Page 36 of Skate the Line

“I wore it because Ellie asked me to.”

What?

Fucking hell.

Of course she did.

“She wanted me to match her, and since I don’t have a Chicago Blue Devils shirt or hoodie, she grabbed this out of your closet.” Somehow, Sunny remains calm and self-assured. The explanation flows out of her mouth smoothly, and I know deep down that it’s the truth.

Silence passes between us.

The longer I stare at her, the worse I feel. The only thing I can manage is a grunt of understanding. Her mouth twitches at the noise.

“Am I dismissed, sir?” she asks, voice edging on amusement.

Sir.

I shut my eyes and breathe heavily through my nose. There are those dirty, inappropriatethoughts again.

I apparently need to fuck someone.

My eyes remain closed until I hear a shuffling in front of me. Assuming she is heading back toward Ellie, I open my eyes, only to get punched in the gut.

I catch a quick glimpse of her curves and the smooth skin along her torso as she pulls my jersey from her body. My stomach tightens when her lacy bra plays peek-a-boo beneaththe thin long-sleeve shirt she has on underneath. She’s quick to pull it down, hiding her body from me. She adjusts herself before holding out the bundled-up material in her hand for me to take.

“I’d like to get back to Ellie now—if that’s okay with you,sir.”

Every muscle locks. There’s a challenge present in her eyes, and I fall right for it.

My fingers get lost in the jersey material, but it doesn’t take long for me to trap her hand in mine. We’re not palm to palm—the fabric rests between us—but I can feel the warmth coming from her hand.

I pull her in close.

She almost bounces against my pads.

A quick gasp escapes her mouth, and I can’t help but feel entertained by it.

“Stop calling mesir.”

Her throat works along her neck. Her chin dips with a tight nod, and I gently let her go.

Sunny backs away immediately and leaves.

I stand in the dark hallway and replay the entire interaction over and over again until I hear my team leave the locker room. I take the jersey with me and throw it to a fan not too far from the bench.

I’m not sure I trust myself to wear it after it touched Sunny’s body.

Fifteen

SUNNY

“How is it going,sweetheart? Are you staying warm?”

I smile at the sound of Nana’s voice. It’s always been the most comforting sound in the world.

“Nana,” I chide. “It’s no colder than Washington. I’m used to the chill in the air.”

Though, it feels a bit nippier than Washington, considering I’m surrounded by an awfullycoldman.

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