A Perfect Catch

by Anna Sugden

  “Anyone with eyes can see Ike’s crazy about you and has been for years. I knew the first time I met him. He certainly hasn’t gone off you since Christmas. In fact, I’d say the opposite. Since you’ve been together again, he’s been the happiest and the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him.”

  Tracy wanted that to be true so badly, her heart ached. But it wasn’t. “He clearly had us all fooled. Me especially.”

  Maggie waved her hand in the air as if brushing away that notion. “This is Ike we’re talking about. He may like to think he’s inscrutable, mysterious and impenetrable—which he is in his net—but off the ice, he’s pretty easy to read. Smile for happy, scowl for unhappy. Believe me, he’s been like a bloody Cheshire cat these past couple of weeks.”

  “Well, something changed his mind.”

  Her sister was quiet for several moments, thinking. “I wonder...” she mused. “Didn’t you say Ike told you he wouldn’t let you throw away Hardshaw’s deal?”

  Even through Tracy’s misery, that single word still pissed her off. “Who does he think he is? I thought he’d changed, that he understood. We had a long talk and I told him everything about our parents and Hank. Where does Ike get off thinking he has the right to dictate what I do?”

  Maggie smiled. “My point exactly.”

  “What point?” Tracy frowned, confused. Then it dawned on her. “You think Ike deliberately ended things? So I’d have a clear shot at Hardshaw’s deal?”

  Her sister nodded. “It’s exactly the kind of idiot thing Jake would have done,” she said fondly.

  Tracy turned the idea over in her head. The more she went over it, the more she began to think Maggie had nailed it. That’s the kind of man Ike was. He’d have felt responsible for her—especially because Hardshaw’s impossible condition involved him—and taken it into his head that he had to do what was necessary. Making a noble sacrifice to ensure Tracy achieved her goal was Ike’s way of looking after her.

  Despite her irritation at his high-handedness, she felt hopeful. That had to mean he still cared for her. As much as she cared for him? As much as she loved him?

  If that was true, things between her and Ike couldn’t be over. She wouldn’t let them be. The problem was how to convince Ike. She could see him stubbornly sticking to his guns, no matter what she said.

  “The solution should be simple, but I can’t see it,” Tracy said. “I’ve already told Ike he’s more important than the contract. Repeating it won’t make any difference. I’d just be knocking my head against a brick wall.”

  “So don’t tell him. Show him.”

  “I did that, too, when I turned down Hardshaw’s bloody offer. Both times.”

  “What if you showed him you don’t need the Ice Cats’ contract?” Maggie suggested.

  “I still haven’t taken the deal. How else can I prove how serious I am?”

  “By achieving your goal without it. Isn’t that what you’d planned to do anyway?”

  “Yes. I was certainly going to approach the New York teams. I don’t need Hardhsaw’s endorsement to do that. But that’s a long game. It could take months even to get a foot in the door. That won’t help me with Ike now.”

  “But I have an idea that might.” Maggie smiled. “There are two other hockey teams in the area. We’ve always held back from going after their business because of concerns about conflict of interest.”

  “Without the Ice Cats’ contract, there is no conflict of interest.” Tracy could feel her excitement building. “Why stop with just those two? We could throw the net wider—Philly, Buffalo.”

  Maggie dusted her hands together. “My work here is done.”

  Tracy bounced to her feet. “Thanks to you, dear sister, mine is just beginning.”

  * * *

  IKE’S FOOTSTEPS CRUNCHED in the newly fallen snow on Tracy’s path.

  This was probably the moment in a movie when dramatic music would play to increase viewers’ tension. Ike didn’t need any help; his tension level was already sky-high. He was about to make the biggest play of his career. His life. It was bold and risky, but it was the right move. He had no doubts about that.

  He just hoped it would be enough.

  Ike had talked through his plan with Andy. His agent had gone over the ramifications with him and was on board. Ike had wanted to talk it over with Jake, too, but hadn’t wanted to put him in the tricky position of keeping it secret from Maggie.

  At the foot of the front steps, Ike paused. Lights were on, so someone was up and about. He’d hoped to get here early enough that he’d catch Tracy before she headed out for any meetings. His breath misted in the frigid air.

  Especially a meeting with Callum Hardshaw.

  As far as Ike knew, Tracy hadn’t told the Ice Cats that she’d changed her mind about the contract and the endorsement, even though a couple of days had passed since he’d ended things with her. What Ike had to say wouldn’t affect that, but he wanted her to know where he stood before she went into such a meeting.

  Which wouldn’t happen unless he got his ass up those steps.

  Time seemed to slow as he waited for someone to answer the door. Just like it did on the ice, as he waited for the ref to blow his whistle to start a shoot-out play. Unlike other players, who shuffled in place on their skates, Ike had learned to stand still. To appear confident, unmoved by the gravity of the situation. Right now, his feet wanted to shuffle. Which didn’t work so well on a doormat.

  When Tracy’s intern opened the door, she stood for a moment studying him, her expression serious. “I hope you’ve come to do the right thing.”

  His tone matched hers. “I have.”

  “Good. About time.” Carla stood back to let him in. “Tracy’s in the kitchen.”

  Ike stomped the snow off his boots, then stepped into the warmth. As he walked down the hall, he wanted to blame the change in temperature for the trickle of sweat down his spine, but he knew that was crap. It was nerves, plain and simple.

  Tracy did a double-take when she looked up from her seat at the kitchen table to see him. Luckily, the mug she’d been holding was almost empty, because it dropped from her fingers and landed on the rug. She ignored it and kept staring at him as though he were a ghost.

  He stood staring at her, too, but for different reasons. It had only been a couple of days since he’d seen her, but it felt like longer. She looked good. No, she looked great. Ike searched for signs that she’d been through the same hell he had, but couldn’t find any. Then again, she was made-up and dressed for action in her red power suit. Her stocking feet were bare, awaiting a pair of her favorite red-soled shoes, which lay by her chair. Only a hint of strain around her brown eyes suggested she wasn’t as together as she seemed.

  “I...uh...don’t mean to interrupt.” Smooth start. “Can we talk?”

  She nodded once, sharply. “Help yourself to coffee.”

  “I’m good, thanks.” Ike leaned his hip against the counter, trying to look at ease.

  “What can I do for you, Ike?”

  Her question made all his carefully rehearsed words fly out of his head. He had one chance to get this right. He couldn’t blow it. The calm he relied on to get him through the toughest games had vanished. His mind was bombarded with snippets of all the things he needed to say, like pucks peppering his net. Where was his water bottle when he needed it? If ever he needed to buy time by squirting water over his face, it was now.

  Focus, damn it!

  He inhaled deeply and plunged straight in. “Hardshaw was wrong to put that condition on your contract with the Ice Cats and I’m not prepared to let him blackmail us. If we want a relationship, it’s none of his damn business and we can’t let him stop us.”

  “We no longer have a relationship,” Tracy said. “You ended it.”

  He grimaced at he
r cool tone. “I lied. I know how much your business means to you and I understand why your success is so important. I’m proud of what you’ve achieved with Making Your Move. You deserve to be number one. I didn’t want you to give that up for me.”

  “I see.” Neither her tone nor her expression changed.

  He plowed on. “I thought the only solution was to take myself out of the equation, but I also knew that unless I forced the issue, you’d never give in.”

  “You certainly did that very effectively. What changed your mind?”

  “I couldn’t stand losing you. So I found another solution.”

  “You did?” For the first time, her facade cracked and he could see the hope in her eyes.

  It was surprisingly hard to get the final words out. Once he told Tracy, there would be no going back. No matter how much he believed in this plan, it was still the toughest thing he’d ever had to do. It would change his life and career forever.

  But he loved Tracy so much, he thought he might burst. She was worth it. “I’m going to ask for a trade from the Ice Cats.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  TRACY DIDN’T KNOW whether to laugh or cry. To smother Ike with kisses or bash him over the head with a frying pan. The man always had turned her world upside-down. And he’d done it again.

  What Ike was offering was huge. Amazing. Overwhelming. And absolutely crazy. To leave the team he’d been with since the day he was drafted, that he’d won the Cup with and whom he’d hoped to retire with, was more than a simple gesture of support. It was a serious declaration of his feelings. Despite the past, despite the bitter words, Tracy knew without a doubt that Ike loved her.

  Of course, his offer was totally impractical. But it was the thought that counted.

  Ike was watching her anxiously.

  “I don’t know what to say,” she admitted. “I can’t believe you’re prepared to go to another team for me.”

  He shifted uncomfortably. “There will be stipulations. I won’t go to just any team.”

  Tracy smiled. “Naturally. I didn’t expect you’d want to cross the Hudson.”

  “The Rangers don’t need me. I have the right to nix any team I don’t want to play for, because of my ‘no movement’ clause.”

  “Still, it’s a major career decision. And a major shift in your thinking.”

  “You were right when you said I had double standards for us.” Color tinged Ike’s cheeks. “If we were marr— together, I’d expect you to support me. Why shouldn’t I support you, too?”

  Her pulse tripped. She knew what he’d started to say. It was further confirmation of his feelings and reassurance that he saw a long-term future for them.

  A future she wanted, too. Very much. This whole situation had made her realize that marriage itself wasn’t the problem. Tracy and her mother had both allowed themselves be dictated to. Tracy knew now that no matter what the circumstances, she would never again let anyone else control her decisions, her life or her happiness.

  Ike would always want to take care of her and there would be times when he’d frustrate her as he tried to do so. Tracy knew that she was strong enough to stand up to him and also to occasionally let him have his way. It was nice to have someone she could trust enough to lean on from time to time.

  This wasn’t one of those times. “I really appreciate the offer, but it wouldn’t work.”

  “Why not?” Ike said, concern in his voice.

  “It’ll be a little hard to be together if you’re not in New Jersey.”

  “I’d make sure I was at a team that was easily commutable back here. I’m sure we could manage that for a few years, right?”

  Tracy nodded. “But you have more than a few years left to play.”

  “Who knows what’ll happen with my next contract. If I even get another contract. I could get injured again or lose my starting position. I don’t mind sharing the net, but I won’t be a backup. I’d rather quit. We’ll figure it out as we go. From now on, we tackle these problems together.”

  “I like the sound of that.” If they were both committed, they’d make it work. “But asking for a trade really isn’t necessary.”

  “Yes, it is.” He walked over and crouched down in front of her chair. “That’s how important you are to me.”

  His earnest words tugged at her chest. She laid her palm on his cheek and smiled gently. “You’re important to me, too.”

  “I won’t let you be bullied. Or let you give up an important contract for me. What’s more, I won’t let myself be bullied. The whole thing shows a major lack of respect for both of us.”

  “I know.”

  “Then we’re good.” It wasn’t a question.

  Tracy laughed. “If you’d let me speak, I could tell you that I haven’t changed my mind about rejecting the Ice Cats’ offer.”

  It was Ike’s turn to be surprised. “What?”

  “I won’t be held to ransom over our relationship, either. I’ve done some research and made a few calls. It turns out I don’t need Callum Hardshaw’s endorsement, though obviously yours will still be useful. There’s already quite a demand for my services, now that I don’t have to worry about any conflict of interest with the Ice Cats.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “You spoke to the Rangers?”

  She grinned. “The Islanders and Flyers, too. Funnily enough, they don’t have a problem with me living with a player from another team.”

  “Yeah. So they’re not idiots after all. They’re...” He stopped and did a double take. “Wait. What did you say?”

  “You heard me.” Tracy tamped down her giddiness. There was a protocol to be followed, after all. “Although I could be jumping to the wrong conclusion here, as I don’t recall being asked. In fact, I don’t remember you saying three rather important words, either.”

  Ike’s smile was slow and sexy. “You mean that I love you?”

  Tracy had read about moments so special, so happy, they seemed to be sprinkled with fairy dust, but had never really believed in them. She’d certainly never experienced one. But the second Ike said those special words, her world lit up. The air sparkled and she swore she heard those fairies singing.

  She stood, pulling him up with her. His arms wrapped tightly around her waist, as if he’d never let her go. Hers went around his neck, her hands cradling his head. They stood like that for several moments, staring deep into each other’s eyes.

  Then Ike lowered his head and touched his mouth to hers. A soft kiss, full of promise.

  “Feel free to respond any time now.” His voice was teasing, but uncertainty clouded his eyes. “Unless you don’t... If it’s too soon... You don’t have... It’s okay.”

  She stemmed the faltering flow of words with her finger across his lips. “It’s not too soon. I was just savoring the moment.”

  “So you do...?” His lips brushed against her finger, sending tingles up her arm.

  “I do.” She smiled. “And to ensure there’s no confusion—I love you.”

  “Thank God.” He nipped her fingertip in punishment. “You had me worried.”

  “Turnabout is fair play.”

  “I guess. I’m still stunned by what you’re giving up for me. What if your plans don’t work out?”

  “That would be okay. I don’t need Making Your Move to define me any longer. I don’t need to be number one to prove to anyone, least of all myself, who and what I am. Or what I can achieve. That’s all in here.” She patted her chest, above her heart. “I certainly don’t need it to be happy and fulfilled.”

  “Kind of like I don’t need you to marry me, now or ever, to be happy and fulfilled. All I need is to know you love me.”

  “Which I do. Very much.” Tracy laid her head against his chest.

  Again, they stood silently. His
heart pounded slow and steady beneath her ear.

  Finally, he sighed. “I don’t want to rush things, but I have to know—were you serious about us living together?”

  She lifted her head and met his gaze. “Oh, yes. I’m ready to make that commitment.”

  “Hot damn!” He danced her round in a circle, making them both laugh.

  A sharp cough interrupted them.

  They stopped, breathless, and turned.

  Carla stood in the doorway, smiling broadly. “If you don’t need me, I have loads of errands to run, to the post office and the bank and so on. I’ll probably be gone for the rest of the day.”

  Ike murmured his fervent approval beneath his breath.

  Tracy swallowed a giggle. “I can manage without you.”

  “I thought you probably could.” Carla’s eyes twinkled.

  As if by unspoken agreement, Ike and Tracy waited until they heard the front door close before moving. This time the kiss wasn’t slow or gentle.

  Ike broke away suddenly. “What time is your appointment?” he rasped.

  “Not until two.”

  “Perfect.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her with him. “We have some very important business to attend to before then.”

  “We’d better get onto that straight away. You know how I hate to let anything interrupt important business.”

  Laughing, they ran upstairs to Tracy’s bedroom.

  As they tumbled onto the bed, she hesitated. “Are you sure this is what you want? That it’ll be enough for you?”

  Understanding filled his green eyes. “I meant what I said. Being with you is enough. I don’t need a legal document to tell me what’s in here.” He mimicked her earlier action by patting her chest above her heart.

  “I’m not saying never. Just—”

  Ike pressed his mouth to hers, cutting her off. When he lifted his head, he said, “This is probably the last time I’ll be able to do this, but I’m putting my foot down. We’re not going to discuss that any further. Not until you tell me you’re ready.”

  Tracy’s heart, already filled to bursting with love, expanded just a little bit more. “This is probably the last time I’ll let you dictate, but I’ll do whatever you say.”