Page 19 of Heated Rivalry 1
Shane choked out a hysterical laugh. “I don’t know! I just... I wasn’t expecting you to...”
Rozanov shrugged as if Shane was thanking him for bringing in the mail. “I don’t mind it.”
Shane felt stupid that he hadn’t even tried to...properly finish the job on Rozanov. This guy was determined to one-up him at every turn.
Rozanov sat on the edge of the bed with his back to Shane. He rolled his neck and idly rubbed his jaw. Shane sat up and swung his legs over the opposite side of the bed. He gripped the mattress with both hands and looked at the floor. He felt panic surge up in him again.
He heard Rozanov blow out a breath, which made Shane laugh for some reason. The absurdity of the situation was hitting him.
“You’re laughing.”
“Yeah, well...this whole thing is a little nuts.”
“I want a cigarette,” Rozanov said.
“You’re not allowed to smoke in the hotel.”
“I know. Stupid country.” Rozanov sighed. “Doesn’t matter. Bears told me to quit. I am trying not to smoke.”
“Oh. That’s good. Smoking is bad for you.”
“Is it?” Shane couldhearRozanov’s eyes rolling.
“So, um...” Shane said, still keeping his back to Rozanov. “This won’t leave this room, okay?”
“You think I will tell people?”
Shane sincerely doubted it. “No.”
“No.”
He felt the bed shift as Rozanov stood up.
Shane had the stupid urge to ask him to stay. He imagined falling asleep in his arms andwhat the fuck?This thing they’d just done was, above all things, a huge mistake. As far as hookups went, Shane really could not have chosen a less appropriate person. And even forgetting that, there was noreason to pretend this was anything more than a quick, no-strings fuck. And why would Shane evenwantto pretend that?
He didn’t. He wanted Rozanov out of his hotel room. He wanted to forget that this ever happened. He didnotwant to reach for him. To pull him back on the bed. To do everything they just did two or three more times.
When Rozanov was fully dressed, he gave Shane one of his playful, crooked smiles. Shane had managed to put his underwear back on, but other than that, was still naked.
“My flight is early tomorrow,” Rozanov said. There was maybe a note of apology in it. Or maybe Shane was imagining things.
“All right.”
Rozanov nodded. “I’ll see you around.”
“Yeah,” Shane said awkwardly. “I’ll see you on the ice, I guess.”
“Yes.”
Shane wanted to kiss him one more time, because he was sure he would never get the chance again. But Rozanov was already opening the door.
“Goodbye, Hollander.”
“Bye,” Shane said to the closed door.
Chapter Five
September 2010—Montreal
