Page 181 of Skate the Line

Me: You must not know me very well.

Rhodes: Maybe not. But I know your body, and let me tell you, no one else will touch you like I do.

Heat sprinkles against my skin because I know he’s right.

My phone starts to ring, and my stomach drops.

I attempt to hold my composure and answer.

“Calling to demand something else?” I tease.

“Who’s watching Ellie while you go on thisdate?”

A laugh tries to slip from my mouth. The way he says the word sounds like he’s about to strangle me through the phone.

“Rhodes,” I drag his name out. “Are you seri?—”

“Why are you…” He softens the anger in voice before pausing. “Why are you going on a date?”

Is he hurt by this?

I open my mouth to tell him that I’m not going on a date, especially while he’s away and I’m responsible for his daughter, but he cuts me off again.

“Do you want to find a boyfriend? Or do you just want a hook up with someone who isn’t the father of the girl you’re a nanny for?”

The thought of going on a date with someone makes me antsy—and not in a good way.

He starts up again. “If it’s a boyfriend, then fine. Reschedule the date for a night that I’m home.”

My thoughts are all over the place. Do I want him to be angry at the thought of me getting a boyfriend?

“Why? Are you going to make sure he’s up to your standards?” I meant it as a joke, but I hear the hint of irritation in my tone.

“Yes.” I hear some shuffling in the background, and then I hear him call out to someone.“Give me a minute.”

“And if I say it’s the latter?” Curiosity is getting the best of me. I’m tempting him to say something that he can’t take back, but it’s something I desperately want to hear.

“Like you just want to find some guy to hook up with?”

“Yes.”

He scoffs. “Then what I said earlier stands. Cancel your date, Sunny. I’ll be home tomorrow, and I’ll take care of you.”

Butterflies fill me to the brim. My heart flips at the thought.

“I gotta go. The bus is leaving for the arena.” His tone is clipped.

“Wait! Rhodes,” I rush.

“What?”

“I’m not going on a dinner date with some guy. Marco is taking me and Ellie out for dinner before your game starts. I put it in the calendar because I wanted you to be aware of what we were doing since you’re away.”There.

Silence.

I peek around the corner and see Marco and Ellie still playing Uno.

“Feeling pretty stupid?” I ask him jokingly.

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