Love and Other Games

by Ana Blaze, Melinda Dozier, Aria Kane, Kara Leigh Miller

  “Do you think this will be fun?” She quirked an eyebrow.

  “I’m the king of fun.” His smile was ear-to-ear and sexy as hell.

  Lara’s voice echoed in the back of her brain. Fun and Nadia don’t mix. For once in her life, her better judgment failed her. She tugged his hand and smiled. “Then fun it is. Let’s go before I change my mind.”

  Chapter Three

  The hot tub sat behind the volunteer dorm, steam spraying from the hot water. Planks of wood surrounded the twenty-seater Jacuzzi with a room on the side that held towels and accessories. Just yesterday, Nadia had walked by and made a comment to Lara about how ridiculous it was to have an outside hot tub during the winter. Even if she saw plenty of them at ski resorts around Europe, it didn’t make sense. Now, she stood to the side with Ty, his green eyes piercing the distance between them.

  “Here we are,” Ty said, wrapping his hand around her waist, his voice thick and unsteady. “No one else is here, so we have it all to ourselves.”

  The jolt of awareness from his hand at her side, his fingers tracing her back, and his husky voice scared her, but at the same time it thrilled her. She was going to do this, no matter what inhibitions tried to force her to stop. She pointed at him. “I’m only doing this because people think I’m no fun.”

  His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I’m thinking you seem like a lot of fun, right now.”

  She huffed and pulled off her jacket. Her stomach churned half in anticipation and half in dread. “Damn right I’m fun.”

  Ty’s mouth quirked in humor as he followed her lead, taking off his huge jacket with the American flag on the sleeve. “A day without laughter is a day wasted, I always say. In fact, this might be the most fun I’ve had so far.”

  “Including the handcuff thing?” She asked, unzipping her pants. When she looked at him, his hands were frozen on his own pants. “What?”

  “I still have those handcuffs, if you want me to get them.”

  She halted. “For what?”

  He shrugged, his gaze undressing her. “You know. More fun.”

  She was amazed that she actually thought about it for a second. Then she shook her head. “We’re only going for a dip in the hot tub. Nothing more.”

  He removed one leg out of his pants and then another. “Just thought I’d try.”

  Once they had their clothing off and stood in front of one another, she stopped to look at him. He brushed his hands up and down her arms, warming her. When he spoke again, his voice was tender, almost a murmur. “You sure about this?”

  “We’re already undressed, so yeah.” She placed her hands at her hips. “Now you’re scared?”

  He threw his head back and laughed. “Never.” When he grabbed her hand to take her to the water, he stopped and held her body out so he could look at her. “Wait a minute. Are you actually wearing underwear with the day of the week?”

  She tossed her hair across her shoulders in a gesture of defiance. “You should never make fun of a girl’s underwear, especially when she’s standing in front of you.”

  He reached up and caressed her face. “I think it’s sexy as hell.”

  His touch made her senses spin. “Well, uh … then … let’s get in.” She grabbed his hand and pushed him in the water. Letting out a laugh, he pulled her two hands down and she emerged next to him, both of their shoulders under the warm water.

  Squatting in the middle of the tub, he pulled her to his waist and set his forehead against hers. “Damn sexy.”

  He pulled her around the currents. She wrapped around his waist and a feeling of belonging settled in her stomach. Especially when their eyes locked as their breathing came in unison. After a minute, he tugged them to the side to a bench, sat her next to him and leaned his head back against the side of the tub.

  She did the same, all while her heart beat a thousand kilometers a minute. She never did this, but she actually enjoyed every second. This handsome, successful snowboarder was obviously interested in her and the feeling was amazing. Just how far was she willing to take it? She turned her head to look at him and realized he made no attempt to hide the fact that he was watching her. His thumb rose to her cheek and caressed downward to her chin. Her heart hammered in her chest and she knew in that instant that she would take this to another level. Fun be damned, she wanted him.

  She studied his chiseled tanned face. “This is only happening tonight. Tomorrow the games begin and I have a job to do.”

  His gaze roved and lazily appraised her. “No complaints here. I have qualifying rounds and a gold medal to win.” His thumb moved to her bottom lip, stroking back and forth. “Now can I kiss you?”

  His look was so electrifying it sent a tremor through her body. Something propelled her up and over his legs to straddle him. Immediately, his hands went around her waist and he held her snugly. She ran her finger across his collarbone. “First, I want to make some things clear. Number one, I’m a lot of fun.”

  “Yeah. You are.” He gently rubbed her lower back and she drank in the comfort of his touch.

  “Second, tonight is a one and only.” She put her arms around his neck.

  He groaned and cocked his head. “We’ll see.”

  “Third, I’m in charge.” She pushed her chest into his and his large hand took her face and pulled her to him. Parting her lips, she raised herself to meet his. His mouth covered her hungrily at first, then turned gentle and slow. Each movement sent a ping to her lower belly and a swell in the place that hadn’t been touched in far too long. His hands brushed her bottom, caressing her cheeks, as her Wednesday undies rose up further.

  She wanted to feel more of him, so she reached up and put her hands into his thick hair, tugging and rubbing at the nape of his neck. A moan exited his lips as he lowered his lips and moved to her neck, kissing that one spot right below her ear. It was as if he knew the place that drove her crazy. She rocked into him, feeling his erection, just in the right spot. “Ty.”

  He sucked and nibbled on her earlobe. This is what heaven felt like. Pure unadulterated heaven—or hell—because he pulled back. “Jesus, Nadia.” He pulled his knees up to hold her butt up and close to him. His hands pressed into her side and slowly moved up until his fingertips teased her nipple, under the lace of her bra. “You feel so damn good.” His words whispered into her ear. Then he switched sides, forcing her head back as he left soft kisses over her neck, her collarbone and to the swell of her breast. “You taste so good.”

  She was shocked at her own eager response to him. “I want you, Ty.”

  He licked up her neck and nibbled her chin. “You have me.”

  With an urgency, Ty pushed her back and around to the bench next to him, separating her from him in such a swift motion, she didn’t know what happened. She noted his rapid breathing and her own chest rose and fell. What the hell happened? She reached over to wrap herself around him again, when a quick shake of his head stopped her.

  “Oh, hey.” Another man’s voice said. “There’s other people here, honey.” Nadia forced her eyes to the wooden planks by the hot tub where another couple stood in swim trunks and a bathing suit. “Mind if we join you?”

  Ty’s husky voice answered, “Nah, come on in.” He glanced at Nadia sideways and smirked. His eyes still burnt with a fire she was sure showed in her own. He leaned in to her and whispered, “Later.” His eyes searched her own while he caressed her chin and then her bottom lip. She found herself kissing his thumb and stopped herself when his lashes lowered. There were people here now, and they couldn’t get carried away.

  The man chattered away, annoyingly. “So, you two go to the welcome party?”

  Ty answered as if he wasn’t burning up from desire. But one look into his drooping eyes, she knew different. “Yeah, but thought we’d try out the hot tub. Pretty cool, huh?”

  “Awesome.” The man said as he pulled his girlfriend in next to him. “We’re from England. Where are you from?”

  Nadia couldn’t wait
any longer. She let her hands move over to Ty’s leg and ran it up and down his thigh.

  Ty cleared his throat, his eyes bugging out. “Uh, well, I’m from the US and Nadia is from Switzerland.”

  “Hope you guys got those little red, white and blue packs in the bathroom. They give them out for free, you know.” The Englishman said.

  Nadia completely ignored him. She only wanted one thing and that was the man with the hard body next to her. The hard body that sprung to life minutes ago. Her hand slipped up higher, tracing a path over his skin, up to his erection, caressing the wonderful hardness meant for her. She smirked when he looked at her surprised.

  He squirmed in his seat and laid his arm across her shoulders. “Um … yeah.” He let his head fall back while Nadia worked some magic. The other couple talked to each other for a few more minutes while Ty’s other hand reached up and covered her magic one. He whispered, “You better stop.”

  “But it’s fun.” Her chest heaved, while currents of desire continued to pulse through her body. “And I want you. People here or not.”

  He moaned, looking up at the sky, then observed the hot tub area, looking for something. Once he caught sight of the storage room, he pulled her hand away from him and stood up. “Come on.”

  He hauled her out of the tub with one wave goodbye to the other couple. He reached into his jean pants pocket for something she could only guess and next, he tugged her into the storage room ten yards away. Ty shut the door and jerked her body against the wall. “You’re torturing me.” His breath fell across the top of her head and he gathered her against his cold, yet warm, pulsating body. He slipped his hands up her arms, ever so slowly. When he rubbed his lower half against hers, a soft moan escaped her lips. He bent his head lower and he moved her bra to the side, his tongue exploring her peaks.

  If this is what being bad felt like, she was ready to take a new notion with life. Words fell through her head as quickly as she skied down a bunny slope. Bad. Frivolous. Naughty. Fun. Trouble. If this was what it entailed, she wanted more. More of Ty. More Trouble. She pulled him closer and begged him with her needy eyes. “Now, Ty. I need you now.”

  He slid her panties down her legs and stopped at her feet, stroking her calf, the back of her knee, up her thigh, and up … up … up to the curve of her desire. He kissed and sank his tongue into her. Feeling every intimate part of her – and there was no shame. It felt damn good. She reached behind his head and pulled his head closer … closer … “Oh, yes. Ty … I … ” She collapsed into him, his head turned with a smile on his lips.

  “Baby, you’re too much.” He pulled down his boxers and pressed his body into her.

  Her chest moved up and down and she brought her hand up to wipe her brow. She actually dripped of sweat in this cold. A crackle of a package brought her back to her senses, somewhat, and Ty reached up and held her face with his strong hands. “You okay?” His voice was thick and unsteady.

  More than okay. She was enlightened. Never in her wildest fantasies had she imagined sex could be like this – hot, wild, wanton, yet loving at the same time. An aching need filled her heart again. She pulled his shoulders closer and lifted her leg behind his thigh. “Show me more, Trouble.”

  A deep chuckle fell from his lips as he grabbed her chin and kissed her, crushing her to him. She gasped as he entered her – and surprisingly she felt whole – as if this was a part she missed all this time. Life would never be the same again. It should’ve worried her since this was a one-night thing, but she didn’t have time to really think about it.

  He thrust into her, over and over, and she met his power over and over, until at last he quickened his movements and groaned into her ear.

  She trailed her icy fingers up and down his back, allowing them both time to catch their breath. When she stopped, he rested his forehead against hers and laced his fingers through her own. “Damn right, you’re fun.”

  She couldn’t control her burst of laughter. “And you’re certainly trouble.”

  He released her and took care of the condom while she redressed herself in her cold, wet underwear. He reached behind her and pulled out a towel from the shelving unit. “Here, it’s cold.”

  Wrapping her in the big fluffy Olympics-towel, he pulled her to him and kissed her, a slow, drugging kiss. When they finished, he looked at her in the eyes and nodded. “This is not over.”

  She forced herself to settle down. “Ty, it was fun, but we’ve got to get down to business tomorrow.”

  His green eyes met hers and his jaw tensed.

  Since she couldn’t afford to be distracted by his pull, she recited her family’s motto to herself. The Swiss live to work. And that’s why she was there. Not to continue this fun – even if it was the best fun she ever had in her life. With a deep breath, she turned to leave.

  He grabbed her hand, pulled her to him and gave her a smile that sent her pulses racing again. “We can’t work the whole time we’re here. We need to explore this fun side of you again.”

  “I really want to … but I can’t.”

  “Never say can’t. Can’t. Won’t. Never. Those words aren’t in my dictionary.” He cocked his head. “See where that philosophy led me?”

  She shook her head in answer.

  “To the goddamn Olympics. We can do whatever we set our minds to and, like it or not, my mind’s set on you, Nadia.”

  Chapter Four

  It’d been two days since her run-in with Ty. Nadia called it a run-in because that’s technically what it was. She had told him it was a one-night fling, he had told her differently. Yet, she still hadn’t seen him. She should be happy that she didn’t have to deal with the repercussions, but her mind constantly wandered to the man and the most amazing sex she had ever experienced.

  Nadia stood at the reception desk and looked around the room. No one needed her, so she clicked on the computer screen and typed in the Google search: US Snowboarding Qualifications. Once she found the appropriate link she scrolled through the last video and saw him – Ty – rolling down the snow pike as if it were as simple as a riding a bike. She studied his face as he twisted and turned and remembered the way he looked at her in the storage room. His hands grabbed the side of the board, those big strong hands that had touched her in places that had been dead for months. A whole swarm of butterflies fluttered in her belly. She closed her eyes and then a familiar voice awakened her.

  “Guete Morge.” Ty’s deep voice startled her. He stood at the reception desk, a huge smile spread across his face, those strong hands she fantasized about grabbing the side of the counter.

  Great. She couldn’t allow him to see what she was doing. Acting nonchalant, she clicked the pause button and posed herself in front of the computer. “Since when did you learn Swiss German?”

  He smiled and shrugged in response. “When in Rome.”

  “What are you doing here?” Nadia frowned, peeking around the room with a sideways glance. No one could find out about them – it’d seem very unprofessional, to the say the least.

  “You watching me on Youtube?” He pointed around her shoulder. “Isn’t that yesterday’s qualifications?”

  “Oh, this?” She stepped out of the way and gestured to the computer. “Someone left the video up, and I wanted to see what it was.”

  “Sure.” He smirked at her, his eyes roaming her body up and down. Then he leaned down and whispered, “So, you wearing Friday’s underwear today?”

  She glanced around her shoulder and gritted her teeth. “Ty, please.”

  He held his palms up. “I can’t help myself. I find that incredibly sexy.” When she pointed a stare at him, he continued, “Okay, Okay. Look I’m here for some help. Is there someone else who can help me?”

  “And you think I can’t help you?”

  He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, shuffled on one foot and looked around the room. “You work reception then?”

  “Reception and Protocol. What do you need?”

  He
rolled his eyes and looked over his shoulder. “Well, you know how we get some free toiletries … um, I need some … a few more boxes of protection.”

  Well, dammit to hell. He needed more condoms, and it obviously wasn’t to use with her since they left it with no strings attached. No. She left it no strings attached. Why did this make her jealous as hell? “A few?”

  “For the guys.” He glanced over his shoulder again and this time she saw one of his teammates in the corner of the room, behind a potted plant, snickering.

  “Oh, great. I’m the butt of another joke.” Her cheeks warmed and she turned to the computer so he wouldn’t see. She banged the keyboard and closed the video window.

  “It’s not you. It’s me. They’re laughing at me.”

  “I’ve heard that before.” Her skinned tightened as she looked at his furrowed brow. No smile this time.

  “Can I have two boxes?” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Then I’ll be out of your way.”

  “I’ll be right back.” She rounded the corner to the supply closet and found the boxes. She scooped up six and practically ran back. “This should do.” She held out the boxes without looking at him and he grabbed them.

  When she finally looked up at his face, because he didn’t leave, her heart beat faster. He was still so damn sexy and she couldn’t take the memory of feeling him out of her mind.

  His smile wavered. “I’d like to see you again.” He nodded toward the computer. “As you can see I qualified for the semi-finals. Want to celebrate?” His right hand rubbed up and down her arm, tracing circles with his thumb. “I’d really like to see you in those Friday panties, Nadia.”

  She looked down at his hand and bit her lip. “Your friend is waiting.”

  “If you change your mind. I’m in Dorm 14.” He held her chin up. “Remember to have fun, Nadia. You won’t regret it.”

  She watched him leave with his friend trailing behind. She’d love to have fun again with Ty, but she was working. That’s why she was there. Her parents expected her success, and her job had to be done. But why did her heart not stop beating a million miles a minute and her Friday underwear feel all wet? Just looking at him sent her body into a frenzy.