Dirty Score, A Rough Riders Hockey Novel(13)

He was warm and rough, and Mia thought the familiar scent of sandalwood and Rafe might just make her orgasm all by themselves.

“Hey, baby,” she purred. “I’m glad you two are having such a great time. I’m just really tired. I hope you don’t mind if I start home ahead of you.”

God, he smelled like heaven, but he felt even better. With her hands stroking all the hard ridges of his abdomen, she turned her head, pressed her lips to that tender spot just beneath the ear, and an involuntary moan drifted from her throat.

His skin rippled with gooseflesh beneath her lips. The fine hair at the nape of his neck rose. His reaction to her touch set off a grenade of heat between Mia’s thighs. She pulled back enough to look into his eyes, surprised to find what looked like real heat in them.

“Don’t stay out too late,” she murmured. “You’ve been so hard to get ahold of, I swear it feels like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

One of his big, warm hands closed over hers. The heat of it tingled up her arm. Then he gave her a squeeze, and his hand slid up her forearm, her biceps, her shoulder, and he shocked her by pushing his fingers into her hair. The way he cradled her head coupled with the look in his eyes made Mia feel like everything around them had vanished. Like she and Rafe were the only two people in the restaurant. Like his feelings mirrored hers.

Only she knew that wasn’t true. Knew it for a fact. The last year had proven it.

She started to pull away, but his fingers tightened, and his gaze held hers. “It does feel that way,” he said, his voice rough and soft. “And it’s damn good to see you.”

The following moment seemed to float, extend, and expand. Mia was trying to figure out if he was just playing the part or if there was a hidden meaning behind them when Ashlee spoke.

“You—” she started. “I didn’t—”

Mia pried her gaze from Rafe’s, relieved to break free of the look that caused so much turmoil inside her. She met the other woman’s eyes and offered a smile, but she didn’t let go of Rafe. This might not be real, but it was the only time she’d even get to pretend, so she stayed there, loving the warmth of his chest, the strength of his hand in her hair, the way he held her close.

Then he blew her mind—he turned his head and pressed his lips to her throat. Mia pulled in a little breath, and all her attention hyperfocused on the feel of his mouth on her skin. Heat skittered over raised nerve endings, spread into her chest, and tightened her nipples.

Mia drew every shred of strength she had together into a fragile string. “He can be captivating,” she managed. “I know.”

“But I…” Ashlee’s brow dipped in confusion. “There’s nothing anywhere to indicate he has a girlfriend.”

Rafe opened his mouth against her throat and scraped his teeth along her skin. Mia sucked a breath of surprise, of titillation. He was getting way too into this role. But that was what she’d wanted, right?

She mentally slapped herself out of her stupor. This was just a game. One of many he’d been playing over the last year. And Mia didn’t like it. She didn’t like any of it. And for the millionth time, she wished she didn’t care so much. That would make it easier to tell him to shove his games. Make it easier to walk away. To turn her back and let go.

Only that wasn’t who Mia was. And it certainly wasn’t how she felt about Rafe.

But she was angry, so she grabbed for the careless role and laughed. “Someone’s had a little too much to drink. He’s always frisky when he’s been drinking.” She slapped his chest. “Stop that, naughty boy. Save it for the bedroom.” To Ashlee, she said, “We’ve been trying to keep our relationship quiet. Media is such a headache.”

She tried to straighten, but Rafe didn’t let her go. And when she turned her head and met his gaze, the heat there punched her gut. His eyes were stormy and hot. And the emotions floating there seemed to encompass everything from shock to finally.

“I’ll warm up the sheets for you.” Mia stroked her hand across his cheek. “Wake me when you get home. You know how I like it.”

The fire that flashed over Rafe’s face was sure to keep Mia warm for a decade to come.

With every inch of her skin tingling, she pushed to her full height, forcing Rafe to release her. But she kept one hand on his shoulder and used the other to comb at the hair over his nape. Mia smiled at Ashlee, ignoring the way Rafe grabbed her wrist like she was abandoning him in the middle of the ocean.

“It was good to meet—” Mia started.

“Oh no.” Ashlee pushed her chair back. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known I would never have kept him so long. Rafe, thank you for an absolutely wonderful evening. You’ve been so gracious to let me go on and on and run well over the two-hour time allotment—”