A chuckle escapes him and his eyes lock on mine. “I can be very patient when it comes to what I want.”
I stare at him dumbfounded.
“Come on,” he says, standing, before I can find the words, grabbing both of our bags off the floor. “Let me walk you to your car.” A smile plays on his lips. “You jumped tonight,” he says, softer this time. “I’m proud of you, Monroe. You should be proud of yourself too.”
It’s been a very long time since someone said they were proud of me. Since I was proud of myself.
We walk in silence toward my Jeep, the weight of everything unspoken settling between us.
Rhodes opens my door, lingering just a second longer than necessary. “Goodnight, Monroe,” he says, voice steady.
He waits until I pull out of the lot to head home.
Chapter Sixteen
Rhodes
I’m fucked. I haven’t stopped thinking about her mouth for the last two days, and it’s a problem. Monroe Abrams is a serious problem.
Because now I know what she tastes like, and it’s not just a fantasy in my head. I know what she sounds like when she’s gasping against my lips and grinding her hips against me. What it feels like when she’s not fighting to pull away.
And I wantmore,because I’m greedy like that.
It’s not just a passing thought, either. It’s a hunger. A distraction. A permanent fixture in my head, taunting me every time I close my eyes.
Her tongue was in my mouth. I chased her moans with mine.
And I swear to God, I can still feel it. Still feel the way she gasped when I tugged her braid. Still feel herbreath, hot and uneven, when I kissed her neck, ran my hands down the sides of her body.
‘Slow,’ she said. I wasn’t entirely sure I was going to be capable of slow considering I’m halfway to proposing marriage and all we did was make out. I’m pretty sure if she ever lets me closer than that, I’ll be on my knees in more ways than one.
She needs someone in her corner. I want tobein her corner. I want to text her during the day just to hear her bitch about whatever is pissing her off. I want to bring her dinner after my practice because I know she forgets to eat when she’s working on her schoolwork or clinic plans. I want her to snark at me just so I can kiss the attitude off her lips. I want to bring her around my friends.
I should back off and let her have her space. I told her I’d be patient and I’m not a liar. She’s going to drive me crazy, but she isn’t going to scare me off. I’ll let her call it whatever she wants if it lets me get closer.This is my long game.
I stand in my shower and look down at my hand wrapped tightly around my cock, hard at the thought ofher. My jaw clenches at the memory of our tongues tangled together, and it aches. I kissed her so hard I can still feel the imprint of her lips against mine, the phantom press of her tongue against my teeth.
My fingers flex, squeezing my dick, and it pisses me off that it’s not her skin under my hands instead. The water is scorching hot, but it doesn’t burn away the fact that I still want more. I’m trying to be respectful. I am really trying—but my brain won’t stop picturing what her smart mouth would look like wrapped around other parts of me.
I close my eyes, and all I see is Monroe—red hair fisted in my hands, hazel eyes gone dark, gasping my name. My body tenses, pleasure snapping through me like a live wire, and I come so hard my legs shake.
I stand there in the shower, letting the hot water wash my body clean, and I take a deep breath.
I need to get ready for my game tonight and head to the rink. I want Monroe there to see me play. I want her in the stands.
Preferably in my jersey.
I towel dry off as I muse over how I can get her a McKnight jersey delivered before the game starts in a few hours. I shoot a text off to Kelsey to see if she can work some magic in four hours or less.
Rhodes (2:30pm):Kels, I need a favor.
Kelsey (2:30pm):What’s up, McKnight?
Rhodes (2:32pm):Might be out of your scope of work but I need you to get a McKnight jersey to someone before the game tonight. With a note.
Kelsey (2:33pm):Send me the address.
I quickly type in the address and write out what I want the note to say to Monroe. I’m putting the ball in her court. In her arena? Whatever. It’ll be up to her to show.