Page 26 of Defensive Desire

Five minutes ago, I was about to kiss Emma. Actually kiss her. In front of half of Iron Ridge, with her laughing at some ridiculous pet parade, clutching that stupid wolf I won her like it was made of fucking gold.

The way she looked up at me when I touched her face...

Christ. Those warm brown eyes, the way her lips parted just slightly, like she was already imagining how I'd taste. I couldhave kissed her right there, in front of everyone, and she wouldn't have stopped me.

I know she wouldn't have stopped me.

She wants it. Wantsme.

And what do I do?

Run. Like a goddamn coward.

"Fuck!"

I splash cold water on my face, but it doesn't help. Nothing's going to help except maybe a lobotomy or getting as far away from Emma Carter as possible.

The door opens with a creak that sounds like a death knell. Blake walks in, and from the look on his face, he's been looking for me.

"There you are." He leans against the wall, arms crossed, studying me with those calculating captain eyes. "I saw you storming across the parade. Want to tell me why you look like someone just told you the seasons just been canceled?"

"I'm fine," I grunt, avoiding his gaze.

"Yeah. Sure. And I'm the fucking Easter Bunny." Blake steps closer. "This about Emma?"

My hands grip the edge of the sink so hard I'm surprised it doesn't crack. "Drop it, Blake."

"Not happening." His voice goes serious, the tone he uses when he's about to give one of his captain speeches before a big game. "You've been circling that woman like a predator for weeks. Everyone's talking about you two..."

"It's just the community program—"

"Bullshit." Blake cuts me off. "I've never seen you give a damn about community outreach before. Hell, you usually dodge all that PR stuff like it's the plague."

He's right, and we both know it.

I remember when Blake asked me to help with the youth program last season. Said the kids would love meeting anotherplayer. I mumbled some bullshit about needing recovery time, then spent the weekend binge-watching Netflix in my apartment alone.

I turn to face him, jaw clenched.

"I'm just trying to help her out."

Blake snorts. "Right. And Connor joined the team for the love of ice maintenance."

I'm about to tell him exactly where he can shove his observations when he moves closer, lowering his voice.

"Look, I get it. After my dad left, I thought I was better off alone too. Safer. Less complicated." Blake's expression softens slightly. "But sometimes the thing you're running from is exactly what you need the most."

"You don't know what you're talking about," I mutter.

"Don't I?" Blake raises an eyebrow. "You think I didn't see the way you looked at her during that promo shoot? You're gone for her, Logan. The only question is what you're going to do about it."

The bathroom door swings open again, and Connor strolls in, taking one look at our faces.

"Whoa. Did someone die?"

I scrub a hand over my face and groan. "Fucking oath."

Connor grins across the room. "Jeez. You both look like Coach just announced mandatory morning skates for the rest of eternity."