Page 32 of If You Love Me

Her fingers skim her collarbones, drawing my attention to her cleavage. Which I’ve had my hands and face buried in. And I also fucked.

I give her thelook. The one that made her putty in my hands every fucking time. God, she’s just so full of fire. So infuriatingly in control, while I’m over here fighting to stay on the right side of the line.

“Donotlook at me like that, Roman.” Her expression is resolute, but the waver in her voice tells a different story. “I’m your coach.”

I step off my treadmill and onto hers.

She backs up until she hits the control panel.

“I think you like it when I look at you like this, Lexi.” I grab the arm rails to keep myself from pulling her into my arms so I can reacquaint myself with her lips. Instead, I ask the stillunanswered questions. “Why did you leave me in New York with cold sheets and no note.”

“I didn’t want to be just another woman after your fame.” She glances away. “I was barely starting my career and you were...bigger than life. I didn’t want to be a lifelong hockey fan who slept my way into my dream role.” Her expression is pained as her eyes meet mine. “It was the best weekend of my life, Roman. I was young and I didn’t believe you could possibly feel the way I did.”

I motion between us. “Do you still feel this chemistry the way I do?”

I don’t know what I was hoping for, but her guard goes back up.

“I’m your coach, Roman.”

My gaze narrows and my next words sound like a demand. “That’s not an answer, Alexandria.”

She exhales a shuddering breath. “Roman.”

“I want your truth.”

“Yes. I still feel it. Whenever you’re near me it’s all I can think about. It consumes me. You consume me. I’ve played out every scenario in my head a thousand times. Do you have any idea how badly I’d wanted to stay that morning? But I didn’t. All we have is here and now. You have to see how impossible this is,” she implores. “It doesn’t matter what I want anymore. My career would be over if I acted on these feelings.”

“You’re turning my world upside down.”

Her bottom lip trembles. “So are you. Again. Still.”

Knowing there’s the possibility of a future with her that’s currently out of reach is maddening. I want so desperately to find a way to have what I want. Her. Us.

We’ve both dropped our arms and moved closer, like our bodies know what they want and don’t give a shit that acting on that impulse will blow our lives apart.

“Roman, please,” she whispers.

I spin around and leave the gym before I give in and do something we’ll both regret.

CHAPTER 12

LEXI

Lexi

Are you sure I can’t bring anything else?

Hemi

Everything is covered. The dip and cookies are more than enough.

Hammer

Hollis ate half the salad I made last night while I was asleep.

Rix

I tested a bunch of new recipes so I’m bringing a LOT of food. Sorry and you’re welcome.

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