Page 37 of No Rhyme or Roughing
My shirt stuck to his chest, my breasts crushed between us. I wanted to feel more of him. As his hands skimmed down my sides, I sighed into another kiss, twisting my arms around his neck. Closer. And closer.
Spinning us toward the wall beside the door, Ryder pressed me up against the chilly cinderblocks. They heated against my back. The sounds of the arena’s underbelly vanished until all I heard was the rasp of our mingled breathing, scraping teeth, colliding lips.
It was both the best and worst kiss of my life. What I wanted most and knew I couldn’t have.
Ryder’s hand slid across my lower back, dipping under my shirt. I wanted him lower, more, alone.
A throat clearing made him yank away, his eyes wide. “Shit, Sydy, I’m sorry.”
Sydy. I couldn’t form a protest or a single word. His eyes searched my face—for what, I wasn’t sure.
Another throat cleared. Finally, Ryder turned to his brother. A grin split Sam’s lips, while her husband looked more shocked than anything.
“You… and Sydy…” Sullivan shook his head. “Does Teddy know?”
Ryder opened his mouth to respond, but a familiar voice broke in. “Of course I know.” Teddy approached, wearing too little clothing for my comfort.
“Dammit, Theodore Valentine!” I covered my eyes. “Are you seriously in your underwear? Sister here. Gross.”
Teddy ignored me. “Hey, Sull, Sam. I’m surprised Ryder finally admitted it, but he and Syd have been dating. That whole dance thing must’ve been for her benefit.”
Sullivan still looked disapproving, as if I were his little sister and he wasn’t okay with it. Under normal circumstances, I’d say something to make it worse, but a glare from Teddy kept me quiet.
“Come on, babe.” Sam tugged on Sullivan’s arm. “I’m starving. Let’s go get some food.”
Once they were gone, Teddy turned to us. I still couldn’t look below his eyes, so I stayed focused there. His good-natured humor was gone. “You both have one minute to tell me the truth. That kiss…” His face scrunched in disgust. “For their benefit, right?” He needed this lie, needed us to believe it too.
I nodded.
Ryder clapped him on the shoulder. “Of course, bro. Sydney is your sister. She’s practically mine too.”
Ouch.
I stepped away. “You guys go shower. I’m heading home.” Turning toward the corridor that led outside, I couldn’t stop the tears stinging my eyes.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
RYDER
Who knew dancing could exhaust me more than an entire fucking hockey game? At least, that was what I blamed.
Not the kiss.
Not the wanting.
That was the only word for it—wanting. The way Sydney felt in my arms, against my bare chest. All I’d needed in that moment was to keep touching her, to get closer until nothing separated us.
And then, my fucking brother. And her fucking brother.
Really, there was all the wrong kind of fucking.
Teddy was quiet beside me as weboth dressed after our showers. He wasn’t his usual obnoxious self in the post-win high. The rest of the team was loud—someone had kept the Taylor Swift songs coming, and surprisingly, no one protested.
Teddy yanked a shirt over his head, then reached for his suit jacket and turned to me, mouth opening and closing.
“Just say it,” I prompted. I knew he had plenty of words for me, probably some fists too. But that wasn’t Teddy’s style. Unlike me. When I’d found out about Sam and Sullivan, Sullie ended up with a black eye—not the first we’d given each other—then he’d just smiled. Asshole.
Teddy, on the other hand, always dealt with big emotions in healthier ways. Talking about them. It was really irritating how much better of a person he was than me.
