Page 70 of Switching Skates
“Sorry, no can do. No mercy points,” I say, launching my next bag and landing it on the board, giving us twenty-one points.
Mason holds my gaze, and I wink at him before spinning around and walking away a couple of steps while Brock tosses, making sure to sway my hips a little harder than normal.
Now I just have to outplay Brock’s next toss. Focusing on the game, I ignore Mason’s burning stare and watch as Brock lands one on the board.
I have to make the next one, or we go another round, which isn’t the end of the world, but, God, it would be so satisfying to beat them this fast.
Taking a breath, I bend my knees and throw the bag through the air, watching it land directly on top of his.
“Yes!” Ross shouts, running straight for me. He picks me up, his arm around my waist, and spins me around. “Daphne! Daphne! Daphne!”
Getting a bit dizzy, I tap his shoulder. “All right, all right. Put me down before I puke.”
He lowers me to the ground, and it takes me a moment for my balance to catch up with me, but a firm hand steadies me to help.
“Well played,” Mason whispers in my ear, goose bumps breaking across my body.
The next two teams get set up as we back out of the way, stepping out of the spotlight.
Ross walks over and gives me a high five. “I’m going to miss that talent of yours this next round.”
“You’re not playing anymore?” Mason asks softly.
“I was just filling in for Alex while he took a quick nap in the living room after one too many beers.” I point at him, a forward for the Mammoths, walking out to us in a much straighter line than before.
Maeve’s giggle carries across the lake water to me, where she and Jackson are out in the paddleboat.
God, they are so perfect together.
Ross walks over to join Alex, filling him in on the last game. Mason’s fingers wrap around my wrist, and he pulls me behind him, leading me back behind the big hedge bushes and out of view of the group.
“What are you doing?” I squeal as his hand goes over my mouth and the other goes around my waist as he pulls me forward into his chest.
His eyes are on fire as he looks straight down at me, a hint of alcohol on his breath. “Do you have any idea how hard it has been, watching you all night?” he groans and trails a finger down my hairline, temple, and jaw, gradually lifting my chin. “I’m a dying man right now, Daphne. Not being able to touch you or kiss you is slowly killing me.”
My heart jumps into my throat, my eyes widening and my core pulsing. I wet my lips, my breathing shallowing out as I melt in his arms.
Sliding his hand down, he wraps it around my jaw, brushing my lower lip with his thumb. “I know you feel it too. I can see it in your eyes, Sunset.” His eyes drop to my lips. “Do you get off on teasing me in front of everyone? Swaying your hips when you know I’m watching.” His grip on my waist tightens with his words.
I shrug with a bashful smile and fluttering lashes. I’ll admit, watching him squirm is bringing me more joy than I ever could’ve imagined. But this? It’s overstimulating. I can’t think straight.
He hovers his face over mine, our lips only two inches apart. “Go to the fair with me tomorrow.”
His question takes me by surprise. “What? W-why?”
“Can’t twofriendsjust go have fun at the fair together?” he asks with a challenge in his gaze, knowing I’ll bite at his lure.
The wordfriendsdigs a knife into my chest.
I don’t know what I want with him yet or how this could ever possibly work after he graduates. Why hurt us both in the end when we could avoid it altogether?
But I can’t deny the pull I feel toward him. The need to be near him. The way he holds my focus in a room full of people. The way his touch makes me burn in all the right ways.
I’m probably going to regret doing this. But I don’t care.
Sticking my hand out between us, I murmur, “Deal. I’m in.”
He kisses my forehead, takes my hand, and shakes it. “It’s a date, Sunset.”
