She glanced down at the screen of her phone. “If you had to have sex with any player in the league, who would you choose?”
I balked at her. “Seriously? That’s what you want to know?”
“That was the prompt.”
I scoffed. “That’s an oddly specific prompt for a website that randomly generates truth-or-dare prompts.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I might have tweaked it a little.”
I chuckled. “This is what happens when you readHeated Rivalry.”
“Answer the question, Bear, or take a shot.”
I wasn’t going to take a shot for that. I thought through the Hawks’ roster as well as that of other teams in the league. “Don’t laugh, and don’t you dare tell anyone.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “But I’m going with Keller.”
“From Boston?” she asked, evaluating me. “Really?”
“Why not? He’s won two Stanley Cups, and he has the all-time wins record for any goalie in the league.”
“So you’re picking based on stats, not looks or attraction?” She scrunched up her face.
“One.” I held up a finger. “His statsarehot. And two.” I held up another finger. “If I’m going to have to suck someone’s dick, they might as well tell me how to become a legend.”
She started laughing so hard, she was wheezing. “Oh my god, Frasier. You are ridiculous.”
“What?” I lifted a shoulder. “You asked who I’d sleep with in the NHL. I told you.”
She shook her head, still laughing. She covered her mouth as if to hide her amusement. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize,” I said, gently grasping her wrist to lower her hand. “I love hearing you laugh. Seeing you smile.” I traced her jaw with my hand. “Even if it’s at my expense.”
She let out a shuddery exhale, her eyes darting between mine as if searching for something. I let the moment hang there, waiting to see what she’d do. Finally, she said, “I suppose it’s my turn again.”
I dropped my hand and leaned back. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
Interesting.
“Where’s the book you’ve been reading?” I asked.
“The one you gave me?” she asked, and when I nodded, she eyed me suspiciously. “Why?”
“Because I want to know what all the hype is about. I want you to read it aloud.” I winked. “And be sure to pick a steamy scene.”
Her cheeks pinkened, and she stood slowly. While she was gone, I switched on the hot tub before ridding myself of my tie and shoes. Then I rolled up my pants so I could put my feet in the water.
When Bryn returned, she sat on one of the chairs. “I can’t believe you’re going to make me do this.”
I watched her, steam rising into the night air. “Take a shot or forfeit. You can end the game anytime you want.”
But I knew she wouldn’t. She was too competitive to do something like that.
“And be the first one to break?” She shook her head, confirming what I already knew. “I don’t think so.”
I loved that she didn’t back down. I loved that she pushed herself outside her comfort zone. I loved that she felt comfortable enough with me to do so.
She opened her book to the midway point, thumbing through a few pages until she settled on one. She brushed her hair away from her face and began to read.
