Page 22 of Delay of Game

I scoff, bumping her knee with mine as I bring it to the couch to face her more. “Yeah, right.”

“Oh, I’m serious, I need my rematch from a couple years ago.”

“Didn’t realize it was a competition,” I say, giving her a smile.

“It’s always a competition, J.”

God, the urge to kiss the smug smile off her face right now is so strong.

“What do you want for dinner?” I ask to change the topic, even though all I want to do is keep on teasing her, talking about everything and nothing in particular.

“Grilled cheese and soup?” she asks, looking at me with big blue hopeful eyes.

I chuckle at her favorite comfort food choice and say, “Sounds delicious.”

“Shouldwe also make some mulled wine?” Alice asks, pulling out the Crockpot. The soup is ready and the sandwiches are almost done as we work together in the kitchen to get dinner ready.

“Sure,” I say, moving to feed the fire again. It’s much warmer inside the cabin now and I pull my cable-knit sweater over my head and drape it over the back of the couch. When I turn back, I find Alice staring at me, blue eyes blazing.

“Oh, good idea,” she says, swallowing hard and reaching up to take her navy sweatshirt off. It snags on the claw clip in her hair and for a moment she’s left flailing around the kitchen, arms up, face covered, and her baby blue undershirt riding so high up that I get a glimpse of her belly button and … is that apiercing?

I stare longer than I should at her silky-smooth skin and the tiny floating stud on her navel, having to adjust my cock as I approach her.Fuck, how am I this affected by a glimpse of skin?

“Wait, stop moving for a second,” I say, steadying her with a hand on her waist, my thumb sweeping over her warm skin.Bad idea. Very bad idea.My cock twitches and I will myself to think about anything else—kittens, my grandma, my teammates naked in the shower. Yep, that does it.

I let go of her waist and gently take her sweatshirt all the way off. Her face is flushed and her hair is messy from the struggle, but fuck—she looks perfect. My mind is in the gutter once again as I imagine her sweaty and flushed under me, hair messy from my hands instead.

“Thanks,” she says, breathing hard, her chest brushing mine with an inhale.

Okay, time to put some distance between us.

“I’ll get the wine out,” I say, clearing my throat and heading down the hall to the garage. I realize I’m still holding her shirt and in a moment of pure lust-induced insanity, I duck into my room and stare down at it like it’s a fucking lifeline. I bring it to my nose and take a deep inhale of her signature floral scent—peony, I think—and close my eyes.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I’m so fucking fucked.

CHAPTER 7

Three Years Ago – All Star Break

Jordan

The next morning,I wake up in the cold room of the cabin, the plaid comforter pulled up all the way to my chin. I regret sleeping in nothing but my underwear last night, and I shiver as I rip the comforter off me.

After eating dinner and playing a few rounds of games, Alice headed to bed in the loft upstairs, and I retreated to my room. I couldn’t stop thinking of how good she felt in my arms when I hugged her, or how soft her skin was as I helped her lose a layer. Eventually, the thoughts of her smiling face and soft laugh lulled me to sleep.

I throw on the nearest sweatshirt, not bothering with pants, and rub the sleep away from my eyes as I head to the bathroom and splash some water on my face.

When I step back into the hallway, Alice’s gasp startles me and I stop dead in my tracks. I turn around slowly, aware thatI’m wearing nothing but boxers and a sweatshirt and my hands fly to my crotch, trying to cover up the boner I’m sporting.

Her blue eyes are wide as she takes me in. I expect her gaze to be on my hands, but instead they’re glued to my chest and the too-tight sweatshirt.

Wait, why is it tight?

I blink quickly and look down at what I’m wearing and?—

“J, are you wearingmysweatshirt?”

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