Mine to Take: A Brother’s Rival, One Night Stand New Adult Sports Romance (Western Wildcats Hockey Book 5)

Impatience vibrates through every thickly corded muscle as I wait for her response.

For one night, I want to know that this girl is mine. That I can play with her body any way I want, all the while fucking her senseless.

A couple of hours spent between the sheets will more than likely do the trick and evict her from my brain.

That’s the way it’s always been. There’s no reason to think the pretty blonde will be any different.

When she remains silent, desperation flares to life within me.

I need this to happen.

Especially now that I’ve gotten a small taste of her.

Somehow, she’s even sweeter than I imagined.

I’d lay odds that she’s just as delicious everywhere.

My cock stiffens at the idea of licking every inch of her delectable little body.

Unable to resist the lure of her mouth, I nip her pouty lower lip and give it a slight tug, hoping it’s enough to wake her from the daze that’s fallen over her.

“I need an answer, sunshine.”

With a blink, her expression transforms, as if she’s once again aware of her surroundings.

She jerks her head in a tight nod. “Okay.”

The relief that crashes over me is almost enough to weaken my knees.

This shitty night will end a hell of a lot better than it started.

She clears her throat as color seeps into her cheeks, as if she’s embarrassed by the situation. Almost as if she doesn’t have much experience in this department.

The feigned innocence is a nice touch.

“I’ll follow you back to your place,” she murmurs, glancing away.

Hell no.

Like I’m going to give her a chance to rethink her decision.

I refuse to let this girl out of my sight for one damn second.

“I didn’t bring my truck, so I’ll ride with you.” My gaze scours hers. “Is that cool?”

She sucks her lower lip between her teeth before chewing it as her brows pinch. This girl is definitely adorable. It’s easy to see why she’s a fan favorite with the East Town team.

Only wanting to put her at ease, I smirk and force my muscles to loosen. “I’m not an axe murderer, if that’s your concern.”

Her response is swift as she tilts her head. “Isn’t that exactly the kind of thing an axe murderer would say?”

Unexpected laughter gurgles up inside me before I tamp it down. “Probably.”

So she’s got a sense of humor.

Even better.

I nod toward her Bronco. “Ready to do this?”

She sucks in a deep breath before gradually exhaling. “Yeah.”

I reach around her for the handle. The movement brings us into closer proximity. Not once do I break eye contact. In fact, I’m finding it difficult to look away. Even in the shadowy darkness that surrounds us, her blue eyes hold me captive.

“You’re gonna have to move, sunshine.” As much as I want to get out of here and get her alone, I’m loathe to distance myself from her. The heat of her body pressed against mine feels too damn good. The way her delicate scent permeates my senses makes me lightheaded.

That’s all it takes for her to slip out of my arms. The loss of her warmth is abrupt and devastating. I remind myself that my hands will be back on her soon enough.

I pop open the driver’s side door and extend my arm, only wanting to hasten things along. I’ve always been patient when it came to the fairer sex.

But that’s not how I feel with her.

Her cautious gaze stays fastened to mine as she slides into the front seat and pushes the ignition. I can’t help but notice the way her fingers tremble as the vehicle roars to life. With a slam of the door, I hustle around the front of the Bronco and settle on the seat beside her.

Charged energy crackles in the small cabin as she navigates the vehicle out of the parking space. “You’ll have to give me directions.”

Easy enough.

“Once you pull out of the lot, take a left at the next light and head toward campus.”

My gaze flickers from her face to her hands, only to notice that they’re locked around the wheel in a death grip.

The question is out of my mouth before I can stop it. “Are you nervous?”

She glances at me before refocusing on the ribbon of road beyond the windshield.

The silence that stretches between us makes me wonder if she’ll bother to answer the question.

“A little bit,” she admits.

The urge to put this girl at ease spirals through me, and I reach out to stroke my fingers along her jeans-clad thigh. There’s something both delicate and strong about this girl. It’s a fascinating combination.

“What’s your name?” I ask, shifting toward her.

An odd expression flashes across her face. “I think it’s better if we keep this strictly about sex.”

Disappointment and irritation flare to life inside me. I didn’t realize how much I wanted to know it until she refused to give it.

It takes effort to keep my tone light. “Fair enough. Guess we’ll just stick with sunshine.”

With her golden blonde hair and bright blue eyes that are the color of a clear summer day, it certainly fits. From the whiff I got of her, she smells like strawberries and cream.

Fucking addictive.

I just want to gobble her up before delving back in for more.

As we come to the next street, I point. “Take a right and we’re the fourth house on the left.”

After slowing to a stop along the curb in front of the dilapidated blue Victorian, she cuts the engine and stares at it through the windshield.

Fear and anxiety spiral through me. We’re so damn close to sealing the deal. It’s all I can think about.

It takes effort to keep my tone casual. “Having second thoughts?”

Her gaze slides to mine. “No.”

Thank fuck.

I would have been rocking a massive case of blue balls otherwise. It’s doubtful any other girl would have been able to alleviate the need this one has sparked to life inside me.

I want this hot little blonde.

She’s the only one who’ll do.

I shake that disturbing thought loose before it can take root.

With my fingers still wrapped around her thigh, I give it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll make it good for you.”

I almost wince.

When was the last time I had to cajole a girl into sleeping with me?

The answer to that question is never.

She studies my face before nodding. With a jerk of her fingers, she pops open the door and steps out. The crunch of snow fills the silence that has settled around us as I do the same. It takes no more than a handful of seconds before I catch up to her on the concrete path that cuts through the front lawn. Air gets clogged in my lungs at the way the silvery moonlight slants down on the loose strands of her hair as they bounce around her shoulders and down her back.

Even in the darkness of the night, she’s like bright sunshine illuminating the way.

My hand slips around her waist as we head up the rickety front porch stairs.

The warm weight of her pressed against my body feels good.

Right.

Almost as if we’ve come home together a million times before and this is nothing out of the ordinary.

There’s an ease between us that shouldn’t be there.

I don’t understand it.

It’s only when I slip the key into the lock that I realize that her fingers aren’t the only ones shaking with pent-up nerves. I clear my throat, only wanting to draw her attention away from them so she doesn’t notice. Throwing the door open, I steer her toward the staircase and then the second floor. Every step that brings us closer to my room has my heart jackhammering harder until it thuds painfully in my chest.

When was the last time I felt this kind of anticipation thrum through my veins? The need to lay my hands on her is all I can focus on. In this moment, nothing else matters.

Not even the possibility that she belongs to River fucking Thompson.

By the time I step over the threshold into my room, my skin is buzzing with adrenaline.

One twist of the lock and I’m ready to pounce.