Page 14 of Desperate Pucker (Denver Bashers #6)

Maddy

Snowflakes fall around me as I walk toward the Bashers arena. I close my eyes for a second, savoring the moment the flakes land on my face, how comforting it feels.

I’m still feeling on edge from arguing with my dad. He’s called or texted me multiple times over the weekend, trying to get me to reconsider that event at Hollis University.

As I walk into the entrance of the arena, I push the thought away. It’s a brand new week at work, and I don’t want my bad mood from last week to bring me down.

I walk through the entrance and stop at the small coffee kiosk at the far end.

“Could I please have an iced Americano with cinnamon?” I ask the barista.

I pay for my drink and step to the side when I hear a familiar voice behind me.

“Iced coffee when it’s below freezing? You really are an ice princess.”

I turn around and see Ryker standing a few feet behind me.

I felt bad for how hard I was on him during our skating lesson.

He was right—I was in a bad mood because of my dad and taking it out on him, which he didn’t deserve.

This whole weekend, part of me planned to apologize to him.

The other part of me thought it would be better to forget about it and go on like normal.

He looks at the barista. “Do you have any diamond-encrusted cups for her coffee? She’s used to the princess treatment.”

The barista smiles and shakes her head.

He turns to me and shrugs. “Guess you’ll have to just drink out of a to-go cup like us peasants.”

Irritation shoots up my spine. I guess I’m taking my cues from him. He wants to move on like normal.

I glare at him. “Shut up.”

Ryker ignores me and goes up to the counter.

“Could I please get a hazelnut dark roast with an extra shot of espresso and a splash of non-fat, non-dairy milk?”

I hold back a laugh. “Wow. You have the coffee order of a sorority girl.”

The barista muffles a laugh before turning away to make his order.

His bourbon eyes narrow when he looks at me. We stand off to the side in tense silence while waiting for our drinks.

When he turns to grab a napkin out of the dispenser, I sneak a look at him. He’s wearing dark jeans, a wool coat, boots, and a dark green sweater that brings out the golden-green flecks in his eyes.

He looks like he stepped out of a high-fashion men’s magazine.

“You’re overdressed for physical therapy,” I say.

“I don’t have physical therapy today,” he says. “I’ve got a meeting with Coach Porter, then I’m going to lunch.”

“With your favorite inflatable sex doll?”

The corner of his mouth twitches like he’s about to laugh, but he pulls his lips into his mouth.

“I’m taking my mom out for her birthday later,” he says.

A tiny burst of warmth hits my chest. That’s really sweet that he’d get dressed up to take his mom to lunch.

“Oh. That’s…nice of you,” I say, totally thrown off.

The barista calls out my name, and I pick up my coffee. I thank her, then walk toward the stairwell to head to my office on the top floor.

I stop when I see orange cones and yellow construction tape blocking it off.

A guy in an orange vest walks by. “What happened to the staircase?” I ask.

“They’re refinishing the steps this week.”

I sigh and turn back around to the elevators.

“You got something against the elevator?” Ryker says.

I stand a few feet away from him and gaze ahead. “I prefer the stairs.”

“I’m surprised. I thought you’d demand to be carried in a sedan chair to your office, ice princess,” he taunts. Irritation zooms through me.

“Or maybe you don’t want to share the same mode of transportation as me. It’s beneath you, right, princess?”

I stomp up to the elevator bank and punch the button for my floor.

“I can take the damn elevator,” I mutter.

The doors glide open, and we step in. When the doors close, that familiar pressure lands at the center of my chest. I take a slow, silent breath.

It’s just a couple of minutes of discomfort to shut up this cocky jerk. Then the doors will open, I’ll walk out of this steel box, and I’ll be okay.

“I’m so honored to share this elevator with you, princess.”

I turn and glower at him. “Would you stop with that nickname? I’m not a fucking princess.”

A smug smile dances across his lips. God. Why does he have to look so damn handsome when he smiles?

I look away and count the seconds as we glide up to the top floor.

“I like calling you that. I like that it gets a rise out of you,” he says.

I turn to look at him. “I want to give you a nickname too. Which one do you like better? Old man river or micro penis?”

His lip curls like he’s amused. “If you’re going for accuracy, old man river. Micro penis is way, way, way off.”

“God, you’re insufferable. Of course you’d lie about your dick size.”

“I’m not lying, princess.”

“Would you just—”

The elevator skids to a halt. We both stumble back into the wall of the elevator.

“What the hell…” My breathing kicks up.

Ryker punches a button, but nothing happens.

“Why did we stop?” My voice hitches up.

“I don’t know.” He presses another button with his massive thumb.

The pressure in my chest intensifies. It feels like an elephant is sitting on my torso.

“Can’t you get it going again?” My voice is loud and pitchy with panic.

He frowns at me like I’ve sprouted another head. “What? I don’t know how to do that.”

He hits the emergency button. There’s static for a couple of seconds, then a low, tinny voice answers.

“Hello?”

“Hey, we’re in the elevator. It stopped for some reason, and we can’t get it going again.”

“Well, I’ll be darned. Hang tight, I’ll get maintenance over there right away.”

More static, then silence.

I plant one hand against the metal wall, the other on my chest. My heart is beating so fast, I can feel it slam against my palm.

“No…no, no, no…”

Ryker looks at me. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I can’t…confined spaces…it’s too small…I can’t breathe…”

His eyes go wide, finally registering my panic. “Wait, are you claustrophobic?”

I nod frantically as I start to pant. Tears prick my eyes. It feels like a million invisible needles are digging into my skin.

“Shit.” He punches the emergency button again. “Can you guys hurry? The person I’m in here with is claustrophobic.”

“We’re doing our best,” the tinny voice says. More static, then nothing.

I’m panting so hard, it feels like my chest is collapsing into itself. My heart is beating so hard and so fast…it’s on the verge of busting through my ribcage.

I’m so dizzy. I close my eyes and fall against the wall.

“I can’t…I have to…” My throat tightens as I fight a sob.

I suddenly feel cold and wet. I glance down and see that I dropped my coffee. It’s all over my pant leg.

A split second later, I feel warmth on my shoulders, steadying me. I look up and see Ryker staring at me, his eyes focused and…kind.

He’s looking at me with kindness. And worry. He’s worried about me.

He doesn’t even like me.

“Just breathe with me, okay?” His tone is low and soft and soothing and…wow, I really like how his voice sounds right now.

He breathes in slowly, deeply, holds for a second, then slowly, softly exhales. I try to copy him. I can’t breathe in as long as he can, but it’s better than how I was hyperventilating a second ago.

I breathe out, slow and steady.

“Good, Maddy. You’re doing so good.”

My skin tingles at how sincere he sounds when he compliments me. That’s when I notice my skin is tingling where he’s touching me.

He leans his face closer to mine, holding my gaze. “That’s it. Keep breathing. Just like that.”

The elevator shudders suddenly, and I cry out. Tears fall down my cheeks.

“Hey.” Ryker cups my face in his hands. “It’s okay. We moved just a little bit, but we’re fine now.”

I shake my head, and my body starts to tremble. “I-I don’t wanna fall…”

“You’re not gonna fall, Maddy. I’ve got you.”

I go still, instantly comforted by his low, coaxing tone.

“Keep breathing, okay? Just like you did before.”

I let out a shaky breath. Ryker swallows hard, and I watch the movement along his thick throat, covered in dark stubble.

“What do you normally do when you’re stuck in a small space?” he asks.

“Leave.”

His mouth slants up in a half-smile. “Smartass.”

My heart is still pounding and my breathing is still way faster than it should be…but I feel safe with Ryker standing in front of me, speaking to me in that calm voice, holding my face in his hands.

Intensity flashes in his bourbon-brown eyes as he searches my face.

“What helps you if you can’t leave?” he asks.

I swallow and look at his thick lips. “A distraction.”

His gaze falls to my mouth for a long second before he looks back up at my eyes. Something fiery flashes in his gaze.

“A distraction?” he asks, gently rubbing his thumb against my cheek.

I nod.

“Okay then.”

A second later, Ryker kisses me.