Page 46 of Desire

Emma coasted to a stop, chest heaving, legs threatening to give out at any second. She braced her hands on her shaking thighs, awash in endorphins and incredulous joy. Holy hell, she’d actually done it. Proven to herself that she could hold her own, could reach deep and find new untapped reserves. The drills were merciless. Laps upon laps around the track, weaving through cones, and practicing falls that left her aching and bruised.

As the final whistle sounded, Emma skidded to a halt, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Sweat dripped down her forehead, stinging her eyes as she blinked away tears. Her entire body ached from the punishing workout, and every muscle screamed in protest against the effort she had put forth. But she couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride coursing through her veins. She had done it. She had survived the tryouts.

Around her, the other girls were huddled together, discussing their performances and comparing bruises. Emma limped over to join them, her knees wobbly from exertion. As she looked down at her torn-up hands and bloodied elbows, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. This was who she was meant to be, someone fearless and unapologetic. Someone who could take control of her life and make her own choices.

Emma was exhausted but exhilarated. The other skaters crowded around her, laughing and high-fiving, their bruises and scuffs mirrors of her own. As Emma soaked in the elation of her triumph, she sensed a prickling awareness along the back of her neck. She glanced over her shoulder to find Dante’s piercing gaze locked on her from the bleachers. He was leaning forward, elbows braced on his knees, his expression inscrutable yet undeniably intense. Emma’s breath caught, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins suddenly thrumming with a different kind of excitement.

Dante rose and made his way down to the edge of the rink, his powerful frame moving with the coiled grace of a jungle cat. Emma’s heart stuttered as he drew near, the charged energy between them almost melting the metal in the bars around the rink. She skated over to him, trying to keep her voice nonchalant despite the butterflies rioting in her stomach.

“Enjoy the show?” She quirked an eyebrow, aiming for playful confidence even as her insides quivered.

“Oh yes, Queen Mab.”

If she made the team, that would be her name.

“You were amazing out there,” Dante said, his voice rough with desire. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” He reached out and brushed a stray curl from her cheek, his callused fingers rasping against her sensitive skin and making her shudder.

She leaned into his touch, craving more.

“Are you up for a scene tonight?” His deep voice washed over Emma like a physical caress.

She was going to be sore tomorrow morning anyway, might as well really earn it. “Always, sir.”

He closed the final sliver of distance between them, claiming her mouth in a searing kiss that obliterated thought. His lips moved over hers with a controlled intensity, firm and demanding. Emma melted into the caress, into him, surrendering to the desire that had built to a crescendo. A soft moan escaped her as Dante’s tongue delved past her parted lips, stroking hers with sensual mastery. She curled her fingers into his shoulders, the smooth leather of his jacket, supple beneath her grip. The world fell away, narrowing to his mouth on hers, to the slip and glide of their tongues, to the sheer perfection of the moment.

The cheers made her realize they were not in their own cocoon of the Club and she broke away from him. The other derby girls were hooting and hollering at her. Emma’s face hurt from smiling. “This is my man,” she said, claiming him in front of them.

“Come on and take a photo with us,” one of the vets said. “We’re trying to drum up some press for this weekend’s match with the Saints.”

Skating back over, Emma posed with both the team and the other newbies while people took shots with their phones and posted them to their social media sites. As the cameras flashed and the skaters celebrated around her, Emma couldn’t help but be drawn back to Dante. His intense gaze burned into her skin, sending goose bumps down her arms. The possessive hunger in his eyes made her heart race. Would it always be like this?

How could Joey not want her to be with Dante when he saw how much he loved and cherished her?

“Hey,” Coach Carnage said, pulling her aside. “I’m going to make a more formal announcement, but I wanted you to know we have a spot on the roster for you, if you’re interested.”

“I’m interested,” Emma said. “Thank you.” She couldn’t believe it.

“We’ll see you at practice on Thursday. Six sharp. Don’t be late.”

“I’ll be there.” Emma resisted the urge to jump up in the air and pump her fist. She didn’t want to celebrate among the other people who might not have made the team.

As she went back into the locker room to change, Emma decided that it wasn’t enough to be Queen Mab out of the dungeon. It wasn’t enough to be Queen Mab in the roller derby ring. No, she had to be Queen Mab in her family too. She was going to tell her parents and Joey that she was dating Dante this Sunday.

And she’d deal with Joey’s anger if she had to.

But Emma was done hiding in fear of everything anymore.

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