AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As soon as I step into the hallway, the sound of male voices greets my ears, and my gaze fastens onto Ford’s golden depths. That’s all it takes for the air to get knocked from my lungs as an avalanche of shivers cascade down my spine.
Even when I try to ruthlessly stomp out the attraction I feel for him, embers continue to smolder at the bottom of my belly.
Ugh.
This is bad.
The last thing I want to do is develop feelings for the guy. In fact, that’s what this entire friends-with-benefits situation was supposed to alleviate.
His teammates—Wolf, Madden, and Ryder—greet me before jostling their way onto the elevator.
There’s a moment of silence as everything around us falls away and Madden clears his throat. “Are you coming or what, Hamilton?”
“Coach will rip us a new one if we’re late,” Wolf adds.
Ford’s penetrating gaze never deviates from mine. “I’ll meet up with you in the parking lot. I need to talk to Carina.”
“Suit yourself,” Ryder says. “If you’re not down in five, we’re leaving without you.”
“I’ll be there. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”
Wolf snorts and mutters something under his breath that I can’t quite decipher before the metal doors slide shut. This is the first time we’ve been alone since sleeping together. On Monday, I snuck into class late and sat toward the back of the small lecture hall. Our gazes collided several times when he’d turn and stare like he knew exactly what I was doing and why. The wolfish smile that overtook his expression set fire to my panties and the knowing look in his eyes made me think he was remembering what it was like to be buried deep inside my body.
The big jerk.
Before I can throw out an excuse and dart away, his hands lock around my upper arms as he forces me backward against the wall next to the elevator.
“Ford…”
My voice comes out sounding ridiculously breathy. This isn’t the kind of girl I am, and it irritates the hell out of me that he’s able to elicit just such an unwanted reaction.
“What?” He flicks a glance up and down the hallway. “The place is empty. We’re all alone.” There’s a moment of silence. “Or would you prefer for us to be surrounded by people? Then you could continue avoiding me.”
Heat suffuses my cheeks. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s been busy.”
But yeah…I’ve been totally avoiding him.
I need all the strange feelings he rouses within me to settle before we see each other again. There was a tiny part of me that wondered if maybe this would be a hit-it-and-quit-it kind of thing. Ford has always been a player. I don’t want to be all like- let’s hook up again and he’s like- thanks, but no thanks. I’ve had my fill. And then I end up looking like a clingy puck bunny.
No way.
Not for a second time.
I’m knocked from the tangle of those thoughts when he nips at my lower lip. There’s no other choice but to refocus my attention on the man pinning me to the wall.
Because that’s exactly what he’s turned into.
A man.
When I met Ford at fourteen, he was tall and lanky. Muscular from playing hockey but he still looked like a young teen. One who needed to grow into his body. Fast forward seven years and he’s packed with muscle. His shoulders are broad, his chest wide, and hips lean. The sight of him naked is enough to turn any woman’s insides into a pile of mush.
Even though I’ve tried to fight the attraction tooth and nail, I’m guilty of the same.
“Has it?”
“Yes. I’ve been spending a lot of time in the studio.”
He searches my eyes for a long silent moment before his tone lightens. “Good to know.”
