Page 16 of Frozen Hearts
As a hockey player, I guess he’s used to criticism, though it’s still surprising to see him so intent and pensive. Especially on school work.
“Ugh, my head is fried,” he groans, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his hand through his hair. He’s done that a lot while we’ve been here, and it’s now sticking up everywhere. Sadly, it does nothing to detract from his handsomeness. If anything, it makes him look as though he’s spent the last few hours fooling around with someone who has been dragging their fingers through his hair… presumably while he rocks their world.
Clearing my throat, I say, “We’ve covered a lot today.” I busy myself with packing my things. “You did good, though.”
“Yeah?” I can hear the flirty tone back in his voice. Just like that, the switch is flipped, and teasing, flirty Logan is back. I don’t know how he does it, going from focused and intent to jokey and chill.
Before I glance at him, I already know one side of his very kissable lips will be hooked up in a teasing smirk. He waits until my green eyes clash with his brown ones. “Do I get a reward?”
I don’t know what comes over me—I blame his charisma—but instead of telling him to get over himself, I lean in and lower my voice. “Yeah…” I watch, amused, as his eyes widen with surprise, focus intent on me, and when his gaze drops to my mouth, I run my tongue along my lower lip. “You get the satisfaction of a job well done and, if you’re really lucky, an A on next week's test.”
It takes a second for my words to penetrate, but when they do, he throws his head back and laughs, this deep, masculine bark that should not be sexy but totally is.
All I can do is stare at him, my gaze dipping to his throat as it vibrates with his laughter. An Adam's apple shouldn’t be so sexy. Feeling that now familiar burn in my cheeks, I tear my eyes away, tapping on my phone to check the time.
I smile at the photo on my lock screen until a gasp has me snapping my attention to Logan.
“She smiles,” he says with mock seriousness, gaping at me.
I frown at him, not understanding what he’s getting at. “Of course I smile.”
He shakes his head. “Nope. That’s literally the first time I’ve seen you smile.”
“So?” I question with furrowed brows. “We’ve only talked like twice.”
“Yeah, but I’ve seen you on campus several times this week, and you never smile.”
I blink at him, momentarily stunned. He’s seen me on campus? Has he been looking out for me? We haven’t crossed direct paths since our Stats class last week. I know I’ve seen him, but he’s impossible to miss. You’d have to walk around with blinders on to miss him, and the way everyone flocks to his side when he’s around. But me? I melt into the background. I don’t stand out, not like him. How would he even notice me if he wasn’t actively looking?
“That doesn’t mean anything,” I mutter, feeling strangely exposed and off balance by his perceptive observation.
He holds up his hands. “I don’t mean anything by it. I’m just saying smiling looks good on you. You should do it more often.”
I shift in my chair, uncomfortable and unsure how to respond.
“So, who's the kid who has the power to make you smile like that?”
My eyes bug out.Damn, he really is a perceptive fucker. I’ll have to remember that.I hadn’t even realized he’d been looking at my phone screen.
“My niece,” I blurt.
He gives me a soft, genuine smile. “She’s cute. I love babies. They’re like baby animals, ya know? You can’t help but lose your mind over them.”
I blame the fact that he has caught me completely off guard for the words that tumble from my lips. “It’s an old photo. She’s three now.”
“Oh, does she like Paw Patrol?”
I can’t help tugging my lips at the thought of this two-hundred-pound ice hockey player watching kids' cartoons. “She loves it. It’s her favorite show.”
He nods knowingly. “I come from a large family. I have like ten nieces and nephews, and every single one of them was the same at that age. Who is her favorite character?”
“Skye, obviously,” I say, properly grinning now.
Logan laughs, this rich, deep timbre. It’s genuine and hearty, unlike his typical laugh that I’ve come to recognize as the one he uses when talking to the other students on campus.
“Of course it is.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s because she’s the only female, but who am I to argue when she promotes all the qualities you want to instill in a kid? She’s dependable, fearless, and smart as hell.”
