Page 43 of Play Maker

“We’re not going to do that,” I grumbled.

“Oh really?” Silas glanced between me and Jace. “It looked like you were about to lay into each other.”

If kissing the fuck out of Jace was laying into him, then yes, I was about to do just that.

“We were talking, that’s all,” Jace insisted, his voice hoarse.

“Whatever you say,” Silas snarked and pointed to the house. “I can only stay for an hour but let’s have a drink together. That way, I can give Dane a reprieve from his babysitting duties.”

“Funny,” I retorted.

“It’s not,” Silas grumbled as he walked past us and called out over his shoulder. “You’re both acting like goddamn teenagers in some high school drama. Just focus on hockey and put your personal shit aside. We’re so close to the nationals, doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

“Thanks for the advice, but stick to defense,” Jace bit out. “And you haven’t exactly been a role model for team spirit, either. You hardly talk to anyone, and every time Coach says something to you, you’re ten seconds away from losing your cool.”

Silas paused when he reached the landing and slowly turned to face us.

“It’s not the same thing at all,” Silas offered. “And yeah, most days I’m a grumpy bastard because I’m dealing with a shitload of responsibilities outside of school and hockey. Stuff you know nothing about. But I still do my job on the ice. I’m not acting like a fucking kid with a temper tantrum. What do we have to do with you two? Lock you both in a room until you work it out?”

Jace held my gaze.

“I’m game if Axel is.”

CHAPTER 15

JACE

Iwas joking. Sort of. Definitely.

After that near kiss—if that’s what it was—I didn’t want to be anywhere near Axel. We were already combustible, but touching him? No way. I wasn’t ready for that kind of inferno. I wasn’t into pain. Besides, he was probably just flirting with me to fuck with my head. A game that I wasn’t willing to play.

Given his friendship with Preston, why should I believe anything that he said? Or did.

But Axel’s eyes, his body language, it was telling me all kinds of crazy things. That he wanted me to kiss him. He was curious, and nervous too. I saw the heated once-over he gave me when I told him I was bossy. And, it wasn’t a line. I liked to take charge during sex. Ever since Preston, it was necessary. I wanted, no, I needed the control. Especially with hookups. And while I was eager and happy having sex with menandwomen, there was something about being one on one with a guy that turned me inside out. There was no holding back. Sex could be slow and sensual, and then raw and rough. Always dirty, messy, and so freaking hot. And maybe it was the hockey player in me, but I was competitive, even in this. I wanted to be the best for my partner. Even group sex couldn’t compare. When I had thatsingular attention, no one else, it was so satisfying. And when I was the only one whose name they shouted when they came? Even better.

“Are you going to stand there staring into space or are you coming inside?” Axel bellowed.

I shook my head. “I’m thinking.”

“Not in this cold,” Axel muttered and clapped his hands together.

“Some of us dress for it,” I snarked as I forced my feet to move, heading reluctantly back to the house.

Axel ignored my comment.

The least I could do is try and play nice. I just needed to get drunk first.

Axel followed closely behind me, and I hated that I was aware of him now. The rustle of his jeans, the tobacco from his breath, and the heat that poured off his body. It was suddenly all too much. Part of me wanted to ignore Silas’s request and walk away. But he was right. This thing with me and Axel was out of control. We needed to find some kind of resolution. Any kind. And I needed to put this new and ridiculous sexual fixation aside. So, I wanted Axel. So what? I wanted a lot of people. It was chemistry. Plain and simple. It didn't mean anything more than that.

And I didn't have to act on it.

That was easier said than done, especially when I climbed the stairs with Axel right behind me. I don't mean a step or two, but like, right behind me. Practically rubbing against me. The temptation was there to lean back, or better yet, turn around, shove my hands in his thick blond hair, and show him what a kiss could be. I knew it would be good. But the fact that my cock was still hard told me that one kiss wouldn’t be enough.

I went to grab the door handle, but Axel reached around me and got to it first. He held the door open, his other handsuddenly bracketing my lower back. What was happening? Why was he touching me like that? I was vibrating so hard it took everything I had to keep walking.

Reminding myself that he’d already been drinking, I reasoned his behavior was a one-off. He was out of it, presumably due to alcohol.

As soon as we stepped into the house, his hand was gone. Good. Great. I probably imagined the whole thing.

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