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“Sorry.” I cleared my throat. “I didn’t—” I shook my head. “That’s not what I meant. Or I didn’t…”

Everyone thought I was this smooth-talking playboy, and they couldn’t have been more wrong. And now, when I was with the one woman I cared about, I was fucking it all up. Yet, she hadn’t bolted. She was sitting there, giving me the space to find the words I needed to say.

I gripped the kitchen counter, using it to anchor me. “I’m really trying to respect your boundaries. But—” My chest was heaving, my heart pounding as if I’d just finished a bag skate. “The more time we spend together, the more tempted I am to do something reckless.”

She swallowed hard, drinking me in from my lips to my chest that was heaving to my arms that were flexing to hold me in place. To keep me from going to her, wrapping my arms around her, and claiming her mouth with a kiss.

“What if I wanted you to be reckless?” she asked, surprising me.

I… What? I jerked my head back, certain I must have misheard.

But when I met her gaze, she nodded, eyes twinkling with an unspoken challenge. She bit her lip, and I bit back a groan.

My blood was pounding so hard I could barely hear myself think. She couldn’t be serious. Could she?

“What about hockey first?” I asked, even as I told myself to shut up. To just go after what I wanted. And what I wanted was her. “What about your goals?”

“Well,” Logan said, a playful smile on her lips. “I’ve been thinking about that.” She uncrossed then recrossed her legs, which had the effect of making her dress slide up her thighs, baring even more skin. I was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate. All that smooth skin, toned thighs, powerful legs. “And actually, I think sleeping together would further my goals.”

“I—” I jerked my head upward. “Really?” I wasn’t sure whether it had come across as skeptical or hopeful.

She grinned, clearly enjoying the fact that I was losing my mind. “My coach told me to get out of my head and into my body. It’s almost play-offs, and I bet we could both benefit from letting off some steam.”

She hopped down from the counter, but I remained where I was, rooted to the floor.

This felt like a dream, like it wasn’t real. I told myself this wasn’t actually happening, even as she took one step closer to me, then another. I wet my lips, all my senses homed in on her.

“What do you say?” She lifted her hand to my chest. Her light-brown eyes were almost golden, vulnerability and desire shining through. “Will you help me with my goals?”

I gripped the edge of the counter, restraining myself, all while wanting so badly to give in. To say yes. “What about our friendship? You’re important to me. I don’t want to fuck that up.”

Her expression softened. “Neither do I, which is why we’d agree it’s a one-time thing. After this weekend, we go back to the way things were. We both know hockey comes first. No drama. No strings.”

“Lo…” My voice was a rumble, the prelude to a storm. “You know I would do anything for you. But what you’re asking…” I trailed off. What she was offering… I rubbed the back of my neck. She’d expressed her needs honestly. I needed to have the courage to do the same. “What if I don’t want just one night?”

What if I want strings? What if I want…more?

She seemed to consider it a moment, but then she shook her head, and my hopes deflated. “I can’t—” She let out a shaky exhale. “I wish I could promise more, but I can’t.”

Even though I didn’t like her answer, I appreciated her candor.

As I saw it, I had two options. I could walk away, go back to being friends, and kick myself while I continued longing for her. Or I could accept this for what it was, knowing it wasn’t fair to demand more of her than she was willing—or able—to give.

Even so, Georgia’s words from earlier in the season floated back to me. Her suggestion that Logan and I were already in a pseudo relationship. Maybe if I wanted more with Logan, I just needed to show her how good we could be together. Maybe I needed to remind Logan that I would be there for her. That I understood how much hockey meant to her. That we could try to find that balance—together.

Logan wanted no strings. Or, perhaps more accurately, it was what she thought she needed. Deep down, I had a feeling she was scared.

Scared to trust, to let someone in. Scared to do anything to jeopardize everything she’d worked so hard to accomplish. But I was determined to show her that she was safe with me. She could trust me, all while demonstrating how a good partner would support her and her ambitions.

I curled my finger around the bow at Logan’s waist, gently tugging her to me. “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help you with your goals?” I nosed along her ear, her neck, enjoying the feel of her in my arms.

She reached up, draping her arms around my neck. “Exactly.”

I closed what little distance remained. “You’re sure?” I asked, my lips hovering over hers.

“Yes.” Her breath feathered against my skin, warm and sweet. “Please.”

I groaned, unable to hold back any longer. After imagining what it would be like to kiss her for months, I finally brushed my lips against hers. It felt like that first rain after a long drought, and my body came alive with her response. I wanted to take my time, but when it came to this woman, I had zero chill.