Page 29 of Damsel in Defense
That last bit was implied with the way he’s gazing at me, hunger in his eyes.
Once again hypnotized by the allure of this man, I willingly go with him when he breaks our little secret conversation and guides me further into the arena.
“Max,” Mason calls out to the ice.“Come meet Victoria.”
Dragging my eyes off Mason, I watch as the familiar man I’d locked eyes with on the ice moments ago turns and makes his way over.
“Do I get an introduction too, or is his haughty highness the only one?”a teasing voice asks from behind us.
“Sabrina!I didn’t know you’d be here.Max didn’t mention it.”
“That’s because I wanted her all to myself,” the man who I’m assuming is Max says as he makes the transition from ice to mats flawlessly.
My hand instinctually wraps around Mason’s waist as I’m introduced to his teammate and his girlfriend, Sabrina.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you.Mason has mentioned you about a gazillion times.”Max grins, giving his buddy a punch to the shoulder.“He’s practically obsessed.”
My stomach flips at the knowledge of him talking about me.My mouth opens to say something, but I have no idea what.
“The feeling’s mutual” are the words that end up coming out, surprising me beyond belief.But I mean them.
Mason gives my temple another kiss, this one a little longer.When he pulls back, he’s still looking at me.
“How could I not be?Victoria is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
We’re supposed to be pretending.Our admissions don’t feel pretend.What is happening?
“Boys!Huddle in.Let’s get this thing going,” a voice booms across the ice.
“Crap.Okay, we’ll catch you two ladies later,” Max says, giving Sabrina a long kiss before he motions to the ice.
“I’ll just be supervising drills if you need me,” Mason says softly as he gives my waist a reassuring squeeze.
“Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”
“Of course you will.You’ll be with me.”Sabrina tucks her arm around mine in a friendly bonding gesture.
I chuckle.This woman is direct.I love it.
“See?”I motion to Sabrina.“I’ll be fine.Go have fun.”
Staring at me for a second longer, Mason nods.He turns, about to make his way back onto the ice, when he turns back.Confused, I’m about to ask him if he’s forgotten anything, but his lips capture mine.
And I melt.
Not in a subtle way.Not in amaybe this is just for showkind of way.I melt like I’ve been waiting for this moment longer than I realized.Like my body knew something I didn’t.
The kiss starts soft.Tentative, almost unsure.But then I curl my fingers into the front of his jersey, tugging him a little closer.He makes a low sound in the back of his throat that does something dangerous to my insides.
His hands frame my face, thumbs brushing along my jaw, holding me in place for the taking.And when he tilts his head and deepens the kiss, I forget everything—where we are, what we’re doing, what’s real and what’s not.The only thing that matters isthis.Him.Us.Right here.
I’m not sure how long we stand there kissing, caught up in something neither of us expected but both of us clearly want.Eventually, we break apart—just an inch.His forehead rests against mine, and I can feel his breath, warm and unsteady.
“I’ve been wanting to do that for forever,” he murmurs.
I let out a shaky laugh, becauseoh my God.
He smiles, and it’s soft this time.
