Page 46 of Offside

“Ahh,” I note with a nod. “So, it all comes back to some competitive rivalry thing between you two. I see now.”

Ballas takes a seat again and finishes his food, scarfing it down and shaking his head in a manner that says I have no idea what I’m talking about. And maybe I don’t. I’ve never been in competition over anything, except maybe with myself.

After my parents died in the accident, my only goal was to get back on my feet. I wasn’t going to let anything more disrupt my life. I was laser-focused on my physical recovery and nothing and no one would get in the way.

I suppose it’s the same with Ballas. He’s a driven player. From what I’ve seen, Ballas puts everything into hockey. A man who tries to knock him down, like Russo did, doesn’t stand a chance.

Hockey is his life. And until he’s able to be back out doing what he loves, he feels helpless and aimless, which makes me wonder what Ballas will do after his contract expires and he becomes a free agent.

“What will you do when you can’t play professional hockey anymore?” The words slip off my tongue before I realize I’m even asking them out loud.

Ballas rears back, his gaze pinning me with something I can’t read. They turn dark and a muscle quivers in his jaw.

“Why would you ask me that?”

“Well…” I stammer, unprepared for his resistant reaction. I suppose it makes sense. Why would he share his plans with me? But I feel we’ve moved past that typical working relationship. We’ve been intimate and share an attraction that goes well beyond flirtatiousness, but I can understand his reticence. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m just curious what you’ve thought of doing once you retire.”

“Sounds like you’re already talking to Coach Thomas to bench my ass and take me off the roster.”

I place my hand on his forearm. It flexes underneath my palm.

“God, no. That’s not what I meant. I was actually curious. Have you ever considered coaching or managing a team at some level?”

Ballas snorts at this suggestion. “Me? Manage a team? Probably not in my wheelhouse.”

Leaning back in my chair, I fold my arms over my chest and tilt my head to the side, mentally checking off the reasons I think he’d be great in that role while I lock my eyes with his.

“For one, you’re college-educated and have plenty of experience working in the league with a variety of personality traits. You seem to get along and play well with others.”

A loud grunt of disagreement from Ballas. “I’m an asshole who doesn’t filter shit.”

I dismiss him with a wave. “I’ve also seen how you’ve worked with the rookies and prospects during training camp. You’re very good with giving direction. What about coaching?”

“Oh, I like giving direction all right…” His voice deepens to that low and sensual tone of his. “But in the bedroom is where I enjoy it most.”

Holy Lord, don’t I know it. I can’t help the heat that blooms up my neck and over my cheeks as I recall exactly how good he is at that too.

“Spread your legs, sweetheart.”

“That’s it. Suck my cock like a good girl.”

“No disputing that,” I insist, rising from the chair to clear the breakfast dishes from the table. “Maybe you could do both.”

I take the dishes to the kitchen and start rinsing off the plates at the sink. Ballas follows and steps in behind me, caging me in with his hands on the counter’s edge and pressing his body flush to mine.

“Or, maybe I could just do you.”

My arm swims with goose bumps as his fingers skate over my flesh. I close my eyes and enjoy the warmth of his touch, my body soaking it in like the dry earth after a rain.

Then his fingers dip further and with a teasing flutter, he moves over the edge of my waistband.

“I want you, Karis.” One finger nudges underneath the elastic, testing the water, and I suck in a breath. When I don’t stop him, Ballas burrows inside and slips his hand into my panties. “And I’m about to find out how wet I make you. You’re not the boss right now.”

I sag against him with an exhale and drop my head back to rest at his shoulder, no longer able to resist this desire for him that’s burned inside me for ages.

“I’m going to fuck you with my fingers, princess. Will you let me?”

I grip the counter with my fingers and groan.

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