Page 38 of If You Love Me

I laugh. “Don’t worry. I can handle her.” I grin at Lexi’s incredulous expression. “Isn’t that right, angel?”

Business Guy pushes through the door with a huff.

“Seriously? What the hell, Roman?”

“I’m not wrong. I can handle you.”

“That was… You’re so… That was out of line!” she snaps.

“I’m sorry, did I read that situation wrong? Did youwantto go back to his room with him? Should I stop him?” I hop off the treadmill.

Lexi grabs my arm, her nails biting into my skin. “What? No! Have you lost your mind? What if he recognized you? Or me?”

I turn back to her. She’s still holding my arm. “He probably watches golf, not hockey. And yes, Lexi, I’m losing my fucking mind over here. That guy is lucky he walked out with all his damn teeth still in his head.”

Her eyes heat. “I’m capable of handling myself.”

I smirk. “Not as good as I am.”

Her mouth drops open. “Oh my God. What has gotten into you?”

“Isn’t it obvious?Youare what’s gotten into me, Lexi. You think I like being like this? Always on edge. Out of fucking control?”

“What’s your plan, Roman?” She props a fist on her hip, expression defiant. “Are you going to jizz a circle around me every time someone flirts with me?”

I arch a brow.

She frowns, but her eyes flare a moment later. “I mean piss a circle.”

I give her a heated once-over. “Are you sure, Lexi?”

“You can’t—” Her fingers flutter to her throat. “We work together.”

I lean in, voice dropping to a whisper. “Doesn’t change the fact that I know what you sound like when you come.”

Her breath quickens. “You’re playing dirty.”

“And you’re not? You were chatting up some guy, even though you had to knowI’d end up on the treadmill next to you just to be near you.”

She tips her chin up. “I was trying not to be rude, unlike you.”

I make a noise in the back of my throat. “I dream about you almost every fucking night, Lexi.” I let my gaze rove over her athletic curves, voice dropping at the next admission. “About the way you taste.”

She swallows thickly. “Why are you torturing me like this? It’s not fair.”

“Oh angel, don’t talk to me about fair.” I lean in closer, my voice low and full of pent-up desire. “What do you think it’s like for me, watching you own the ice every day. Having to stay quiet while you step into this role and fucking own it. Seeing all these sides of you. Knowing how different it could be when it’s just you and me and all the walls are down. Every night I fall asleep thinking about you, and every morning I fuck my hand to the image of you just so I can control myself when I’m on the ice with you.”

Her bottom lip slides through her teeth on a needy whimper.

“I can’t get you out of my head. I can’t escape you, and I can’t stay the hell away from you.” I drop my hands to my sides and clench them. “I don’t have control when it comes to you. You shred it without even trying.”

Inches separate us. She tilts her head up and settles one warm, soft palm on my chest. Her entire body relaxes, shoulders melting. “You’re the only person I’ve ever felt like this with.”

I need confirmation that I’m not alone in this. “Explain.”

“You ground me.” Her bottom lip trembles. “And it terrifies me.”

“Why?”

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