The ball sails out of my hands, and I can tell by the way I released it that it’s going to hit the backboard. And it does. There’s still hope as it rolls around the rim of the basket for a split second, before hitting the court.
“You lose.” Preston points at me, a goofy expression crossing his face. “I can’t wait for you to dance for me.”
I throw my hands on my hips and stare him down. “I’m not dancing for you.”
His blue eyes flicker, but he doesn’t say anything. The wide grin stretching across his handsome face says it all. I’m his for the night. And after spending the day with him, I’m okay with this lost. I want more time with him.
“Sweet,” Jamie says. “I’ll call Shannon and let her know Bex is coming tonight.”
“You said she needs two girls,” I say to Jamie. “Right?”
He nods.
“I’m not doing this alone. My friend, Taylor, has to come with me. She won’t mind getting up on a bar and making an ass of herself.”
Jamie removes his phone from his pocket to text Shannon. “Even better.”
Preston grabs my shoulder and spins me around. “Good game.”
I force a smile. “You, too.”
His eyes cut through me, his gaze so intense. I want to look away, but I can’t. He weakens me with his firm grip. His hand feels good on my bare skin. I should push him away, create the space I need.
“C’mon.” He offers his hand to me. “Let’s get something to eat on our way back to campus. You have a big night ahead of you. You’ll need your strength.” He says the last part with an arrogant smirk that hardens my nipples.
How am I going to make it through the night with him? My willpower is already fleeting.
Rule number two is out the window.
How long until we break the last rule? The one that crushed me the last time I broke it.
Chapter
Bex
I look like an ass. No amount of liquid courage will get me through this night. Staring in the mirror at the ridiculous outfit Taylor threw in my direction, I cringe.
Taylor comes up from behind me and cups my shoulders. “You look hot, babe. We’re going to own this dance contest.”
I look in the mirror and roll my eyes at her. “Remind me to never make deals with hot hockey players. I don’t know shit about dancing at a club. This is going to be so embarrassing. Why are you not upset I roped you into this?”
She shrugs, lining her lips with a light pink gloss. “I like dancing and money. I don’t see the problem. It’s not like we have to take off our clothes.”
I let out a breath of air. “I guess so. But look at what we have to wear. It’s ridiculous.”
She steps back from my chair to fix her short, tight tank top in the mirror. The shirt rides up her stomach, exposing some of her flesh. So does mine.
Taylor shrugs. “They’re not so bad.”
I frown, unable to hide my disappointment. “Whoever ordered our outfits must have sized them for children. Black spandex shorts that barely cover my underwear are not okay around Preston. Either is this top that scoops down so low my nipples are practically hanging out. This shirt was not designed for D cups.”
She chuckles, staring at me. “But you look smoking. Preston is going to pop wood so fast you won’t be able to keep him away from you.”
“Ugh. That’s the problem. I can’t have Preston see me like this.” Wrapping my arms around myself, I cover my stomach. “He’s so touchy-feely. Being around him makes me want to break all of my dad’s rules. I would do it, too. If he wanted to.”
“You bet your ass Preston would. He obviously wants you. Anyone within a ten-mile radius of you two can feel the sexual tension. Your dad’s last rule applies to dating, but he never said you couldn’t have sex with his players.”
“No, not you, too. You’re just as bad as Preston. Look what happened the last time I had sex with one of his players. It almost ruined my life.”
“This time is different.”
“How so?”
“Because Preston is different. And girl, he’s like five-alarm fire hot. I don’t know how you can stand to be around him without keeping a change of panties in your pocket.”
I lift a pillow from the bed and throw it at her. “You’re so gross.”
Taylor catches it, and then chucks it back at me. “You know I’m right. Admit it, Bex. You want him, too.”
I lean to the right, allowing the pillow to miss my head and hit the wall behind me. “I can’t.”
“Hey, it’s just an idea. If you want to touch his man meat, there’s nothing stopping you.”
“Eww, did you just say man meat?” I cringe outwardly at the thought.