“I’m not sleeping with him.”
“Good.” He barks out a laugh. “Then maybe you should wear it. The poor guy will be miserable sitting across from you all night.” He pushes off and stands tall.
I get a glass of wine, and in the time it takes me to drink it, several more of Maverick’s teammates show up. And as more of them arrive, girls make their way around us.
I check my phone—still nothing from Marco.
“Are you sure you can’t blow off this guy and hang?” Johnny asks. “We’re going to dinner and then… who knows.”
“I really can’t.”
“Why not? I’m a way better date.”
Behind Maverick, I spot Anika, my neighbor from the second floor, among the girls that have corralled around the players. I raise my hand to wave to her, and Maverick turns, tipping his head. “Hey, neighbor.”
“Johnny Maverick,” she says and smiles. “I didn’t recognize you.”
“Same. You look great,” he tells her. One thing I love about Johnny, he never shies away from giving people compliments. And he means them, always.
“Thanks.” She smooths a hand along the spandex of her black dress. She is dressed to impress tonight. “What are you two up to? I haven’t seen you around.”
“I’m trying to convince Dakota to come out to Beverlee’s with me.”
“Oh.” Her eyes light up. “I’ve heard that place is great. Some friends and I tried to go last week, but they’re booked up for months.” The girls she’s with start to walk off and she steps after them. “It was good to see you guys.”
“Wait,” I call to her before she leaves. “You should go with Maverick.”
“Me?” Her smile broadens, but she ducks her head a little shyly.
“Yeah. It’s perfect. I can’t go. I have a date.” I look at Johnny. “But you two should go out and celebrate getting rid of the crutches. It’s a big deal.”
I’ve put him in a position where he can’t say no, but Anika is beautiful, seems nice, and I don’t get any puck bunny stalker vibes from her. She’s a fan, sure, but that’s probably half the nearby population.
“Uh, yeah, if you’re up for it,” he says.
“Really?”
He nods and places both hands in his pockets.
“Okay. Yeah. I just need to tell my friends.”
“Sure,” Mav says.
When she walks off, he closes the space between us and lowers his voice. “What was that?”
“I’m sorry, but she seems really nice, and she’s beautiful. Those glasses with that dress.” I give him a thumbs-up.
He chuckles softly.
“This is good. You need to go celebrate, and this way, we’re both out meeting new people.” I slide from my chair. “I’ll see you later.”
Outside, I let out a long breath and start back toward the apartment. As I enter the building, my phone pings, and somehow I just know. I know he’s blowing me off at the last minute.
Confirmed when I pick up my phone and read the apologetic text claiming something last minute came up at work, and he’s so sorry, let’s reschedule, blah blah blah.
I kick off my shoes inside the apartment, scoop up Charli, and call Reagan.
“Are you calling me from the bathroom to tell me how great he is?” I can hear her smiling on the other end. “Or do I need to text you in five and claim there’s an emergency?”
“He canceled.”
“Oh, honey. I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not.” I hit the video button, needing to see her face.
She accepts and appears on my screen, brows scrunched together as she studies me. “You’re not?”
“No. Ask me why not.” I lie down on the pink couch. Johnny’s scent still lingers from the night he slept on it, or maybe it’s from being in his apartment. I wonder if it’ll always smell like him now. I kind of hope so.
“Why not?”
“Freaking Johnny Maverick. That’s why.”
I consider going out so that I’m not sitting at home thinking about how I forced the guy I like to go out with someone else because I don’t want to like him. Maverick and I don’t make any sense. We want different things.
Instead, I go to bed early. I’m lying awake listening for him to come home when it occurs to me he might bring her back here, and I’ll have to listen to them having sex. He said he wouldn’t bring random girls home, but it would really serve me right. Maybe if he sleeps with Anika, I’ll be able to get the thought of kissing him out of my head.
I doze off at some point and wake to Mav’s deep voice saying hello to Charli. I sit up and listen closer, trying to tell if there’s someone with him. It’s quiet, and I tiptoe to the door and press my ear to it.
“Kota.” His deep voice makes my heart race, and I jump back. He raps lightly on the other side. I don’t answer, and he says, “I know you’re in there. Or your date dumped the body back at your apartment. Smart move, actually.”
Stepping back, I open the door. He smirks, one arm resting against the doorframe. “You’re alive.”
“Yes. I’m alive and home safely.”
He walks in, pushing past me.
“Please, come right in,” I say sarcastically.
He sits on the end of my bed and unbuttons his shirt so it hangs open. “How was your date?”
“Great. Yeah. How was yours?”
“Don’t bullshit me, Kota. I checked in a few times. You either invited him here or left your phone behind.”
“You weren’t supposed to check on my location unless I didn’t come home.”
“I had a feeling something was off, so I checked.”
“Okay, so he canceled. Whatever.”
“His loss.”
“Maybe,” I say, then change the focus to him. “How was your date with Anika?”
“She’s nice. Cool chick. Works as a nurse. Said if I hurt my knee chasing after you again, she’d take a look for me.”
“I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen again.”
“Depends.”
“On?”
“What it’s going to take to get you to admit that there’s something between us. I feel it, and I know you do too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have pawned me off on someone else like I’d invited you for a weekend orgy instead of dinner.”
“I set you up to avoid confronting my feelings?” I roll my eyes. Dammit. Am I that transparent?
“Yeah. I think that’s exactly what you did. And she’s nice and beautiful, but I’m not going to see her again. Or anyone else. Not until you tell me this isn’t happening.”
“What isn’t happening? Us hooking up once and ruining our friendship? No thanks, Maverick.”
He stands and walks toward where I’m frozen to the spot near the door. “Why is it so hard for you to separate sex from everything else?”
“Because it is.”
“That’s a bullshit answer. If you’re not into me and I misread you, then fine, but don’t play it off like I’m not offering more than some quick fuck. Give me a little credit. I dig you. You dig me. What’s the problem?”
“You’re exasperating.” I throw up my hands. “I’m not interested in casual sex. Not with you. Not with anyone.”
“Fine then, it won’t be casual. Nothing about the way I want to fuck you is casual.” His hand reaches up and caresses the curve of my neck. My skin tingles and warms at his touch. Is he serious right now? Does he even know what he’s saying?
“We can’t. It isn’t a good idea. We’re friends. I have my internship to think about.” I step away from him, cross my arms, and avoid his gaze. “Drop it, okay?”
My pulse thrums loudly in the seconds before he speaks.
“Sure thing.” He stops in the hallway. “See you in the morning. Night, Kota.”
19
Johnny
Dakota avoids me something fierce for the next two days. She comes home from work later than before and goes out with Quinn and Reese in the evenings. We’re in
deep avoidance. And I’m the ridiculous one?
I’ve been keeping busy, though. After feeling sorry for myself and my bum knee for a few days, I decided to suck it up and get to work. I’m working out my upper body and core and doing therapy on my knee. I can start working out for real next week, and it couldn’t come any sooner. Camp starts Tuesday. Damn, that was a close call. One more fuckup like that, and I’ll be spending this winter in Iowa.
Today is going to be a good day, though. We’re shooting the endorsement photos, so Dakota can no longer avoid me.
I don’t understand her. No, actually, I think I do, which is why it baffles me that she won’t admit she wants to have sex with me as much as I want her.
I get to the shoot a few minutes early because I’m dying to see her in a place she can’t run away. Outside of the locker room, Quinn clutches a clipboard to her chest. “Hi, Johnny Maverick.”
“Hey.” I tip my chin to the door behind her. “Is Dakota in there?”
“Yeah, they’re all waiting for you.” She holds the door open for me and follows me inside.
The Wildcats locker room has been quiet the past couple of weeks, but today it is chaos inside. Her instructions were simple—be in the Wildcat locker room wearing swim trunks. I’m intrigued.
Dakota spots me immediately and hurries forward, weaving through the people standing around doing who knows what.
“What is all this?” I ask when she steps in front of me.
“It takes a lot of people to make you look good,” she teases.
I rake a hand through my hair. “This isn’t what I was expecting.”
“Would you prefer I take some photos on my cell phone?”
“Uhh…”
“I was kidding.” She wraps a hand around my forearm and pulls me with her. “This is going to be a big promotion for Maverick Enterprises. They pulled out all the stops.”
I keep my mouth shut, but I highly doubt dear old Dad is responsible for any of this. This is all Kota.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” I admit. It’s a little intimidating as more people turn to look at me and start yelling for everyone to get into position.
“It’ll be easy. Just do what you do best.” She smiles, her blue eyes dancing with mischief. She’s sexy as hell, and this is not a great time to be noticing, but seeing her in action at work all lit up like she is now is a major turn-on.
“What I do best?”
Her smile gets impossibly bigger as she walks backward, and I follow because there’s just about nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
She comes up short next to the showers. “Take off your shirt.”
When Dakota moves to the side, I get the full effect. Big standing lights and other photography equipment are angled toward the middle shower. Dividers block off the rest of the open space, and in the cubby underneath the showerhead, the entire new product line is displayed.
“Kota, this looks killer.”
Blythe steps up beside her, fingers clutched around her cell phone as she speaks quietly, “We only have the room for an hour. Let’s make sure we get what we need before Coach Miller kicks us out.”
“Right.” Dakota straightens. “Let’s get a few of you standing in the shower first, and then we’re going to do some with the water on. It’ll be like you’re taking a shower with no one watching. Except we’ll be watching and filming, so don’t embarrass me.”
I chuckle, and she continues. “There is bottled water, that cherry energy drink you like, and some fruit and other food over there if you need anything.” She points. “Reese and Quinn will be helping me by taking some behind-the-scenes footage.” The two other interns wave awkwardly behind her. “I think that’s it. Just be you.”
“Just me, huh?” I’m not sure anyone has ever encouraged me to be myself.
People start moving into position, music starts playing, and a bright flash goes off.
“Whoa.” I lift a hand and blink away the stars that are now flickering behind my eyelids.
“Sorry. Just checking the lighting,” someone says before another couple of flashes pop.
Dakota’s hand takes mine. I know it’s hers even before I open my eyes again.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
“This is weird, and what is this music?”
Her brows lift, and she smirks. “Johnny Maverick doesn’t want to be the center of attention?”
“I know. Crazy, right? No one is more surprised than me.”
“You’re going to be great. I promise. Trust me?”
I glance around at all the people waiting for me to get my shit together and nod. “Yeah. Okay. Let’s do it.”
“Good. Now take off that shirt, Johnny Maverick.”
20
Dakota
Maverick removes his T-shirt, a shy grin tugging at his lips. I can’t believe I’m having such a hard time getting him to take off his clothes. Who would have thought?
He balls up the fabric and tosses it at me. I hand it to Reese, who stands by shaking his head. All morning he’s been giving me the same look like he can’t believe I’m putting a great hockey player through this. I don’t care. This is going to be gold. I’ve seen Maverick without his shirt on, and it’s hot enough to sell just about anything.
“A roomful of women would kill to be you right now,” Reese says, passing me a clear bottle.
“I’m the only one that can do it without swooning at his feet.” I roll my eyes, but my stomach flips as I open the baby oil and step into the shower with Maverick.
“Whatcha got there?” he asks, eyeing me warily.
“Oil. It’ll give us that wet look without water.”
I squirt some of the cool liquid into one palm. “Sorry, it’s a little cold.”
I start on his chest and rub the oil into his skin in small circles. “On a scale of one to ten, how badly do you want to make a joke about me finally having my hands on you right now?”
“Shhh. You’ll ruin this moment for me if you speak.” He meets my gaze and grins.
My face warms as my hands slide down his abs. Okay, so maybe a little swooning. His muscles are hard, and his skin is warm. The oil makes every single part of him pop—each muscle and line and every tattoo. His body is covered with ink. I’ve seen them all numerous times in his shirtless debacles, but I’ve never inspected them this closely.
I run a finger along the outside of one on his side, tracing the hockey stick. It isn’t new, but the ink inside of it is. Four numbers: 13, 44, 19, and 23. His Valley jersey number, as well as Heath, Adam, and Rhett’s.
“When did you add these?”
“Right after the Frozen Four.”
“It’s really nice. Turn around and let me get your back.”
“You scratch mine, and I’ll scratch yours,” he mumbles as he complies. “Sorry. Only so many things I can hold back at one time. I deserve a freaking medal.”
“You can have a cookie when we’re done.”
“Will you feed it to me with your shirt off?”
I rub harder, digging my fingernails into his skin.
“Sorry. Sorry. Out of line. But actually, I kinda like that. Mark me up, baby.”
“Oh my god.” I smack a hand down on his lower back. “I’m working here.”
“I know. I’m sorry. If I don’t say them out loud, my dick will take action, and I cannot get hard right now,” he whispers. Although his whisper is loud enough, I turn around to make sure no one heard him.
“Oh my god, Maverick. Shhh. I will send Reese in here to finish oiling you up if you hit on me one more time. Hooking up with players is not allowed. Remember?”
“We’re not hooking up,” he says and then mutters, “You made that abundantly clear.”
“Yes, I know that, and you know that, but I don’t want it to look like… you know.”
He turns his head to look over his shoulder. “Like we’re super attracted to each other and might break the rules at any moment?”
“Yes,
” I admit. I’ve thought of nothing else for the past two days. I know it’s a terrible idea, but it doesn’t stop the fantasies from playing in my head on a loop.
He holds my gaze for a beat, nods, and faces the other direction again. “Got it. You want me, but no one else can know. Sexy, secret romance. I can dig.”
I growl under my breath and drop my hands. That’ll have to do because if I keep touching him, it’s going to end with me wringing his neck or shoving him up against the shower wall to shut him up with my mouth. And why am I starting to like the sound of the last one a lot more than I do the first?
The photographer, Lindsey, introduces herself to Maverick, and then it all begins. He stands awkwardly, hands at his sides with this sort of half grimace and half smile on his lips. I can’t imagine how I’d feel with a roomful of people standing around staring at me with my shirt off, but I really thought Maverick would feed off the energy.
I give it a few more minutes. He finds me in the crowd gathered around watching him, and I can’t read the expression on his face, but I know he’s uncomfortable.
“Hey, Lindsey,” I say, approaching the photographer. “Can I have one second?”
“Sure.” She stands tall and drops the camera to her waist.
“More oil?” he asks and shoots me a sheepish grin before looking at the ground.
“Do you have your phone on you?”
“Yeah.” His dark brows pinch together. “Why?”
“You were right. This music sucks.”
He pulls out his phone, unlocks it, and hands it over. I scan the playlists. There are so many. He used to put together music for the morning skate on game days back at Valley, and I’ve heard they’re pretty entertaining. He’d let each of the guys pick one song, and he’d compile it. Just another of the many charms of Maverick.
“Any favorites?”
He crowds my space, and I hold out the phone so that he can see it better. His silky-smooth arm covered in oil brushes against mine. Heat radiates from him. Shit, this is not good. Do I really want to hook up with Maverick?
Wild Love (Campus Nights Book 4) Page 13