Page 59 of The Flirty Forward

I reach over and pat his leg. “I’m sorry that you can’t play tonight.” I’m not sure if he hears me over the noise. I start to pull my hand back, but he snags it at the last minute. He turns, catching me in his gaze. His hold on my hand tightens, not painfully.

“Are you going to go out with him?” he asks.

My mind blanks a moment. “Shawn?” I ask. He nods once. “I don’t know. But I do know that I don’t appreciate you answering for me.”

“I’m not going to apologize for it,” he says, his jaw tight. “You do realize we’re dating, right? And dating means you don’t date other people. It’s exclusive.”

Irritation flares in me. “Oh please. This comes from the guy who’s never taken the same girl out twice. Exclusive? Whatever.” I try to tug my hand out of his, but he keeps a tight hold on it.

“I’ve never even looked at another woman since you came into my life, Stephanie.”

His words paired with his earnest look shake me. “Well, we both know you want to. You’re just doing this to help me out.” Itug my hand, and he releases it. “I don’t need you to anymore; you’re free to go pursue whoever. Things have died down; I’m fine now.” And then because I don’t want to sound ungrateful, I say, “Thank you for all you did.”

“No,” he says.

I blink. “No, what?”

“You’re pulling away because you’re scared this is starting to get real.”

“This isn’t real, Sebastian. It’s just you being sympathetic to me because you feel bad. It was never real.”

He stares at me. “That’s what you think?”

I give a bitter laugh. “It’s what I know.”

Everybody around us starts cheering, and somebody nudges Sebastian from behind. I tune into what’s going on just in time for the announcer to announce that Sebastian Hart is in the house. Sebastian stands to his feet with a big smile on his face and waves to the crowd. The crowd goes crazy. Before I realize what’s happening, he pulls me to my feet next to him and wraps an arm around my waist. Then he turns to me. “I’m going to kiss you,” he says in a low voice. My eyes widen to epic proportions I’m sure. “Is that okay?” he mutters. Something...definitely insanity...overcomes me and I find myself nodding. He pulls me close, wrapping one arm behind my back and the other hand slips behind my neck as he lowers his lips to mine. I thought his kiss would be gentle, but it’s anything but. His lips are almost fierce against mine, and it ignites something deep inside me. I find myself leaning towards him subconsciously. The kiss probably only lasts a few seconds, but it completely wrecks me. I hear a banging sound that doesn’t register. He pulls back, and I stare up at him, dazed. His aggression is gone, and in its place is a tenderness that takes my breath away. He reaches up and tucks my hair behind my ear and gives me a gentle smile before he turns to the ice. I am suddenly aware that his teammatesare on the other side of the glass, banging on it and cheering. Mortification sweeps through me as Sebastian raises his fist and pumps it twice. His teammates respond in kind before skating away. Then he sits, pulling me down next to him.

The next period begins. I think we’re five minutes in before I finally come to my senses. Sebastian hasn’t had a moment of down time. People have been flocking around him, asking for autographs. I stay huddled low in my seat. I realize the game is still going, but I haven’t been able to focus on it.That kiss.That’s absolutely the only thing I can focus on. Sebastian moves out of the way, and somebody slides into our row. I’m just about ready to stand, so they can get through, when the person sits in Sebastian’s seat.

“So that was exciting.”

I turn to see my best friend sitting next to me. I blink. “Where’d you come from?”

Bri laughs. “I made my way over here after that absolute spectacle you and Sebastian put on.” She grins widely before leaning forward. “Why didn’t you tell me you were into him like that? I thought you were just pretending.”

“I was,” I tell her completely serious. “I am.”

Bri’s eyes widen. “Really?” I nod. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh,” I echo.

“It was just for the crowd,” I say lamely, but I’m not sure I even believe myself.

Bri rolls her eyes. “I kissed a guy once for the crowd. It looked nothing like that kiss.”

“I know. I remember.” I remember when Aiden called her down to the ice and kissed her in front of the entire arena. At the time, they were just pretending, kind of like Sebastian and I. I groan out loud.

“This is a mess,” I say quietly.

Bri looks over her shoulder, but Sebastian is still busy signing autographs. “Do you like him?”

I shake my head. “No, but...” Thebutslips out.

“Butyou sort of do,” Bri pushes gently.

“No.” I shake my head emphatically. “No. He’s into other women. Women that are supermodels; I am so far from that.”

Bri gives me a sad smile. “I don’t really know if that’s true, but that’s something you will have to figure out with him. I don’t think he’s a player like you think he is. And Stephanie, don’t sell yourself short. You are just as beautiful and valuable as any woman he’s ever taken to any event.”

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