“Yeah, I can.” She smiled, suddenly shy. “I’ll get some of that stuff done early. And I don’t have class until ten on Thursday. Unless you need to be up early.”

“I have dryland that morning, but I can come back after. I should be home around eight.” Crawling back into my bed to find James in it was my literal idea of heaven.

“That works,” Bailey said. “I still have a group project to deal with tonight anyway. We’re having issues between group members, and I have to play mediator.” She rolled her eyes, letting out a huff of annoyance that was more cute than angry.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her really angry. Irritated, yes. But never losing her temper. It was probably inevitable with my dumb ass, though.

“Unfortunately, I have a lot of schoolwork to finish before tomorrow too,” I said. “And now that I can kiss you freely, I’m not sure I would be as productive with you here as I was last time.”

“Let’s be honest.” Her green-gold eyes traced my face, pink lips tipping upward. “You weren’t trying to be productive then, either.”

Was I that obvious? Damn.

“I may have been buying some time,” I admitted. “But Ward has consistently bad timing.”

Her jaw dropped, her mouth forming a little O. “So you were going to kiss me.” She swatted my arm playfully.

I smiled. I was busted and I knew it. “I was sure going to try.”

“You can kiss me now if you want,” she said, her voice turning breathy.

Coming closer, I twined a hand in her hair, pulling her to me. Our lips came together softly. She placed a cool hand along my jaw as she kissed me back.

I could only describe it as a shut-off switch for my brain, because everything else faded away. The moment stretched out forever. All that existed were her sweet lips moving against my lips in the most achingly perfect way and her body pressed up against mine.

Slowly, we broke apart. Her lips curved into a shy smile again. Then her expression turned serious, and she studied my face.

“Speaking of schoolwork, how’s that probation going?”

“Thanks to you and to the good grade I got on my essay,” I said, “I am officially out of the woods on that one.” And I was trying to keep it that way. Unless I lost my cool and beat the shit out of Morrison in the near future, which was a strong possibility and would absolutely be worth it.

Ideally, though, I’d clobber him on the ice, thereby helping the team while avoiding jail.

“Really?” Bailey’s face brightened and she squeezed my hand. “That’s great.”

“Yeah, but I still have to watch myself. Like at the game against you guys this week.”