“No, no it is not. Maisie Grace Delacroix, just listen to me, okay?” she mutters, scooting closer along the cushions until we’re pressed together. “Actually, this is so weird because generally, it’s you giving this pep talk, not me. Like, holy shit, have the tables turned.”
Also true.
“But you just said so yourself that you think he’s trying to keep you away, right? He said he wasn’t strong becauseyouare his temptation. Obviously, he wants you, or none of this would’ve happened. So you’ve got to push him right off the edge he’s standing on. That’s the only way a guy like him is goingto jump. Hello, I’m dating the same man, different font, it feels like.” She laughs, and her eyes, a bright, sparkling green, are light with mirth. “He’s what you want, right?”
When I nod, she continues. “You have to go after the things that you want, Mais. This is your ‘I’m doing whatever the hell I want and not listening to anyone who has shit to say about it’ era. You want him. He wants you. Yeah, he has a lot to lose, and I get that. Truly. I understand why it needs to be kept a secret, but that’s just it. No one has to know. It can be between just the two of you. Whatever you want it to be, and it’s no one else’s business butyours.”
I swallow hard. “Yeah, but just because he’s admitted to wanting me doesn’t mean that he’s going to suddenly change his mind about things happening between us.”
Her emerald eyes sparkle. “True. So show him exactly what he’s missing. This is where you seduce the shiiiiiit out of him. You’re the ultimate temptation. Bring that man to his knees.”
“Okay, and how the hell am I supposed to do that?”
Her lip pulls up at the corner. “Please, you’re the queen of romance, babe. Time to put everything you’ve learned to the test.”
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
WILDER
My jaw ticks.
The pen in my hand creaks under the pressure of my iron grip as I tighten my fist to the point that the plastic begins to split.
I’m convinced that I’m in one of the five circles of hell, a perpetual punishment for a lifetime of transgressions, and that the tiny little blonde in front of me is the one controlling the strings.
“Perfect, thank you soooo much.” She beams up at Legros, her smile wide and so goddamn pretty I want to hit him for evenlookingat her.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
I’m leaning against the boards, pretending to half-ass watch the guys run drills, but mostly staring at Maisie, because clearly, I’m a dumb motherfucker. Thankfully, practice is almost finished because I can’t focus for shit.
Not when she’s around.
Not when I’m trying and obviously failing at tryingnotto watch her like it’s my job.
My job is actually to coach hockey, and right now, I have no fucking clue what’s happening on the ice.
“You’resostrong. Thanks again for helping me with the boxes of books.” She giggles, reaching out and grazing her fingers along his bicep. The moment she touches him, the pen in my hand snaps in half, plastic pieces scattering all over me.
Goddamnit.
Her gaze connects with mine, and her eyes shine, glinting, almost like she knows exactly what it is that she’s doing.
Like she’s fully aware of the purgatory she’s put me in and enjoying every single damn second of it.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Anything you need, I got you, beautiful.” He flashes her a grin and a wink before walking back and stepping onto the ice.
I want to make him run drills until he’s puking, but Taylor told her that any of the guys were at her disposal today, so that would make me an asshole who’s abusing his power if I did.
Part of me is still considering it. Because really, who the fuck cares.
I brush off the plastic from the clipboard before stealing another glance her way, watching as she saunters over to a small step ladder with a large paper banner in her hands.
There’s no way in hell she’s getting on a fucking ladder wearingthat.
Yetanothershort,girly dress that drives me to do shit like this every time I see her in them.
