Page 49 of Craving the Player

“Oh, okay. Iknow that we didn’treally get achance to talk about what upset you yesterday, but I’mhere if you want to talk abou—”

“No. I’mokay. Thanks, though.” His voice is hard, the complete opposite of earlier, but Itry not to let it weigh on me, even though it has my hackles raised. Ican understand not wanting to talk about his feelings. I’mnot surprised, but Ican’thelp but let his quick rejection tear at my chest—even just alittle bit. Especially after Ishared apiece of my past with him last night.

Ipull away again and this time he lets me. The simple brush off has my throat tightening as Iturn back to the sink and nod before my face can betray me, letting him see just how deeply the shift in attitude has affected me. Iwant to give myself ashake at the way this makes me feel. He’snothing more than amindless screw. Ican’tafford to let myself feel anything for him. It won’tend well. He’snot somebody that can give me what Ineed. Whatever that may be.

Awkward silence envelopes the kitchen, only intensifying my annoyance with myself. Just say something. Get out of this situation. “Well, thanks for breakfast any—”

“Do you want to go get some food?” He cuts off my rambling with his own, taking me by surprise. Ithink Ieven gasp. “Imean, since Ialmost burnt your house down. It’sthe least that Ican do.”

His invitation hangs in the air as Istart gnawing nervously on my lip. Is he asking me on adate? Or is he just starving and doesn’twant to go alone? Shit, why does it matter? Right, it doesn’t.

“Sure,” Ireply, spinning back around and shrugging as if his offer doesn’taffect me. My hand moves to fiddle with the top of the blanket still resting on my shoulders as Imeet his nervous gaze with my own. He scratches at his forearm and forces asmile.

“Okay. Uh, did you want to shower?” His eyes widen immediately and Inearly swoon from how nervous he is. “Not like . . . together, right? Imean, unless you want to? It’snot like we haven’tdone everything else under the sun.” His shaky, booming laughter is enough to crack through the awkward tension.

“If we shower together, we won’tever make it to breakfast. Let me go first. Idon’ttrust that you won’tuse all the hot water.” Ilet myself smile, albeit abit half-assed, and tighten my grip on the blanket as Irush past him.

He stops me when Iget within an inch of him by grabbing my wrist and tugging me to his chest. “You’re not going anywhere without kissing me.”

My stomach swirls as Ihide my burning cheeks by reaching up and gently pressing my lips to his, smiling to myself when he does the same. His thumb brushes my warm skin before he pulls away, clearing his throat.

“I’ll be back!” Isqueak and beeline it for the bathroom. I’mabout to close the door behind me when Ihear him scolding himself.

“What is wrong with you? Focus, dude.”

What’swrong with you, Braden? More like what’swrong with me?

I’mrunning abrush through my wet hair for the final time when Braden strolls inside my room with nothing but aSierra sized towel wrapped around his hips. Astrong sense of need sweeps through me, making my legs shake as Itake in the strongly carved muscles that cover his entire torso. Small droplets of water linger on his tan skin, slowly dragging their way under the towel, hidden from my sight—teasing me with the images of what’shidden beneath the fabric. Seemingly reading my thoughts, Braden doesn’tgive me as much as asliver of awarning before the towel falls to the floor, exposing every inch of him to my greedy stare.

“What are you doing?” Ibreathe, raising my hand to shield my eyes when he starts walking to the pile of his clothes from yesterday. Aridiculous throb beats between my thighs at the pure masculine energy radiating from his shoulders. It’saddictive, drawing me in until Idrown beneath it. Amorning beard covers his jaw and Iache to run my palm across it, to feel the prickling against my skin.

“Crap, Iguess Ihave to go commando,” he sighs, ignoring my question altogether when Ihear the zipper of his jeans rattling around.

“You’re ridiculous.” Idrop my hand and almost become disappointed when Isee that he’sdressed before disregarding the feeling with ascowl.

“You’ve never minded looking at my cock before, Sierra.”

Ican hear the smugness in his voice as he pulls atight, grey short sleeve shirt over his stomach.

“Iguess things change.”

“Oh?” He cocks his brow and lets his darkening eyes start slithering up my body. “Is that so?”

“Mmm,” Ihum before swallowing.

“What was that?”

“Oh, screw off.” Ishake my head at his cockiness and anxiously smooth down my hair. His bottom lip juts out in asudden pout that has me fighting back agrin.

“Idon’tthink so, buddy. I’mhungry for this breakfast that Iwas promised.”

“I’mhungry too, but not for breakfast.” His handsome face has become serious and hard, amber eyes blazing with want and voice becoming raspy and desperate in anipple tightening way. My lungs fail to bring it enough of the thick air around us when he starts moving towards me, his stance suddenly becoming predatory.

With wide-eyes, Igulp and mutter, “The only way you’re getting anything is if you feed me. With food.”

His deep chuckle meets my ears as Ipull my eyes to his and take in the easy expression he’snow wearing, blessing me with adimpled smile that has my cheeks beating with heat.

It’srare and even more unbelievably beautiful.

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