Page 43 of Second Shot

“And what do you think I want, Madden? An arrogant, hotheaded hockey player that can’t keep his cock in his pants? Just because I don’t want to become one of your little playthings, doesn’t make me stubborn. It makes mesmart.”

Instead of arguing back, he just gives me one of his who-do-you-think-you’re-lying-to smiles and shakes hishead.

“If all I wanted from you was a quick fuck, you’d already be in my bed. I want more. I want everything. Every sexy, willful, damaged piece of you. I know that scares the shit out of you. It scares me, too. But it’s happening,Brynne.”

My God, the man makes my headspin.

Where are those damn walls when I needthem?

“Just remember this a trial. One strike and you’reout.”

“Pretty sure it’s threestrikes.”

“You’ve already used up your othertwo.”

“I didn’t even know I was up tobat.”

I roll my eyes at him. “I’m serious,Kane.”

“So am I.” His head dipslower.

“This isn’t agame.”

“Funny, for a second I thought we were playingbaseball.”

“God, you’re infuriating.” I smack his chest, but he catches my wrist, holding my palm against his warm, hardflesh.

“Rule number one. No touching.” He tsk tsks, shaking his head as his callused thumb runs across my wrist and palm, sending a blast of fire up my arm and straight into my belly. He quirks an eyebrow and a grin pulls at the corner of his lips. “One day, and you’re already breaking your own rules. Really, Jacobs, I’m kind of disappointed. I was hoping for a little more of achallenge.”

He’s teasing me. I knowit.

I should pull my hand away, but it’s like it’s crazy-glued to his damnchest.

Come on, brain, where’s my snarky retort? But I can’t think of one. All I can think about is the way his heart thumps erratically under my palm. The way his blue eyes practically devour me. Tempting. Teasing.Promising.

My tongue darts out over my bottom lip when his gaze lands on my mouth, and I know I’m seconds away from kissing him if I don’t dosomething.

“Fine. Youwin.”

He quirks a darkbrow.

“You want to do this, let’s doit.”

“Do what?” His grip tightens around my wristslightly.

“This. Sex.” I place my other hand on his shoulder, dragging my fingernails down his chest, across his abs, then hooking my finger in the waist of hispants.

It’s a dangerous game I’m playing. And I don’t know what response I’m hopingfor.

He groans, deep andguttural.

“Brynne-” My name is a mix between a question and aplea.

“What? This is what you want, right? So, let’s do it. Screw theconsequences.”

He frowns and releases me, taking a stepback.

Sopredictable.

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