Page 98 of Wildest Dreams

I glance over my shoulder to see Tanner smirking at my brother.

“Thanks,” he says dryly, although the smile on his face shows that they’re both only teasing.

I look between them and narrow my eyes.

They’re both being so friendly with each other.

It’s very suspicious.

Before I can say anything else Tanner quietly clears his throat, looking into my eyes. Even though his expression is gentle and tentative, the directness of his gaze is so intense that it makes my breathing hitch.

With his helmet off his hair clings against his forehead, although he quickly shoves it back, making his striking gaze even clearer. His skin is ruddy beneath his tan, his breathing heavy and his shoulders hulking.

“If you, uh… if you really don’t want to learn, I can just carry you over to the edge and get you back in the stands,” Tanner murmurs to me. “But, uh…”

He glances back at Connell who gives him an encouraging nod, the damn traitor.

“If you want to learn I can… I can be the person who–”

“Put it this way,” Connell says, recapturing my attention. “What if you were, like, stuck in Antarctica and the only way to… I don’t know, reach the rescue plane was to cross a frozen lagoon, otherwise you’re, you know, stranded there for life. Then you would be really glad that you could skate.”

I blink up at my brother, unable to formulate words for a few seconds.

“Connell,” I say, “what in the absolutefuckare you talking about?”

Tanner’s chest shakes against my shoulders, a quiet laugh rumbling up his throat.

“How do you even think of this shit?!” I exclaim, groaning into my hands. “You are literally crazy. I’m never going to be stuck in Antarctica!”

Connell drops his hands to his sides and throws his head back, groaning.

“For fuck’s sake, Ash – you know how karma works. Now you’redefinitelygoing to get stuck in Antarctica so I’m fucking insisting that you learn how to skate.”

“You – are –insane,” I laugh, shoving him in the chest, only to immediately lose my balance and squeak as Tanner’s hands grip around my hips. He shoves me against his front, steadying me.

I stare at him with wide eyes over my shoulder, and after a long silent moment of having my ass up against his groin he pushes me a centimetre forwards and drops his eyes. The tips of his ears turn a deep shade of red.

“Just try and learn,” Connell says kindly, giving me a pinch on the cheek. “For me. And so you don’t get eaten by any polar bears.”

“Connell,” I groan, grinning as he gives me a quick hug. “Fine,” I say, shaking my head at him as I shove his bulky abdomen away from me.

Connell gives Tanner a flick of his chin and clomps over to his teammates, who are currently trying to score a puck in the net against Austin.

When my brother is finally out of earshot Tanner tightens his grip on my hips, turning me around and towering over me as he pushes his body flush against my chest.

“Hey,” he rumbles, one of his hands gently squeezing my ass.

After two sweaty hours of playing hockey, Tanner looksreallygood.

“Why is my brother being so nice to you?” I whisper, becoming breathless when he wraps a hand around my throat.

He glances briefly over the top of my head so that he can ensure that everyone is out of earshot and then he murmurs against my cheek, “Because he doesn’t know that I’ve fucked you.”

I choke and stumble at his words but he keeps me firmly in place.

“You wanna learn how to skate?” he asks, as if he thinks he can change the course of this conversation after just sayingthat.

“Tanner, why are you and Connell–?”

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