Breakaway (Pro-U #1) by Ali Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

beside me.
    "Yeah. I mean, sure. We already are friends." She was flustered. Excellent. Time to dig a little.
    "Well, as your friend , I'm telling you that I don't much like your comment earlier." I shoved half the sandwich in my mouth as she watched me closely.
    "And what comment was that?" Her eyebrow rose sharply.
    "The one about you needing to lose weight. You don't." I let my eyes move down to her chest and back up. "You're beautiful. The perfect size for a woman. I'm not sure who's telling you that shit, but don't hear it. And if it's you... then stop."
    She sat back and pursed her lips. She was pissed for sure.
    I ignored her glare and continued to eat until my sandwich was gone. I didn't mind her taking out her anger on me. Someone needed to push through the Ice Queen's tough disposition, and though I'd stood aside over the years, it felt like now was my time. My turn to open her up.
    A groan rose in me as the image of her arching the long line of her back tainted my thoughts, only this time she was naked, bare to me. I wanted so fucking badly to run my hand down the long line of her chest, over her stomach and bury my fingers in the soft wetness of her body.
    "I'm not talking to you about this," she finally whispered.
    "We don't need to talk about it." I picked up my bag of chips and nodded toward her lunch. "Eat. I know you're not used to anyone telling you anything, but you needed to hear that. Now, eat."
    "You don't know what it's like in the dance company, Lucas. On the ice you get to be who you want to be and that includes physically looking like a monster or being beanpole thin." She picked up her sandwich, and some part of me got off on the fact that she was willing to heed my words and do as I said. She was the perfect combination of strength and submission.
    Walking out of the restaurant with a boner was going to prove to be fun.
    "So, tell me then. I wanna know." I lifted the chip back up and tilted my head back. The door opened to my left and a group of girls called my name. I turned and nodded before putting my attention back on Aubrey. "And tell me whose ass I'm kicking for making you cry earlier."
    She snorted and shook her head. "No one’s ass."
    A smile lifted my lips. "You're just like Jayce. Difficult as hell to crack open."
    "Are you trying to crack me open?" Her voice lowered a little as she gave me a look I'd pay money to see in the bedroom. Every part of me woke up from the slumber I'd been in. I was in deep shit where this girl was concerned, but she wouldn't understand me, wouldn't accept that I'd settled into my brother's shoes to please my parents. She expected me to be something great just like the rest of the world did, and I hated the thought of disappointing her, because I would.
    After the shine of the pros wore off, I'd get tired of pretending to love hockey. Hell, I was almost there now. And then what?
    "Maybe." I winked at her as she slid the other half of her sandwich across the table.
    "Eat that." She licked at her fingers, and my eyes followed her pretty pink tongue closely. How badly I wanted to feel it racing along my skin as she enjoyed herself with all I had to offer.
    "You getting full?" I pulled it toward me and smirked. "Half a sandwich isn't nearly enough for a hard-working girl like you."
    "I'm full." She reached down and picked up the papers from the ground. "Aren't you in my Biology two class?"
    "Yeah. I think so." I worked on her sandwich and tried to think through how I was going to get us in the same room together for the trip.
    Now who was being manipulative?
    "Have you started on the insect project we have coming up?" She brushed her fingers along the table as her expression softened.
    "No. You want to partner up for it?" I grabbed my drink and emptied the cup without taking my eyes off of her.
    "If you're up for it." She picked up her coffee and turned as another group of girls called out my name. "You're so damn popular. Do you get tired of it?"
    "Every minute of