Blocked (Boston Terriers Hockey #3) - Jacob Chance Page 0,15

in my bag if you want some.”

He grabs two packages and sets one down next to me. “I can’t believe you made us lunch.”

“Someone had to,” I state. “I knew it wouldn’t be you.” I sit up and hold out my hand for him to place one of the sandwiches in. There’s no way I’m going to let him have all of them.

“Damn right. Anything I could make would barely be edible, so thank you.” He raises half his sandwich before biting off a big chunk. “Mmm, bacon,” he mumbles around the half-chewed food. “And extra mayo too.” He chews the remainder of his bite with his eyes closed. They pop open when he swallows. “When can we do this again?” he asks, taking another bite.

“I think you mean when am I going to make food for you again.”

His grin is crooked. “As good as this sandwich is, I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m actually enjoying your company even more.”

I place a palm on my chest. “Wow. Lucky me.”

“No, Maddie, lucky me.” He winks.

We finish our lunch and take some time to lie around digesting. With the sun warming our skin, we relax and listen to one of Shaw’s favorite playlists on his iPhone. Knowing he’s next to me is comforting, and my eyelids, heavy from the bright sun, drift closed.

I let the sun wrap its warmth around me and imagine what it would be like to kiss Shaw. I catch brief glimpses like blurry snapshots of his face hovering over mine and moving closer. I imagine I can feel the softness of his hair slipping between my fingers.

“Maddie.” His hand slides along my arm. “Wake up, Maddie.”

My lids slowly flutter before opening. Shaw is leaning over me, a gentle smile arcing his mouth as he stares down at me. “Wake up, sleeping beauty.” He cups my face in his palm, his thumb whisking along my cheekbone.

Still lost in that hazy space between sleep and complete lucidity, I grip his arm and slide my hand up to caress his muscular shoulder.

His face shifts, the gentle smile disappearing as a darker, needier expression takes over. Closing the distance between us, he claims my mouth in a kiss like nothing I’d imagined. It’s so much better. His full, masculine lips are soft against mine, but his barely restrained hunger is there vibrating beneath the surface ready to break free. And I want to be the one to unleash that part of him. I want him to feel as out of control as he makes me feel.

Humming as his tongue whirls around mine, my fingertips dig into his shoulders, urging him closer. He responds by plastering our chests together. I feel his solid length pressing against my hip, and I barely refrain from urging him between my legs. I want him grinding down on me, easing this persistent ache he’s created.

He groans, hungrily devouring my mouth like he can’t get enough—like this moment has been building for as long of a time for him as it has for me.

Pushing my feet against the blanket beneath me, I raise my hips, bucking upward, looking for any relief I can get.

Growling, he tears his mouth free, staring down at me, aroused and bewildered. We both struggle to catch our breath. Before I can say anything, he jumps to his feet and heads for the water.

I’m up almost as quickly, hurrying after him. He dives under a wave before I can catch him, and then keeps heading toward deeper water. Darn it.

What’s wrong? Confused at what’s going on inside his head, I stop in the ankle deep surf and try to get my thoughts in some semblance of order.

Does he regret kissing me?

Did he dislike kissing me?

He seemed to enjoy it. His body sure reacted like he did. But who knows? Ugh. Guys are so fucking complicated.

I run a hand over my hair, slicking back the flyaway strands the salt air has tugged free. Pacing back and forth through the shallow water, I chastise myself for encouraging his kiss.

What was I thinking?

I should’ve known better. That kiss never should’ve happened. Shaw is my brother’s best friend, which means that nothing can happen between us. I need to take his reaction as a sign that spending time with him is a bad idea. Lines can get clouded and crossed if we’re together. And if we’re not, then we’ll have nothing to be concerned about.

Walking back to our spot, I grab my skimboard and walk a