Page 65 of Press Your Luck

He grumbled something about losing, but I couldn't tell if it was genuine disappointment or just the exhaustion written all over his face.

Pierce laughed. "I'd offer to buy you a victory drink, but I've got to get this guy to bed."

I had a strange sense of disappointment. I wanted to have a drink with Pierce. I wanted his assessment of my team, not because I needed the praise but because I respected him as a coach. Oh, who was I kidding? Sure, I thought he was a great coach, but he was also kind, and sweet, and sexy...

“Of course. Although you could have a drink in my room.” The words left my mouth before I knew I’d formed them. "So I can rub my victory in your face.”

Pierce chuckled, his eyes twinkling with humor and maybe something else. "Just give me a few minutes to get Porter settled, and I'll be right over."

As the elevator doors opened, I felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety about spending time alone with Pierce. This was a bad idea. When we were alone, the chemistry was palpable. Undeniable. But despite the complications, I needed to be near him.

"See you soon.” I stepped out of the elevator and headed to my room, second-guessing what I was doing. I entered my hotel room, taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart as I walked over to the adjoining door between our rooms. My hand hesitated for just a moment before I turned the knob and pulled it open.

A few moments later,Pierce opened the door on his side, a warm smile lighting up his handsome face. He stepped into my room, leaving his door slightly ajar, I suspected in case Porter needed him.

"I hope you don't mind that I didn't bring any celebratory champagne.” He held up several mini-bottles of booze. “But I do have whiskey and vodka.”

I smiled even though inside, guilt filled me again. I couldn’t have whiskey or vodka or champagne. He didn’t know that. Not yet, anyway.

Our eyes locked for a moment, and an electric spark zapped through me. How did he do that? I looked away, focusing instead on making him something to drink.

"Let's see what I have here.” I opened the mini-fridge. I grabbed a bottle of juice. “Do you want a mixer in your whiskey or vodka?”

“Nah. I’ll drink it straight. Which do you want?”

I unscrewed the cap of the juice. “I’m already keyed up enough. I’m sticking to juice.” I held up the juice bottle. "To your crushing defeat."

He let out a laugh as he opened the lid of the whiskey and held the tiny bottle up. "And to your well-deserved victory."

I sipped my juice while he emptied the whiskey. “It’s gonna take more than this to soothe my wounded ego.” He opened the vodka and downed it.

“Any better?” I asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Nope.” He stared down at me. I felt like he was looking into my soul. “I don’t like losing, Naomi, but I enjoyed watching you win.”

I pursed my lips at him. “You’re just saying that.”

“I’m not.” He sat down next to me.

“You were outstanding out there today."

My cheeks flushed at his compliment. He’d always been like that, I realized. I’d been the one who was a bitch. I hadn’t wanted to be. In different circumstances, I’d have taken him up on his offer to see where this chemistry would lead us. But now, we were in different circumstances. I was having his babies.

“Though I’m not surprised. You were something on the ice yourself, and I can see you’ve shared your secrets with the team. Hell, even Big Ed pulled one of your moves.”

“You followed my career?” I swallowed, feeling touched and surprised. Why would Pierce Jackson have been interested in me as a player?

“Yes. Of course. I love hockey.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Are you just saying that so you can figure out how to beat us next time?"

Pierce shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "You don’t take compliments well, do you? No. I’m not looking for a way to beat you, although I do plan to do so at some point. You have a natural gift for the game, and it's been amazing to watch you grow and evolve as a coach."

My chest constricted with an emotion I couldn't quite name. It wasn’t just admiration for the hockey player and coach he was. Nor just lust. It was something more. Something that scared me, and yet, I wanted it so desperately.

"Thank you, Pierce. That means more to me than you could ever know."

As our eyes met once more, the room shrank. The air grew thicker. The tension was heady with desire, but also my unspoken secret. I tried to push it aside, wanting to focus instead on the friendly banter between us. But the silence consumed the moment. Pierce's blue eyes searched my face. Was that longing I saw in his gaze? My heart raced as I wished things weren't so complicated for us.

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