Page 34 of Press Your Luck

“Aren’t you?”

“You’re the one who came into my office demanding to tell me the truth. Frankly, I don’t know why you bothered. My opinion doesn’t matter.”

But it did matter. That was why I was here. “You’ve accused me of being a whore.”

He shook his head. “I never used that word. You did.”

“You said I had sex with you to distract you.”

His blue eyes watched me. “Maybe I was wrong. You said it was a mistake. Then again...” Pierce’s voice took on a bitter edge as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm sure Todd would love to use our hookup as a tidbit for publicity, right? It fits right in with the narrative he's selling."

I flinched. Todd would do a lot to fill seats, but my being with a rival coach wouldn’t do that. Would it? More likely, our fans would be pissed that I was canoodling with the enemy.

Frustration boiled over as I berated myself for opening up to Pierce. He was a jerk, plain and simple, and I should have known better than to expect understanding or compassion from him.

"God, I'm such an idiot. Why did I think you’d care?"

His brows furrowed in confusion. “You want me to care?”

Yes. Yes, I did. But clearly, he didn’t, and I wasn’t about to continue down this humiliating path.

I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. I suppose you’re right. It’s wrong of me to let the media tell stories about me and Max that aren’t true. But until I’ve proven my muster, no one will take me seriously. The only way to stay in the game long enough to prove myself is to lure fans to the rink with scandal. Sex sells, right?”

"Stop it," he commanded, taking a step closer to me. "Just stop."

"Stop what? Stop trying to make you see reason? Stop trying to convince you that I'm not just some pawn in a publicity game?"

"What you're doing right now is cruel," Pierce growled, his jaw clenched so tight the tendons strained against his skin. "Teasing me about your sex life when you know damn well how much it affects me."

What? What did it do to him? "Look, Pierce, I didn't mean..." I couldn’t find the right words. I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to say. The tension between us crackled like a live wire.

"Didn't mean what?" he demanded, his voice hoarse with frustration. "Didn't mean to remind me of how much I want you? Didn't mean to make me feel like shit for not being able to have you because of some stupid rumor?"

Again, I could only stare at him wide-eyed. "I just wanted you to understand that this isn't easy for me either."

"Then stop playing games, Naomi.” His voice was raw as he once again placed his hands on my arms. I thought he might give me a shake. "Stop teasing me."

"Pierce, I'm not teasing you."

“Then why are you here?” His eyes searched mine as if trying to determine whether I was being genuine or not. The raw vulnerability in his gaze tugged at something deep within me, and I felt a sudden urge to comfort him.

"I wanted to tell you the truth about me and Max. I didn't mean to hurt you."

Pierce stared at me intently, our faces mere inches apart. The heat radiating from his body made my skin tingle, and that familiar desire stirred stronger within me. Go. Leave. The words chanted in my brain. Instead, I closed the gap between us, pressing my lips against his in a searing kiss.

He groaned and responded immediately, his arms encircling my waist and pulling me tight against his hard body.

Our mouths moved together while my heart pounded wildly in my chest, each beat echoing a growing need for him. I tangled my fingers in his dark hair, savoring the feel of his hands roaming over my body.

“Naomi.”

I wasn’t sure if he was worried this was wrong or just saying my name. But I didn’t want words now. I just wanted to feel. I wanted to escape the moment. I wanted sensations that I knew only he could give me.

I tugged at the hem of his shirt, desperate to feel the warmth of his skin against mine. Pierce seemed to understand my urgency, and together we undressed enough to feel our bodies flesh to flesh. His hands and lips spent a lot of time on my breasts until I was begging for more.

He fell to his knees and parted my thighs, using his tongue on me. I leaned against the desk, gripping the edge as pleasure grew.More, more, morewas all I could think.

He groaned as he stood. He grabbed a chair and thrust his pants down. His dick sprang free, and I desperately wanted to taste it. I reached out, but he brushed my hand away.

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