Consider Me (Playing For Keeps, #1)

by Becka Mack

I’ve got a feeling you’re the type of song I’d play on repeat.”

dip my head, smiling. “So you admit it. You think I’m pretty.”

can’t take my eyes off you, you’re hockey-literate, you’ve told me to go fuck myself in at least three roundabout ways, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this attracted to someone.”

“Has anyone ever been able to tell you no?” she asks on a whisper. My chest puffs with pride. “Never.” She grins, and Christ, it’s a glorious sight. “Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything.” My forehead crumples as she steps out of reach. “What?” “Enjoy the rest of your night,” she calls over her shoulder before she squeezes through the crowd, disappearing, and Jesus Christ,

“Can I have your number?” I blink up at him. “Uh …” I mean to say no. I’m not sure why it’s not coming out.

“It’s gonna be a no from me.” I watch that smug smile melt right off his handsome face before it disappears behind the door I slam. Damn, that felt good.

The buzzer’s already blaring and the warm spot between my thighs is already wet. I mean—what? No. The ice. The ice is wet. I’m not … no. That’s … that’s ridiculous.

Also, I like being near her. She smells good and she’s warm. Plus, I love when she rewards my bad behaviour with one of her signature eyerolls. I’ve never felt more deserving of anything.

Her lips purse like she’s trying her damnedest not to smile. I wish she would. I caught her doing it with Cara during the game and it lit up the whole place. Wouldn’t mind being the reason for one of them.

“Hey. I’m sorry, Olivia. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. Guess I was excited to see you again and wanted to let you know. Extreme gestures are kinda my thing, and, uh …” He slips his fingers below his toque, scratching his head. “I don’t have a fucking clue what I’m doing here.”

“I like it when you smile,” he murmurs. “It makes me want to smile too.”

Is she mad at me? I don’t want her to be mad at me.

“You only think you want me because I said no, and you’re not used to it. It’s the thrill of the chase.” He gnaws on his lip. “That’s what I thought at first too. But now I’m not so sure. Who knows; maybe I’d be good for you.”

“Um, Ollie?” “Yeah?” “I’m sorry for upsetting you Friday night and making you feel like I bailed on you.”

Carter trails in behind us, hands tucked in his pockets, and I follow his glower to Garrett’s hand on my hip. Oh my. Mr. Beckett is jealous.

Something daunting and feral flashes in his eyes, and when his fingers wrap tenderly around the base of my throat, pulling me closer, I know his next words are true. “Trust me. The last thing I’ve done is lost.”

“I’m sorry I can’t say the same. But I can tell you honestly if I only had sex with people I cared about, I’d be losing my virginity tonight at the age of twenty-seven.”

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Never, Ollie. I just want you to consider … consider giving me a shot. Consider me. That’s all I want, Ol. A chance with you.”

Olivia’s got her hair piled on top of her head in a bun messier than the one my sister always wears, the one I tell her looks like a bird made a nest on her head. She’s wearing the rattiest hoodie I’ve ever seen, covered in paint splotches and holes, and she’s so fucking beautiful it hurts. Her wide eyes lock on mine, cheeks blazing, hand hanging there in midair, holding on to a … A goddamn Oreo. Woman’s my fucking soul mate.

“Wait!” Both hands come up as his body does this weird rock-swivel thing, like he has no idea what he’s looking for. Then he launches into the living room and returns a moment later, sliding across the floor in his socks, two cookies in his hand. With a shaky grip, he holds them up to me. “Oreos.” My God, he’s freaking adorable.

He’s still going.

The truth is, I think I’d give her anything she ever needed, all she’d have to do is ask.

Oh look. The feminism has left my body.

The sword she wields is double-edged, and she hurts herself whenever she hurts me.

can’t change my past, but if you give me the chance, I can change my future. But I need all of you, Ollie. Not half of you.” I watch the scrape of my thumb along her lower lip. “I know I flip your world upside down. You fucking demolish mine. Please, let me in. Let me see you. Let me have you. All of you.”

She’s fucking crying. “I mean, we get it. You love your girlfriend.”

Somehow, I manage to snap a picture before I walk in there. And when I do, I sink to my knees behind the body I worship, the soul that lights mine on fire, the woman who possesses every single bit of my heart.

“I want to show you how much I love you.”

“Annoying you is my favorite thing to do, right after loving you. So ask again and ask nicely.”

mouth opens on a cry, he swallows his own name. “One kiss, Olivia. One kiss and I was done. My world obliterated the second my lips touched yours.”

“I’m gonna love you the way you deserve to be loved every single day for the rest of your life and my life. I promise.”