A Hockey Player's Guide To Deception

Chapter Thirty-Three

Who knew kissing could be so fun?

Kayla found that she really, really, really liked kissing Louis. It all made her head spin. Each kiss felt like a spark, a rush that made her forget everything else. She didn't know if it was supposed to feel this good, this addictive, but with Louis, it did. 

 She smiled as she gobbled her food down, finally recovered from her injury and back in her room. She couldn't help but grin to herself. If someone had told her a few months back that making out with the team captain would be a great way to relieve stress, she would've laughed in their face. Yet here she was, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. It was ridiculous, reckless, even, but she didn't care.

"What's got you smiling like a freak, Kingston?" Ishaan teased as he playfully bumped Kayla's shoulder. She looked up at him and shook her head.

"Nothing." She cleared her throat, hoping her flushed cheeks weren't obvious.

"No, we're curious now. Why are you smiling, Kingston?" Louis leaned forward, smirking. A conspiratorial spark flickered in his eyes before he leaned back into his chair, folding his arms leisurely.

"I just remembered something funny, that's all." She finally said, plopping a piece of potato into her mouth to end the conversation.

"Please, indulge us," Louis encouraged, raising his brows, that devilish glint in his eyes never fading.

"Yeah, why did you have that big grin on your face?" Ishaan chimed in, tilting his head with mock suspicion.

"I was thinking about how good Louis's head would look like on a skewer." She teased and shrugged.

"Dang, Kingston. What did he do to you?" Ishaan chuckled.

"I've done a lot," Louis responded smoothly, not missing a beat.

Kayla's breath hitched. Her eyes snapped up to his, but he only tilted his head, running a hand lazily through his blond hair, completely unfazed. She quickly dipped her gaze, hoping no one noticed the heat creeping up her neck.

Ishaan looked between them, sensing something, then awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Interesting....." he muttered under his breath, stabbing his fork into his food.

"I'm going to the washroom," Kayla said quickly, sliding gracefully out of her chair.

The boys barely nodded, too caught up in their own banter, but Kayla could feel his eyes on her back. Her pulse quickened with every step she took away from the table.

Her shoes clicked against the polished floor as she marched toward the restrooms. The sound echoed. sharp, quick, nervous. She pushed a stray curl from her face and rounded the corner. The air felt heavier there, quieter.

Just as she reached for the door and pushed through, a shadow moved behind her. Before she could even glance back, a hand caught her wrist and pulled her in. She gasped softly as Louis's familiar voice murmured close to her ear, low and teasing,

"Why are you in a such a hurry Kingston?"

He stepped closer, close enough that she could feel the heat of his body at her back.

"Let go, Louis." Her voice was firm, though her heart was pounding.

"We might get caught." She glanced around anxiously; luckily, the stalls were empty, and it seemed like no one else was inside.

"Relax," he drawled, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"If someone sees us, it's over for us," she admitted, her stomach fluttering with nervous excitement.