Fake Dating My Ex's Favourite Hockey Player - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

The music pulses through the air, the energy in the room electric. Laughter and cheers surround us as guests take turns playing the body shots game.
We ditched the pool for something a little more intimate. The bar barely fits thirty of us, but that only makes everything feel more dangerous. More thrilling.
The game is simple: one person in a couple sits on the floor, we spin the bottle, and whoever it lands on can either do body shots with their partner—or pick someone else.
For me, it’s risky as hell.
But I’d rather pretend I’m into it than end up as tomorrow’s first victim in shots roulette.
A round finishes. Two guys—ridiculously hot, obviously—pull apart, their lips glistening from salt and tequila. I swear, being unfairly attractive must be a requirement to get on this guest list.
“This is going to be fun,” Liam murmurs, nudging my shoulder. His voice is low, teasing.
We’re perched on barstools, waiting for our turn to sit on the floor.
It was Liam who did it last time, so unfortunately it’s my turn now.
I sigh. “It’s so annoying how we never agree on anything.”
“You love it,” he corrects smoothly.
I roll my eyes, but before I can retort, he leans in, close enough that his breath grazes my cheek.
“Well, doesn’t change the fact that I’d do anything to get my hands on you.”
My heart skips.
I nearly choke on my own spit.
Did I hear that right?
I don’t even get the chance to ask because I hear a giggle next to us.
“You two are so adorable!” she coos, leaning in like we’re in on some secret.
It’s the girl who was hanging off Stone’s arm yesterday.
Liam and I share a look.
Then, because I’m obviously the more mature one of us two, I give her a slightly awkward smile. “Ha.. thanks?”
No wonder Liam said that. It would’ve been weird if he hadn’t. People are watching us.
The girl slides her stool closer, her voice dropping. “You know… I actually saw your arti—”
“Gather round everyone!” Pink hair says excitedly as the two guys finally peel off each other, looking smug as hell. “We’re starting the next round of spin the bottle!”
“Good luck, love. Hopefully it lands on you.”
He winks. My stomach flips.
But I barely register his words, focusing on getting the hell away from Stone’s girl.
What was that? Was she really about to try sucking up to me because my parents are billionaires?
I try not to let it get to me but I fume internally. If I had gone out before Liam calmed me down, I would have blown up in her face before she even said a word.
Thank God for these stupid body shots
We all settle on the floor. I haven’t even been here for a full minute, and my ass already hurts.
“Alright, let’s—” Pink starts, but Becca cuts her off.
“How about I spin this round, Tonia?” she asks, all sweet smiles—but her eyes? They’re locked on me, sharp as a blade.
A shiver runs down my spine.
Tonia laughs. “Girl, it’s your cruise. You could literally throw me off this ship and—wait, no, I’m kidding. Please don’t throw me out.”
She’s still a little buzzed. They go back and forth for a bit before Becca finally grabs the bottle and gives it a hard spin.
Her gaze stays glued to it, like she’s willing it to land exactly where she wants.
And of course, it does.
On me.
Fucking body shots.
“Emilia!” Tonia practically squeals, eyes lighting up. Oh, she’s been waiting for this. “So? Are you picking Liam, or is someone else catching your eye? Better yet, are you picking for him? Maybe… me?”
My stomach twists.
I can’t believe this is happening. Can’t I just will the ground to swallow me whole?
Why is luck never on my side?
The thought of doing body shots with anyone else makes my skin crawl. But Liam? As much of a pain in the ass as he is, I feel comfortable with him.
I try not to focus on the weird, tight feeling in my chest at the idea of him doing them with someone else.
“Liam,” I say before I can overthink it.
Becca claps, looking way too pleased. Her gaze flicks to Zane, who’s deep in conversation with some teammates. “Emilia and Liam! Body shots!”
Zane’s whole body stiffens.
Slowly, so slowly, he turns to look at me.
I look away. Fast.
I wonder how I always manage to end up in inconvenient situations.
Like right now. But here we are, I guess.
Tonia giggles. “Alright, lovebirds, time for the fun part.”
Fun. Right.
“You know the drill,” Becca says, eyes glinting with something unreadable. “Shirt off, Liam.”
My stomach drops.
“Seriously?” I blurt out.
Liam simply laughs and shakes his head. “Sorry Becca. No can do. My girl’s the jealous type.”
I flush at his comment and it’s obvious Becca doesn't appreciate it either.
He’s leaning back against the bar, his shirt unbuttoned just enough to make my pulse race. The dim lighting casts sharp shadows across his chest, highlighting every line, every ridge. And the way he smirks? Like he already knows exactly what he’s doing to me.
Damn him.
"You ready for this, love?" His voice is low, teasing. Sinful.
I swallow, ignoring the heat curling low in my stomach. “It’s just a game.”
Liam’s smirk deepens. "Then come closer."
I step between his legs, breath hitching as his hands settle on my waist. His touch is steady, but his grip is firm. Like he’s daring me to run.
Someone presses a lime wedge into my hand. I barely register the salt being sprinkled along the cut of his collarbone, too focused on the way Liam is watching me—like I’m the only thing in the room.
"Go on," he murmurs.
I hesitate. Just for a second.
Then I lower my head.
My lips graze his skin as I lick the salt away.
“Damn,” someone mutters.
The taste is sharp, but not nearly as sharp as the way Liam tenses beneath me. His grip on my waist tightens, just slightly. Enough to make me hyperaware of every single point of contact between us.
The room disappears.
It’s just us now.
I grab the shot glass from his hand, tilt it back, and let the tequila burn its way down. Before I can even recover, Liam’s fingers are under my chin, tilting my face up toward his.
"The lime," he reminds me, voice rough.
I can barely breathe as I lift the wedge to his lips.
He bites down, his eyes never leaving mine.
Heat pools deep in my stomach.
"Your turn," he says, his thumb tracing slow, lazy circles against my waist.
I should step back. I should laugh it off. But I don’t.
I let him pull me closer.
Liam takes the shot glass from my hand, his fingers brushing against mine—a touch so small, so insignificant, but it sends a shiver up my spine all the same.
He leans in, so close that his breath fans across my lips.
"Where do you want it, love?" His voice is low, teasing—thick with something that makes my knees weak.
I don’t answer. I can’t.
His smirk deepens, like he already knows.
Then, before I can even process it, his fingers trail up my arm. Over my shoulder. Down the curve of my collarbone.
He lingers just above my chest, fingers slow. Deliberate.
Finally, he settles on the dip between my ribs.
My breath catches.
"Here?" he asks, his gaze locked onto mine, daring me to stop him.
I don’t.
Someone hands him the salt shaker, and he sprinkles a thin line just below my ribs, his fingers grazing my skin.
A shiver rolls through me.
Then comes the tequila—cool at first, before the heat spreads through me.
"Lime?" I ask, my voice unsteady.
Liam grins, wicked. "My choice, remember?"
Before I can even react, he cups my face. Tilts my chin up.
And then—just barely—his lips brush against mine.
A whisper of contact. A ghost of a kiss.
My pulse skyrockets.
And then, just as I’m about to fall apart—
Liam’s mouth is on my skin.
His tongue flicks over the salt, slow and deliberate, and I swear my heart stops. He doesn’t rush. He takes his time. Lets it linger.
Then he takes the shot, tilting his head back effortlessly. His throat moves, his jaw tenses—and it’s everything.
And just when I finally think I can breathe again—
Liam leans in.
His lips barely ghost over mine as he steals the lime wedge from my fingers.
He bites down, eyes dark. Unreadable.
The room erupts. Cheers. Whistles. Someone yells “Get a room!”
It’s Lacey. Obviously.
But with the way my body reacts, the heat pooling in my lower belly, I start to see the telltale signs of absolute fuckery.
I am so screwed.