Page 8 of If You Dare

“Your turn to ask me a question,” I tell her.

“Um. How old are you?”

“Twenty. I’m a junior.”

“What’s your major?”

“Finance. I’m hoping for the NHL, but if that doesn’t pan out, I guess I’ll become one of those obnoxious finance bros.”

She giggles andfuck. The sound is fucking magical. Soft and delicate just like her. “In that case, I hope the NHL works out for you.”

She’s got a sense of humor. I like that. “That’s what my dad did. Now he’s retired and coaching, but I’d like a backup plan. Something to keep me busy when I’m forced into retirement at thirty.”

“That’s smart.”

Even though I barely know the girl, her validation sparks a flicker of pride in my chest. I shake it off. She doesn’t have to think I’m smart to want to fuck me. “I have my moments. I’m not the meathead jock you probably thought I was.”

What most girls think I am. The guy with the big muscles and the tiny brain who’s only good for fighting and fucking.

Violet shakes her head, eyes on her plate. “I didn’t think that.”

They shouldn’t, but her words make me smile.

Chloe stands, chair squealing. “You ready to head back to the dorm, Violet? We have alotof gossiping to do. Did you see Trey’s hair?”

Trey shakes his head, but I chuckle. He’s an asshole who likes to give everyone shit but doesn’t know how to take it. I love watching my sister give it right back to him.

Even though Violet’s barely eaten half the food on her plate, she nods quickly and stands, eager to get away from me and the effect I have on her panties. God, I’d love to know how fucking wet she is for me.

“I’ll walk you back,” I tell them.

Chloe rolls her eyes. “It’s literally a five-minute walk and it’s not even dark.”

I point at Trey. “You think he’s the only creep on this campus?”

She glances down at Trey, who’s ignoring us now. “You’re right. You better come with us.”

On our way out of the dining hall, I hold the door open for them. Chloe knows exactly what I’m up to, but Violet flashes me a little smile and murmurs athank youwhile I watch her ass shake as she passes me. What I wouldn’t give to grab it right now and squeeze.

Not yet. She’s the kind of girl who scares easy. Who will want to see the first kiss, the first ass-grab, the first fuck, coming.

Chloe nudges her. “What do you think, Violet? They’re cute, right? Wes, you should set us up with a couple of your teammates so we can go on a double date.”

My shoulders stiffen. She knows exactly what she’s doing. “Hell no. You stay away from those assholes.”

“Treyis an asshole. But Luke is sweet. And that adorable Southern accent.” She presses a hand to her chest and swoons like a Southern belle. Jesus.

“You’re not allowed to date until you’re thirty.”

Chloe rolls her eyes. “What about Violet?”

Violet nearly stops breathing when my gaze lands on her. “No hockey players for her. She needs to meet a nice nerd in the library.”

She doesn’t like that answer. She fixes her gorgeous hazel eyes on the sidewalk ahead of us, clutching her arms over her chest. Good. Maybe that means she’s not looking to get fucked by a nice guy.

Chloe groans. “No fair, I want a hot nerd.”

That manages to pull a laugh out of Violet. Despite myself, the beautiful sound inflates something in my chest like a balloon.

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