Page 17 of Ice Cold Heart
“What’s that?”
“We should seal the agreement.”
Tired of playing nice, I wrapped my arm around her waist and hauled her against me. With two quick steps, I backed her against her car, gratified at the tiny gasp she let out.
Instead of pushing me away as I half-expected, Avery melted. I inhaled her sweet scent as I trailed my nose along her cheek. She clutched the back of my neck, and her hips canted forward. I spread my hand on her lower back and pressed into her, groaning at the pressure. My dick wanted out to play, but I kept my grip light, my mouth teasing. She tilted her head, letting me explore the soft skin of her throat, her jaw, until I came for her mouth.
Her fingers flattened on my lips. “No kissing. No PDA. We’re not dating, Cole. We’re fuck buddies.”
I hated the way she phrased it, but I didn’t argue. Her hand didn’t move as I leaned closer, the only thing preventing me from kissing her.
“I’m not going to stop touching you,” I warned her.
“You can touch me all you want,” she rasped. “When you’ve finished an assignment.”
“We’ll see,” I murmured, letting her go.
She’d given me very clear boundaries, and I had every intention of skating right past them. Avery raised her chin and climbed into her car without another word to me. I waited there until she drove away before heading for my own car parked near the entrance.
By the time I pulled into my driveway, I had several messages from a certain city girl.
Avery: Text me when you get home.
Avery: I’m serious.
Avery: I want to make sure you weren’t murdered.
I chuckled and parked Reece in with petty pleasure.
Me: I’m home and safe. Don’t forget to tell your dad you changed your mind about tutoring me.
Avery: When do you want to start?
Me: Monday?
Avery: [thumbs up] Not sure when I’ll be free, but I’ll text you. Your place?
Me: Yeah.
I sent her the address and nearly tripped on Henry as I came in the front door. Reece tsked me as he scooped her up.
“She’s going to come to her senses and love me more any day now.”
I snorted. “Good luck with that. Strawberries can only make up for so much.”
Henry squawked, and Reece set her on the floor so she could run over to me. “Remind me to explain to you what I usually do when a lady likes strawberries.”
“Please no.” I bent to pet her head, but she ran off after a few seconds. “Looks like neither of us is the favorite at the moment.”
Reece shook his head at the departing duck then flopped onto the couch. “At least one of us got Coach’s daughter’s attention.”
My hackles rose at his tone, but I shoved my hands in my pockets and kept my voice even. “Her name is Avery, and what were you doing in the locker room?”
He grabbed one of the game controllers and started a solo game of NHL. “I followed you. I was curious. Figured we could get in a quick training sesh then grab dinner since Mase is eating us out of house and home. Then you ran off after Coach’s daughter, and I assumed he buried your body in his backyard.”
“He wants her to tutor me,” I said mildly.
“She looked super excited for that.” Reece swore as his character got flattened into the boards. “Did you convince her?”