Page 61 of Make Me Yours

That’s all it takes for the memories to crash over me. The way his slick skin felt beneath my palms, how his muscles flexed under my touch, the heavy steam swirling in the air around us, and the quiet that settled deep inside me the moment I laid my hands on him.

Heat surges through me, threatening to pull me under.

“Lilah?”

I blink. “No. I think you can handle it on your own.”

He smirks. “Probably. But it’d be a hell of a lot more fun with you.”

I clear my throat, along with those lingering images. “I’m going to take my own shower and get dressed. I’ll see you when you get back.”

“Suit yourself.” With a chuckle, he saunters out of the kitchen like he didn’t just set my internal temperature on fire.

I can’t stop from watching the way his muscles shift and flex with every effortless move as he walks down the hall.

Yup… a little space is exactly what I need to get my head on straight again.

18

STEELE

The doc clears me to return to light practice tomorrow, but not before shining a penlight in my eyes one last time. I’m still a little foggy, but the throbbing in my skull has dulled from the relentless jackhammer it was last night.

Once out of the medical suite, I stretch my shoulders, trying to roll out the tension still coiled tight in my muscles. The scent of floor wax and fresh sweat hangs in the air. It’s comforting in a weird, twisted way.

Kind of like home.

“Hey,” a familiar voice calls out.

I glance up and spot River walking down the corridor, dressed in a Railers tee and mesh shorts, a water bottle tucked casually under one arm. His hair’s a little damp, like he just worked out.

“How’re you feeling after that hit last night?”

“Better,” I say with a crooked grin. “Doc says I can skate again tomorrow if I take it easy.”

He gives me a once-over. “You actually gonna listen?”

“Absolutely not.”

River snorts. “Yeah, I didn’t think so.”

We fall into step, heading toward the locker room, our conversation easy and light. River’s one of the few guys on the team I’ve always clicked with. Low drama, sharp wit, and lately, a lot more focused on what’s important. He’s dialed in now in a way he wasn’t a couple seasons ago. He used to be more of a wildcard.

It’s nice to see.

We’re halfway down the corridor when someone calls out, “Yo, Thompson!”

We both glance over our shoulders to find Zane Holloway jogging to catch up, all swagger and designer everything. His oversized Versace sunglasses are perched on top of his head, and a Gucci duffel bag swings from one shoulder, completing the look.

“Jesus,” River mutters. “Could the dude be any more flamboyant?”

“Doubtful.”

Zane catches up and claps a hand against River’s back. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you. What’s going on? You ignoring my calls now?”

River shrugs him off. “Sorry, I was working out. You should try it sometime.”

Zane chuckles. “Please. Who has time for that when Gigi’s in the middle of filming? I’m gonna be all over the new season. She’s talking to her agent about a spin-off. A whole show built around us. You know how dope that’ll be?”