I look up at him through my lashes, dropping my hand to my side. “Maybe I like dangerous games.”
His eyes travel down my leg to my foot, and I swear I hear him mutter something that sounds like “fucking hell” under his breath when he sees the same design on my toes.
The elevator lurches upward, and I take a step closer to him, closing some of the distance he's so carefully put between us.
“Or maybe,” I continue, my voice dropping lower, “I just want your opinion on my candy canes. I know how much you like them.”
“They're fine,” he mutters, his gaze now fixed on the elevator numbers as they climb.
“Just fine?” I press, taking another small step toward him. “That's all I get? Not 'they're beautiful, Hennessy' or 'they suit you perfectly'?”
“What do you want me to say?” he says, finally looking at me directly. “That I'm thinking about those red and white nails wrapped around my cock? That I'm imagining them digging into my shoulders while I fuck you against this elevator wall? Is that what you want to hear?”
I feel heat bloom low in my belly at his words.
“That's a start,” I whisper, just as the elevator dings and the doors slide open at my floor.
I back out slowly, holding his gaze until the last possible moment. “See you around, Coach King. Maybe at dinner?”
The doors close on his thunderous expression, and I exhale shakily, my heart racing. If looks could fuck, I'd be pinned against the wall right now with his hand over my mouth to keep me quiet.
As I walk toward my room, I can't help but smile. Trapped in a hotel during a storm with Beckham Kingston, who can barely keep his hands off me even while he's trying to push me away.
This winter storm just got a whole lot more interesting.
Chapter 12
Beckham
Fucking hotel blizzards are like prisons made of linen, overpriced alcohol, and girls that should be fucking mine. I've been hiding in my room for hours, watching game footage and ignoring the rumbling in my stomach, but even I can't outlast basic human needs.
The phone rings six times before someone finally picks up at the front desk. “Hello, I’m trying to reach room service, but no one is answering,” I tell them.
“I'm so sorry, Mr. Kingston, but room service has been suspended due to staff shortages from the storm. The restaurant and lounge are open if you'd like to get dinner there.”
Of course it fucking is. “Thanks.”
I hang up and stare at the ceiling for a full minute. Going downstairs means potentially running into her again. Staying here means starving. Neither option feels good, but hunger wins.
The elevator is mercifully empty on the way down. I check my watch, quarter til eight. Late enough that maybemost people have already eaten. The lobby is quiet, just a few guests huddled around the fireplace with drinks, looking out at the snow that's still coming down in sheets.
I scan the lounge quickly, ready to abort mission if I see a certain pair of candy cane nails, but the coast seems clear. I exhale, shoulders relaxing slightly as I make my way toward an empty table in the corner.
That's when I see her.
Hennessy sits alone at a table by the window, menu in hand, looking like she stepped out of some winter fantasy. She's changed out of that ridiculous robe into another soft-looking sweater that slips off one shoulder. Her hair falls in waves around her face, and even from here, I can see those goddamn candy cane nails as she flips through the menu.
I should turn around. Get a protein bar from the gift shop. Maybe see if there's a vending machine somewhere.
Instead, my feet carry me toward her table like they've got a fucking mind of their own.
She looks up as I approach, her brown eyes widening slightly before her expression settles into something knowing. She doesn't say a word, just raises one perfectly arched eyebrow at me, as if daring me to join her.
“Is this seat taken?” I growl, not bothering to sound friendly.
Her lips curve into a small smile. “Does it look taken?”
I pull out the chair across from her and drop into it, glaring at her like this is her fault somehow. Like she orchestrated this entire fucking thing just to trap me here with her.
