Page 62 of Snowflakes and Ice Skates

He had long golden blond hair that constantly fell in his face like it couldn’t resist grazing his cheeks. Those high, perfect cheekbones that belonged on the runway, not the ice. His nose had two bumps from being broken so many times, but it only made him more rugged. More handsome. He was one of the bigger guys on the team, over six and a half feet tall and thick. He was all muscle which made him like a solid wall on the ice. Anyone that tried to take him usually ended up on their backs. His size should make him intimidating, but it all came back to that stupid smile. It was hard to be afraid of him when he flashed those dimples every chance he had.

“Jess has a crush!” Dani did a little dance while chanting the words.

“Stop.” I closed my eyes and dropped my head. How did this happen? I’d kept this secret for four months. Why now?

“K-I-S-S…” She stopped mid-song, and I opened my eyes.

My heart dropped to the floor.

Jake and Lance were standing in the doorway, staring at the two of us.

How long had they been there? How much had they heard?

I stared at Dani, willing her to explain without giving me up.

“Hey, having fun?” Jake asked with a laugh.

Dani nodded, her eyes darting to me as she gave him a hug. I widened mine, silently screaming at her to keep her mouth shut. If they didn’t hear who she was singing that ridiculous song about, she might live.

If they did…I might die of embarrassment, but I’d take her down with me.

“What are you guys up to?” Lance asked while watching me.

“Putting together the centerpieces for the holiday party. We’re putting everything we need for one table in each box so it’s easy and quick to set up.” I realized I was talking too much and stopped before going into detail about the floral arrangements.

“Cool.” He nodded and peeked into the closest one on the table. “We’re between training sessions. We have about an hour or so before we have to be back to the arena, so we were going to get lunch. Have you guys eaten?”

I shook my head. He wasn’t acting any differently. Maybe he didn’t hear Dani’s song after all.

“Do you want to come? You can tell me who was sitting in a tree.” He smiled while I felt my soul leave my body for a moment. He heard. He knew we were talking about two people. Kissing. I glanced at his full, plush lips. What would kissing those be like?

Ah. No. Bad Jessica!

“Oh, I’m not sure who she was talking about. She’s been in a weird mood all morning.” I shot her a glare across the room, and she ducked her head.

“Too bad. I was hoping you guys had some juicy gossip.” He smiled, and his dimples creased, making me forget what we were talking about. He nodded toward my desk. “Do you need your coat?”

I realized I was about to walk outside without it. “Right.”

I hurried back and slipped it on before picking up my purse. I needed to get my head straight. Jake and Dani were holding hands waiting outside when Lance opened the door and held it for me.

“Thanks,” I stepped past him, close enough to catch his rich scent of cedar and citrus. It was an odd mixture, but I liked it. Of course.

Why didn’t anything about him repulse me as I wanted it to?

He was dangerous. I needed to stay strong. As we walked to the nearby bakery, I practiced saying no in my head over and over. I would not cave. I couldn't. There was only one way things would end, with me hurt.

Four

Lance

You like him. Just a little...Jess has a crush!

Dani’s words ran through my mind on a loop. If only we arrived ten seconds earlier, then I would have heard the name. Who did she like? I wanted to ask until I got the answer, but Jess was acting off through all of lunch. She barely met my eyes and barely said two words. Was she really that embarrassed that we heard Dani teasing her? Or was it something else?

Why did I care so much? Sure, I was attracted to her and wanted to have the chance to get to know her better, but she made it clear she wasn’t interested in that with me. I needed to let it go, but I couldn’t. And it wasn’t just me being stubborn. My heart and mind refused to move on.

Some of the guys, and the Pride, would probably say it was because I wanted what I couldn’t have. But it wasn’t that simple. I’d known Jess for over a year and the attraction hadn’t faded, it actually grew over time. The more I got to know her, the more I wanted. It was like I couldn’t get enough.