Page 35 of Pucking Grey

She presses her lips together, skating to me. “No, you didn’t take me seriously when I scored. I probably blew your mind there, didn’t I? So, I stood there while you scored. The real game starts now.”

She steals the puck from me and races across the rink. I chase after her, otherwise, I can’t keep up. What the fuck is this? She holds the puck with ease, racing with it. I don’t want her to get hurt, but I need to let her know that I’m not fucking around either.

I catch up and hit her stick just enough for the puck to go flying. We both race for it. She’s fucking faster than me. She’s like a goddamn Olympian. The puck flies into her net as she shouts with glee.

I take the puck and don’t waste a moment as I race to my net. She’s far too close to me, so I hit the puck further ahead than I should. She’s the one to catch it. I have to fucking skate harder. Am I giving her too much leeway?

So, that’s what I do. Skate harder. I steal the puck from her and make the shot from the centerline. I make it right into the net. I nod.That’s right.

Maddie glares at me as she retrieves the puck.

“Whoever makes five points first.”

“Three,” she says, gliding past me with the puck.

“Okay. Three,” I say, chasing after her. I steal the puck from her. It’s a challenge at first, but I slam it to the right and finally take control. I take a risk by hitting it across the rink. It’s something I used to do as a kid. I make it into the goal again, and I’m in relief.

“That’s two,” she scoffs, racing to the net. “I’m going too soft on you.”

I smile because she’s actually not. She’s a lot better than I thought she would be, and I can’t imagine how good she is when she hasn’t had any to drink. “I’m not going to let you win, bunny. You’re moving in with me.”

Her skates stop in front of me. Her blue eyes pierce into mine. “Why?”

I smirk. “Aren’t you trying to get revenge on your boyfriend?”

“Pretty sure he let me go, and I’m only keeping you around just in case.”

I smile at her. She stares blankly at me. I mutter, “Nobody knows we’re hanging out right now. Are you sure you’re not keeping me around for something else?”

She touches my cheek, but I’m immune to anyone’s touch. Then she bops my nose and skates away. Maddie grabs the puck from the net and then smiles at me.

“I can’t let you score again,” she stammers, hitting the puck across the rink. She misses the net, so I skate to it, glad to have the advantage. I waste no time, meeting her at the centerline.

“I’m going to win!” She actually steals the puck from me and skates towards her goal. I’m quick enough to attempt to steal it. She hits the puck hard, but I interfere, and it goes flying in another direction.

She hits my ass with the hockey stick. I skate, ignoring her as I take the puck and shoot it across the rink. Fuck, I miss the net. She laughs as we race for the puck. I reach it first, but instead of fighting me for the puck, she hugs me from behind. We’re skating forward until we hit the wall. She’s holding on tight.

If I didn’t know any better, I would think that she’s flirting with me. But you haven’t seen her face when she looks at Matt. She will never look at me like that. But I’m going to have this girl wrapped around my fucking finger when I win this little game we’re playing. Then I’ll have the pleasure of torturing Matt with his girl in my bed. Not once, not twice, but for an entire month.

Chapter 9

“What are you doing?” Grey asks as I hold him tightly from behind. He takes my hands, forcing me to release him as he turns around.

“I’m still a little drunk,” I admit.

“Okay,” he questions me. My arms are wrapped around him. My nose nuzzles his jacket that smells of cologne and really good detergent. And he’s so tall and wide. A lot more to handle than Matt.

I mutter, “And I was wondering why you can’t just admit that you want to sleep with me?”

“What?” he snickers.

“It would be a fun confession,” I admit, releasing him. “But I’m trying to understand why I need to live with you when all you have to do is admit you want me in your bed.”

He grabs my face, rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip. He whispers, “If I wanted to have you in my bed, you would be. Instead, I’m playing hockey with you.”

“Does that mean we’re friends?” I tease.

He releases me, but I really wish he would put his hands on me. “Men and women can’t be friends.”

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