Page 37 of If You Love Me

The right side of his mouth curves up. He picks up the veggie tray and heads straight for me. He bends until his lips are at my ear. “You’re a little too tempting for your own good, Coach.”

He leaves me standing there, wishing, not for the first time, that our paths had crossed again a year from now, after he retired—when wanting him wouldn’t compromise everything I’ve worked for.

CHAPTER 13

ROMAN

Despite the ups and downs of our exhibition games and the tension between Grace and Madden, by some miracle we manage to get our feet under us during the regular season. We’ve been on a winning streak, riding the high. But tonight that broke, and we lost. It would have been fine if I’d been in net the whole game, but Ryker played the final period and let in two goals. I’m owning it, because it’s on me to be a good mentor.

Lately I’ve felt like I’m failing at a lot of things. Maintaining my distance from Lexi has proven pretty fucking impossible, especially with her working so closely with the defensive line. All the self-control I usually possess when it comes to my career and my life seems to go out the window when she’s around. It’s no different tonight.

I should go out with Peggy and Hollis and some of the team. But I don’t want to—and not just because I’m in no mood to watch my daughter and my best friend try to keep things PG on the dance floor. I’d rather hit the treadmill and run out my frustration, especially since there’s a good chance my favorite coach will do the same.

“You sure we can’t convince you to come?” Hollis opens the door for Peggy, who’s club ready in her dress and heels.

“Why aren’t you dressed?” she asks.

“I’m going to hang back tonight.”

She frowns. “Again?”

“I’m just not feeling it, kiddo.”Not a lie. Skipping nights out has become a habit of late. I don’t need to watch over her anymore. And I want her to have fun with her friends.

“Come for one drink,” Hollis suggests.

“Nah, I’m good.” I rub my green apple on my T-shirt to shine it. “You have fun. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Peggy kisses me on the cheek, and they leave with Hemi, Dallas, Tristan, and Flip. I change into my workout gear and take the elevator to the hotel gym.

I’m not disappointed. Lexi is already there. But she’s not alone. There’s a guy chatting her up on the treadmill to her right. He’s tall and lanky. Definitely a suit, based on his haircut and outfit. Lexi doesn’t notice me at first. Neither of them do.

She’s in her usual gym uniform of running shorts and a loose tank. Although when it’s just her and me, as it often is these days, she loses the tank and runs in a sports bra. I like to think it’s for my benefit, and also to torture me.

“How long are you in the city?” the guy asks.

“I fly out in the morning,” she replies.

“How early? Maybe I can take you for breakfast?”

Lexi chuckles. “It’s an early flight.”

“You could come back to my room, and we could order room service instead.”

Half of me wants to laugh at this guy’s gall, and the other half would like to take Lexi back to my room, strip her naked and withhold orgasms until she’s begging for release for giving this guy a shred of her attention. I stride across the room and hop onto the treadmill on the other side of her. “Did you make a new friend?”

She sucks in a shocked breath. “Roman.”

The guy looks between me and Lexi, clearly trying to figure out who we are to each other.

I smile darkly at him. “You’re not her type.”

She gives me a disbelieving look that jacks me right up.

“Is this guy your boyfriend?” Business Guy asks.

I grin as Lexi stumbles over her response.

Business Guy stops his treadmill and grabs his towel with a shake of his head. “Careful with this one. She’s a game player.”

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