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She hesitated to step out onto the ice. She knew how to skate, and she was pretty good at it. But for some reason, Luc made her weak in the knees, and that made her nervous. His deep brown eyes focused on her as she stood, frozen, trying to predict how this was going to end before it even started.
“Kassie?”
She wanted to move, she wanted to strut into the rink and hop onto the ice like a boss. Show him how it was done. But instead, she just stood there as if she was glued to the floor. “Um…” Her eyes darted around the rink. There had to be something out there she could work with. Because if he turned on music and brought out the disco ball and lights, it would be like junior high skating parties all over again. And they always ended with a kiss that she regretted later. Only she knew this one she wouldn’t regret. Then she saw it. Hockey nets. “I have an idea.”
“Okay, I’ll bite. What’s your idea?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
Kassie was already on the move. The plastic covers on her blades smacked against the cement flooring as she walked around the rink to an equipment storage area. “Can we use these?” She pointed to the nets and sticks.
“Yeah. Why?”
She flashed him her own smirk. “How about we play one-on-one?”
“You want to play me one-on-one?”
“Sure. Don’t you think it’d be more fun than skating around in circles? I mean, that’s okay and all. But I’d rather play.” She did her best sexy pout, or at least she thought it was. “Pretty please?”
Maybe it was a bad idea to act so cute, but she knew it’d help her get her way. And it’d be easier to not be turned on by him while they were duking it out one-on-one.
“Oh, I get it. You want to try using some of that O’Conner goalie magic on me?” His dark eyes flashed with a playful glimmer.
“I’m pretty good at protecting the net, yeah. But I’m even better at scoring.” She winked at Luc before hurrying over and grabbing two sticks and a net. Tossing Luc a stick, she added, “Or are you scared you’ll lose to a girl?”
“What? No! Of course not. I mean, I’d like to see you try to score on me.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively, then turned his attention to the net.
He carried the net out onto the ice, stopping to drop his blade covers off before he entered the ice surface. He skated with such grace. It was as though she was seeing him skate for the first time.
“Hey Kass, you’re staring.” Luc laughed as he set up the net.
“Am not.” She turned away and messed with her skates, anything to keep her from acting like a fool any more than she already had. Keeping her attention towards the ground, she pulled off her blade covers and tightened her laces. Then after taking a deep breath and finding her composure, she straightened up and grabbed her stick. “Game on!”
Not waiting for Luc to answer, she skated to center ice and stopped at the blue line, the metal blades digging into the frozen surface, spraying snow slightly into the air. “Ready?”
Luc hit the ice. He shrugged at her question. “I figured you just wanted to get some shots in. Have a little fun?”
“Oh, no. We’re playing. One-on-one. Best of five. We can play half ice, that’s fine. Especially if you don’t think you can handle me on full ice. I’m probably too fast for you anyway.” There was really no good way to play full ice with just the two of them, but it was fun to razz him about it.
“Yeah, we’ll see about that. I was thinking more along the lines of saving my energy for after I win.”
“Oh?”
“Sure. How about a friendly wager? If I win, you skate with me. Music on, colored lights, the whole nine. I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”
Kassie shook her head with a quiet chuckle. She’d met boys like him before, boys who always thought she’d be a meek pushover. Hockey boy sure is full of himself. He really thinks it’s going to be that easy to win, and then I’ll just swoon at his feet. Did he forget she was Kaden O’Conner’s sister? She didn’t know how to lose.
“And what do I get if I win?”
Luc skated around the ice, showboating as usual. “Whatever you want.”
“Okay.” She skated away from him without another word.
“Wait!” Luc chased after her. “What’s it gonna be?”
He was chasing after her and it was amusing. Spinning around so she was facing him and skating backwards, she grinned. Slow strides kept her close enough to him, yet giving her enough room to show off her seamless skating moves. “I don’t know yet. I’ll tell you when I’m ready to collect my prize.”
Luc shook his head. “Okay, princess. Whatever you say.” He grabbed a puck and tossed it into the air with his stick, bouncing it off the blade a few times. “Any special rules you want?”
“Nope, let’s just play.” She got into position in front of him.
