Page 14 of Trick Shot (Miami Blazers #1)

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he simply splits another log. Dead center.

The upstairs hallway is quiet, golden with the last light of day bleeding in through the arched windows. Some of the guys are downstairs, some are outside playing lawn games, and all of them are pretending they’re not aching to fuck something.

I walk out of my new room and close the door behind me, phone in one hand, towel draped around my neck. I just moved my shit out of the downstairs guest room. Technically Tanner’s room now.

I make it to the corner of the hallway when a head of wild curls comes into view.

My heart kicks like it always does when she’s around.

And right now, she’s barefoot, hair a little damp from a shower, wearing shorts and a tank top that’s doing jack shit to hide the fact she’s not wearing a bra.

Again. She’s holding a book in one hand and her own phone in the other.

She doesn’t see me at first. She’s too busy tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes skimming over the pages as she walks slowly toward her room—my old room.

My eyes drag down her body and back up just in time for hers to lift. She stops walking, eyes wide and a bit startled. We stare at each other for a few moments as the hallway shrinks.

“I hope you’re not planning on having dinner like that,” I say, voice surprisingly stern.

“Excuse me?” The startled look leaves her face, replaced by defiance.

“Put on a bra before you go downstairs,” I say simply, surprised by my own tone.

She blinks and looks down at herself.

“You must be fun at women’s rights rallies.” She scoffs, laughing under her breath.

“I’m fun everywhere, baby.” I step forward slowly. “But this has nothing to do with feminism and everything to do with my teammates seeing what I see right now.”

“Oh no,” she gasps mockingly, hand pressed to her chest, phone still clutched in it. “Not their innocent eyes! Will they survive the sight of a woman’s breasts?”

“They better not,” I growl. “Or I’m going to start gouging them out.”

She pauses, her body straightening as I keep inching toward her.

“You walk around with your nipples out, they’re gonna look,” I say, moving closer until we’re just a breath apart. “And if they look, I’m gonna rip their fucking eyeballs out.”

Her mouth opens, allowing her to suck in an audible breath.

“But unfortunately…” I say calmly, “we need those eyes to win games. So the less bloody option?” My eyes drop to her chest and back up. “Put something on.”

“Oh, and they’re not supposed to look at me because you said so?” She glares, her eyes narrowed. “I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation.” She straightens her back even more, chin high as she meets my gaze head on. “You are in no position to tell me what I can and can’t wear.”

“That,” I nod at her top, “is not for them.”

“And who’s it for then? You?” Her brows shoot up and a sharp, cynical laugh escapes her.

“Mhm,” I nod, tilting my head to the side.

“Oh my God,” she exclaims, shaking her head, but I see the pink tint covering her cute cheeks. “Grow the hell up.”

“You wanna see how I deal with mouthy little brats who test me?” I ask, looking down at her.

Her head tilts back so she can look at me, and her pupils dilate. She’s breathing faster now, short shallow breaths entering and leaving her mouth.

“Wanna see how I deal with little boys who think they’re big?” she bites back, breathless and flushed.

Blood rushes to my cock immediately. Fuck, she’s brilliant.

I lean in, lips grazing the shell of her ear. I feel her body tense, hear the tiny hitch in her breath as mine fans across her skin.

“I’d be fucking delighted to,” I murmur.

She doesn’t move as my mouth hovers a second longer. Then I pull back.

“Now,” I add, tilting my head, “be good and put on a bra. Please .”

She stares at me for a moment before her chin lifts again, her eyes flashing with challenge. I already know what she’s about to do before she does it. With a little smirk, she whips around and takes a step toward the stairs—towards where all the guys are.

Hell no.

With a couple of strides, I catch up and plant myself in front of her. She’s not walking downstairs, not like this. And even if I wasn’t here to stop her, Dom sure as hell would if he saw her like that.

Her entire body freezes. I see the flash in her eyes. There’s lust in them, there’s defiance, and a little bit of fear.

Then she inhales slowly and lifts her chin.

“Get out of my way.”

I don’t move.

“Move.” Her jaw clenches. When I stay planted, she scoffs. “You’re seriously blocking me?”

“Dead serious,” I nod, letting my hands hang at my sides.

“Move, Jace,” she snaps, trying her best to sound angry.

“Make me,” I counter.

She lets out a low growl and plants her hand on my chest. Her palm is flat against my sternum, and my heart kicks just to say hello. Then she pushes—sharp and firm, harder than I expected. Still, I don’t sway.

“Out of my way,” she grunts. Her nostrils flare as she shoves again, stronger this time.

“You sure you want me out of your way?” I tilt my head. “Cause this feels more like foreplay.”

Her nostrils flare. Her eyes narrow. She shoves once more, both hands now, pressing against my chest like she’s furious and doesn’t want to admit she’s enjoying it.

“Fine,” she groans, stepping back and charging to run around me. I reach my arm out and wrap it around her waist, pulling her back toward me. She might be the only person who thinks they can get past a professional hockey player. It’s cute.

Her book hits the floor with a soft thud. Before she can twist or pivot or scream, I grab her wrists, spin her around, and press her back against the wall. Her gasp is quiet, barely a breath.

I’m not touching her anywhere inappropriate... yet. My hands are braced on the wall beside her head. Her wrists are free, but the air between us is molten.

Her chest rises and falls fast, brushing against mine with each ragged breath. Mine isn’t much better.

I lean in, just enough that my lips hover a whisper above hers.

“You really thought you could get past a defenseman?” I murmur.

“I’ll scream,” she breathes.

“Oh, I’ll make sure of it.” My mouth twitches.

Her lashes flutter and her head tilts slightly—just a fraction. Like she’s about to close that final inch. Like she wants to.

I can already feel it. Taste it. I’m one second away from doing it. From kissing her and stepping up this little dance we’ve been doing since the kitchen. Since the Halloween party. Since forever.

Footsteps pound against the hardwood, and the sound of laughter climbs up the stairs.

Fuck.

“I’ll go get Mel.” Dom’s voice booms, closer than I’d like.

Her eyes widen as she stands completely frozen against the wall. I hold her gaze a second longer before brushing her hair behind her ear. I love her hair.

“Another time,” I promise and drag myself back.

She doesn’t move and doesn’t blink as she stares at me.

Her nipples are threatening to tear through her tank top as her chest rises and falls, and I pray to all the fucking gods she actually listens and puts something on.

Because apparently, she’s right. I am a little fucking boy who can’t control himself around her.

I straighten and walk away like I wasn’t just about to ruin my friendship, my self-control, and her ability to walk straight for the next couple of days.