On the Edge of Scandal by Tamsen Parker

Author:Tamsen Parker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Swerve

Chapter Thirteen

Ash

All through practice, while trying to keep my head in the game, my eyes on the girls, all I could think of was Bronwyn. Half of it was with a not-insubstantial effort to keep from getting an erection. The other half was with a crazy amount of guilt, shame, and self-reproach.

How could I have done that? And more so, how could I have enjoyed it? Enjoyed it so very, very much.

I’m pacing my room despite it bothering my hip because I can’t sit still. If I sit still, then I’ll have to stay sitting—I’ve entered the time of day where I have to keep going. An object in motion stays in motion and all that.

I am an object in motion toward hell for doing this. In all of my years managing and coaching, I have never, ever been inappropriate with a player. Have I had crushes? Of course. They’re incredible athletes, we have this major thing in common, and there have been some that just hit that spot—you know the one that gives you butterflies? Makes your heart beat kinda funny and the stuff in your pants sit up and take notice? Yeah, that. I feel that way about Bronwyn. Have felt that way about her for a long time.

To act on it, though? That’s different. And I don’t do that. Shouldn’t do that. So when she gets here I’ll give her a speech which I spent much of practice composing in my head. “Bronwyn, you’re a beautiful girl and yes, I am attracted to you. You’re an amazing hockey player and I have a great deal of respect and admiration for you on and off the ice. If things were different, you would be the kind of woman I would want. Things being as they are, I apologize profusely, and I’m sure you understand why nothing remotely like that can happen again. Ever.”

She’s a rational person, and she’ll understand. It’ll be fine.

Except that when I open the door, my mind goes completely blank of anything but Bronwyn, what a knock-out she is, and the soft breathy way she says, “Hi.”

I am fucked. Completely and utterly fucked.

Bronwyn

The first second Ash opens the door, he’s standing there looking all resolute and unwavering. But he barely gets his mouth open before he . . . wavers. Me? I say something really fricking brilliant. “Hi.”

“Hey, come on in.”

He ushers me inside and I don’t miss him peeking into the hallway to make sure no one saw me come in. Once I’m inside, I plop on the bed where we slept last night and kick off my shoes so I can sit cross-legged, even though as soon as I do, I realize it must seem like an invitation. Or a demand, which it isn’t. I just wanted to sit, and this is where I feel the most comfortable. Ash clearly does not, because he paces and it’s freaking me out.

“Could you . . . could you sit? You’re making me nervous.”

Ash blanches—is it

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