Dirty Score, A Rough Riders Hockey Novel(14)

“You know…” Mia cut her off, glancing at Cole. His big hazel eyes were locked on Mia and Rafe with that just-slammed-against-the-boards look. “Cole, are you free for a little while?” She glanced at Ashlee. “I mean, if you don’t mind the company of two handsome Rough Riders tonight instead of one, I bet Cole wouldn’t mind staying to chat for a bit.” Mia beamed at Cole. “Would you?”

“Really?” Ashlee’s big blue eyes grew round and latched on to Cole.

Cole diverted his attention to the walking wet dream. “I’d love to.” Then darted a cautious look at Rafe. “If it’s okay with you, I mean.”

Now Rafe did that just-slammed-against-the-boards thing, and Mia wanted to pound both men with a dinner plate. Instead, she pinched the skin of Rafe’s neck.

He flinched out of his shock. “No. Yes. I mean, fine. Fine with me.”

He stood so fast, he nearly toppled Mia right along with the chair. But he used the hand still on her wrist to drag her against him and caught her around the waist with the same speed and grace he used on the ice.

One second, Mia was cool and in control, the next, she was up against Rafe, looking into his steel-colored eyes, her brain scrambled by the sheer hardness of him, the raw heat of him.

Rafe’s gaze slowly lowered to her mouth, then lifted to her eyes again before he murmured, “Let’s hit those sheets, beautiful.”





5





After living with the physical discomforts hockey wrought on his body all his life, there was little that really bothered Rafe. But having a hard-on for his best friend’s little sister? Yeah, that seriously bothered him.

He kept his arm tight at her waist as they passed through the restaurant, the bar, and finally into the lobby, trying like hell to ignore how damn perfect she felt at his side. The way his heart skipped and jumped at the reality of being close to her again.

They stepped beyond view of Ashlee and Cole, where the other Rider had taken Rafe’s place at the table. Rafe cut a look around the lobby for familiar faces. When he found none, he steered her to a corner, released her abruptly, and forced himself to put distance between them. Fast.

He paced a circle, trying to collect himself. But he’d had too much to drink, and all the emotions and desires he’d tucked away for so long didn’t want to get stuffed back in their box. With his back toward her, he rubbed both hands over his face. But, shit, he couldn’t get the feel of her lips off his skin or her husky insinuations out of his head. In fact, Rafe was fully, painfully hard.

Down, boy. It’s not real. She’s off-limits.

Rafe pushed all ten fingers through his hair, took a deep breath, and dropped his arms on a heavy exhale. “Jesus, what a night.”

Bracing for the sight of her, Rafe clenched his teeth and turned. She stood several feet away, arms crossed, one hip cocked, head tilted, a look of irritated contemplation carving a tiny V between her brows. All that thick, luxurious hair the color of bittersweet chocolate was tousled in a way that made him crave the sight of her in the morning.

Naked.

After he’d fucked her ragged.

All night.

But… No. No, no, no.

She was Mia.

So perfectly Mia, it hurt.

He should hug her. He always hugged her hello and good-bye. But he was honest to God afraid to touch her again. Afraid he wouldn’t let go. Afraid he’d do something inappropriate like he’d done at the table when he’d kissed her throat.

And, God, she’d tasted good. Her skin was so soft. And she smelled like Mia, like flowers and vanilla…

Stop. Stop, idiot.

He forced his eyes to the floor and planted his hands at his hips. Breathe. Hold yourself together. Think of Tate. And Joe.

Okay. That helped cool the fire.

He dropped his hands and lifted his head. But shit, she was still Mia. And he hadn’t seen her beautiful face in way too long. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips pursed, her eyes sharp. She was the same Mia he’d always known—at least on the outside. But something was different. Something intangible. And Rafe got the distinct impression that he was at a disadvantage.

“I bet that was a first,” she said in that flippant, irreverent, matter-of-fact tone he loved. A snarky little smile tilted her lips, but she didn’t look pleased. She flipped her purse open and pulled out a thin wallet. “Finding a woman that gorgeous with a mouth that made you desperate not to sleep with her.”

He wasn’t going to touch that. He couldn’t think about another woman while Mia was standing in front of him anyway. Had never been able to. His gaze fell to all her curves covered in a slinky dark silk slip of a dress. The sexy cutouts across her chest and shoulders showed all her smooth skin. The short skirt exposed toned, tanned thighs. Her heels were black velvet. Four inch. With one elegant silver strap at the ankle.