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“Adjust the thermostat so the air isn’t running for no reason,” Flip says absently.
“Cool. Thanks.” I head for the balcony. “How’s the strategy meeting? You’re up against Montreal first in the exhibition games, right?”
“I love that your sister knows hockey. Mine couldn’t care less,” Dallas says.
“Flip has always been supportive of me. I want to do the same.” I smile at Dallas as I open the sliding door and step onto the balcony. “Oh wow. The breeze out here is amazing.”
Everyone’s attention but Flip’s is on me. He’s focused on the two devices in front of him. Here goes nothing. I open my water bottle, take a small sip, and then tip my head back and pour the contents down my chest. Water soaks into my white sports bra, turning the opaque fabric transparent. All three sets of eyebrows rise. Roman looks away and takes a long drink of the glass he’s now white knuckling. Dallas grins like he’s just found his new favorite TV show, and Tristan’s lip curls into something akin to a snarl. His gaze darts from me to Dallas and then to Flip, whose eyes are still on his phone.
Tristan points a finger at Dallas. “Eyes off, fucker.”
Dallas holds up his hands and focuses on his coffee cup.
Tristan stalks toward me, yanking his tank top over his head. He stops when his big toe hits the end of my running shoe. He glares down at me, and I tip my head back to smile at him. I pour the last few drops right into my cleavage. His ravenous gaze dips lower, and his hands curl into fists, one holding his tank. “What the fuck are you playing at, Beat?”
“Making a point, Trissy. You and Flip are always in your underwear. Why can’t I be in mine?”
His jaw clenches, and he jams his shirt aggressively over my head.
“Ow! What the hell?” I try to swat his hands away, but my arms are caught in the shirt and my hair is in my eyes.
He grabs the hem of his shirt and gathers it at my waist. “This shit is unnecessary. Everyone was already looking at you before you pulled this, Beat. It’s overkill, and you have a hell of a lot more to offer than your body.”
I’m so shocked by the compliment hidden in his chastisement I don’t know what to say. His fingers graze the bare skin of my hip, and it feels like a direct link to my clit. And my nipples. Which he’s just covered up. He ties a knot at my right side, pulling it tighter than he needs to. It takes me that long to free my arms from the tank prison, which seems impossible since it’s mostly armholes.
“I already told you, I don’t need another problem to manage. Stop being an antagonistic brat,” he grinds out.
The whiplash is hard to handle, but that unintentional compliment gives me the courage I need to keep pushing his buttons. “Stop being an asshole. Oh, wait. You can’t. It’s your natural state of being.”
His eyes darken, his glare menacing. “What’s your plan now that you’ve proven your point?”
“Pretty sure Dallas wants my number. Maybe I’ll give it to him.”
His jaw tics. “Like hell you will.”
I tip my head and drag a single finger down his chest. “It must burn your ass.”
He grabs my wrist but doesn’t pull my hand away. “What are you talking about?”
“Being attracted to me, even though you can’t stand me. So frustrating to abhor something and want it at the same time.”
His eyes flare with surprise before they narrow. “Tread carefully, or you’ll wind up in over your head.”
I poke him through his shorts. He’s definitely sporting a semi. I bet if I looked down, I’d see the ridge pushing against the fabric. “Your body betrays you,” I murmur. “What you wouldn’t give right now to be able to shut me up with your cock in my mouth, eh?”
His teeth grind together, and he leans in until our noses almost touch. His body eclipses mine. I can’t see Flip and his teammates, and they can’t see me. I’m surrounded by Tristan. I could tip my chin up and our lips would touch. “You don’t want my attention, Beat.” His voice is soft and menacing, sending a shiver down my spine. “I promise you, you’re playing with fire, and I will fucking incinerate you.”
I smile. “That sounds like a challenge.”
His expression grows sinister. “Oh, little girl, you have no idea what you’re signing on for.”
“Hey! What the hell’s going on out there? Tristan, you can’t throw Rix off the balcony, no matter how much she annoys you!” Flip calls.
I pat Tristan on the chest. “Game on, big boy.”
CHAPTER 6
RIX
I’ve done plenty of stupid things in my life. But antagonizing Tristan might top the list. Realizing he finds me attractive even though he can’t stand me gives me power. The problem is, I’m not sure how to wield it effectively.
