Page 10 of Puck Off, She’s Mine

"What cruelty is this?" He places a hand over his heart, staggering back a theatrical step like I just wounded him. "My heart can't take it."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're doing too much?" I ask, eyeing him sideways. "Because, seriously, you're doing too much."

He just laughs in response, leaning up against the wall in front of me. "I can do more. Just say the words."

"No, thanks." I pause, eyeing him thoughtfully. "Actually…you can do me a favor."

"Name it."

"Tell me what went down with Phoenix."

"What about Phoenix?" he asks, playing dumb. To my surprise, it doesn't suit him. He may be an annoying flirt, but he isn't stupid.

"Are the rumors true?"

"What rumors?"

"Are you seriously going to act like you don't know what I'm talking about when you're the one who mentioned them to me in the first place?" I ask, propping a hand on my hip.

"I don't remember that," he lies.

"Uh-huh, I just bet you don't."

"I mean, there is a rumor that he's an unhinged psychopath," he says. "And there's a rumor that he kicks puppies. Oh, there's also a rumor that he's married with five kids. And there's one about him not tipping waitstaff. I think I even heard that he's a monk who took a vow of celibacy."

I snort with laughter. "You're just going to run through the whole roster of turn-offs, aren't you?"

"Is it working?" His green eyes glint with humor. "Is he a hideous troll yet?"

"Is who a hideous troll?"

I startle slightly at the sound of Phoenix's deep voice, craning my neck to see him standing in the doorway behind Corey. His dark hair is plastered to his head, water droplets still dripping down the side of his face. He's dressed in a tight Lonestars tee and sweats, looking somehow even bigger and better than he does in full gear. God, he's gorgeous.

"Um, hey," I mumble.

His gaze drifts down my body, his eyes softening incrementally before they whip back to Corey. He practically glowers at his teammate. "Didn't you have a date?"

"No," Corey says. "I have an appointment."

"Right," Phoenix says flatly. "You should get to that, then."

Corey chuckles. "Yeah, probably. See you later, beautiful."

"Bye, Corey," I mutter, my eyes still locked on Phoenix. How did he possibly get more gorgeous in the last week? And what did he do that's so bad not even Corey is willing to spill the beans? I'm dying to know.

Corey mutters something and then disappears. I have no idea what he says because all my attention is on Phoenix. His is on me, too, like he's trying to memorize me.

"You shouldn't give him the time of day," he finally says, taking a step toward me. "He isn't worthy of you, gorgeous."

"Then I guess it's a good thing I'm not into him, isn't it?"

Phoenix's gaze drops to my mouth, and I swear he groans softly before he catches himself. "What are you still doing here?"

"Waiting for you."

He grins, stepping closer. "Missed me, didn't you?"

"No."