Page 90 of Risking the Pucking Defense

“You’re meant to be getting comfortable,” she chastises.

“I got distracted by food. And if I knew we were dressing down, I’d have brought my sweats up.”

Her eyes drop down my body, lingering a beat too long on my crotch.

“Yeah, they’re gray,” I confirm despite her not having said a word.

“I…um…”

“I read the books, remember? Gray sweats, backward cap, glasses …”

“You know too much,” she teases before taking her glass and walking toward the couch.

I watch as she opens a drawer and pulls out a TV remote before pointing it toward the screen and bringing it to life. As I make my way over, I’m shocked to see her putting ESPN on to watch tonight’s game highlights.

“Do you watch a lot of hockey?” I ask, taking a seat on the other end of the couch. It’s farther away than I’d like, but I’m happy to take this slow.

“No, I barely ever turn this thing on. I just thought you’d want to. What?” she asks when all I do is smile at her.

“I love seeing this side of you.”

26

HAILEE

Ihate the tension that falls over us as we sit on either end of the couch. I don’t know what I expected, but this wasn’t it.

No, that’s a lie. I might not want to accept it, but deep down, I wanted him to slam me against the wall the second we got into my apartment and continue where we left off. But this is Hayden we’re talking about. He’s not like some of the other guys who take what they want and fuck what anyone else thinks. No, I told him that I need control, and he’s putting aside what he wants in favor of following my lead. It’s incredibly hot and frustrating at the same time.

Damn it, I want him to throw me over his shoulder and carry me to my bedroom just like I read about in my romance books. I’m just fucking terrified. The last time I gave up control…

Reaching forward, I grab my drink from the coffee table, taking a sip as Hayden watches the game playing on the screen.

This was a mistake. I should never have agreed to get in his car. I⁠—

“Oh, you motherfucker,” Hayden suddenly bellows, scaring the ever-loving shit out of me.

My entire body flinches, and I throw iced tea down myself, the cold liquid soaking through my tank and bra.

“Oh shit, I’m so sorry.” He’s on his feet in a flash, grabbing a towel from my kitchen.

He sits on his knees beside me and begins mopping me up. He’s so intent on fixing his mistake that I don’t think he even realizes what he’s doing.

“Hayden,” I whisper as he presses the towel against my breasts.

It takes him a second or two, but his brain must kick into gear because his movements still and his eyes roll up to meet mine.

“Hey.”

His cheeks blaze bright red, and I can’t stop my lips from pulling into a smile at the sight.

“I’m sorry,” he rasps, although considering he hasn’t moved his hand, I’m not entirely sure he is.

“Oh yeah?”

He continues staring at me, and then realization hits.

“Oh shit, I⁠—”