Page 22 of Cold Hearted

"It was just a story," I say, trying to keep my voice even. "I had to write something."

Johnny's gaze is intense, and I can see that he's not buying it. "You made me sound like a saint," he says. "And I'm really not."

"I know that," I reply. "But it's my job to write a good story."

"And to get the facts right," he adds pointedly.

I swallow hard, knowing what he's getting at. I may have embellished a little, but that's what good writers do. "I stand by everything I wrote," I say firmly.

He lowers his voice. "A good man wouldn't fuck a good girl the way I fucked you."

I lick my lips. "Who said I'm a good girl?"

Johnny looks at me for a long moment, his eyes still searching. "Okay," he finally says. "I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page."

I nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. "We are."

There's a beat of silence between us, and then Johnny takes a step closer. "Listen, I know things got a little...complicated between us," he says, his voice low and husky. "But I can't stop thinking about you. I want to see you again, Hart."

I feel my heart pounding in my chest. This is exactly what I was afraid of--falling for him all over again. But at the same time, I can't deny that I want him too.

"I don't know," I say uncertainly. "I don't want things to get messy. It's not professional."

Johnny leans in closer, his breath warm against my cheek. "Who says I'm looking for something professional?"

I feel a shiver run down my spine as his hand brushes against my waist. "I don't know if I can do this," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Johnny looks at me, his eyes intense. "I think you can," he says. "Not here--at my place. Can I call you?"

I want to say no, I want to tell him I'm not ready.

But instead, I nod. "Yeah," I say. "I can meet you for coffee or something."

Johnny smiles. "I'll give you a call."

He turns and skates away, leaving me standing in the hallway, my chest heaving.

I can still feel his touch, his gaze locked on mine, and I know I'm in trouble.

I can't do this again.

But of course, I know I'm going to.

Chapter ten

Johnny

Idon'tknowwhyI thought my feelings for Birdie Hart would fade. I don't know why I thought I wouldn't see her around Portland once the season started.

I don't know why I thought I'd stop missing her...but I haven't.

I just saw her.

And all those feelings came roaring back like a fucking freight train.

I've kept rumors in the press about who I'm seeing, talking to the guys like I'm out hitting the clubs like I did last season, taking home a different girl every night--but I haven't eventhoughtof another woman since that night with Birdie.

I spend most nights jerking off to memories--because I'm a romantic--of the way she begged for me to come inside her, the way her breasts tasted when I sucked on them, the way she screamed for me. Sometimes I fantasize about the way we made the headboard slap against the wall, and I get hard just thinking about her.