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“Okay, thank you.”
She tosses us both a wave and then heads back through the doorway leading to the staff offices.
Silence passes between us before he clears his throat. “Looks like we’re stuck together, Bubblegum.”
“Mhmm.” I avoid his gaze, keeping my eyes on the kids. They’re skating and passing the puck to each other in what looks like drills. “Professional, just like you ordered. Remember?”
Something passes through his gaze, but it’s gone as quickly as it comes. “Easier said than done, Caroline.”
6
HUDSON
“Coach Rome, Ms. Caroline needs you. I heard her calling for you,” Brent says, skating up to where I’m leaning against the boards, going over my playbook. My guys have come so far in a short amount of time. Honestly, I’m proud as shit. We’ve spent the last two hours running drills and honing in on what each kid needs a little work on, and now that practice is over, the rink is practically empty now that everyone has cleared out.
My eyebrows raise. “Where is she?”
“The equipment closet, I think? Not sure. See ya, Coach.” He skates off with his bag slung over his shoulder, and I set the binder down on the bench. I quickly get my skates off and slide my feet back into my tennis shoes, taking off toward the equipment room.
I’ve spent the last two hours trying my hardest to focus on practice and not Caroline on the bench. It’s impossible to ignore her, to not let my eyes slyly drag down her supple body, lingering on her curves, wishing like fuck we weren’t in this shit situation of having to stay between the lines.
I find her in the equipment closet near the back of the rink, teetering on a small rickety stool as she tries to reach a box at the very top, her fingers dangling in midair as the box is just out of her reach.
“You good?” I ask.
My question startles her, and for a second, she sways precariously on the stool but catches herself by grabbing the shelf before she falls. “Fuck! Jesus Christ, Hudson. Don’t sneak up on me like that. You scared the hell out of me.”
I chuckle. “Sorry. One of the kids said you needed me?”
My eyes drift to the tight black leggings that hug her ass, and my mouth waters, remembering the way she fit into the palms of my hands so perfectly.
I’ve got to fucking stop. Stop thinking about that night. Thinking about her… and her ass.
“Uh, yeah, I’m trying to reach this box of tape, but it’s so damn far back that I can’t grab it,” she mutters. She says it like I’m the last person she wants to ask for help, but it’s just the two of us in the rink today, which left her no choice. “If you don’t mind, could you grab it for me?”
“No problem.” I step behind her and reach for the box before she can climb down from the stool. I’m six-four. Most people need a ladder for things I can quickly grab, and that’s exactly what I do, effortlessly reaching past her to pick up the small box from the shelf in front of her.
I hear her sharp intake of breath as my chest brushes against her back, and my dick jerks in response to the sound. For a second, we’re both so still, both of us breathing more heavily than before.
Fuck. So much for keeping distance between us.
It’s innocent, but nothing with her feels that way.
I clear my throat, stepping back and handing her the box.
“T-thank you,” she says shakily.
“No problem.”
I quickly put space between us before I do something stupid like touch her again, consequences be damned.
I don’t want to lose my job, and I sure as fuck don’t want to be caught lusting after my coach’s practically teenage daughter. I have to have more self-control, even if it kills me.
She climbs down from the stool and pushes it back against the wall before turning to face me. Her cheeks are bright pink.
“You did great with the kids, uh… out there today. I noticed how great you are with them,” she says quietly, surprise lacing her tone.
I’m honestly surprised she’s even complimenting me after what an asshole I was in the locker room the other day.
