I edge in closer still.
Knock, knock, knock.
Three quick, loud raps at the door. Tori jolts away from me with a sharp gasp, like she’s been stung.
“I really need to go.” Control snaps back into her voice and she hops up from the sofa. Adjusting her sweatshirt, she covers the bare skin of her shoulder where the cotton slipped down. She swipes her phone off the table and checks the messages.
“Shit. It’s almost midnight.”
“Relax, Cinderella,” I tease, rising. “You live right next door. Plenty of time to get home before you hit pumpkin status.”
Another rap at the door and Tori grimaces.
“I hear you — I’m coming!” I shout at the banging, shuffling behind her to the door.
Just before she turns the knob, I reach out and touch her hand.
She freezes, lifting her dark eyes to mine. The air’s heavy between us, her sweet perfume winding around me.
“Thanks.” My voice is low. “It felt better with you here.”
Her breath hitches, cheeks staining pink.
“You’re welcome.”
I want to close the distance between us, even more than I did the night of the gala. To press my lips to hers, taste her on my tongue.
Somehow I manage to rein myself in, only feathering my fingers across her tiny wrist, the skin smooth beneath my calloused hand.
I drop my arm and she swings the door open to Knox.
“You guys okay?” His eyes flick from Tori to me, then back again — the flushed cheeks, bare feet, the two of us too damn close. “You didn’t respond to my text.”
Tori swallows hard, forcing a tight smile. “Sorry. Everything’s good. He ate. He’s hydrated. He’s in for the night.”
Knox tips his head, a barely perceptible nod.
“We were catching up on theMission Impossiblemovies.” I scrub a hand across the back of my neck and Knox gives me a flat stare.
Tori clears her throat, turns to me. “Night, Bennett.”
“Night.”
Then she disappears into her condo. Knox stands guard in the hall, his broad shoulders squared up, arms folded across his chest.
I shut the door harder than necessary and blow out a frustrated breath, rubbing my face with both hands.
Fucking unbelievable.
An inch from her mouth and Knox shows up.
Cockblocked by a wellness check.
But the bigger problem?
How badly I wanted to kiss her.
A day later, the team’s back and we’re finishing up morning drills. I slap the puck across the ice to Morrison and he wings it over to Weston to take the shot. Coach Keller paces, taking notes on his clipboard.
