Page 46 of The Rival (Looking to Score 2)
“Voilà.” Cindy drops a handful of candied cranberries in my drink with a flourish before putting it in my hands. “Enjoy.”
I thank her and take a sip, enjoying the tart sweetness of it.
Dinner is delightful. It’s a bit of a challenge to keep up with the conversation, seeing as I’ve only really talked to one person for the past few weeks. And the drinks are strong, a lot stronger than they seem. When I switch to water, Alex gives me an understanding look and carries the brunt of the conversation from there.
He’s a hit with Cindy and Burt. I mean, look at him. How could you not be absolutely smitten? His dark hair is messy, and there’s a few days’ worth of stubble on his jaw. His eyes flicker with mischief in the low light, and he laughs easily and often. I love just looking at him.
When our late dinner is done and the evening winds down, Cindy and Burt say their good-byes, leaving with promises to connect with us when they come to Boston for the next home game.
I’m a little sad to see them go, but it’s been a long day and I’m ready for bed. Alex closes the front door when their taillights disappear around the bend.
“You tired?” he asks, wrapping one arm around me to pull me into his chest.
He’s so warm and solid. I wish I could fall asleep right here and now. I have a vague memory of something I said earlier . . . something about how sexy Alex’s bodyguard routine was? Of telling him all about it in the bedroom tonight? But even as I entertain the thought of sex, I yawn.
“Yeah.” I sigh, nuzzling my nose against his shirt. “Did you have a nice time?”
“Actually, I did.” He chuckles, and the sound vibrates pleasantly against my cheek. “When we were grilling, Burt told me all his hockey predictions for the year.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Says I need to watch my angles. And that if I keep on the straight and narrow, I could make all the difference for the team this year.”
I slowly lift my chin and meet his eyes. What does the straight and narrow look like for Alex? Does he see me at his side in that scenario?
I have so many questions, but all I do is give him a soft, encouraging smile. “I believe that too.”
Alex kisses me on the forehead, a gesture far too intimate for friends with benefits. I wrap my arms around him and bury my face in his chest again.
Maybe if I don’t let go, things don’t have to change between us. Maybe the looming season can wait a little longer, and the world can remain just me and Alex.
17
* * *
ASPEN
Rain plinks against the cabin’s windows in a gloomy onslaught. It started sprinkling around four o’clock while I was weeding the front flower beds and hasn’t let up since. Now the storm seems to be intensifying. As I’m cleaning the last of dinner from my plate, a boom of thunder makes me shiver.
“It’s getting worse,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself. I think about hurrying upstairs to grab a sweater, but Alex cuts in with a much better idea.
“How about I start a fire?” He reaches for me, running a warm, calloused hand up and down my arm.
The touch thaws me a bit but does nothing to chase away the goose bumps. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to the feel of his big, masculine hands on my bare skin.
“That sounds perfect.”
While Alex gets to work in the living room, I take it upon myself to empty and reload the dishwasher. It occurs to me that I know precisely where every glass, dish, and utensil go, like I’ve lived in this place my whole life. A lump forms in my throat at the realization that I’ve only got a couple more weeks left under this roof.
More importantly, I only have a few more weeks left with Alex.
I press the WASH button and listen to the gentle hum of the dishwasher as the water starts to flow. I need a drink. When I raid the pantry for something sweet, my gaze lands on a package of hot chocolate mix. Pair that with a splash of peppermint liqueur? Heaven.
Alex lays out a couple of heavy blankets in front of the growing fire as I join him. I offer him a brimming mug of steaming hot chocolate with a sly smile.
“What’s this?” he asks, moving his long legs to make room for me on the blanket.
I settle in next to him, instantly warmed by the fire. “Hot chocolate with a little something extra.”
Giving me a skeptical look, he blows the steam off the top of his drink. I can’t help but stare at his plush lips on the edge of the cup as I take a sip of my own.
