Page 94 of Fighting Chance

LAYLA

oh, yes

BELLA

is everything okay?

LAYLA

I think I may have temporarily lost my sanity

either that or I read too many smutty books

BELLA

what’s a smutty book?

LAYLA

something that has led me astray

My fingers snap upwards, feeling along my lips as if to confirm that was indeed my own mouth forming the question.

Did I just ask Kieran Ashford, hockey god and ladies’ man—a very experienced one at that—if he wouldteachme?

I can’t helpbut berate myself.

I just asked my boss for sex.

Sex!

My god, I need to officially cut myself off from some of my books. They’ve filled my head with ludicrous confidence and ideas. What the hell have I done?

Kieran’s face falters before turning crestfallen. It looks like I slapped him.

“You…” He swallows thickly. “You want me to teach you?”

I nod my head. I’ve already stuck my foot in my mouth, I may as well commit. “Yes.” At his prolonged silence, I drop my head into my hands and groan. “Oh god, I don’t know why I asked that.”

“It’s okay,” he murmurs, the sound of Emmy playing in the living room drifting toward us.

“No, it’s not. You’re my boss. Kieran, I’m so sorry.”

He places his hands on my shoulders and the heat of his hands has me jumping.

“Layla, take a deep breath,” he instructs slowly, and it isn’t until he says those words that I realize I’m hyperventilating. The back of his hand brushes my cheek, making me draw in a deep gasp of air. “It’s okay, sunshine, just breathe.”

I try to get a hold of myself but my heart is out of control.

I said I wanted to live, to come home and experience life outside the confines of my illness, but this isinsane.

Kieran runs his finger down my cheek again before placing his arms on either side of me. A spark of energy jumps between us, the current soothing my breaths to a steady pace.

This.

This fluttery feeling in my chest is what was lacking at the bar…and every other date I’ve been on.

Just a look from Kieran, and I’m swept away.