Page 73 of Fighting Chance

Placing my hand on his chest, I cut off whatever he was about to say. “Tell me why you call me sunshine.”

His eyes flick back and forth, searching mine, before he grins. “I’ll do you one better.” Lowering his head, he mirrors my earlier movement and places his lips along the shell of my ear. It takes everything in me not to moan at the simple touch.

I get it, I think to myself.I get what all those girls were talking about on those blogs.

My hand is still on his chest, and I’m not sure why but I can’t pull it away, can’t force my hand to move from his warmth.

“My confession,” he all but purrs, “is that I haven’t been with anyone in nearly two years.”

Thathas me snapping out of it.

I push him with all my might, anger flaring in me, swift and fast. I’m not sure why but I feel oddly…betrayed?

“Don’t lie,” I spit. “After what I just told you? Don’t lie, Kieran.”

His eyes are wide and wild. “I’m not lying.”

“Bullshit.”

He moves back toward me, crowding my space. “Call bullshit all you want, Layla,” he says gutturally. “I don’t lie,especiallynot to you.”

Before I can stop myself, I blurt, “The puck bunny sites have endless?—”

“Kept tabs on me while you were away, sunshine?”

“Of course I wasn’t. I was just…” My mind whirls for a reason why I was on those sites. I myself don’t even know why I checked them regularly. “Looking out for Bella.”

He barks out a laugh. “Now look who’s lying. Admit it, you were keeping tabs on me.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “Absolutely not. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m sorry, love, but the only one being ridiculous is you.” He taps my nose with his finger before sauntering over to the stove to stir the sauce we neglected. “It’s ridiculous to believe the things people post on those sites.”

“But the girls?—”

“Are liars.” He turns to face me. “You shouldn’t believe everything you see written in the press.”

My brows are so deeply furrowed that I feel like reaching up and smoothing them out with my fingers. “But the details they have…”

He shrugs. “I’m not saying I’m innocent. I have slept with women?—”

“A lot,” I add for him.

He rolls his eyes. “Fine, yes, a lot. I have a colorful past but they use that and the details already online about me to conjure up new stories.”

Rearing back, I grimace. “Why would anyone do that?”

“Why would any of them post sordid personal details of our sex lives for a second of fame on a puck bunny site?” he deadpans.

“B-but you’re…” Swallowing, I choke out, “Over a year?”

“Don’t look so shocked.”

“Well, I mean you’re…you.”

“Thanks,” he says dryly, turning away from me.

Kicking off from where I was leaning, my body seeks his once I hear the hurt in his voice. “Kieran, I’m sorry, it’s just?—”