Love and Other Games

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

  “Slow down, Nadia. It hasn’t started.” Lara jerked her arm away.

  “I don’t want to miss Ty or any of the US snowboarders, for that matter.” She bounced on her toes and stared over the railing, trying to spot Ty at the starting point.

  Lara pointed to a big screen above The Pipe. “Look, there he is.”

  On the enormous television, Ty prepared himself, tightening his helmet under his chin, his longer hair curling over the edges and around his ears. He wore all white, ski pants, a long-sleeved white tunic with the Olympics logo on the front and a huge US flag on the shoulder.

  Nadia smiled to herself as he placed his iPod ear buds into his ears and goggles over his eyes. Deep breaths caused his chest to rise and fall and it reminded her of when he kissed her last – his dark eyes on hers and that naughty smile. She bit her lip, excited to see him in action, but at the same time nervous for him. This could make or break a medal for him.

  “He’s hot, Nad.” Lara said, as if she had read Nadia’s inside thoughts.

  The announcer on the loudspeaker proclaimed Ty Madsen as the first US snowboarder to take The Pipe. Nadia twisted her hands together and said a little prayer, watching him fist pump his teammates Adam and Chris who stood behind him.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, Ty Madsen is new to the Olympics but not new to the sport. The first qualifying rounds showed his expertise and amazing abilities, with two double corks. We hear he might have a surprise trick up his sleeve.”

  Ty tightened his bindings and stood up straight. After one deep breath, he took off in one swoosh. His natural ebb and flow was magical. Up he soared into the air, maybe seventeen feet, doing some kind of trick and landing with a bang. Applause roared around her.

  Two snow bunnies next to her sighed. One of them commented in German, “He’s amazing. I’ve got to meet him.”

  “Totally,” the other one yelled above the claps.

  Nadia smiled to herself. Like she’d let that happen. This territorial attitude was surprising, but expected. She really liked the guy. She positioned herself closer to the barrier between The Pipe and the spectators.

  Every twist and turn, people oohed and aahed. The thrill of the moment was not lost on her. She found herself yelling along with them, throwing her hands in the air with each trick. The swooshing sound of the board on the snow invigorated her as she watched his effortless motion —weaving, twisting, bending. She remembered his words the day before, “We work hard to be here.” Seeing him in his element made those words ring true.

  When he flew up his last time on the side closer to her, the announcer exhaled an exclamation, “No way! Ladies and Gentlemen, we just saw Madsen do a 1080 Double Cork Tail Grab. A first here at the games.”

  Lara grabbed Nadia’s arm. “Did you see that? Woo hoo!” she screamed.

  He skidded at the bottom, snow cascading around him, and slowed to a stop, his hands lifting in a celebratory fist pump in the air. He undid the bindings on his board, bounced up and down and held up his board in a victory wave. The excitement of the event had her jumping up and down with him. A reporter tried to interview him, but Ty didn’t notice, instead looking around at the audience. Then he spotted her twenty feet away. A slow smile sprouted on his face and he pointed a number one sign at her. He tore his goggles off, staring right at her and mouthed, “Lucky Lady.”

  Nadia’s heart swelled and she hugged herself.

  The girls around her swooned. “Did he say something? I swear he said something to me.”

  Lara butted in, “He wasn’t talking to you two, he was talking to my friend here.” Lara hugged Nadia.

  Before she knew it, Ty shoved his way through the crowd and stood in front of her, whooping. “Did you see that?” He put his arms around her waist and lifted her up. “I fucking did it!”

  Her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck as he let her body slide down his and he kissed her, strong and demanding, holding her head tight at his mouth. Behind her the snow bunnies sighed. When he let go of her, he held his fists high and howled turning in a circle, then faced her and placed his hand on her chin. “Thanks for showing up.”

  The heat in her cheeks grew stronger from embarrassment as a camera filmed her at his side or from the kiss he just gave, she didn’t know. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

  The reporter sidled up to him. “With that last backside flip, you’re sure to be in the finals. How does it feel?”

  Ty tore his woolen hat off his head and threw it into the screaming audience. “I feel like gold. Woo-hoo!” He whelped. “And here’s my Lucky Lady.” He bent down and kissed her again, placing his hand against her neck, his tongue playing against her lips.

  “Well, ladies and gentlemen, there you have it. Ty Madsen and his Lucky Lady – sure to be in the finals tomorrow, maybe winning a medal for the US team.”

  Chris tore Ty away from her with a heart aching tug. The thrill and excitement had her feeling like she won the Olympics too. “Dude, you tore it up out there. Come on, Trouble, you have to get ready for your next run,” Chris yelled behind the audience’s shrieks.

  Ty kissed her quickly and pointed at her. “Stay here. I have two more runs and need your pretty face to steer me on.” He ran off fist pumping the air and high fiving those around him. A snowmobile picked him up with his board and they headed back up to the beginning of The Pipe.

  She looked at her roommate, whose eyes were as round as the Olympics symbol. “What the heck, Nadia? What’s going on with you two?”

  Suddenly, she had a crowd around her, asking questions, patting her on the back, congratulating her as if she was the athlete. “I don’t … Nothing.” She shook her head.

  “You can’t say nothing is happening. It’s all right there on your face and in his kiss. Wow.” Nadia crossed her arms.

  Nadia wiggled her eyebrows. “I told you I could have fun.”

  People backed off once the next snowboarder, someone from Finland, started down the half-pipe. But, she couldn’t help the uneasiness that overwhelmed her. In the last ten minutes, her heart swelled and ached as if she belonged to Ty. And she didn’t. Not really. They were having fun and it’d only been a few days, but for an instance when he stood by her, hugging her and kissing her, she felt like they were a real couple. It’d been so long since she had a partner. This was something she actively avoided. But for this moment, it felt right. Needed. Idyllic.

  And she was a realist. Not a dreamer. She had to remind herself that.

  She was extremely happy for Ty, but after the event, she would have to leave. Taking evasive measures were in order. She couldn’t lead herself on, and that’s the direction her heart turned. Could it really happen so fast?

  She needed to get back to her original goal – to land the perfect job that her father envisioned for her. Her father, who had won three ski medals in past Olympics. Ever since she graduated university and worked for the Swiss Snowsports Association as an events administrator, her father had the plan for her to assist in the Committee Headquarters. Since the Olympics was his life, it easily became hers. She owed it to him.

  But what about her? Didn’t she owe her heart what she wanted … Ty?

  Chapter Six

  Ty entered the community building taking in the almost empty facility. He had to find Nadia. After his second run and a couple of interviews, he couldn’t find her among the crowd. He was sure he saw her there after his last 180. She stood there next to the fence, under the heavy lighting, a sweet smile on her face. Her woolen cap pulled over her blonde hair and that sexy-as-hell tight jacket and scarf resting against her breasts. Then he answered his last questions to the reporter and she was gone.

  With a brisk walk to the reception desk, he faced a tall, blond dude who cocked his head at him. The same guy who talked to Nadia on the night he met her. “How can I help you?”

  Ty placed both hands firmly on the desk and looked down at his nametag. “Sven? I’m looking for Nadia. Have you seen her?”


  Sven broke eye contact and messed with some papers in front of him. “She’s not here.”

  Ty’s shoulders dropped. Damn it, he really wanted to see her. He ran his fingers through his messed-up hair. “Do you know where she went? I’ve got to find her.”

  Sven’s cold eyes stared at him straight on. “And you are?”

  “Ty Madsen, US Snowboard team.” He pointed to the US logo on his jacket.

  Sven narrowed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. “Nadia doesn’t have time to play around … sir.”

  Ty stepped back and held his palms up. “Whoa, dude. Why so hostile?” He leaned down to whisper. “Nadia and I are seeing each other. I’m not stalking her or something.”

  This had the opposite affect than he expected. Sven’s rigid body stiffened even more, and he slammed his hand on Ty’s shoulder, pulling him closer. “Listen dude, if Nadia was seeing someone, she would’ve told me. She doesn’t need the likes of Trouble Madsen, anyway.”

  “What the hell’s your problem?” Ty shook off his hand and frowned.

  A movement from the corner of his eye shook his attention away from the over-protective volunteer. Nadia’s long blonde hair swished in front of him and her blue eyes shone like melting ice. “Sven, enough.” She grabbed Ty’s hand and led him to the back of the room. Ty followed like he belonged on her dogsled, not saying a word. Just the touch of her hand had him hard.

  She glanced around the room, as if she were looking for something in particular, then peeked around a corner. The door next to them stated: John Sorensen, Volunteer Director. Opening the office, she jerked him inside and slammed the door, locking it.

  He let out a cocky smile. “I like the idea of being locked in a room with you. What are you up to Nadia?”

  “We need to talk in privacy.” She pushed him against the door. “This is my boss’s office and it’s private.”

  His hand took her face and held it gently. “What do you have in mind?”

  Nadia pulled in a deep breath and exhaled out her nose. “I’m really happy for you.”

  He grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. “The finals. Can you believe it?”

  She nodded, twirling a piece of hair around her finger. “Yes, I can. You’re a natural out there.”

  His hand rubbed lower and caressed the small of her back. “Wanna celebrate?”

  She looked away and tugged at the hem of her jacket, her lashes fanning across her pale cheeks. “First we need to talk.”

  “Oh, hell. I don’t like the sound of that.” He rolled his eyes and regarded her quizzically.

  She threw back her head and placed her hands on her hips. “I have to get this promotion. My dad expects it.”

  He frowned, tracing his fingers up her back to rub her shoulders. “What do you mean? The recommendation?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Yes. Working in the Committee Headquarters has been his dream since I was in high school.”

  “And what about your dream? Is it what you want?” His finger traced her bottom full lip, pink as a rosebud, and it called to him. If he didn’t kiss her soon, he’d combust right there in the middle of her boss’s office.

  The heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks flew up. “Of course it is. I’ve worked hard to get to this point, too.”

  “What does this have to do about us … and celebrating?” He pulled her scarf off her neck and threw it behind him; it fell on the corner of her boss’s desk, on top of some bobble head doll, bouncing back and forth.

  “Just that … I don’t know. It’s hard to concentrate on what’s important when you’re around. It’s only been a handful of days and I’m feeling … ” She leaned into him. Her words said one thing, but her body said another.

  “I feel it, too, Nadia. You’re special.” His arms wrapped around her body and he nudged a thigh between hers, gliding along her inner thighs. Her breath caught audibly.

  She closed her eyes and set her cheek to his chest. “We need to celebrate.”

  He bent a little, seeking her mouth with his, giving her a gentle kiss, and then took it to another level as he turned their bodies and pushed her against the door. His hand came up to her head, his other stroking down her back, gripping her butt. “Can you believe I’m in the finals? The freakin’ finals, Nadia.”

  His heart pounded an erratic rhythm. He still almost couldn’t believe it. And instead of heading out with the guys to celebrate, he rushed to find Nadia. He wanted to be with her, to smell her, to taste her – and she wanted the exact same thing, too, no doubt about it.

  She wound her arms inside his jacket and around his back. “Let the festivities begin.” Her hands rushed to pull out his shirt from his pants.

  “Slow down, babe.” He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm, then he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I want to enjoy every second.”

  A low moan exited her lips and he took them with his own. A slow perusal of her full and sensual mouth. Her whole body screamed out to touch her—but he did want to take it slow. He wanted—needed —to feel every inch of her, every part of her had to become a part of him.

  For an instant, his thoughts scared him. He actually was falling for this Swiss Lucky Lady. Holy mother of—. He stopped kissing her and stared at her face. Her questioning eyes were wide and magnetic. When she lowered her thick, black lashes, he couldn’t hold himself off any longer. He walked her backward toward the brown leather sofa that sat at the side of the room, next to the desk. “Your boss won’t be back anytime soon?”

  “Not tonight.” She sank into the cushions, reaching her hand out for him to follow.

  Grabbing her hand, he knelt next to the sofa, kissing her fingertips, then scooted lower to take off her boots. Without any words, only eye contact, he soon had her boots, socks and jeans off. His hands actually shook as he caressed her calves and moved upward toward her knees. He looked at her cotton underwear and a raw groan formed in his throat. “You know what I was thinking about when I set off on my second run?”

  She shook her head, her eyes widening with innocence.

  His finger trailed up her thigh and to the words on the front of her bright yellow panties. “These goddamn day of the week panties. I knew you’d be wearing them.” He rested his chin on her knee, letting his cheek stroke her inner thigh. “Hello, Saturday.”

  One corner of her mouth pulled up into a sexy smile.

  His fingers inched up to stroke the Saturday with pink hearts around it. “I always did enjoy the weekends more than any other day.” He pulled the panties down her thighs, over her ankles and widened her legs, her soft flesh intoxicating him.

  When he looked up at her, spread out on the couch, her hair in an angelic halo around her head, that soft warmth in his heart grew again. Damn it, no more mister nice guy. He jerked forward, his blood pulsing through his body, and explored the swell of her with his tongue. His hands scooted up her thighs and moved to her taut stomach, all while tasting the saltiness of Nadia, his Lucky Lady, and loving every minute of it. By the sound of it, she did too.

  “Oh, Ty.” She moaned and ran her hands through his hair, pushing his mouth closer to her. He slid one finger into her as he flicked his tongue over the current center of her universe. Her back arched with her hips pushed into him in rocking circles. With one final lick, she cried out in release. “Yes!”

  Ty inched up her body, allowing her time to recover. Her face transformed from sated to desire again. He couldn’t hold it off much longer. He lifted his hand to feel under her shirt, but had to stop short. “Again with the damn vest?” He kneeled above her, pulled her up on the couch to lie directly underneath him, and undid her vest buttons. “They really need to find a new volunteer uniform.”

  Nadia’s guttural laugh formed goose bumps on his arms. Undoing the buttons seemed next to impossible. “To hell with this.” He jerked the vest open, spraying the buttons across the room, causing him to laugh along with her. With a cock of his head, he murmured, “I’
ll buy you a new one.”

  He tugged her turtleneck higher and displayed her lacy bra. Her breasts jutted out over the top and he smiled to himself. “Beautiful.” He kissed the fabric and then moved it to the side so he could take her hard nipple into his mouth, all while she squirmed and moaned his name over and over.

  “Ty, now.” She groped and grabbed at his zipper, undoing it, but tangled the pant legs into his boots. With more laughter and a couple of tugs, they both finally had his shoes, jeans and boxers off.

  When Nadia licked her lips and reached down to grab him, he couldn’t keep himself together anymore. He found the red and blue packet in his jacket pocket and wrapped the condom over himself. Nadia helped guide him inside her, the waves of ecstasy throbbing through him. With each push and pull, in and out, over and over, he realized he was a shitload of unlucky. He’d freakin’ fallen for this Lucky Lady. Actually fallen for her.

  Reality would sink in later that this fling could only last during the games, since they both lived in separate countries. But, the lust he felt in that moment empowered him and he growled as he let one last push take him over the edge.

  Nadia’s fingers trailed up and down his lower back as they both caught their breath. He rubbed the bare skin of her waist and whispered, “You do crazy shit to me, you know that?”

  Her uneven breathing sent shivers through his tired body. “Whenever I’m around you, I can’t think straight.”

  Ty sat up laughing, pulling her turtleneck down and sitting her up next to him.

  “Why do you laugh?” She pulled her long blond locks from around her neck and straightened them with her palms.

  He gestured between them. “I think we’re starting something amazing here.”

  She bent down and grabbed her sexy, cotton Saturdays, rolling them on quickly, avoiding eye contact.