here so fast? In case you had to fight her off.”

She shrugs, two spots of pink appearing high on her cheeks. “No…”

I bark out a laugh, giving her a heated look. “Too late to deny it now, hummingbird. But you know what? I like it when you stake your claim. It’s hot as hell.” My voice drops, turning a little rough as I add, “I wish I could kiss you right now.”

She swallows hard, her eyes shining. “I wish you could too.”

Raw, primal hunger rumbles deep inside me. If we were alone, I’d tear my jersey off her and have my way with her right here and now. Just push her up against the boards and fuck her against them.

“I wish I could do a lot more than that.” But I can’t, so I drop my head a little, keeping enough distance between us to keep things from looking suspicious as I murmur, “You look so fucking hot in my jersey. I want to spread you out and eat you out like a feast while you’re wearing nothing but that. I want to fuck your face while you kneel for me, then fuck you so hard you won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”

Hannah shivers, and a tempting flush rises on her cheeks as her eyes meet mine. “Is that a promise?”

“Fuck yes, it is.”

There’s so much tension swirling between us that I swear I can feel it melting the ice under my skates. Hannah’s eyes never leave mine, and we’re so close I can see her heartbeat throbbing in her neck, pounding so fast it’s amazing she doesn’t pass out. And it takes everything I have not to lower my mouth to her neck to kiss every inch of her beautiful, exposed skin.

Thinking about what I want to do to her, of seeing her splayed out in front of me in nothing but my jersey makes my throat run dry, and the scorching look she’s giving me makes me sure that similarly dirty thoughts are tearing through her mind right now too. But neither of us makes a move because we’re both intensely aware of just how public we are right now.

“I should go,” she whispers, her voice raspy.

My hand instinctively reaches out to stop her, but I catch myself and shove it in my pocket instead. The physical pain of not touching her is almost unbearable. She smiles at me and nods, then turns to skate away.

I hate this. Hate having to let her go.

It takes me right back to that first night we spent together, puts me right back in the fear that I might have to go months without seeing her again. I don’t think that’s going to happen, especially not now that we’re so much closer literally and figuratively, but I still can’t forget the way it felt to go back to the club night after night hoping to see her again—and coming up empty.

This is different, and I know that, but I still hate it. Because the truth is I’m completely head over heels for this woman, and I honestly don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to keep pretending this is all just for fun.

Chapter39

Hannah

A week after the charity event, I’m sitting on the edge of my seat, watching Declan’s every move out on the ice as the Aces play the Nashville Coyotes—and trying not to give myself away in the process.

I steal a glance at my mother, who’s sitting right next to me, but she seems just as engaged in the game as I am, so she doesn’t notice that I’m focusing a lot of attention on a single player.

I’ve been coming to a lot more of the Aces games this season than usual, so I’m surprised she hasn’t made a comment about it yet, but I’m not complaining. She probably just assumes I’m trying to spend more time with her and my father, and I’m fine with letting her think that.

The horn sounds, marking the end of the period and the start of intermission, leaving the Aces ahead. I breathe a sigh of relief as I slide back into my seat.

My mother chuckles at me as the crowd starts to leave the stands to use the restrooms and stock up on concessions during the break.

“You’re awfully invested in this season,” she says as if she was reading my mind. I don’t know what to say to that, so I just shrug at her, and she smiles. “It’s not a bad thing. It’s actually been really nice to have you here.”

“Yeah, I’m glad we’re getting to spend more time together too.”

It’s sweet that she feels that way, and part of me feels guilty for not being totally honest with her about the real reason I’ve been spending so much more time at the arena lately. But another part of me knows she would have a heart attack if I told her what’s really behind it—and I have no doubt that my father would eventually find out too.

I totally understand why my father has forbidden me from dating hockey players, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. And I know I’m being reckless and bending the rules in a way that would make him furious if he found out, but some part of me wants to think that my mother would understand a little more. I don’t dare tell her though.

“You know, we could do stuff like this more often if you weren’t burning the candle at both ends,” she continues, bringing my focus back to the arena.

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