“Oh, you were very impressive, but what were all those other guys doing? You were the only one who scored at all!”
Leo laughed and adjusted his bag on his shoulder. “Hockey is a low-scoring game, Hawaii.”
“I’ve noticed. It’s on my list of things to ask you about.”
“You brought a list?”
“Of course, I did.” I held up my notebook. “It’s kind of the whole point of me being around here, isn’t it?”
He plucked it out of my hands. “No notebook. I like to think you’re here for me. It’s ruining the fantasy.” He leaned in and spoke directly into my ear. “I have been thinking about seeing you again for days. You can ask your questions after you appropriately scream my name.”
Blood rushed to my cheeks and my knees nearly buckled but I held my ground. I was nothing if not a determined a woman. “Answer the question about the scoring and I’ll agree to put the rest on hold for an hour.”
Leo smiled and whispered, his lips brushing mine. “Because the goalies are good at what they do. Not to mention huge.”
A wave of uncertainty hit me at the heat in his gaze. “How exactly does this arrangement between us work?” I asked.
“You have research to conduct and I’m at your service, Hawaii. You know how to find me better than just about anyone else at this point.”
This was probably true, given I had direct access to his hockey schedule and new, super-secret phone number. “I can just use you for sex, whenever I want?”
He chuckled. “I’m hoping you’ll use me frequently and aggressively.”
I frowned in disbelief. “Why do you not feel like this is awkward? What am I supposed to do? Just call you when I get horny? Or do we establish a schedule? Or just hook up when the timing is convenient? And what do I say? Hey, Leo, wanna take me back to your room for some more sex, please?”
“First, of all, no schedules, Hawaii.” He stepped toward me and put his hand under my ear, his thumb rubbing my cheekbone and sending shivers down my spine. “It’s not awkward for me because there is nothing forced about my desire for you.”
I felt suddenly choked for air and I was sure he noticed because his lips curved upward.
“Do you want it to feel more organic, Sophia?”
“Yes,” I said. “I know we’re basically agreeing to be fuck buddies, but I don’t know how something like that works. Are we supposed to try to hide this from your teammates?”
“No, they don’t care and it’s none of their business.” He pressed his chest against mine and I could smell the fresh rain scent of his body wash combined with sweat. I was pretty sure hockey players had passed by as they funneled out of the locker room, but I’d been too focused on him to be sure. “I’m going to kiss you now. Assuming that’s okay with you?”
I nodded and tipped my chin toward him. He gently pressed his lips to mine and his hand slid behind the base of my head, pulling me closer to him. My body became limp in his hands and I let myself go. His kisses consumed every part of my brain. It was like I couldn’t think, Icouldn’t doubt, I could just feel him and his confidence in what we were doing—not to mention the heat he ignited deep in my belly.
I pulled back, taking in a big gulp of air. “How do you do that? How do you quiet my mind so easily?”
He smirked and ran both hands over my shoulders. “I’ve been told I’m a remarkably good kisser.”
“Well, I can see why people say that.”
“I don’t care whattheysay. I care whatyouthink,” he said, his blue-gray eyes locking on mine with a sincerity that surprised me.
“I think your kisses wash away all my insecurities,” I said, surprised as the confession slipped out of me. “When you kiss me, I feel…free of my thoughts.”
He grinned. “Then let me kiss you again.”
He did just that, shutting my brain off and reminding me that whatever arrangement it was that led us to this moment, didn’t change the fact that I didn’t want to do anything except kiss him right now.
This is organic enough for me.
“Do you want to come back to my room tonight?” he whispered against my lips.
“Yes,” I said.
“Okay, then.” He took my hand and started walking toward the door. I walked along beside him, pausing as he opened the door for me. I shivered as the cool night air hit hard.
