With a straight face, I nod, knowing damn well he’s full of it. “Of course.”

We hold each other’s gaze, and my heart speeds up in my chest as I get lost in his sinful eyes.

“Put your tongue back in your mouth,” Skylar teases, and I snap my mouth shut as Jace’s grin grows. “What the hell is going on here?”

Without taking his eyes from mine, he answers her. “Mayhem. I don’t know how my brothers did this crazy. I tried to enjoy the party. Five seconds later, shit is wack.”

“Did you give everyone duties?”

His brow rises as his eyes do a slow trail down my body. “Um… No?”

“There is your first mistake. Y’all are gonna be cleaning like mad tomorrow. Coach sees this, he’s gonna flip.”

“I know,” he said, letting out a long breath, this time looking away, which is good. I can finally breathe. “Oh well, I’ll worry about it tomorrow.”

He looks around and then runs his hand down his chest. I’m not sure what Skylar and Mekena are thinking, but I am thinking one thing.

Holy hot sex!

He is basically dripping with sex, trouble, and everything naughty. It’s seeping out of his pores and intoxicating me. And I want nothing more than to be consumed by him.

Looking back at Skylar, he asks, “Is this your baby sister?”

Now, I’m the one who can’t stop staring at him. I just have to drink in everything I am seeing. I’m worried it’s all a dream. That he’s not real. He can’t be. I mean, he has the V! The V that points down to where I suddenly want to explore more than I want my next breath. His body is just downright wicked and illegal. No one should be this hot.

“Yup, this is Mekena.”

I’m paying them no mind, and I really don’t notice that he reaches out to shake her hand. I’m too obsessed with the dips of his muscles, the lines of his chest and jaw, and then the impressive bulge in his shorts.

I’m thinking that Ms. Skylar was completely right.

Because I’m pretty damn sure that isn’t a hockey stick in his pants.

Before I can stop myself, I’m reaching out, my finger poking him in the shoulder. His skin is hot under my finger, and I swear every inch of me breaks out in gooseflesh. He must have been talking because he pauses, looking over at me with a grin. His eyes are locked on mine, and it takes everything for me not to drool.

“Yes?”

“Sorry,” I say stupidly. “I don’t think you’re real.”

His grin is unstoppable as Skylar and Mekena laugh. Taking a step toward me, he invades my personal space with his nose almost touching mine as he holds my gaze. “I said that earlier, that you were a complete figment of my imagination because there is no way someone as gorgeous and talented as you could be gracing my presence.”

I’m breathless and my stomach hurts from the butterflies going nuts as I gasp for air. He takes a step closer and I honestly don’t know what is happening. I want him—Lord, do I want him—but I have no clue who he is. Nothing. Only what I’ve heard. I’m not that girl, but he’s bringing that girl out somehow. I’m two seconds from climbing him like a tree and riding his face until I can’t take it any longer.

“I’ve been thinking about you.”

“You have?” I gasp and he nods.

“All day, and then I was wondering when you’d show up.”

“We got food first.”

I don’t think he hears me, though, his gaze dropping to my lips. I hold my breath as he cups my jaw, his thumb moving hypnotically along my bottom lip. His eyes are so dark, almost black, as the air around us becomes electrified. I don’t know what is happening, but shit, I want more. His body is so hot, desire coming off him in waves, crashing against me as I just try to breathe. He’s like a lion and I feel like his prey with the way he is looking at me. So animalistic, and I’m honestly unsure if he wants me or if he wants to kill me.

It’s intoxicating.

Never in my life has anyone looked at me like this guy.

This hockey player has my whole body begging for his.

How? Why? And Jesus, what is going to happen next?

“Do you two know each other?”

“Nope,” we both say at the same time.

“But that’s gonna change,” he murmurs and I nod.

“Yeah, it is.”

“I feel like I should look away,” I hear Mekena say, and I would laugh, but we are sharing the same breath, our lips are so close.

“Yeah, let’s get a drink.”

But Jace doesn’t move.

Neither do I.

“I got you something,” he mutters and I hold my breath as he moves. Suddenly, he brings a beer bottle up for me to see. “I’ve been keeping it safe for you.”

Swallowing loudly, I know I’m in trouble. I know I should run. But instead, I hold his gaze, my lips curving as I whisper, “Oh, Larry.”

Well, I thought I’d whispered, but actually, I whimpered. And that has his eyes darkening even more. His face flushes, the splotches appearing down his chest. My body is tingling, and the white-hot lust that is running through my body is downright confusing. How can I want someone this badly? Especially someone I don’t even know.

“What is going on here?” he asks suddenly and I can’t even answer.

My breath is coming out hard. His hands tighten on my hip and jaw, and I can feel his heartbeat against mine. I know I shouldn’t let him be this close, touching me, but I can’t stop him. Let alone think. Because thinking isn’t even an option.

Nothing is except to be completely lost in the green depths of his eyes.

Somehow, I blink dumbly at him and I shrug, which causes his lips to curve. “I have no clue.”

“Me either.”

“But I like it.”

“Oh, Diane, me too. So fucking much,” he whispers back as his lips slowly start to drop down to mine. I close my eyes, my hands coming up on his bare chest, ready for the kiss I know will be fucking amazing…but nothing happens.

Opening my eyes, I watch as he lets me go, being pulled back by a group of guys.

They are turning him upside down.

Oh, fun, it’s time for a keg stand.

Great.

Not.

Even upside down, my No Dating Diane is gorgeous.

Shit, I should really ask her for her name.