Page 20 of Press Your Luck

We ordered two more, ignoring the disapproving looks from Analyn and Ruby. Something inside me needed to push the boundaries that separated us—coach from coach, man from woman. I needed to know if Naomi felt it too or if I was alone in my madness.

As she lifted her glass, determination etched across her beautiful face, I knew I had my answer. I smiled at the fire that burned in her eyes. It was as if she was daring me to keep up with her, and I'd be damned if I backed down now.

"Two more," she called out to the bartender, completely disregarding the warnings.

I hesitated again, torn between my desire to prove myself to her and the rational part of me that knew we were playing with fire. My job wasn’t on the line if I made an ass of myself. I was a co-owner of the team. But Todd, for all his publicity seeking, probably wouldn’t appreciate his coach getting drunk off her ass, especially with the enemy.

I was about to put the kibosh on this crazy competition when I caught sight of Reed and Todd making their way through the bar toward us, their expressions anything but amused. The stools next to Naomi had been vacated, and I was certain Analyn and Ruby had tattled on us.

"Fuck," I muttered under my breath. I wasn’t so much worried that they’d be pissed at our drinking game, although I think the way they glared suggested they didn’t like it. What I worried about most was that they’d notice how much I wanted this woman.

"Naomi," I said, grabbing her arm as the bartender slid two fresh glasses toward us. "We need to go. Now."

"Hey. What are you doing?" She looked confused and irritated at my sudden change in demeanor.

"Incoming.” I took her hand and started dragging her away from Todd and Reed as I searched for an escape route.

Her hand was warm and soft, and even in the chaos of the moment, it sent shivers down my spine. An image of her hand wrapped around my dick flashed in my head, making me groan.

"I didn't back down from the challenge. I won." She sounded defiant, and it was odd that she hadn’t pulled her hand away from me. She wasn’t necessarily eager to come with me, but neither was she putting up a fight as I dragged her out of the bar and down the hall. “You’re the one who chickened out.”

"Believe me, there's nothing I'd like more than to continue our little competition, but I’m not interested in a lecture from Reed and Todd. How about you?” If we got through this without Todd and Reed finding us, I’d be shocked.

The hall was lit but void of people. It was likely the section of the hotel that hosted conferences. I tried a door, and when it opened, I tugged her into the room, dark except for the moonlight shining in the windows. It wasn't ideal, but it would have to do for now.

My heart beat wildly as I pressed her against the wall and held my finger up to my lips to shush her. Her eyes flared with defiance, but at least she didn’t say anything.

I did my damnedest to avoid noticing how well our bodies fit together. Like two puzzle pieces that had been waiting to find their match. Between that, the fire in her eyes, and her scent filling my nostrils, I was a goner. My dick thickened. I tried to shift so she wouldn’t notice.

"Can you hear them?" she asked, her breath warm on my cheek.

I strained my ears, trying to pick up any sign of Reed and Todd over the muffled noise from the hotel. "Nothing yet.” What the fuck was I doing? My mind was racing with possibilities of how this could all go so very wrong. What if they found us like this, cowering in a dark room, our bodies pressed together? What would they think? What would she think?

Her chest rose and fell against mine, distracting me from listening for Todd and Reed. I looked at her, partly wanting to make sure she wasn’t afraid or so angry she was about to knee me in my fully engorged cock, and partly hoping she felt the palpable energy radiating between us. Was it just one-sided on my part?

And as Naomi's eyes locked onto mine in the darkness, I knew that whatever happened next could change everything. For a moment, I felt connected to her. So much so that I intended to kiss her.

“What are you doing?” She didn’t sound disgusted, but it was clear she didn’t like the snap-crackle between us.

Outside the door, Reed said, “What the fuck are they doing?”

I pressed a finger over my lips to let her know to be quiet. Again, her eyes flared with heat.

“Letting off steam?” Todd responded.

“It’s not a good look.”

“I don’t know. They’re consenting adults.”

“Who are the heads of hockey teams, drinking their asses off in public,” Reed said. I knew I would be hearing about this when I saw him again.

“You’re uptight for the man who hired Mr.-wiggle-his-dick-on-the-roof-of-a-motel Tyler to coach.”

Naomi snickered. I tried to give her a warning look, but ultimately, I winked. Winked. What the hell was up with me?

“You have more at risk here, Marshall. Withers needs to prove herself, and that won’t happen if she’s sloppy drunk in public.”

I felt a pang of guilt at Reed’s words. I'd let things get out of hand in my quest to prove something. I’d let my pride ruin my judgment.

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