Page 154 of Playing the Pucking Game

“Uh…no. We don’t like any of them enough. We once had an assistant equipment manager who used to attend, but he got a promotion elsewhere and left us.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think it’s a good idea,” I mutter. Dejection burns through me as I pad toward my bedroom.

As much as I love the idea of hanging out with the guys and being one of the team, it’s not a place I can be.

“I’ll speak to Kodie, make sure Casey and Sutton are there as well,” he calls, stopping me in my tracks.

“Why?” I ask, spinning to look at him.

He chuckles like I’m the most adorable idiot in the world, and I frown, clearly missing the point.

“Because you belong there. BecauseIwant you there.”

I roll my eyes. “And the great Lincoln Storm always gets what he wants.”

“What? That’s not?—”

“I’m not a part of the team, Linc. I never will be. I’m just an assistant trainer.”

“You’re not just an anything, Parker.”

His words threaten to wrap me in a huge, warm hug, but I refuse to accept them. Refuse to be swept away by pretty words and a hot-as-hell man.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say, continuing to my room again.

“I’m still going to speak to Kodie,” he warns.

Not having the energy to argue with him, I slip into my room and push the door closed.

Exhaustion sweeps over me as the sound of the movie restarting fills my ears.

I should shut the door, block it out so I can sleep. But while I may have escaped to do so, it’s not going to be happening just yet.

My blood is still simmering from our interaction earlier; my clit still aching.

There won’t be any sleeping until I get some relief.

Dragging Linc’s hoodie off, I throw it into the corner of the room as if this whole night, that interaction is its fault.

Tugging my nightstand drawer open, I pull out my vibrator and drop it onto the bed. Shimmying my shorts and panties over my hips, I let them fall to my ankles before climbing in.

The soft, high thread count sheets feel exquisite against my sensitive skin, the sensation only making my need for a release more urgent.

Tugging the covers over me in the hope of muffling the sound of the buzzing, I switch my little friend on.

Despite there being a ton of options in the store, I went for the same one I had before. I trust it to do the job. It’s more than I can say about most of the men I’ve spent time with.

My gasp rips through the air as I touch the end of the vibrating toy to my needy clit.

“Fuck,” I groan. I’m so close already, it’s embarrassing.

At least no one will know just how fast it’s going to be. That Linc got me worked up enough out there with just his words and hand on my cheek to go off in mere seconds.

Okay, it’s not just those things. It’s the memories, too.

Memories of a night I’ve refused to allow myself to think about for six years. But he’s bringing it all back. Forcing me to deal with everything I stuffed in a box. It’s the safest place for it. If it’s out in the open, if we acknowledge it, it’s going to lead to pain. Pain neither of us needs.

“Oh god,” I moan as I shift the toy lower, pushing it inside me as my fingers from my other hand work my clit.