Pulling him to his feet, I smash my lips to his, tasting both of us on my tongue. Tonight has been more than I anticipated. I’m not ready for it to end.
After cleaning each other up, we wrap towels around our waists and return to the bed. The connection between us is mindboggling, especially when we know absolutely nothing about one another. But we can’t stop kissing and touching.
“I want to see you again,” he murmurs against my lips, his fingers tangled in my hair.
I pull back just enough to meet his gaze, both of us still half-hidden behind our masks. “You want to reveal our identities?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet.” His voice is soft, almost pleading. “I want to live in this bubble a little longer.”
“You want to meet up here again?” I try to hide the disappointment in my tone, but the flash of guilt in his eyes tells me he caught it.
He brushes his thumb along my jaw. “I wish we didn’t have to wait a month, but I’m not ready?—”
I kiss him, letting him know I won’t force him into anything he’s not comfortable with.
“Is that a yes?” he asks when we pull apart, panting.
I huff a quiet laugh, trying to mask the flicker of warmth in my chest. “I want to see you again, but I can’t afford a room here.”
His lips tug into a grin. “I’ve got it covered.”
“You already paid for tonight.”
He shrugs. “Don’t sweat it. It’s no big deal.”
I bite my lip, knowing exactly how much the room costs. “Are you secretly loaded or something?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He runs his tongue over the seam of my mouth. “Just say you’ll meet me.”
“I’ll meet you,” I say, sealing my promise with a scorching kiss.
We winthe next two games, and after beating Coleridge at home three-one, Jasper and Dane announce a party at their place to celebrate. I glance at Noah, surprised to see him watching me, and he looks away quickly. A tiny flutter stirs in my chest, but I push it down. We’ve settled into friendship after sharing a room in Westhope, but he’s still dating Hannah, and I have my masked stranger.
Noah and I are the last to leave the change rooms, both of us briskly jogging towards the car park—winter is coming, and the nights are getting colder.
“So, are you coming past?” he asks casually, his hands buried in his pockets.
“Sure. Why not?”
A bicycle bell sounds behind us, and when Noah moves out of the way so they can pass, our shoulders brush. My breath hitches as an electric current shoots up my arm. Our gazes lock, but he’s the first to look away, clearing his throat and putting some distance between us.
“Great game tonight.”
I nod. “The team’s really vibing. Good work, captain.”
“It’s a team effort.” He grins, and my stomach flips.
Fuck.
I thought I was past this stupid thing.
We reach the car park, and I curse when I realise the interior light is still on in my car.
Noah laughs at my expense. “Rookie error.”
I level him with a look as I throw my bag in the back and slide into the driver’s seat. Turning the key in the ignition, there’s a faint click, then silence. I try again. Nothing.
Damn it.
