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“You sure it wasn’t too bloodthirsty for you?” he joked, giving me a wink.
“Nope… but it sure was fast,” I said as the cold of the rink bit at my cheeks.
He tugged me by the wrist. “How about getting a coffee to warm up?”
I was so taken with what a genuine guy he was, and the way we were getting along, that I could think of plenty of ways to warm up. What annoyed me the most was knowing I was leaving for home early the next morning. I couldn't extend my vacation any further.
I needed to get back to my clients, listings, and paperwork.
I’d been checking emails every morning so I could keep on top of things. However, not being able to disconnect from work fully always makes it hard for me to relax on vacation.
“Sounds great,” I replied.
We left the car parked where it was and walked to a cute diner on the corner.
“So, Emmerson says you grew up in Florida?” I asked him on the way. I was too absorbed in our date to know if it was actually one.
“Yeah, I did, until my parents got divorced,” he said.
“Oh, sorry.” When my parents announced a couple of years back they were getting divorced, it knocked the wind out of my sails. I don’t think I’ve ever been the same since.
“Don’t be. I moved with my Dad to Seattle. None of it was my choice.” He sighed, and it sounded a little sad. This clearly wasn’t a good thing for him.
“Which do you like the most, Seattle or Florida?” I attempted to divert the conversation from anything that could remove his cute smile.
I didn't want to be the cause of his frown.
“I like them both pretty much equally,” he said. “I’m kind of used to the Seattle climate now. But I miss the Florida sun.”
"Come out after the playoffs," I blurted. This made him laugh. I couldn’t believe my mouth was running away with itself so early in the conversation with him.
It was like I had no damned filter around him.
“Maybe I will, Maddison.”
The way he said my name like that. It was different than how others say it.
“Call me Mads or Maddie; everyone does.”
“I am due a trip back home soon, Maddie. I might visit you while I'm there.”
I giggled like a schoolgirl, unable to control myself. “I think I’d like that.”
Yeah, a little too much. I also liked how he leaned me up against the car as we walked back after our coffee—continued with some pretty heated kissing in the parking lot. I’m sure we would have done a lot more, given the chance.
I wasn’t opposed to a quick romp, but logistics were an issue, given I was staying at Emmerson’s parents with her and leaving in the morning.
It was not a good time to start something I was uncertain of finishing.
The thing I loved the most about meeting him was he seemed totally engaged in everything I said. His intense gaze made me nervous. I’d never really experience this with other guys.
He looked at me differently than anyone had. I'd never felt this nervous with a guy. He didn’t care that I knew nothing about ice hockey. Maybe he found it endearing or slightly ridiculous, or something.
I was sure him being one of the leading defensemen in the NHL meant he had women throwing themselves at him night and day. My friends referred to them as ‘puck bunnies.’ I’m sure a guy like Ashton has had plenty of women throwing themselves at him.
He impressed me, though, especially because he didn’t come across as a big hot shot. That would’ve put me off.
I’m pretty small, he’d towered over me as I’d leaned back against the car, holding onto the handle for dear life.
