A Hockey Player's Guide To Deception

Chapter Thirty-Two

Kayla burst out in laughter, her voice breaking into uncontrollable giggles as Louis's fingers found the sensitive spot at her waist. She twisted and kicked beneath him, her laughter echoing through the room, but he didn't stop, his grip was merciless, light and teasing. It had been two weeks since her injury and she was slowly and steadily healing with Louis's help.

"Louis! stop!" she gasped, trying to suck in air between her laughter. Her face was flushed, tears welling in her eyes as she grabbed his wrists, trying to push him off. But he was stronger, and his grip only tightened, keeping her trapped beneath him.

"I don't feel like it." he said, his tone low and teasing.

"Please!" she wheezed, still laughing, though her voice trembled. She pushed harder, but he only leaned in closer, close.

"If you don't stop, I'm going to pee my pants!" Kayla tried to reason between bursts of laughter, clutching at his wrists.

Louis hesitated for a mild second, that was just the opening she needed. With a quick twist of her hips, Kayla jerked to the side, breaking free from his grip. In one fluid motion, she rolled, then scrambled back toward him, using the momentum to push him down instead. Louis let out a surprised grunt as his back hit the bed. Before he could react, Kayla swung one leg over him and then the other, planting herself firmly on top of him, her thighs bracketing his waist. Her palms pressed against his chest for balance, and he moved fast to grab her arms, trapping them by his sides.

She let out a triumphant last laugh but stopped when she looked down and found Louis gazing up at her through darkened eyes. The laughter was gone from his face, replaced by a spark of surprise -- and something else she couldn't quite name. 

"Kayla," he groaned as he dropped his head against the pillow, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His hair clung slightly to his forehead, and he exhaled through parted lips, trying to steady his breathing.

"You need to get off me," he forced out, his voice rough with strain.

"And what if I don't?" she challenged, shrugging stubbornly, her smirk returning.

"Please," he begged, but Kayla only shook her head, clearly enjoying the rare sight of him flustered.

"Can't a girl enjoy her triumphs?" she teased, folding her arms across her chest as she looked down at him, victorious.

"Kayla, I'm serious," he frowned, his brows knitting together.

Kayla's own smile faltered as she noticed the color in his cheeks, flushed red and spreading to the tips of his ears. Her laughter softened into concern.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

"Not when you're literally straddling me like that," he declared, glaring up at her.

Kayla let out a helpless giggle, her mood bubbling over again. She couldn't help it ,  he looked so tense, so adorably frustrated. Seeing him that way made something flutter in her chest. She felt almost powerful, drunk on the strange mix of laughter and closeness.

"Then I can't be blamed for my actions," He continued playfully.

"Wha--"

Before she could finish, Louis moved. In a blur of motion, he twisted his body and flipped them over effortlessly. The air rushed from Kayla's lungs as her back hit the mattress, she barely had time to process what had just happened, and she found herself staring up at him, his arms braced on either side of her head.

His face hovered inches above hers, his eyes burning into hers with a look she couldn't quite decipher, part exasperation, part something far more dangerous. Her stomach knotted in uncertainty as his eyes fluttered closed and he started leaning down toward her, his breath fanning across her cheeks.