Page 156 of Risking the Pucking Defense

My question tonight is about what Hayden will do.

With him just across the hall, will he wait outside the door for me and pretend we bumped into each other on the way down, or will he be a good boy and go down and wait like everyone else?

My heart thumps steadily at the thought of either option.

If he’s outside, then at least no one will see his reaction to me. But if he’s downstairs, then we risk people noticing. My stomach flutters with excitement at the thought of being caught.

We’re not doing anything wrong, but even still, sneaking around and keeping our relationship from everyone is thrilling. More so than anything I’ve done in years.

After slipping my lipstick and cell into my purse, I push my feet into my shoes and walk toward the door. The thought of him being outside waiting for me has my hands trembling. But it all fades fast when I step into the hallway and find it empty.

“Shit,” I whisper, disappointment flooding through me.

Shaking it off, I hold my head high and make my way down to the foyer, where everyone is hopefully waiting.

The sound of their booming voices and laughter hit me the second the elevator doors open, and the second I step out, tingling rushes down my spine.

He’s here.

“Ah, about time,” Killer teases. “We were starting to think you’d gone without us.”

“Pipe down, Calvin,” I demand as I make my way over.

“Looking hot tonight, boss,” he praises, openly checking me out.

“Ugh, don’t look at me like I’m a bunny,” I chastise.

He gasps, pressing his hand against his chest. “I would never.”

“Uh huh.”

Ripping my eyes from where he’s standing with Rett and Bea, I scan the rest of the group, searching for the man who’s ensuring my blood simmers just below boiling point.

It only takes me two seconds to find him, and the moment I do, everyone else vanishes.

He’s with Linc, Parker, Kodie, and Casey, but while they’re all laughing at something, Hayden’s eyes are firmly fixed on me.

My breath catches as desire coils low in my stomach. He looks hot with a fitted white shirt and dark gray slacks that show off his muscular frame. The stubble on his chin has been trimmed, and his wavy hair is still wet from a shower. I might be across the room, but I already know that he smells as good as he looks.

“It’s a good thing everyone knows he’s got a thing for you; otherwise, they’d all be suspicious as fuck right now,” Rett whispers in my ear. “Probably for the best you stop staring at him like you want to have him for dinner.”

Ripping my eyes from Hayden, I make sure my mask is firmly in place before letting everyone know the cars are outside and following them out.

I’m aware of Hayden hanging back and then trailing behind. My skin prickles, and it doesn’t ease off as I watch others climb into cars and head off.

It’s not until there’s only one car left that I turn toward him, realizing no one else is left.

“I guess this is us then,” I say, my voice coming out a little more breathy than I was expecting.

“I guess it is,” he says, a wide smile spreading across his lips.

“Well-played,” I muse as he pulls the car door open for me, watching as I climb inside.

“I could say the same thing to you about your choice of dress,” he murmurs, following me inside and dropping so close to me that we’re touching from shoulder to knee.

“Oh, what? This old thing?” I tease before confirming our location with the driver.

“Something tells me that there isn’t anything old about it,” he whispers, his nose dragging along my jaw until his lips are at my ears. “It’s sinful, and I can’t wait to see how it looks on your hotel room floor later.”