by Jaci Burton
"But you want his base to be stout enough to hold him up in stiff winds, especially on top of this hill."
Will laughed. "Okay. We'll make him a little bigger."
Once they had the base, they made the center, which went a little faster.
"How many snowmen have you built?" she asked.
"I don't know. A lot. Mostly in the front yard of our house or at friends' houses."
"Did you build them with your dad?"
"Yeah. A few times. With both my parents. And Ethan--that's my brother--and I would build snowmen together after the first snow of the year every year."
She could picture a young Will hanging out with his mom and dad or his little brother building a snowman in his front yard. It made her heart ache to think about how much fun that must have been.
She could never picture her father or her mother getting knee-deep in the snow with her. It just wasn't their thing.
Which didn't make them bad parents. They just weren't fun and playful.
Enough, Amber. Don't compare.
She went back to the task. They finished the middle. The head was the easiest. But then it occurred to Amber that their snowman would have no face.
"We have a faceless snowman," she said to Will.
"Oh, I took care of that when we were in the dining hall." He unzipped his parka and pulled out a carrot and several small dark round cookies that they used for his eyes, his smile and the buttons on his coat.
"Now he needs arms," Will said. He found some sticks on the ground and broke them into the appropriate sizes to use for his arms.
Amber surveyed their creation. "He's adorable."
"Kneel next to him, Amber. I'll get a picture."
She knelt next to the snowman, put her arm around him and pressed her lips to the side of his face.
Will laughed. "Cute. And now I'm jealous."
She got up and went over to Will, kissing the side of his face.
"Your lips are cold."
"Blame Snowman."
He pulled her against him and wrapped his arms around her. "Are you cold?"
"Getting there."
"We'll go inside in a minute. But first."
Will dropped them both to the ground. Amber laughed. "This isn't warming me up."
"Oh, come on. You have to make out in the snow. If you haven't built a snowman, I'll bet you haven't kissed in the snow."
She pressed her hand to his chest. "How do you know? I might have done this a hundred times."
He searched her face. "Have you?"
She laughed. "No."
He rolled her on top of him and cupped her neck, bringing her face to his for a kiss that warmed her more than being in front of a fire would have. She no longer felt the cold or the snow. Not with warm lips and a hot male body against her.
But then he lifted. "Ready to go?"
"If by 'ready to go,' you mean to your room or mine, then yes. I'm more than ready."
He grinned, got up and pulled her up as well.
"Turn around," she said. "You have snow all over you."
He did, and she brushed all the snow off his back. Of course, he had some on his butt, and it was no hardship to run her hands over his very fine ass and down his legs.
"You're lingering," he said.
"You noticed that, huh?"
"I did." He pivoted to face her. "Your turn."
She turned and he brushed the snow off her back, then bent and cupped her butt.
"I don't think there's snow there."
"There isn't. But you're not going to deny me the chance to touch your amazing ass."
She smiled. "No, but shouldn't we go somewhere to be alone before you do that?"
He peered over her shoulder. "Why? You grabbed my butt here on top of the hill."
"That's different."
"It is? How so."
"I--" She realized she had no answer. "Okay, my entire thought process is sexist, so I'm not even going to finish that statement."
He laughed. "Good." He cupped her butt and kissed her, a long, lingering kiss that made her forget all about their location, or who had grabbed whose butt. The only thing it made her think about was being alone with Will.
Naked and alone.
She clutched his coat with both hands. "We need to go. Now."
His lips curved. "Something you want?"
"Yes. You. Naked. Inside of me. Now."
"Then why the hell are we standing out in the cold on this hill?"
She offered up what she hoped was a sexy smile. "I don't know, Will. What are we doing out here?"
He took her hand and led her down the hill. She wasn't sure, but she thought maybe he had quickened his step as they made their way back to the village. When they got to the main quad, he turned to her.
"Your place or mine?"
"Lisa texted that she was leaving the village to eat with Blake and his parents. My guess is they'll be occupied. Let's go to mine. I'll be sure to text her and let her know you and I are going to be at our place, so she'll steer clear."
"Perfect."
They headed toward her building, and again he quickened his step.
"You in a hurry?" she asked.
As they stepped inside her building, he looked at her. "Already envisioning you naked."
She liked that he was as eager as she was. No doubt he'd had plenty of sex in his lifetime, but for Amber, this was all still new to her.
New and exciting and exhilarating and she wanted a lot more of it.
With Will.
So when they got to her apartment and she opened the door, she had already unzipped her parka and taken off her hat and gloves. Will had shrugged out of his and had taken off his hat. His hair stuck up in places. Hers probably did, too.
She didn't care. She took off her parka and dropped it on the table near the door. When Will drew her into his arms, she reached up to slide her hands into the thick softness of his hair.
Their lips met and it was like an explosion of all the pent-up passion that seemed to be constantly boiling inside of her, ready to erupt. She moaned against his mouth, and when his tongue slid across hers, everything in her body quivered in response. He reached across her rib cage and cupped her breast, teasing her nipple through her sweater.
She fought for breath as he lifted her sweater and palmed her skin. Just the contact of his hand on her bare flesh caused a sexual response, and he was only touching her stomach.
He lifted her sweater over her head, and when she searched his face, the passion she saw reflected in his eyes matched what she felt coursing through her veins. Need sparked within her, and she unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor. She reached for his hands, placing them on her breasts.
"Touch me."
He swept his fingers over her nipples, then bent to take one in his mouth. The brush of his hair across her breasts tickled, but also turned her on in ways she hadn't expected.
Everything was a new experience for her, something she never knew would be so exciting.
She pushed him to the sofa. He sat, and she straddled him, sliding against his erection. He gripped her hips to help her.
"Feel good?" he asked.
"I think I could come with all my clothes on." She laid her hands on his shoulders. "But I'd rather not. I want your cock inside of me."
"Then take your pants off."
She climbed off, shrugged out of her pants and underwear while Will undid his jeans. She went into the bedroom to grab a condom and came back. Will had undressed and sat on the chair, naked.
"I have to admit," she said, "that seeing you naked does things to me."
He drummed his fingers on the cushion of the sofa. "Yeah? What kinds of things?"
She straddled him again and unwrapped the condom, rolling it over his cock. "Things like making my nipples hard and my pussy soft and quivery and damp."
He traced her nipple with his finger. "Huh. It just so happens those are all my favorite things."
"That's
good to know. How about a woman who screams when she comes? Is that a favorite, too?"
He held onto her while she lifted, then settled on his cock. "Might be my number-one favorite thing."
She gasped out a breath as she seated herself fully on top of him, her pussy quivering as his cock swelled inside of her. "How about we make that happen then?"
He dragged her hips forward, then back again, raking her clit along his flesh. "I'll give it my best shot."
His best shot was damn good, because she could already feel the tension rising inside of her. The pleasure was intense, and in this position she had all the control.
She liked that sense of power, and used it to lean forward, to rub her breasts against his chest as he arched into her.
"Oh," was all she could manage to tell him he was hitting all the right spots. She held onto his shoulders and slid back and forth, giving them both what they needed.
"Fuck, yeah, that's good," he said.
He gripped her hips and dug his fingers into her flesh, which only heightened her sense of pleasure. And being able to see the look on his face, the passion in his expression every time he thrust into her, enhanced her pleasure in ways she hadn't expected.
Her breathing increased with every movement. Whirls of need rose within her, a steamy promise of the orgasm that hovered just beyond her reach. She dug her nails into Will's skin.
"That's it," he said. "I feel you tightening around me. Come on."
His voice was a balm in the wild maelstrom of the sensual storm that rocked around her. Sweat beaded between her breasts as she moved faster, seeking the climax she wanted so badly.
And when it hit, it rocked her with deep pulses that made her cry out. She looked at Will, his gaze riveted on hers as she let go.
It was unimaginable pleasure and she gave into it, into him as he thrust harder and faster into her until she wasn't sure where she ended and he began. And when he shuddered, his features tightening with his own orgasm, she soaked it all in, lying on top of him to hold him through it.
It took her a while as she regained her balance to realize they were stuck together. Like . . . literally stuck together.
"We're sweaty," she murmured as she swept her finger down his arm.
"I could for sure use a shower."
She lifted and smiled down at him. "That was intense."
He grinned. "That might be an understatement."
They disengaged, then headed for the shower to rinse off. Amber felt a lot better after they showered the sweat off. They towel dried and got dressed.
Amber went into the kitchen and Will followed.
"Something to drink?" she asked.
"What have you got?"
She opened the refrigerator. "Water and juice and energy drinks."
"An energy drink will work. I need one after that workout."
She laughed. "It did feel like a workout, didn't it?"
He popped open the top of the drink and took a couple long swallows. "Did to me. Though I think you did most of the work."
She leaned into him and brushed her lips across his. "I enjoyed that position very much. We'll have to do that again."
He wrapped his arm around her and tugged her against him. "Anytime."
She hopped up on the bar stool and took a sip of her water. "You know what I like about you, Will?"
"Many things, no doubt."
She laughed. "True. But I like how agreeable you are. Especially about sex."
"Hey, you wanna do it, I'm your guy."
"See? Agreeable. We're a good match."
He tipped his energy drink can to her bottle of water. "I'll drink to that."
Amber had thought this trip to the games was going to be all about practice and performance. She couldn't have imagined how different it was turning out. So far, she was having a wonderful time.
But now the real work was beginning. And it was time to focus. Still, she could focus and still have fun, right? Not that she'd ever tried it before, but she was certain she could make it work.
Because she liked Will and there was still plenty of fun to be had.
SIXTEEN
IT FELT SO DAMN GOOD TO BE ON THE ICE AGAIN, THIS time in an actual game. This was what Will had come here for. Adrenaline fueled him as he waited for the two teams' national anthems to play. The arena was filled to capacity. The one thing Will could always count on at the games was hockey-loving crowds.
They were playing Latvia today, and Will knew there were more than just US and Latvian fans in the arena.
Not surprising. Who didn't love hockey?
He intended to draw fuel from all that noise.
They skated to center ice for the face-off. Will crouched down, his breath coming out white on the cold rink. His heart pounded, but not from anxiety. He was ready to get started.
The US team grabbed the puck at the drop. Will had his eye on Drew, and when the puck passed their way, Drew took it down to the Latvian side, moving to the interior. Drew smashed it toward Will, who took the shot on goal.
The goalie blocked it.
Damn. Would have been sweet to start the game with a goal, but Will shook it off, fighting the defender behind the net for the puck, coming away with it.
After that it was a fast-paced skate. Two players jammed him up against the boards as they fought for the puck, and Latvia came away with it, skating toward the US goal.
Will waited, not so patiently, for his turn at the puck again.
When the US defenders won the war on the US side, Will was there to pick up the puck as it was passed to him. He outskated the Latvian defender, his eye on the goal as he sailed the puck toward a waiting Drew.
Damn. The whistle blew for an off-side.
He'd had momentum going, and now they'd start over at the face-off.
Drew took the face-off and sent it down the ice toward Gannon, who passed it to Will. Will had a clean shot so he took it.
It slid right between the goalie's legs and lit the lamp for a score.
Will lifted his stick. Drew skated over to him and slapped him on the back.
"Damn good goal, buddy."
Will grinned. "Thanks."
They took their seats for relief and watched the action until it was their turn to get back on the ice. Will took a couple swallows of water, feeling confident in his team.
They had this.
By the third period, they were up by three goals. Will and Drew worked like clockwork. Their passes were on point and they were sailing through this game.
Will had two goals, Drew had one and Gannon had scored, too. Defense had been killing it.
With a breakaway, they made their way to Latvia's side. Will shot the puck to Drew, who slid it into the net and lit it up for a goal. Will raised his stick in triumph.
Heaving a breath, he went to Drew.
"Nice one."
Drew nodded and grinned. "Great pass. Let's do it again."
All they had to do was keep playing like this and they'd wrap up this one. They were deep in the third period, there were two minutes left in period play. They just had to hold out and not do anything stupid.
Latvia was hustling, and as Will took the puck he got slammed against the boards, two on one. The guy to his left shoved a fist in his face.
Fuck, that one hurt. He elbowed back at the defender. Suddenly helmets came off and he was double-teamed by two of them. He threw punches back. He knew he shouldn't, but he'd be damned if he was going to stand there and be a punching bag just because they were frustrated.
Then Drew was there and so was Gannon, and it felt like both teams were involved in the brawl.
It took a while to pull everyone apart. Will ended up in the penalty box along with the two Latvian defenders.
He finished the game in the penalty box. Fine with him, because they still won. He skated out and lined up to shake hands. The game was over and he never held a grudge, including with the two Latvian defenders he'd just fought with.
It had been a good, hard-hitting game.
And now they'd move on to the next one.
They made their way to the locker room.
"That was a damn good start," their coach said. "Keep up that kind of enthusiasm and game play, and we'll go far."
Drew looked over at him and grinned. "And try not to fight every team we play."
"Hey. I didn't start that one."
"You're just easy pickings," Eddie said. "Must be that pretty face. They think you're a puss."
"Fuck you, Gannon."
Eddie laughed. "At least you won't be so pretty for the next few days. That's a hell of a bruise on your cheek."
"I'm still prettier than you, asshole."
Drew laughed at both of them.
"Get some rest," their coach said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Will showered, then got dressed at his locker.
"Starving," Drew said. "You wanna grab a bite?"
"Yeah. Let's do that."
They hit up the dining hall along with several of the other guys. Will went for trout and asparagus, along with a salad.
"We should watch the games that are being played tomorrow," Drew said. "Check out the competition."
Will nodded. "Not to mention, several of our teammates are on some of those teams."
Drew took a bite of his food, then nodded. "I know. It's weird that guys I play with all season long are now my competition. It's hard to wrap my head around that."
"Yeah. It'll feel odd when we play against them."
"It happens all the time in hockey, though," Drew said. "You play with a guy for years, then suddenly he's a free agent and signs with another team and now he's a competitor. You're still friends, you just play against each other."
"You're right. I'll have to think of it like that when I play against some of my friends."
"And then guys like you and me who always play against each other find ourselves on the same team."
"For a couple of weeks, anyway," Will said, then shot a grin at Drew. "Then we'll go back to trying to kick each other's asses."
Drew laughed. "True that. But for the next couple of weeks I'm glad we're on the same team, Will."
"Me, too."
Will's phone buzzed. It was Amber.
Saw your game. You kicked ass.
He grinned and texted back. Thanks! Where are you?
She replied with: Hanging with Lisa. Catch you later.
"Girlfriend?" Drew asked.
He was about to say no. But maybe that wasn't true. Hell, he didn't know what they were to each other, so he replied with, "It was Amber."
"I like her."
"Yeah, me, too."
