“A surprise,” he said, his lips kicking up a bit. “But I think you, Miss Nosey, ruined it.”
I gasped. “I did not! I just came to see you?—”
His breath fanned my cheek, tickling the nerve-endings he’d sent into overdrive last night. “Because you wanted to see me?”
“Yes,” I breathed.
“Icraveyou, too. Naked and staring up at me with those big, soft eyes.” He pulled back enough to see me. After a moment, he leaned in close and murmured against my ear. “Just like that, though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to be buried inside you right now.”
“For the love of hockey, will you tell me what’s goin’ on?” Ida Jane complained.
“And how I can get season tickets to this show?” Millie added. She sent Stolly a sultry look that I nearly missed thanks to the sensual daze I found myself in.
Stol chuckled and winked at Millie.
“Wanna see what we’ve been working on for you, Han?” Paxton asked. He slid his nose down my cheek. Because he was on skates, he was even taller than normal, so he was basically bent over me. I slid my hands up his warm, thick biceps to his shoulders. I hovered my lips over his and whispered, “Yes.”
“Fuuuuuuck.” Much to my surprise, he didn’t kiss me. Instead, he pushed back, using the momentum to skate away.
“Looks like we’re finished practicing,” Maxim said.
“Time for the main event,” Cormac called. He shot Keelie a smoldering look, and she whimpered as she gripped at my arm.
“Pull yourself together, woman,” Naomi snapped.
“Can’t. He’s damn potent.” Keelie gasped.
“No kidding,” Naomi agreed. “That’s why we have to show them they don’t own us.”
“But they do,” Millie said with wide eyes.
“They really, really do,” I said.
Naomi tossed her hands up. “You’re right. Okay. Let’s sit down. I don’t think our legs will be able to withstand this level of sex appeal.”
My hangover faded still further as I perched on the edge of my seat.
Whoever was manning the sound booth had a great flair for drama because they dropped the lights as the pulsing beat pummeled my ears. But it was Paxton’s ability to move his body—his hips gyrating, his thick thighs and tight butt flexing as he and the guys worked through the dance routine he’d modified for skates—that really got the job done.
His stuttering hips caught my attention, and I licked my lips, but it was the fact that he’d remembered my throwaway comment—that he’d enlisted his teammates in this crazy scheme because he knew I’d find pleasure in the outcome—that pushed me from the teetering edge of love into full-blown adoration.
I’d loved Paxton since I was a child and looked into those bright, curious eyes for the first time. But now he’d become the center of my world. I’d proven I could live without him. I’d finished my degree and even found a new position I loved. I was my own person, but I wanted my destiny intertwined with Pax’s. I planned to spend my days proving to him that he not only deserved my love but made me better because of his willingness to support and love me back.
The dance number ended with the guys on their knees, leaning back until their bare shoulders were against the ice. Their heavy breathing and sweat-slicked bodies showed just how hard they’d pushed themselves.
Naomi wolf whistled while Ida Jane, Keelie, Millie, and I screamed our approval.
“That was a hell of a show.” Paloma stood next to me, her arms crossed.
“One they need to repeat when I’m not hungover and can really appreciate it,” Ida Jane added.
“How did you know about this?” Naomi asked.
Paloma grinned. “Who you do think is running the sound and light board?”
“Coach?” We all gasped.
Paloma’s delighted laugh cut off when she turned back to the ice. “Oh. Well, Hana, I don’t think your show’s over just yet.”
