“Barely tolerable.”
My little rant won me a startled laugh from Jax, the smile softening some of his hard lines. He narrowed his eyes on me. “I should make you pay for that ‘barely tolerable’ comment.” His voice deepened, and after last night, I had no doubt he’d make good on his promise.
Jax pulled up to the front entrance and put the truck in park. Not quite ready to get out, I fiddled with my bag. I still had to run, but now I had coffee! I leaned over and slid my hand up his arm. It was thick, hard, and deeply tan. My mouth watered as my hand traveled over him. He tracked my movements, eyes filled with heat, and I snapped my hand back.
“Thanks, Jax. It was… it was—”
“Thanks, who?” He lifted a brow expectantly.
I huffed out a breath. “King.”
His dimple was on full display, and he bit the corner of his lip. “My pleasure. Wait, I have something else.”
He grabbed a white bag with Ellie’s Bakery written across it. The smell of fresh pastry and chocolate filled my nose. I desperately tried to contain my moan, but from his bit-back groan, I didn’t succeed. Jax might just be the sexiest man alive.
Opening my door before I did something especially stupid like ask him to marry me, I jumped out, being careful not to spill my coffee.
He leaned toward me and kept his voice low. “Sid.”
A shiver ran down my spine as he watched me with dark eyes. “Yeah.”
“I finished your book last night. I think there’s a few things we should talk about.”
I swallowed hard and slammed the door shut. The last sex scene in that book had her bent over a table, her wrists and ankles tied as he fucked her in the ass while a group of people watched.
His laugh followed me as I ran toward class.
SEVENTEEN
JAX
“Fuck, man. If you hustled half as hard on the ice as you do to get out of here on Thursdays, you’d be a first-round pick.” Archer, our second-line defenseman, said from the row of lockers across from me.
“I’m already a first-round pick. Maybe you should start packing faster. You could learn something.” I stuffed the last of my gear into my locker, thanking god we had an equipment manager who would wash them before tomorrow’s game.
There was a round of chuckles from the guys, but the room went silent when our assistant coach, Matty, walked in. “Ryder.”
“Yes, sir?” I had always liked Matty. He was good at practice and helped keep the bench organized during games. I didn’t particularly like calling him sir, but for hockey, and only for hockey, I did what I was told.
“Coach wants to see you.”
The guys winced in unison. It was never good when the coach wanted to see you after practice. I quickly ran through the drills in my head but couldn’t come up with a fuckup big enough to be called in.
River raised a single brow in question.
I shrugged it off. Who the fuck knows, man.
Matty nodded toward the door. “Let’s go.”
“Yeah, alright.” Any day but Thursday, I wouldn’t give a shit, but I didn’t like the idea of Sid waiting for me. Fuck. The sound of her breathy moans last night nearly did me in.
I left the rest of my gear on the bench. It would have to wait until whatever Coach had to yell at me about. River grabbed his bag as I walked by and moved closer to me than necessary, dropping his voice low so only I could hear. “I’ll let Sidney know you’ll be late.”
“Thanks. I won’t be long.”
River gave me a knowing look. Depending on Coach’s mood, I could be here for a long-ass time.
Luckily, Coach only wanted to talk about a few new plays, not to give me shit for some unknown reason, so I was only running a half hour late. Normally, I’d be all for a one-on-one session with him, but all I could think about was getting home to Sid.
The sight of her car in the driveway kicked up my heart rate and sent energy pulsing through my veins in anticipation of seeing her again. Her needy moans and delicious fucking whimpers had haunted me since our call.
I dropped my stuff in the entryway and went straight to the living room, where the guys were shouting. I was ready to give them shit for interrupting Sid but froze. She sat next to Alex with an Xbox remote in her hands, and River stood to her left, eyes glued to the screen. They were both laser focused on the latest NHL EA Sports game.
Lucas was practically giddy, counting down. “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.”
Alex yanked Sid into his arms and stood, twirling her around. “You’re my fucking hero.”
River stared at the TV, stunned, mouth dropped open. A slow smile curled my lips at the sight of her with my friends. She looked good, beaming in triumph. One of my sweaters dwarfed her; she’d rolled the sleeves up to show her wrists, and the bottom of her shorts was barely visible beneath. Girls were notorious clothing thieves. Shirts, hoodies, hell, even socks went missing. Klepto souvenirs. I didn’t let them wear my shit ever, but Sid was different. A deep possessiveness warmed my stomach. I liked it when she wore my things.
I should say fuck it and stay down here for the night, but I was entirely too selfish for that. “Hey, Sid.”
Flushed pink, she turned to me with an ear-splitting grin. “Hey, King.”
The guys laughed, chirping her for losing the bet.
“Fuck, I forgot about that. I didn’t think he had it in him to win.” Alex grinned at her and gripped my shoulder, giving me a little shake.
Her cheeks flushed a beautiful deep pink, and she bit her lip.
“Your girl here just whipped River’s ass, five-nothing.” Lucas plopped down on the couch, looking at her in awe.
I fucking feel you, buddy.
I let out a low whistle. “Damn. I didn’t know you were a secret gamer.”
She chuckled, mouth twisting to the side. “I’m not.”
“You hear that, River? You got crushed by a rookie.” Lucas beamed.
Alex squeezed her again before patting River on the back. “It’s alright, Riv. You eventually had to lose.”
“You all lost too,” River grumbled.
Alex kicked his feet onto the table. “Yeah, but she beat you. That’s all that matters.”
River turned his stunned gaze on Sid, lowering his remote from its frozen position in front of him. He looked deathly serious before a chuckle rumbled up his chest, and he held out his hand for a shake. “Nice work. Do you give lessons?”
She clasped it in her own, giving it a firm shake. “Not going to share my secrets, River. You’re just going to have to figure out how you lost by yourself.”
A chorus of excited “oohs” circled the room.
River handed her a remote. “Best two out of three?”
I grabbed it before Sid could and tossed it on the couch. “Alright, you guys. It’s been fun and all, but she’s got studying to do.”
Sid looked at me for a second. Did I overstep? She was having fun. Who was I to break it up?
“It’s probably best before I give these guys a complex. Wouldn’t want River to lose multiple times in one night. I don’t think he’s ready for that. Maybe next time.” She grabbed her bag and winked at me.
I lifted the bag from her shoulder. “Fuck, Sid. This has got to weigh fifty pounds.”