Page 92 of False Play
“Let him be! I think it’s romantic. It’s one of my favorite microtropes,” Val commented.
“Microtropes?” Hayes asked.
“Like the one from romance books,” Val said.
“You thinkeverythingis romantic,” Owens retorted dryly.
“Sue me for believing in love,” Val retorted.
“It’s very book boyfriend material,” Donovan added.
“When the hell did this become a show? You all need to go mind your business,” I shouted over my shoulder.
We had been skating for over an hour. My legs burned, but I was determined to figure it out even if it frustrated me.
Henry chuckled. “You think you’re ready to do a lap by yourself?”
“I’vebeenready, but you refuse to let me go,” I complained.
“Stop acting like you hate it.”
My face heated, because he wasn’t wrong. I liked having him near me. He was patient, kind, andsweet.
“Whatever,” I muttered.
He kept skating backward, his hands never leaving mine. “I think you’re starting to like me, and you’re mad at yourself because of it,” he stated very matter-of-factly.
I hated how easily Henry would call me out on my bullshit. It didn’t matter how right he was, I was determined to pretend I didn’t like him because it was a safe way to guard my heart.
I shot him the most unimpressed glare I could muster. “And I think you need to stop inflating your ego.”
“Accept you like me.”
“That’sneverhappening.”
“Do I need to get another orgasm out of you to accept it?” He wiggled his eyebrows. “All you have to do is ask nicely.”
My knees buckled at his words, and I fell forward, but he easily wrapped his arms around my waist without faltering.
“Henry Anderson,” I whisper-shouted as I looked around to make sure no one was near us. My pink puffer jacket was suddenly one too many layers, and my face felt hot. “This is a family event.Behave.”
His hand reached for a few curls and placed them behind my ear as he laughed ever so casually, like he hadn’t just sentmy mind reeling. “Fuck, you look pretty when you’re flustered.”
I straightened and pushed back slightly and quickly placed my hands against the boards, because I didn’t trust myself. The last thing I wanted was to fall on my ass. “I amnotflustered.”
“Tell that to your chest. You’re breathing pretty hard there.” He snickered.
I frantically waved my hand around. “It’s all this exercise you got me doing.”
He grinned. “Okay, whatever you say, baby.”
I crossed my arms. “Glad we’re on the same page.”
“Uh-huh.” His grin was still plastered all over his face as he skated closer to me and rested his hands on the nape of my neck, tilting my head up.
The simple touch made my heart jump a beat. “What are you doing?”
He leaned slightly forward. “Can I kiss you, Kenny?”
