Page 64 of Breakaway Goal

Rhys reaches for a box of chocolate chip cookies. “We’re being self-destructive.”

With our arms loaded full of junk food, we walk to the checkout.

“Wait,” Rhys says, “we should getonehealthy thing.”

My stomach crunches with laughter when he then reaches for a large bag of cheddar Sun Chips.

“Oh, yeah,” I snark, “now we’re eating clean.”

And like every time we get something to eat together, two peach teas complete our purchase.

Remembering our shopping trip for lasagna ingredients from a couple weeks ago, I quickly grab the handles of the plastic bags on the counter before Rhys can snatch them.

“I’m carrying this time,” I announce primly.

The square between Rhys’s eyebrows scrunches up. It’s hilarious how much he really wants to carry everything when we’re together.

“Fine,” he grouses, making me smile.

While we’re walking back to campus, he makes a low humming sound in his throat. “What ever am I do to with my empty hands while you’re carrying the bags?” he questions. “Guess I’ll have to find something else to hold onto …”

I yelp as his big, strong hand cups one of my ass cheeks.

Electricity fires from the point of contact, snaking through me and instantly turning my nipples into taut nubs. Warmth beats in my chest, but I still nudge him with my elbow in response.

“Rhys, someone could see,” I whisper admonishingly.

As a star Black Bear, Rhys is one of the most recognized people on campus, with eyes pointing at him wherever he goes. The last thing either of us needs is for news of him feeling me up to make it back to Lane. This campus can get gossipy as anything when it comes to the hockey players.

I hear a tiny sigh of disappointment as he retracts his hand, and I immediately miss the feeling of it against me.

But when we get back into the elevator and Rhys presses the button for the fourth floor, and the doors close with only the two of us inside, his hands immediately reach for my hips. He spins me toward him, eating up the distance between us so his hard, firm torso is pressed into me.

“No one can see us now,” he drawls, and I sink into him as he dips his lips onto mine.

It’s the shortest elevator ride I’ve ever experienced; and when we reach our destination and he steps back, it’s suddenly a lot easier to believe the tiny voice in my head that whispers to me that we might be more than friends now.

33

RHYS

Agroggy sound rumbles in my throat as my eyelids flutter open. There’s a sore kink in my neck, and I’m suddenly aware of how uncomfortable the right side of my face is. Because it’s resting on the inner crease of my Biology textbook.

“Rhys,” a melodic voice whispers. “Wake up.”

It’s Maddie. Shit, I must have fallen asleep while studying.

Turns out Zebra Cakes, Skittles, powdered donuts, half of an oatmeal cream pie, and many large handfuls of Sun Chips aren’t exactly energizing brain food.

“Ugh,” I groan, lifting my head up and wincing at the pinch in my neck. I lean back in my chair to stretch. “How long was I out for?”

Maddie giggles. The sound makes it feel like wings are flapping in my chest. “About an hour and a half.”

“Shit. What time is it?”

“About ten thirty.”

I blow out a sigh. “Shit again. Well, at least I got some studying done.”

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