Not because she’s embarrassed herself, but because they’re laughing at her, because she looks hurt, and I want to be the only one who ever gets under her skin.
When she lifts her chin, defiance blazing in those big eyes, I know I’m screwed.
The woman is fire wrapped in sunshine, and I want her.
Badly.
I already feel the pull in my chest, the one I’ve been fighting since the second I saw her.She’s trouble for me, for my rules, for the life I’ve worked so hard to control, but I can’t stop staring at her, can’t stop thinking about how good she’d look in my jersey, in my bed, in my life.
One rule, Hayes.Don’t let them see behind the mask,I remind myself.
When it comes to Elle Martin, though, I’m not sure how much longer I can keep it on.
“What was that about?”Logan asks me as soon as the press conference is over.
“What?”I ask, even though I know exactly what he’s talking about.
“It’s the first press conference of the year, dude.”
“And?”I drawl, grabbing my bag from my locker.
“And you were acting like a dick.Do you need to go back to PR training?”
I shudder.“No, definitely not.”
“Great, then let’s pretend like we’ve learned how to talk to other people.Be friendly.Professional.Answer their questions so we can get out of that room.”
“Got it, Captain.”
He glowers at me, and I salute him.
Logan and I have been friends for years, and I’m used to his no-nonsense personality.He can be a stick in the mud, but that’s what makes him such a great captain.
His phone rings, and I see my sister’s name on the screen.He smiles as he answers it, and I try not to gag as he greets her.Having your best friend date your younger sister can be tough at times.
They love each other,I remind myself as I close my locker.
Logan grabs his bag and stalks out of the locker room, still talking to my sister.I sigh and follow him slowly, not wanting to hear their conversation.
My mind drifts back to Elle Martin, and I wonder what she’s doing right now.This stupid crush is probably just that—stupid.Elle is too bright and soft to be interested in a guy like me.Hell, she doesn’t even belong in that press room, surrounded by all of those other guys.
Possessiveness runs through me when I think about the way those reporters were checking her out, and I clench my hands into fists.
I unlock my car and throw my bag in the back.
Forget about Elle,I tell myself, but I can’t stop replaying the way she looked at me.
Not for a long, long time.
Chapter Three
Elle
By the time I get to the locker room the next morning, I’ve crammed half the Thunder’s roster into my brain like I’m prepping for a pop quiz.I stayed up way too late on hockey blogs and rule guides, but it doesn’t matter.I’m ready.
Or… I thought I was.
“Who’s your pick for top scorer this season?”I ask one of the guys, pen poised over my notebook.
