Page 77 of Play Maker

His chuckle was deep and sounded so dirty.

“My eyes are up here,” he pointed to his face.

“They are. Dark as a midnight sky,” I admitted as I stared up at him like a fool with his first crush.

Axel smiled slowly, and I’d never seen that look on him before. It had my heart kicking up triple time and my mouth aching to kiss him.

He rested one hand on the table and leaned forward. “That’s sounds awfully poetic for a?—”

“Hockey player?” I finished.

“Kinesiology student.”

“I’ve got your poetry right here,” I replied as I lifted my hand and kissed my middle finger.

He laughed, bending closer, brushing his mouth over my ear. “That’s yet to be proven.”

Ignoring his comment, and the hard-on it provoked, I gathered up my stuff and threw on my jacket.

“Let’s see if you can finally beat me at something,” I announced. “You play pool before?”

“All the time,” he replied. “How about a friendly wager?”

“No cash, sorry.”

Axel shook his head. “I didn’t mean that. Let’s make it more interesting. If I win, we go back to your room. If you win, we go back to my room.”

I bit my lower lip, determined not to smile.Don’t do it. Don’t do it.

Fucking hell, I did it.

“So, we both win?”

“Exactly.” Axel nodded. “We can work on the fundraiser, so we don’t have to meet up on Monday.”

All my sexy musings evaporated in a flash. Oh.

“Yeah, of course,” I replied stiffly. “I mean, sure, that’s fine.”

Axel nudged me. “I’m meeting with my advisor Monday. I’m changing majors.”

Oh.

“What did you decide on?” I asked, curious.

“Sports management. Seemed like the right fit. Finally. And, thankfully, some of my economic courses count as electives.”

“That’s awesome.”

“I’m excited about it. When I’m too old to play, I’ll become an agent and organize unruly hockey brats.”

He looked right at me and gave a knowing smirk.

“You want to take on your first client? I know this incredibly talented, smoking hot player who’s gonna make it big,” I teased.

“Less talking, more walking,” Axel replied as he motioned to the door. “And since I’ll be playing in the professional league at the same time, sorry, I can’t represent you. Maybe when youretire, though. I can get you ads for joint pain cream and shit like that.”

I laughed at that idea. “Whatever pays the bills.”

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