Page 66 of Rush the Edge

Her request is a slap to the face.

It’s not like I was thinking about going easy on her and letting her win, but if I was, that question would have sealed her fate.

There’s not a chance in hell I’ll let her be privy to that information—not after what she did to me after the last time I confided in her.

“Let’s go.” I stand and climb over the edge of the rink with a stick in my hand. I don’t offer to help her, because the second my skate touches the ice, it’s on.

It takes her a second to grab a stick to fit her height, but as soon as she does, she meets me at center ice.

I peer at her much shorter stance. Shimmer still covers her high cheekbones, matching the blue of her eyes. She’s so fucking beautiful, especially when she smiles at me like she’s ready to take me on. It irritates me even more.

“You remember the rules?” I place the puck in front of her stick. “You strip a piece of clothing if you miss the net. First one to shed all their clothing loses.”

She pushes her hair behind her shoulder, giving way to her slender neck. The stick winds backward, and she sends it shooting off down the rink from center ice.

My teeth grind back and forth when she makes it.

“Lucky shot,” I grumble.

Her girly laugh echoes around the rink, and I’m warm all over.

I take off and retrieve the puck, embracing the icy rink air against my heated skin. I can’t decide if I’m enjoying the game or hating it.

I’m back to center ice in record time, thanks to having shed my pads. Daisy rests her chin on her stick and watches me closely.

With as much force as I can manage while staying accurate, the puck soars against the ice and hits the back of the net so hard it flies back out.

“One to one,” I chirp.

She growls and takes off before I can to get the puck. Her hair flies past her face as she races back toward me.

“Right here.” I tap my stick on the ice. “You have to make it from this spot.”

Daisy lines herself up, and I can already tell she isn’t going to make the shot. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from correcting her stance and wait for her to miss.

“Ugh!” she mumbles.

It didn’t even come close.

Our eyes collide. “Strip.”

Her stick drops to the ice. I stuff my excitement down as she grips the bottom of her long sleeve shirt and slowly shimmies it up past the curves of her breasts and over her head. Underneath is a tight tank top that stretches across her body like a second skin. My mouth runs dry.

I quickly picture River’s face to bring me back to reality. I know how it feels to be betrayed by someone you trust, and I’m not going to betray him by lusting over Daisy.Again.

With my stick, I pull the puck toward me and move to the same spot. My shot hits the net perfectly, becauseobviously.

“This isn’t fair,” she hisses on her way past. “You play this sport for a living. Of course you’ll win.”

“It’s not about winning,” I retort.

Her hand flies to her hip. “Then what is it about?”

“I’m waiting to catch you mid-faint again to prove my theory of you notbeing fine.”

Daisy’s eyes narrow. “This is stupid.”

I chuckle. “Sounds like something a loser would say.”

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