Page 32 of Flirty Pucking Wolf

“Is there a reason we wouldn’t keep it a secret?” she asks. “We’d be having fun, but it wouldn’t be anything serious. If our friends and my brother know, then there’ll be questions when it’s over. I’m not going to be here, so you’re going to be the one stuck dealing with the fallout. Is that something you want to deal with?”

I shrug. “I don’t care who knows. Everyone at least suspects something is going on because of the nights I’ve spent at the hotel. You stayed in my room at the All-Star Game. Who knows who saw us kissing on New Year’s or in the bar in Florida.”

“Yeah, but I stayed in your room at the All-Star Game because of Miranda and Declan.”

I laugh. “I know what you said, but that doesn’t mean anyone believed it.”

She flicks her hand nonchalantly. “Whatever. I don’t care. Tell whoever you want whatever you want, then. But I don’t want to discuss it on the show. People will suspect a showmance because they always do, but it’s a double-edged sword. If we make it public, folks who ship us will vote for you, but we risk alienating the people who vote for you because they think you’re unattached. If we keep it vague, then everyone believes what they want and you’ll get your votes. Win-win!”

I loosen my grip, allowing her to step out of my embrace to go back to the kitchen where Dec and Miranda are clearing their breakfast dishes.

“Ready to go see Mallory?” Randi asks. When Sophie says she is, they put on their coats and follow me and Mac outside to wave goodbye as we drive away in Dec’s SUV.

Mac drums his fingers on his steering wheel in a rhythm only he can hear. Am I making both of the Mackenzie siblings nervous today?

“What’s going on with you and Sophie?” he asks abruptly, his Scottish brogue deeper than usual.

Mac’s my friend, and I’m not going to insult him by pretending to not understand what he’s asking. “We’ve kissed a few times, and I’m attracted to her, but nothing beyond that. Yet. I won’t lie to you. Or to Sophie. I want your sister. But I’m not cut out to have a relationship. I’m not like you. I’m not looking for the white picket fence and kids. We’re having a fling while we’re doing the show and she’s here. Provided we can get time alone together,” I say pointedly, causing Mac to chuckle.

“Hey, I’m all for it. But don’t hurt her. Be upfront about what you want. She’s been used by men trying to get closer to our family.” He raises his hand to cut off my protest. “I know you’re not like that. But be careful with this fling. Make sure she doesn’t start wishing for forever when you’re looking for right now.”

Now it’s my turn to nervously drum my fingers against my thigh. Mac is one of my best friends. I don’t want this to cause a problem between us.

The trees whiz by as I think.

“I’m monogamous, and I’m honest. I don’t lead anyone on. The hookups I’ve had always knew that’s all it was. Sophie knows. I never want to hurt her. I care about her. But I’m not cut out for marriage.”

If I ever did get married, I’d want it to be to someone like Sophie. But I could never make her happy and give her what she wants.

And I’d rather my heart be broken than hers.

12

SOPHIE

I lovethe pool house and make arrangements to move in as soon as possible. It’s decorated exactly in my style, like it was meant for me.

“So, what’s your plan for today?” Miranda asks as we walk through the trees back to the barn.

I chew my bottom lip. “Are you going to the rink today?”

She nods. “Do you want to come with me?”

“Yeah. I need to let Teagan know I’ll be staying here and pack up my things. Trevor and I will practice this afternoon. It’s the rumba this week.”

Miranda grins and wiggles her eyebrows. “Ooh, sexy. Have you slept together yet?”

I stumble over air. Not a question I was expecting from Miranda. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I’m nosy,” she answers frankly. “You guys have chemistry like crazy. I know how Trevor is with women. The signs are there.”

“What do you mean by, how he is with women? How is he?” I know we’re having a fling—that better be consummated tonight before I explode in a flaming pile of frustrated goo—but I don’t want to be part of a cast of thousands.

“Um…well…he likes to play the field. He’s not a jerk about it, but he’s not a relationship type of guy. He treats them well, but it’s always casual. I’m surprised he gets away with it, but he’s charming.”

“Aye…” He’s certainly charming. And I fall for it every time. “That’s fine. I’m not looking for a relationship. We haven’t had sex yet because the night we were going to do the deed my best friend and brother cockblocked us, and since then, we’ve been surrounded by the team or exhausted from all our practices to do anything. We get to kiss some and make out in dark corners when we have a moment, but that’s not satisfying. Anyway, it would be a fling, not forever. We’ll be scratching some itches for the time we’re together, nothing more than that.” I stop and look up at the sky, my breath making puffy white clouds. “Miranda, I’m so…itchy.It’s torture being near him and touching him all the time but not being able totouchhim. It’s driving me mad. When we’re done with the show, we’ll move on. He has hockey here, and I’ll be preparing for the next season of the show in New York or wherever. But lordy, I need my itches scratched in the worst way—and soon. By him.”

As we exit the band of trees and approach the barn, Miranda says, “Long-distance relationships are a thing, you know.”

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