AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So, what do you do?” I ask her while Ash orders the water.
She hesitates at first, brows pulling together over the bridge of her nose like she’s debating whether to tell the truth. “I just finished defending my doctoral thesis in psychology.”
I can’t hide my admiration—she could be lying, but somehow I doubt it. She strikes me as the type. “Congratulations! That's a huge accomplishment.”
“Yeah, that's what my mom keeps telling me,” she says with a laugh. “It's a huge load off my mind.”
“That's great. It must feel really good.”
“What about you guys?”
We exchange another look over her head. “A little bit of everything,” I settle for replying, and Ash nods in agreement. Usually, you tell a girl you play hockey, and all of a sudden dollar signs dance in their eyes. It doesn't take long for them to be disappointed once they find out we're in the AHL and not exactly pulling down those awesome salaries. That's not what I want tonight to be about, anyway, and I'm pretty sure he feels the same. Neither of us is at a point in our career where we feel particularly thrilled, anyway, not after today's loss. It's not like we really had a chance at the playoffs, but still. That nail in the coffin is hard to deal with. My pride is still stinging a little.
She seems to accept this easily enough, sipping her water. “What are you into?” Ash asks. “Obviously, you’re a great dancer.”
She rolls her eyes. “I'm not going to quit my day job anytime soon. Now that I've got a little more free time, it would be nice to get back into the world and pay attention to things. I'm looking forward to watching the Lakers make a run for the playoffs.”
Interesting. I can't remember the last time I met a woman who brought up sports without me mentioning them first. I can see from Ash’s wide eyes he's thinking along the same lines. “What do you think about their chances?” I ask.
“I think if they can take that energy they had at the trade deadline and carry it through, they've got a good chance. I mean, the way they're now supporting LeBron? On paper, it's a done deal.”
Damn. “I have to say, and I'm not trying to be chauvinist, but it's rare to find a woman who follows these things closely.”
“I have a few tricks up my sleeve,” she teases. The light dancing in her eyes is downright hypnotic.
“Maybe you should have gotten a job in sports, instead,” Ash suggests with a grin.
“I don't know if I would want to do that. A bunch of temperamental athletes demanding things?” She scrunches up her nose and shakes her head, and I honestly can't remember the last time I met a woman this adorable and intelligent. If Ash thinks she's all his, he has another think coming.
By the time she's finished her water, though, she chews her lip, her eyes darting back and forth between us. I can't believe how much I want to reach out and touch her, but for once I exercise a little self-control. It's never been so difficult. I have never had to concentrate so hard on keeping my hands to myself.
“I was actually about to head out when you guys came over,” she confesses, her blue eyes locking with mine for an instant. That's all the time it takes for my heart to sink. No, I don't want her to go. This is insane. Since when do I get this way over some random woman?
“Let us walk you to your car,” Ash offers.
“Actually, I didn't drive. I only live a couple of blocks from here, so I was going to walk home.”
“Then we have to escort you,” I point out, shrugging. “We can't have you walking alone at night.”
Her mouth opens like she's going to argue, but instead she merely shrugs. “Okay. I appreciate it, though I'm not trying to take you out of your way.” Is she kidding? I would walk all the way back to Palm Springs with her.
It's nice to be outside, where we don't have to shout to hear each other. On the way, she tells us about the graduation party her mother's throwing for her in another couple of days. It's obvious from the warmth in her voice and the way she smiles that she's got a good relationship with her family.
It's also obvious from her lack of mentioning anything about a boyfriend that she's single. Granted, I would think she would have mentioned something about it before now, like maybe when we first approached her.
We walk with her between us, taking our time. There are moments when her hand brushes mine, and even that brief contact stirs desire deep in me. By the time we reach a small apartment building and she leads us up the steps to her second floor unit, there's an electricity in the air. I can't put my finger on it. I only know something has changed.
She comes to a stop in front of a door and turns to us, offering a shy smile that's unlike the brilliant, flirtatious smile she wore earlier. “Well, this is me,” she murmurs. “Thank you both for walking me home. It might sound cheesy, but it's nice to meet a couple of gentlemen.”
Funny, but acting like a gentleman is the last thing on my mind right now.
“It was nice to meet you,” I reach for her. She offers a hug, and I take a moment to savor the scent of her light, floral perfume mixed with the perspiration from a night of dancing. It's all I can do to keep from growling and clutching her to me. Mine, all mine. Instead, I release her so she can hug Ash.
When she pulls away from him, he maintains a grip on her left hand. I take her right, running my thumb over her knuckles. What are we doing here? I'm not sure, but I would like to know more. I would like very much to see where this goes, in fact. There's this unspoken chemistry and yes, maybe it's insane, but I know Ash is thinking along the same lines I am. I don't want to let her go, not just yet.
And that's why I take the chance of leaning in and brushing my lips against hers. Sweet, firm, they part slightly to allow my tongue inside. She sighs softly and melts against me, and by the time I pull away she's leaning against her door like she can't stay upright otherwise. She’s dazed, breathless, and I know the feeling.
Ash is quick to take my place, taking her jaw in his hand and turning her head for his tongue to probe the seam of her lips before he works his way inside, kissing her until she moans. The desire that was already stirring expands, gets hotter, until the only thing that makes sense is for us to take turns indulging in her sweet, lingering kisses.
