Page 34 of Behind the Bench

And now I’m clenching my thighs together.

What in the world is happening to me?

“Ellie. Are you sure you're good? What the hell were you doing running in here like that anyway? Is there a fire?” He glances behind me.

I take a step back because being that close to him is doing something to alter my brain chemistry. “I’m good. Just wanted some caffeine before a long morning of meetings. Didn’t want to be late.”

Lincoln reaches down to the table next to him and picks up a coffee. I think he’s about to leave when he hands it to me.

Wait, what?

“I got you one. I figured you’d need some caffeine after I bothered you so early this morning.”

I take the coffee from him and his hand brushes mine, sending a shock through my body this time. I swear I feel it in my vagina. Good god, what is this man doing to me?

Before I can say something stupid, I take a sip of the coffee and try to focus on what is actually happening here. Damn. That’s good coffee. “Did you put caramel in this?”

There’s that damn smirk again. “I did. I’ve seen you bring coffee from Gold Coast to almost every single coaches’ meeting and I noticed you didn’t have yours today. I thought I remembered seeing ‘caramel’ written on the cup but maybe I’m wrong. If you don’t like it, we can trade. Mine is still black.”

His thoughtfulness knocks me off balance. I’m not used to this considerate version of Lincoln. It’s unnerving and intoxicating. Maybe Sadie was right and Lincoln isn’t as bad as I thought.

“No. You’re right. I usually have the caramel pistachio espresso. I love caramel. It’s delicious, thank you.”

He grabs his coffee from the table and nods toward the door and I follow his lead. We walk in comfortable silence until we get to his office.

Lincoln gestures to the chair opposite his and I take a seat. I look around Lincoln’s office and am surprised at how homey it feels. A few succulents cover his desk and there’s even a framed photo near his computer. There’s a fake plant in the corner near an industrial looking lamp I know he did not find in this arena. Photos of various hockey arenas line his walls. Looking down, I notice there’s even a rug covering the generic, gray corporate carpet.

“Your office is so homey. Mine is one step away from being a jail cell. I’m kind of jealous, Coach. Think you can come decorate mine?”

What the hell am I even saying right now?

Lincoln glances around before the ghost of a smile crosses his lips. “Sorry, I can’t take credit for any of it. My cousin Katie sent me everything you see here. Then she made me FaceTime her so she could tell me exactly where to put everything. She’s bossy like that.”

I chuckle. “I like her already.”

His cousin must be his soft spot because the next thing I know, a full-toothed, panty-dropping smile paints his face.

Damn, he isfine.

“Yeah, she’s all right.” His phone buzzes on his desk. He swipes and quickly reads whatever is on the screen. “Hunter is on his way up. If you don’t mind, I’d like to deliver the good news.”

Okay, so maybe Hunter is a soft spot too. Noted.

“Of course. I just want to be here to see the look on his face.”

For a split second he sends a smile my way and I feel like I’ve just won the lottery. I don’t know what I did to deserve that smile but I’d do just about anything for him to do it again.

A knock on the door interrupts my thoughts and I stand quickly, too antsy to sit.

Hunter pops his head in. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything. You wanted to see me?”

Lincoln waves him in. “Not interrupting at all. Come in.”

The look of confusion on Hunter’s face is priceless. “Hey, Ellie. Uh, what’s going on, guys? Am I in trouble?” He pulls at the back of his neck, looking between Lincoln and me.

“Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll let you know why you’re here.” He gestures to the open chair next to me while I still stand awkwardly in front of his desk.

“I’d rather stand, if you don’t mind.” Hunter looks so nervous—he’s literally fidgeting with his fingers.

---