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She didn’t need to know that running past the auditorium was not my usual route, but deep down, I knew it. So what? I wanted to check on her. There wasn’t anything wrong with that.
“It’s not like you turn them all down,” I blurted, seemingly more irritated than I actually was. Theo’s eyebrows climbed upward, and one of his lips disappeared behind his white teeth. “I would if you were my girl.”
“Come on, Bryant.” Theo reached his hand out and pulled on the strands of my hair in a teasing way. “I’d be the most faithful fake boyfriend you ever had.”
“I’m gonna kiss the hell out of you, Bryant, and don’t you dare pull away.”
“Make sure you look over at him when I step away, because he will be staring over here. Two can play that game, baby. And he doesn’t get to make the rules when it comes to you.”
I needed her mouth on mine. Suddenly, I was the one who needed more in this moment. I wanted more.
I spun around and bent down, cocking a grin over my shoulder at her. “Well? Hop on,” I announced, waiting for her to refuse. “Hop on?” she asked, looking around for validation from someone. “It’s either that or I throw you over my shoulder, Bryant. You’re tired.”
The thought did not escape me that the warmth against my back was from the one layer separating us, but when her soft giggle slid into my ears as I jogged through the auditorium with her wrapped around me, I realized that even if we weren’t actively playing the little fake-dating game that we kept finding ourselves in, I enjoyed her presence. Her laugh seeped into my chest, and although I was only getting a small piece of her, I didn’t want to let go of it.
Lying on top of my covers was a silky, black jersey. His jersey. The one he wanted me to wear to his next game to confirm that I truly was his girlfriend—you know, to ward off the puck bunnies.
If she were to ask why I was being so touchy-feely with her, I’d chalk it up to putting on a show in front of campus because, after all, we were dating. But the truth was, I just wanted to touch her.
“How did you know?” “Because I pay attention,” I answered truthfully, but what I didn’t allude to was the fact that I only paid attention to her.
Her hands landed on my chest, and I was certain she could feel the racing of my heart, which was a quick reminder that my little roommate-slash-fake-girlfriend was completely embedding herself into my life, whether it was all a ruse or not.
There was something about her having my last name on her back that made me wonder if my world could revolve around something other than hockey...like her.
She wore nothing but a simple black bra and those damn panties that showed entirely too much. Water droplets raced down in between her cleavage, and I was confident in saying that it was the first time I’d ever been jealous of a small bead of liquid.
“No,” I answered. “I’m breaking all my rules for you, Bryant.”
The arch of her cheekbone came into sight as she peeked over her shoulder at me, and when our eyes met, I had to physically take a step back and remind myself that I couldn’t storm over to her and fuck her like I wanted to. She’s my roommate. She’s my fake girlfriend. She’s my roommate. She’s my fake girlfriend.
Crossing the line was a bad idea. I agreed with her. But with bad ideas came new opportunities.
“He isn’t going to know you’re in the showers with me.” My eyes widened when Theo’s breath mixed with the water against my shoulder.
“I would rather get caught by Coach than stand here any longer because it’s fucking painful not to touch you, Claire. Fuck.”
“I lied.”
“It’s not fake for me, Claire. I think about you every second of the day. I wonder where you are, what you’re doing, how I can spend more time with you in between your busy schedule and my games…” I gripped her hips, and my knee went in between her slippery legs as my heart began filling with warmth. “And don’t even get me started on seeing you in my jersey.”
The only thing I thought of was making this girl mine.
“You”—I stepped over to her and pulled her in close with my hands on her lithe waist—“are my weak side, Bryant. Do you hear me?” She swallowed shyly and stared up at me. “I don’t know what that means.” I smirked as I reached over and turned the water off. “It means you’re mine.”
