Hearts On Ice

by Janae Keyes

  “Baby—”

  “Don’t call me your baby,” I shot, cutting him ff. I saw the shock on his face with my counter. I’d been raised to never take shit and I wasn’t taking it. Max would have to know that from moment one. “What’s in the bag?”

  “A surprise,” he answered as he came and sat next to me and looked down at his hands. We sat for a moment in pure silence.

  “Do what you came here for or leave.” I gave him an ultimatum. He wasn’t going to waste my time. He should have been grateful that I was allowing him to apologize or at least attempt to.

  “Fuck, I don’t know how to do this. I don’t know where to fucking start.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry I made assumptions based on what I saw. That wasn’t cool. It also wasn’t cool to call you a hoe. I’m so fucking sorry. Please, you need to know just how sorry I am.”

  He took my hands into his and looked into my eyes. I swallowed at the piercing of his steel gray eyes into mine. He had this effect over my entire body. I was drawn into him. I’d never wanted another man like I wanted Max.

  “Lia, baby, I’ve never felt connected to another person and with you it’s an explosion of everything at once. You saved me from a dark place. You pulled me from my ashes. Thinking about living without you fucking hurts my heart and I’ve never experienced that before. I can’t tell you how sorry I am. I can only tell you over and over again. Baby, please know I need you.”

  “Max,” I started. “Fucking do that again and I will fucking end you. Hear me?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He gave me the biggest grin before he grabbed my face between his hands and kissed me with the most passion I’d ever felt.

  His tongue slipping over my bottom lip, I parted my lips to allow its entrance. I needed him to touch me and give me his all as he’d done the night before. Through my anger, I still burned for his touches.

  Our kissing was messy and wild. We were tangled in one another on my bed. My tank top came over my head and his body over mine as he laid me down flat. His lips travelled from my lips to my neck and collarbone. I moaned as his teeth nipped at my skin.

  “I don’t think I can get enough of you,” Max said, his eyes peering into mine, setting me aflame.

  His fingers took the band of my sweatpants and ripped them down my legs and tossed them somewhere to the side. I wasn’t wearing panties and he grinned. My legs spread wide for him. I wanted to give him everything, baring my all for Max and only Max.

  “Tell me what you want me to do, baby,” he demanded of me as he took off his T-shirt.

  My eyes were glued to his large arms and chest. With him, I felt like a china doll and he was a bull in my china shop. I wanted him to break me, repair me, and shatter me again.

  “You going to tell me?” he questioned as he lowered himself, planting kisses on my belly.

  I giggled at the feather light kisses he left in a trail down from my belly button. I moaned knowing where he was going.

  “You want me to eat this pussy, don’t you?” He slid his finger over my slit and back up again, rubbing over my clit in a moment of teasing. My hips arched toward him.

  “Mmm humm,” I moaned as his thumb pressed to my clit, the pressure driving me insane.

  “Tell me, Lia,”

  “I-I…I-I…” I couldn’t dare say it out loud, my face burning hot in embarrassment.

  Max chuckled at my bashfulness. I wasn’t a stranger to sex, but the dirty talk was a whole new ball game, and Max was the umpire. Taking a deep breath, I confronted my shame head on. “I want you to eat my pussy, Max.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  It became no secret that Max was hungry as his mouth began its assault on my essence. He lapped and sucked, the sensations in me building. I fought to keep them at bay, to make it last that much longer, but the moment he attacked my clit with his tongue and thrust a couple of fingers in me, I was done for.

  “Oh, fuck me, Max!” I cried as my orgasm washed over me. “I need you, Max. I need you to fuck me hard. Oh please, Max, give me Big Zeus.”

  My embarrassment had left my system, leaving me crazed and begging for him. I was pleading for another release at his will.

  Max was already taking off his pants and setting Zeus free by the time my high began to fade. Before I could properly register it, he slammed into me, giving me all I desired. I rocked my hips to meet his and to chase my explosive release.

  “Fuck, I love how tight you are for me. I love how wet you are for me too,” Max chanted as if he was praying to a goddess and making heavenly devotions to me.

  I wrapped my legs around him, urging him in deeper and to take me and mark me as his. This was much more than I’d ever dreamed it would be. This was a real living connection between the two of us.

  “I’m going to cum. Max, I’m going to cum. I can’t take it anymore,” I declared before his fingers took to my clit, rubbing me hard.

  “Then cum for me, baby girl. Cum all over my big cock. Cum for Zeus.”

  And with that I came, screaming out Max’s name, declaring myself to him.

  I learned what was in the paper bag. Max had ordered cheesecake and strawberries from a local restaurant and had it delivered. We spent our time devouring the cheesecake together before he pulled me to his chest and held me tight as if he was proclaiming to never let me go.

  My lips planted wispy kisses on Max’s chest before I moved to his lips. His big hands gripped my waist, bringing me in closer. Our bodies were practically molded together as if we were puzzle pieces that were made to be together.

  “Thanks for the cheesecake. You sure know how to apologize,” I mentioned before placing a kiss on the tip of his nose. “Now, I get to go to the gym and work it off before Beverly slams me for gaining a million pounds.”

  “You’re perfect how you are now,” Max declared at once.

  “Not for skating, sadly. I need to lose a few more pounds.”

  I lazily traced the lines of his tattoos with the tip of my finger. I’d never dated a guy with tattoos. Hell, I’d never dated anyone as outspoken as Max before. He was a force that never backed down.

  “Question,” Max stated.

  “Shoot.”

  “What the hell did Damian whisper to you this morning?” He asked almost anxiously. I giggled at his inquiry. “You looked pretty damn turned on by it.”

  “He said, ‘There goes Big Zeus.’ Obviously talking about you, Mr. Madden,” I noted to my boyfriend who’d showed me his jealous side. I liked him jealous but he needed to work on that temper.

  “So, he knows about us?”

  “He does. Damian predicted it before it even happened.”

  Max shook his head and squeezed me tight. His lips planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

  “JC called me today. Over the weekend, I’ll head down to Team USA’s training center. I guess the coach wants to see what I’ve got. They want me to hang out for a few days. It should be interesting, but…” He paused and played around with my hair. “I’ll miss you.”

  “I’ll miss you too,” I cooed before kissing him. “Are you healed enough to go?” I asked, concerned for his leg and the healing process.

  “Yeah, I shouldn’t overdo it, but Mika said I should go. The doctor will give me a final look over tomorrow to confirm my progress,” he explained.

  Something stuck me. With Max, I wasn’t just myself but a more relaxed version. With him, everything was completely effortless and at ease. I’d spent every moment of every day feeling like I had something to prove, but there was nothing I had to prove to him. I could just be me.

  “One day, we’ll have to leave this place. We’ll have to go back to our lives outside the confines of the center. We’ll be fully recovered and back to doing what we do best fulltime. I know this is new and all, but I’m afraid it won’t last. Our insane lives can only take so much distance and hectic scheduling,” I said, revealing my thoughts aloud.

  It was true. We’d leave the center and be the a
thletes we were trained to be. I had the World Championships coming up, and Max had his hockey career. There was the attention we would receive, much of it would be negative and invasive.

  “I’m telling you this right here and now.” Max sat up and pulled me to look directly in his eyes. A wave of seriousness washed over us. My heart was pounding with his grip on me and his eyes filled with intensity. “I’m not going to let you go now or ever. You’re mine for now and always. I can’t let you go. I’ve known this from our first kiss. I refuse to let you go. Do you hear me?”

  “Yeah, I hear you,” I answered to a smile on his face.

  We laid back together, intertwined in a state of being that it was obvious we’d both never experienced. I let my mind wander to the World Championships. I swallowed and shifted as I tried to banish my fears.

  “Something's wrong. I feel it,” Max said, breaking the silence.

  “I’m nervous about my routines for the World Championships. I’m pushing envelopes and after last time, there are worries. I’m worried about my jumps. Landing on the wrong edge nearly ended my career. I’m so afraid of that again. Then my routine is so outside of the norm. It is sexy and provocative. Will people think it is too much?” I spewed my worries and thoughts. I’d expressed some of these thoughts in my individual session with Cynthia, but only with Max I felt completely comfortable to let everything out.

  “You’re never too much. You’re more than enough, but never too much,” Max declared in my ear, biting my lobe and making me moan.

  “Mmm, Max, you’re corrupting me,” I scolded.

  “Then I’m doing my job by corrupting America’s Ice Princess,” he joked.

  Me and my bad boy… I wondered what the world would think of our pairing. The Ice Princess and the bad boy of hockey. We weren’t the obvious pair, but we meshed. I was his and there were no returns or exchanges.

  14

  Max

  “Come on, baby, just give me a taste,” I growled at Lia who laid under me on my bed. It was time for me to leave and head down to meet with Team USA. I was packed and ready to go, but I needed just one last taste of my sweet girl.

  “Max, I can’t take anymore. I don’t think I can take it,” Lia panted.

  I could literally see her pulse as her heart pounded in exhilaration. Her mouth was saying she couldn’t, but her eyes were blazing for more. Her naked frame looked delicate on my bed as she breathed deep and hard. I’d be away from her for a few days. I needed every little bit I could get of my sweet girl. I wanted just a little something to remember her by. I’d just made her cum for the third time and each time her screams were better than the last. Hearing her screams alone were an addiction.

  I licked my lips, I could still taste the lingering sweet cream that coated them from her last orgasm that I’d licked out of her. Lia couldn’t get enough of my licks and sucks, and I couldn’t get enough either. Lia moaned, her hips already beginning to grind at my leg, she wanted more. Yes, she surely wanted more.

  I buried Big Zeus inside of her, her back arching from the bed and her cries demanding me to go harder and faster. Lia had a thirst to be quenched, and I was the man for the job.

  “That’s it, baby, scream my name,” I grunted as I came to my knees, pushing her onto her side and lifting her limber leg. Damn, I’d fucked plenty of models that were stiff as cardboard, but Lia’s athletic limbs were pliable and could do practically any position.

  Slamming into her, I watched her perfect chocolate globes bounce as I pressed my thumb to her clit, forcing her toward our combined explosion.

  A deep throaty growl erupted from her throat as her slick opening tightened around me, squeezing tight before she exploded all around my dick. Her pleasure dragged me to my end as I filled her with a yell. The intensity of it all was dizzying.

  I pulled Lia into my arms and kissed her forehead before moving her sweat soaked hair from her forehead. Her face was a picture to keep in my mind. The ecstasy was swimming in her eyes. Her lips were parted as she panted in exhaustion. And her hair in that just-fucked state always enticed me more.

  “I’m so sore. I don’t know how I will be able to skate today,” she fussed as she sat up on the bed with the sheet barely covering her body.

  I’d take her again if I didn’t need to go. Reluctantly, I left the bed and started getting dressed. Lia’s eyes were on me the entire time, a shy smile gracing her lips.

  “There’s more of that when I get back, baby,” I told her with a wink.

  I chuckled as Lia covered her face in slight embarrassment. I adored her innocent spirit. She had experience, but for the most part, she’d been sheltered and she’d only lived for skating. Now, she was mine and I would ruin her for the better.

  Someone knocked on the door as I slipped my T-shirt over my head. As I sauntered toward the door, I spotted Lia covering herself as much as possible. I opened the door to expect a Willows Center employee ready to take my things, but instead I saw the lopsided smile of my best friend.

  “Been waiting for you in the lobby for a whole fucking hour,” JC said as he pushed his way into the cabin. “Are you just ready now?”

  “Sorry, but I had something to take care of,” I informed him as I threw my backpack on.

  “More like someone,” JC scolded, his eyes directly on Lia who held the bedsheet firmly to her chest.

  Without any words I found myself beside the bed and bending down to my girl. I pulled her into a deep kiss. I wouldn’t have another one for at least three or four days. Never mind that JC was in the room. I was going to savor the very best of our last moments together.

  “See you in a few, baby girl,” I cooed to her, unable to let her go, but knowing I had to.

  “See you,” Lia said, her sweet voice wrapping around me.

  She was mine and there was no debating it or any sense in fighting it.

  “If the two of you are done, we need to get on the road,” JC snapped as he brought me out of my trance.

  I sighed and gave Lia a final kiss before I reluctantly turned my back to her. Fuck! That was the hardest thing to do. I couldn’t help but steal one more look at the sexy piece of woman that occupied my bed. I’d left plenty of girls behind for hockey, but leaving Lia was another story.

  “Don’t get your panties in a twist, JC,” I said as I grabbed my suitcase and passed my friend by as he shook his head.

  Closing the door behind me, I tried to fight away the strain on my heart. That girl held the string to my existence without even knowing it. Everything was trusted in her. Honestly, if I was willing to admit it to myself or anyone else, she’d held me in her grasp from the moment we met.

  “Can’t keep your dick in your pants for longer than a few days, can you?” JC drove along the highway toward our destination.

  I ignored his fussing as I texted back and forth with Lia as he drove.

  “And you said she wasn’t a distraction. You’re a mess over there and distracted as all hell.”

  “JC, lay the fuck off,” I growled. “Who I’m with is none of your business.”

  “It damn well is my business when my livelihood depends on you and where your fucking head is. Sadly, I’m talking about both heads because you only seem to think with the one in your pants,” JC snapped at me.

  I rolled my eyes. My relationship with Lia was more than just fucking. She had something in her that made me want to be a better man; a man she could depend on to love her.

  “Shut the fuck up! I fucking love that girl and I’ll do anything for her,” I insisted.

  It was the first time I’d said anything out loud about the L-word. It was the first time I’d said I loved anyone at all. Max Madden didn’t love. It wasn’t something I did, but things had changed. Lia had caused that change.

  “Yeah, we’re fucked,” JC commented, but he didn’t say anything else. He kept driving. JC knew better than to say anything else to me.

  After getting settled into my hotel room, JC took me straight to the pra
ctice center. I wasn’t one to admit to being nervous, but I was. Being on this team meant everything. I could show my talents a million times over with the NHL and make millions, but there was something about showing the entire fucking world what you could do.

  “There he is; the one and only Max Madden,” someone said as JC and I entered a conference room. Sitting at the table were two men.

  The bald one gave me a nod. The other one was the charismatic manager, Richard. The plump man stood and came around the table. I tried to keep my eyes from scanning his orange complexion and terrible bleached blonde hair.

  “Max, it’s good to see you. I trust your injury is healing well.” Richard said he shook my hand.

  “It’s healing pretty well, Rich. I’m working my ass off to get back in the game.”

  “Sit down, both of you. We have a lot to catch up on,” Richard said gleefully and took his seat.

  I pulled out a chair and sat with JC next to me. Richard looked like a kid in a candy shop while Tom sat next to him with a stone face. I knew the person I was there to impress was Tom. He was the one who would say if I could play or not. Fuck, that man was a hard cookie to crack too.

  “I’m going to cut to the chase, “Tom started. “Are you ready to play?”

  “Well, Tom, my physical therapist and the doctor agree I should take it easy to begin with, but I can play with no problem. I’m still healing and I’m taking my time at the Willows Center seriously. I want to be back in the game.” If Tom wanted to cut to the chase, I would.

  “The guys will be on the ice tomorrow. Be here at 9am, gear up, and show me that you’re ready,” he nearly demanded.

  Fuck, dude was serious and I had to show him I was also serious about staying on the team. “You got it, Tom!”

  I supposed it was set. I had to grow a pair and get out there. I would show Tom that I deserved my spot on the Olympic team. I would be in Pyeongchang with my girl. We would both show the world that we had come back from injuries and we were the champions that we were perceived to be.