“Didn’t realize you were having such a dry spell,” he smirks.
I roll my eyes. “I don’t really go for one-night stands, and men don’t like absurdly tall women.”
Cameron’s eyes rake over my body from head to toe, and I immediately heat all over from the penetration of his gaze.
“Their loss,” is all he says before the photographer gets our attention.
Heisflirting with me; there’s no mistaking it now.
He knows as well as I do that nothing can happen, sowhyis he doing it?
Is he just naturally flirty? Does he like getting a rise out of me? Or can he just not help himself around me?
I think I know which answer I prefer, but I refuse to focus on that, instead listening to the photographer.
The rest of the shoot goes off without a hitch, but I catch him staring at me a few more times.
I no longer think; Iknowthe answer to that question, and it has the potential to send us down a very dangerous path.
“Thanks,” I say, taking my cup from Cameron. We decided to stop by Bean Voyage after the shoot, and he walked off to grab us both coffee before I could even tell him what I drink. I take a sip, though, and I’m immediately surprised. “You got me black coffee?”
“That’s how you drank your coffee that morning at my place,” he shrugs like it’s not a big thing.
“I didn’t realize you were paying attention,” I say softly.
Cameron gives me a small smile. “I pay attention to you, Zhuri. Possibly more than I should.”
My eyes snap to his. “What does that mean?”
He swallows hard before shaking his head. “Nothing. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Right,” I reply uneasily. “Thanks for the coffee.”
We slide into seats opposite each other at one of the wrought iron tables just outside.
“It’s no problem,” he replies, never taking his eyes off me.
Silence falls over us now, but it’s not uncomfortable. The air is thick with tension, and I can feel it to my core.
There’s a fire blazing between us, and we might just be powerless to put it out before it consumes us entirely.
twenty-nine
Zhuri
Niaflopsherselfdownon my sofa, mug of piping hot coffee in hand. “How are you feeling about the upcoming season, Z?”
“Pretty good,” I say, sliding in beside her. “The team has been looking great in practice. Preseason starts next month, and that will be our biggest tell.”
She looks at me warily now. “I looked at your schedule. I saw that you’re playing the Lasers during the preseason.”
“Yup,” I shrug. “I’m not worried about it.”
“Isn’t Jack on that team?”
“He is.” I take a sip of my own coffee. “I don’t care. We broke up a decade ago. Honestly, I can’t wait to kick his ass on the ice.”
Nia shakes her head. “I always hated Jack.”
