Chapter 3 – Into the Rink
Pivot Play
October
Amelia
While I’m sipping my mocktail, I watch my friends have fun on the crowded dance floor. They’re both stunning and captivating, and it isn’t long before partners come to join them.
Shelly’s a tall blonde with a lithe body who knows how to dance. Right now, she's swaying in sync with two tall men. On the other hand, Nita is a petite, curvy girl with fiery-red locks, draped over a silver fox who's definitely a looker.
You go, girl!
A few gentlemen have asked me to dance, but I'm content to sit back and enjoy the music.
I take another sip and feel a tap on my shoulder. When I look up, I find Mr. Arm Porn grinning down at me. I return his enthusiastic smile with one of my own. His face is free of lipstick now, and I can make out the faint teasing of scruff along his jawline in the dim light. My mouth goes dry all over again.
Mmmmm, lickable.
I shake my head to clear it, and he smirks, conceited but in a way that somehow works for him. Adorable.
He's now wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with the club's name.
“Nice shirt,” I comment.
“Uh, yeah…” he replies, “The owner gave me one of his promotional T-shirts since mine got ruined. We're friends.”
“Of course you are,” I drawl, rolling my eyes. The club's owner, James Raddison, is a well-known hockey player and team captain for the Steel Port Ice Hawks. And just like Jaxson, he's allergic to monogamy.
Steel Port is a town about 80 miles east of Thunder Bay, near the shores of Lake Superior. The rivalry with Thunder Bay runs deep, touching everythingfrom high school sports to the NHL. With the lake at its heart and surrounded by natural beauty, the town thrives on watersports from boating and fishing to all the outdoor adventures locals and visitors can get into.
“Did we get off on the wrong foot? You seem angry with me,” the beautiful man interrupts my thoughts.
“I'll be honest with you, pretty boy,” I say with a touch of snark, “My tolerance for charmers is at zero.”
He sits, uninvited, on the bench next to me. “I knew it!” he exclaims, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You think just because those women were hanging all over me, I'm a womanizer.Theywere attackingme,”he adds, emphasizing the last part.
“Well, aren't you, pretty boy?” I fire off at him. “How many platonic female friends do you have? Or maybe friends with benefits? Got a steady girlfriend, huh?” I raise my brows sarcastically.
“I have lots of friends who are girls,” he defends himself. “I may not have a steady girlfriend, but I don't do friends with benefits, either.”
I scoff, rolling my eyes again for good measure.
“I'll prove it!” he declares. “We can go in there right now, and you can ask anyone who knows me. They'll tell you I'm not a man-hoe.”
“Puh-lease!” I scoff. “All you men stick together. If you told them to say you were a practicing monk, they'd do their darndest to convince me.”
“Who's hurt you, love?” He looks at me sadly, making it impossible for me to hold his gaze. Tears well up in my eyes, and I quickly turn away.
“Hey, hey,” he continues softly. “Don't do that. I can't stand to see a beautiful girl cry.” He reaches out, cupping my face between his huge hands, wiping at the tears with his thumbs. “You're a really pretty crier, though.” He grins.
I can't help it, I snort-laugh, covering my mouth in embarrassment. He just grins bigger.
“Let's start fresh.” He extends his hand. “My friends call me Bash.”
I take it in mine. It's a bit rough, yet warm. “Amelia,” I reply softly.
“Amelia,” he says, rolling it across his tongue like a caress, and I blush. He holds my hand a moment too long, but before it becomes awkward, he lets go.
