Page 114 of Heart Taker

“I’d rather be here,” he admitted.

“It seems like you’re having trouble focusing.”

“I’m having an off day, but I swear it’ll pass.”

“Rest up tomorrow. Wednesday will be better.”

“Thanks, Coach.”

They continued their game and Dane’s team finished it off, 5-2. I called an end to the day, and while the guys took off, I stayed on the ice to chat with Selwin. Ten minutes later, he headed off too. But not before we’d agreed to meet in town at Boots ‘n’ Burgers for dinner. He told me to invite Silas along too.

Tonight was going to be interesting to say the least.

The rink was quiet again, almost too quiet.

I was halfway to my office, wrapped up in my head, when I was suddenly grabbed by a familiar set of hands and shoved against the wall.

“What the—” I startled and looked up. “I thought you already left.”

Silas chuckled and held me tighter.

“Nah. But everyone else has. It’s just you and me.”

He leaned in and kissed me, stealing my breath and making me forget everything except how right I felt in his arms. I don’t know how long we stood there, seconds, minutes, his tongue teasing mine as we made out.

Until I heard what sounded like a door slam.

“What was that?” I asked, reluctantly pushing him away.

Silas shrugged. “Probably the ice machine in the lounge.”

“No, it sounded like a door closing,” I replied, my heart pounding hard. “Let’s take this to my office.”

“It’s a little late for that,” a voice echoed in the hallway.

I turned my head, and fucking hell, the journalist, Cillian, was standing at the exit, his camera in hand, aimed at us.

“With the exception of meeting Selwin Kirkland, today was boring as hell. I didn’t even want to stay this afternoon, but the dean insisted, and what do you know?” Cillian replied with a smug expression. “Now I’ve got a real story, one that’s going to make actual headlines. The public loves scandal, and a coach and his player fucking around? I couldn’t have asked for anything juicier.”

My heart dropped along with my stomach.

“There’s no scandal,” I insisted, stalking down the hallway and getting up in the journalist’s face. “And nothing to report on.”

“Are you kidding me? I caught you sucking face with your student. It’s news all right.”

“What it is, is none of your business,” Silas barked behind me. “And if you took a photo of us now, you better delete it.”

“Why? This is a public space.”

“The rink is private property,” I corrected. “School property.”

“I was invited.”

“The camp is over for the day, and we didn’t consent to that photo. Besides, there’s nothing to report,” I interrupted, Silas standing by my side. “So go ahead and write whatever you want. It doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it matters,” the reporter countered and stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “Why wouldn’t it?”

“Because—” I glanced at Silas.

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