Page 86 of Thunderstruck
But this? Seeing how strong she is despite her small size, catching hints of the warmth of her skin in the space between us, watching the stray curl that falls from her bun? That’s asking too much of me.
I press my hands against the silver wall of the elevator on either side of her head, noting the way her breaths come in short bursts as she stares up at me, pink-cheeked and beautiful. “I didn’t ask the last time,” I whisper, leaning down until our noses touch. “But I’m asking now.”
She nods, pushing my hood off my head. “Kiss me.”
Right as our lips brush, the elevator shudders to life around us and moves upward. I drop my head with a groan, resting it on Carissa’s shoulder. I could still go for it, but I’d rather not be interrupted.
I step back to the other corner of the small space right as we come to a stop and the door opens for half a dozen of the team, all of them in swim trunks and shirtless. I don’t miss the way Carissa’s eyes go wide as they shuffle in, and I think back to the day she went into the locker room to get my bag for me. I still don’t know how much she saw, but she clearly likes the show today.
“You’re coming swimming with us, Miss Carissa?” Freddie asks happily.
She beams. “Of course!”
The guys are all admiring her as much as she admires them, and unease settles in my stomach. Maybe Ishouldkeep to my room tonight. Jealousy isn’t going to help me keep my distance from the woman when she’s surrounded by half-naked athletes. Not just athletes.Rugby players.They put most of my football buddies to shame.
“You joining us, Captain?” Carissa asks, pulling my eyes back to her.
The guys all look at me.
I swallow and shrug. “Sure. Once I get settled.”
“Which floor?” Grayson asks.
“Three.”
“Hey!” Carissa says. “Me too!”
Oh good. Even more temptation. Grayson hits the button for my floor and the one for the lobby, and it’s with great reluctance that I step out when it’s my stop. I’m leaving an incredibly alluring woman with a team full of guys who have not been shy about their interest. Put them in a pool, and…
I swallow thickly and meet Carissa’s eyes as the door slides closed, and I’m pretty sure she’s laughing at me. She’s going to enjoy tonight.
I’m going to completely hate it.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Carissa
A girl can onlyplay so many rounds of chicken before she feels like she has violated one too many sets of pectorals. There is no classy way to play the game, and all of the guys want me as their partner, which means I’ve spent at least the last half an hour sitting on a man’s shoulders while shoving another man’s wet chest, trying to knock him over.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m enjoying all these muscles, and under different circumstances I’d probably be in heaven surrounded by so many abs.
But Cole isn’t here.
After winning yet another round—the guys are absolutely letting me win—I slide from Grayson’s shoulders and swim to the edge of the indoor pool so I can hang on to the side while Grayson trash talks Noah and Jeff. I didn’t realize how deep the water was until I was no longer sitting atop a six foot three fullback. I’m exhausted, and if Cole doesn’tshow up soon, I might as well just go to bed so I can be ready for tomorrow’s game.
“Wanna give it a go?” Loren asks, swimming up beside me. He looks right at home in the water, which might be what earned him the nickname Sharkie.
I smile at him, knowing he’s about to be very disappointed. “I think I’m all chickened out.”
“Oh, but you haven’t gone up against me yet,” a familiar voice says above my head.
I look up, way more excited to see Cole than I should be. “That’s big talk from a guy still fully dressed,” I say.
Cole looks down. While he did change into swim trunks and flip flops, he’s still wearing a shirt. And I am way more disappointed by that than I should be. I haven’t seen him shirtless, and while I know he’s strong, I wouldn’t mind seeing exactly what’s under there.
“That’s because I just got here, Paxton,” he says. “Now, don’t tell me you’re too scared to fight me.” He nods at Gator in the pool. “Think you and I could take Sharkie and Rizzo?”
Gator grins. “Yeah.”
