Simmering Ice

by Veronica Forand

  After guiding the car into a large garage, he turned it off, and then grasped her hand. “You received my text right before the accident?”

  The intensity in his gaze, his pained expression, tensed her muscles. “No. I know what you’re thinking. The accident wasn’t your fault.”

  “You just said—”

  She squeezed his hand. “Your text popped up on my phone, but I didn’t pick it up or read the message. My attention was on the road before that mini-van skidded into my lane.”

  “God.” His eyes closed for a moment, then he met her gaze. “Annie.”

  She couldn’t bear the guilt in his voice. Her other hand rested on his knee in an effort to soothe. “I couldn’t wait to see you. A hospital reunion wasn’t what I had in mind.”

  Murmuring to himself, he rubbed his hand over his face and the thunderous look faded. “I’m sorry for what happened, but I’m glad you’re here with me.”

  Warmth shot through her limbs as his features gentled. “Me too.”

  The garage opened to the kitchen. Alec carried her suitcase and left it by a set of stairs.

  A wide archway led into the huge den, decorated in shades of white and muted brown. She hadn’t been in that room on her last visit. On the fireplace mantel, beside an antique clock, sat a plaster bust of Alec himself.

  She stepped closer.

  The gaudy creation was out of place in the tasteful room. She could understand an athlete displaying trophies, medals or articles about his accomplishments, but the room didn’t contain a single piece of memorabilia, just a large re-creation of his head, as ornate as the bust of the last Roman emperor. Nothing about him screamed vanity. Raising her brow, she faced him. “You have a bust of…you?”

  He groaned and looked amused and embarrassed. “The guys had it made as a joke when I was named Alternate Captain. My buddy Zac spearheaded the effort.”

  “But isn’t he Team Captain?”

  “Yeah. This was in response to what I came up with for the guys to give him.” His rich laughter filled the room. “The bust is hideous, but I can’t get rid of it.”

  “If you dislike it so much, why not hide it in a closet?”

  “I have to keep it displayed and in pristine condition all season, or I’ll lose a bet. The guys stop by from time to time and check to make sure it’s not damaged and that it’s in its place of honor.”

  She laughed, but the movement jarred fresh discomfort into her neck and head.

  The smile fell from his face. “Are you in a lot of pain?”

  “Some. I’ll take an ibuprofen when we eat dinner, but I need to apply another ice pack now. Do you have one or a bag of frozen veggies?”

  He led her into the kitchen and then dug through a deep, wide freezer. Filled with convenience meals, it matched the inside of her freezer at home. He emerged with a bag of peas. “My trainer advises keeping these on hand in the event of an injury.”

  “He’s right. They conform to any shape.” Annie hissed when the cold bag touched her neck. Strands of her hair, trapped under the bag, tugged against her scalp. She slid them out and her fingers caught on the tangles formed by the wind. While Alec checked his phone messages, she pulled her brush from her purse. The bristles caught on her knots. Needles of pain pricked her scalp. The handle slipped out of her hand and clattered against the floor. She placed the peas on the table and grumbled as she retrieved the brush.

  Alec’s hand closed over hers, and he slipped the brush from her fingers. Already way too familiar, his scent surrounded her. He must have sensed her frustration. “Let me.”

  He turned her and gently pulled the bristles through her hair. Careful, almost hesitant strokes, as though he couldn’t bear to cause her any more pain. The image of his big hand wielding the small brush and the idea that he’d take such care with her melted the wall of control she’d held since the accident. Biting her lip helped hold back the tears stinging the corners of her eyes. She set the peas on her shoulder and concentrated on the movements of his other hand on her neck. His strong fingers alternated between caressing and kneading her tight muscles. Her eyes fluttered closed, and the sensation of being cared for eased her tension into relaxed bliss.

  Exhaling, she leaned into his chest. “That felt wonderful. Thanks.”

  His lips touched her temple, then her cheek, and then he smoothed her hair over her shoulder and away from her neck.

  She opened her eyes. Her gaze landed on a garment bag hanging by the laundry room. “Your suit. The cleaners.” She checked the clock. “You missed your interview.”

  “None of that matters.”

  “But…” She felt like a failure. A needy, frenetic mess.

  “Annie. None of that matters,” he repeated. “Zac took the interview in my place. It’s fine. There was no way I was leaving you alone.” He set the brush on the counter and then shifted around her until they were eye to eye. His hand glided down her back. His gray-blue gaze intent on hers, he lowered his head and then pressed a kiss to the center of her palm when she lifted it to cup his cheek.

  She tilted her face closer to his. “Kiss me.”

  Something between a moan and a growl escaped his lips as they descended to hers. The brief brushing of lips didn’t satisfy her. The hand on her back massaged and flexed and then settled on her hip. His other hand rested on her shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  Annie slipped her hands around his torso and held on tight. Alec’s body, the sculpted muscles and hard planes, fit against hers as though they were two adjoining puzzle pieces. A perfect fit.

  He held her close, wrapped in his arms, until the throbbing in her head forced her to lean away.

  Bending down, Alec studied her face. “We should make dinner so you can take a pain pill.”

  “Make dinner?” She shook her head slowly to clear the mists clouding her focus. “Don’t you think we took enough of a chance with nearly burning down your house the last time we tried cooking?”

  “I just have to boil water and heat things in a pan…and make sure I don’t get too distracted.” His smile warmed the kitchen even more. He pulled a bag of pre-cut chicken and vegetables from the freezer, then filled a pot with water and set it and a pan on the stove.

  Annie placed the bag of peas on the table and crossed to him. “You make me forget about everything bad that happened today.”

  The glint in his eyes sharpened, and his face transformed into the determined expression he wore on the ice in clutch situations. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of everything.”

  “What do you mean?” She frowned and backed up a step.

  “Cleaning out your car, helping you get a rental, and driving you around until you feel better.”

  “You don’t have to do those things.” She wasn’t used to someone being so helpful. He was going above and beyond—why?

  “Yes. I do.” He shook his head and the hardness left his features. The smile returned, and he reached out his hand. “Come here. With both of us watching, there’s no way we’ll screw up this time.”

  She couldn’t wrap her head around why he wanted to take care of her. But couldn’t deny her tension level dissipated when his arm circled her back, and he drew her against his side.

  Was he offering out of guilt? Or, could he actually be feeling something for her?

  She glanced around the spacious kitchen. High-end items, designer everything. She didn’t fit into this world.

  Maybe just for a little while, she’d pretend that she belonged. It was only a matter of time before he’d realize she didn’t. Then he’d move on.

  The thought made her hold him a little tighter. She wasn’t ready to give him up.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Alec placed a tray with breakfast on the coffee table and sat next to Annie on the couch. No woman should look so fantastic in a tank top and sweatpants. He lowered his head to an inch above her lips and ran his hands over the smooth curves of her shoulders. If she was feeling better, h
e’d gladly help her undress.

  “I dreamed of you last night.” She licked her lips. Her expression was impish and so attractive.

  “Was I naked in bed with you?” He couldn’t help grinning.

  “No. You were grilling a steak. Somehow, it came off the grill a perfect medium rare. It tasted amazing.”

  “You could taste in your dream?” He moved closer to her.

  She lifted her arms around his neck. “It tasted a lot like your kisses.”

  And then she kissed him. Deep and persistent and tempting. The intensity grew until all he could think about was devouring the woman beneath him. He lingered on her lips and fantasized about a long night enjoying every inch of her bare skin. She probably was in pain.

  He pulled away to give her space. His breathing was heavy. “I don’t have any steak, but breakfast includes a few strips of bacon.”

  She smiled. “I’ll take whatever you’re offering.”

  After he made sure she was resting comfortably, he left to check out the remnants of her car at a junkyard. He wished, however, he’d chosen another companion to go with him. Mikael drove his Maserati too fast, especially in the ice.

  “If we get in an accident, you’ll have bigger problems than a busted up sports car.” Alec gripped the dashboard to avoid slamming into the door.

  “Fear not, Big Tree. This is my weather, and my tires are the best on the market. My car handles snow as well as a racetrack. Sweden has far more severe conditions than New Jersey. Relax.”

  They pulled into the lot, and Alec took care of the paperwork in the office while Mikael explored. When they walked over to the location of Annie’s car, the sight of it, mangled in the front with the airbags deflated and hanging out of the steering wheel and dashboard, sucker punched him and left him feeling strangely hollow.

  “Wow. That’s what’s left of Annie’s car? Man, your girlfriend’s one lucky woman to have escaped that wreck.” Mikael called out from behind him.

  Girlfriend? The title sounded right, and yet his brain still reacted against a long-term anything. “I can’t believe she walked out with such minor injuries.”

  “And the car seems like a death trap even without hitting a pole. If I were you, I’d buy the woman a Hummer.”

  “I’m seriously thinking about it. The idea of her driving around in a clunker makes me sick.” The idea of having to live through another loss slowed his steps. An empty feeling in his gut numbed his emotions. He shook his head. She was okay.

  Alec struggled to open the passenger side door, as the front had crushed into the door to make the hinges imbalanced. She was in this disaster, hurt. And he’d texted her and taken her eyes off the road. Although his conscience told him he was being ridiculous, that it wasn’t his fault, the twisted metal and the potential for her to have been seriously injured sapped away his ability to be rational. Her safety mattered more than anything else.

  They gathered Annie’s belongings and made sure they hadn’t left anything under the seats and headed to the arena to prepare for the night’s game.

  Four hours later, things didn’t look good for the Hustlers. Alec and the team couldn’t rally that night. He scored once, but the magic that surrounded the team when everything flowed had faded into an icy hell. Toronto, on the other hand, felt the magic. They moved the puck between lines with the power and focus of a team bent on winning at all cost. And they earned two goals for their efforts.

  As soon as the line change was called, Alec hopped over the wall and skated into the center of the ice and the middle of the action. He pushed thoughts of Annie from his head and scanned the location of his teammates compared to his opponents. The emotion, the excitement, the screams, the slapping of the blades on the ice, enveloped him. This was his passion, his love. The Hustlers had a chance to take this game.

  Henderson, one of the Toronto centers, became incensed when Alec checked him into the boards while racing to the puck. The all star threw his gloves down and charged Alec. The guy was no bigger than six feet and built like a mini Hulk.

  “Easy, Henderson. You want that pretty face going home with you,” Alec called out to him. He kept his gloves on but held his ground.

  “It’ll be your blood on the ice.” Henderson skated forward but was halted by Alec’s long arm span.

  “I thought they paid you to score, not hold up the boards.” Alec continued to hold him off until the referee separated them.

  He skated to the bench for a line change. Henderson yelled obscenities at him as he skated back to position. Damn, it felt good to be in the game. And it felt wonderful to know Annie was okay. He had more time with her. For some reason, more time with Annie felt perfect. He needed his head in the game, so he refocused on the puck. Energy soared through him. The game wasn’t over yet.

  Late Friday night, Annie sat on the couch in Alec’s den, waiting for him to come home from his game. The Hustlers had lost, and she wasn’t sure what mood he’d be in when he arrived. Since the accident, the man had practically waited on her like she was royalty, always anticipating her needs. He’d taken such good care of her, she wanted to return the favor.

  She stood when she heard movement in the kitchen and him talking to Slash.

  He met her at the doorway. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

  “Still sore, but getting better.”

  He gestured to the couch. “Sit. Let me rub your neck for you. I’ve been paying attention when our trainers work out our kinks.”

  So far, he’d kept his contact careful, soft, and far too reserved. She perched on the edge of the couch, eager to have his hands on her.

  He flicked on the coverage of a West Coast hockey game and eased her further onto the cushion. “Relax.”

  “I’m sorry you guys lost the game.”

  “It’s fine. We’ll do better tomorrow.” Strong hands cupped her shoulders, then fingertips skimmed up and down her neck. Over and over, then lower, sweeping across her back. Gentle touches, enticing her to beg for more.

  Goosebumps pebbled on her skin. She leaned into his touch, listening to his commentary of the on-screen action. The sensual strokes of his hands shattered her concentration.

  She turned toward him, and her breath caught. Eyes intense, expression hungry, he rested his fingers on her collarbone. The urge to kiss him was too strong to ignore. Her hands rubbed his biceps. The muscles flexed under her touch. Her fingers dove into his hair, and she tugged him down, seeking his lips. His mouth covered hers and she tasted, savored, feasted. He kissed her like he’d become addicted to the feel of her lips on his.

  It wasn’t enough. She needed more. She leaned back, ignoring the pain in her neck and shoulder, pulling him with her. He shifted over her, pressing her into the cushions. Impatient with the barriers of clothes separating them, she yanked his shirt and grazed her nails over his stomach.

  His muscles tightened. His hand cupped her breast, rough heat seeping through the layers of her sweater and bra. The touch set off a line of fireworks to her core. She gasped and shifted against him.

  “Damn. I forgot.” He pulled away, breathing hard. “You’re injured. I wasn’t thinking.”

  She grabbed his hand. “It’s fine. I’m okay. We don’t have to stop.”

  “I’m too wound up. If I don’t stop now, I could hurt you. I never want to do that.”

  Arousal stabbed hard, but she couldn’t lie. Her shoulder and neck hurt, and she couldn’t pretend that they didn’t.

  “Come on, let’s go to bed.” He led her up the stairs, to the guest room, fifteen feet away from where he slept.

  He paused in the room, then followed the same routine as the past two nights, a hungry kiss and a careful embrace.

  She curled her fingers around his and kept contact a moment longer. “Good night.”

  “Sweet dreams.” Tucking fisted hands into his pockets, he backed out of the room.

  She wondered if he had as much trouble sleeping as she did, knowing temptation was only a wall away. />
  Annie woke to late morning sunlight streaming through the windows of Alec’s guest room. The scent of coffee drew her to the kitchen. He stood at the counter, pouring coffee into mugs. Rock music played from hidden speakers. He’d told her that he listened to the same playlist before every hockey game.

  “Good morning.”

  He turned, holding a mug in each hand. “Perfect timing.”

  His welcoming smile, the caress of his hand on her shoulder, and quick brush of his lips against hers warmed her more than the hot beverage he pressed into her hands. “Thanks.”

  “Want me to make you some breakfast?”

  “That might not be safe.” She laughed, pleased when his low chuckle joined in. “Seriously, I’m fine. I’ll get something in a little while.” Caffeine would be enough for now.

  He nodded and joined her at the table. Long legs brushed against hers. He shifted but didn’t break the connection. Annie met his gaze. Something fluttered close to her heart and warmth flooded her cheeks.

  The simple, domestic scene lodged a wedge of wanting deep in her soul. For so long, all she’d wanted was to belong. To be important to someone. To matter. To be good enough. To be enough.

  She sipped her coffee and let her imagination wander to what it would be like to have this, to have him, all the time.

  The doorbell chimed, breaking the moment. Alec rose. “That’ll be Mikael.”

  Annie set her mug on the table. It was silly to dream about having that with Alec. He wouldn’t be looking for something long-term, not with her anyway. Better enjoy it while it lasts. She stood, swallowed the dose of reality with the last of her coffee, and then followed the sound of the voices coming from the front door. When she reached the foyer, Mikael brushed past Alec and caught her in a careful hug. “Feeling better today?”

  “Much.” She smiled and stepped back, aware of Alec’s gaze. “Good luck today.”