Page 73 of Icebound

I’m not sure if that’s an invitation or a command, but either way, I’m sure of my decision—I want a taste of him.

I float into the moonlit office on autopilot, not bothering to turn on the lights. There’s a fern, some jerseys, and a desk. I’m proud I even noticed the plant with the man towering by the wall of trophies like sin reincarnate.

The slatted shadows from the blinds cast a lattice over his rigid jaw. Rhode shuts the door with a gentle click, sealing us inside.

Together.

Alone.

He flicks the lock.

Sliding his hands in his pockets, he leans against the door, regarding me. His casual posture does nothing to hide the tension in his body. I fold my arms, drinking in each of his subtle movements.

He moves with the slow elegance of a predator, but I’ve never been prey. His blue eyes roam over my body, darkening to navy pools.

Something’s swirling in his gaze that I can’t see, but I want to know what’s in his depths. “What’s wrong? I was worried about you after the game, so I stayed. I hope that’s okay. Micah said it’d be fine.”

“I don’t want to talk about Cruz right now.” He loosens his patterned tie with tiny purple flowers and undoes a button on his collar. One. Two. He misses the third. “Everything’s fine.”

I narrow my gaze on the muscle fluttering in his jaw. “Are you sure you’re okay? You seem mad.”

He jerks his head. “Not angry.”

“Jealous then?” I tease.

That’s the only other emotion that would explain the hard look on his face, but I regret the words instantly when he doesn’t laugh. If anything, his scowl turns murderous.

His loafers click on the tile as he steps toward me. Another step. I move back until my ass hits the glass desk, making me jump.

He saunters forward until the gap between our bodies shrinks to a sliver. Rhode anchors his hands on either side of my hips, caging me against the desk.

With slow fingers, he lifts my glasses from the bridge of my nose, and places them on the desk. His gaze drifts over my face. Eyes, nose, lips.

Always coming back to my lips.

For a moment, I want him to capture my mouth in a brutal kiss, but he doesn’t. His eyes clamp shut like he’s thinking hard about some answer. “Yeah, I’m jealous as fuck. I don’t like seeing you in Cruz’s jersey, and I’m struggling not to rip it off you right now.”

His words steal all of mine, so the only thing left is a gasp.

Using his knuckle, he coaxes my chin up, and up. “I can’t get you out of my head, Nina. I’ve been lying to you, and to myself. Sorry, but I’m tired of pretending like I don’t want you. I can’t do it anymore, but I need you to tell me what you want because if it’s not me, I need to leave. Right the fuck now.”

He wants me.

Rhode Tremblay wants me.

“You really want me?”

“No.” His fingers tighten on the desk, but he doesn’t move to touch me. “I fucking need you.”

I won’t get his mornings and vows, but that’s okay because I don’t want a ring. It’s reckless, and he’s all wrong for me, but I never cared much about being right. I’m not sure I care about anything other than the feel of his lips right now.

“Nina? Talk to me. Tell me what you want.”

His tie dangles between our chests. Leaning forward, I wrap the floral fabric between my fingers and tug him closer.

The tip of his nose skims mine, and only then do I drop my hold. “I know we want different things, but I don’t care about any of that. I don’t even care that we’re in someone else’s office. I want you, even if it’s only once.”

“Thank fuck,” he moans, squeezing my hips. “Alright, here’s how this is gonna go. I know you don’t like surprises, so I’m telling you right now what I want. First, I want to bend you over this desk and slap your fine ass for wearing another man’s jersey. Next, I want to lick your pussy until your voice is hoarse from screaming my name, and then, I want to shove my cock so deep inside you that you’re all I feel.”