Page 172 of Skate the Line

“She drew that shortly after you started as her nanny.”

I glance at him. He has the audacity to sit on the bench with nothing but the lower half of his body covered. His pads and jersey are on the floor near the bench beside his pile of hats from the fans. I can’t stop staring at his rippling back muscles as he continues to undress.

I should’ve waited outside.

When I pull my attention to his face again, he’s staring at me. He swallows loudly, and I hear nothing but my heart racing.

“That’s…” I clear my throat and look back to the picture. “That’s adorable.”

He sighs. “She’s your biggest fan.”

I make a noise of satisfaction.

“Besides me.”

I shoot him a look and laugh sarcastically. “You hated me when I first started.”

A cheeky grin appears. “I hate everyone at first.” He glances at my mouth. “It usually stays that way.”

“Don’t tell me,” I tease. “I’m just too sunshiny to hate.”

I expect him to chuckle and say some witty remark, but he suddenly turns grave. His dark brows lower, and he squints those green eyes, surveying my face. “Pretty much, Sunshine.”

My smile slips.

The locker room is too quiet. He’s bound to hear my racing heart soon if I don’t put space between us.

Panicking, I step backward, but the bench is there. A rushed breath flies from my lungs as I prepare to fall, but naturally, Rhodes and his hockey-like reflexes work their magic, and he’s there to catch me.

“I swear that was not planned,” I quickly admit.

I land in his lap, and all I feel are his strong thighs beneath me. My hand grips his arm resting against my stomach. He stares down at me with a wildly excited look in his eye that does nothing but send my stomach into a frenzy.

I scramble to get away, but his arm tightens.

Instead of it sending a line of fear into my blood, it sends an ache in between my legs.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“Making sure you’re okay.” He keeps a hold of me, and I make no move to escape.

A breath falls from my lips. “I’m fine.”

He eyes me with skepticism. “Are you? You’ve been awfully clumsy lately. A little jumpy too.”

I hate that he’s noticed I’m jumpy.

Rhodes drags his hand across my lower stomach. I resist the urge to shiver.

“Want to tell me why?”

No.

My lips part when he grabs my hips. Suddenly, I’m flung upright and straddling his lap. I place my palms onto his bare shoulders, and thoughts from last night flood me.

I scan every inch of his face. He’s perfectly imperfect and so damn hot. It’s hard to ignore his sharp jaw and sexymouth hiding that teasing tongue.

“You make me scattered,” I admit.

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