by Lauren Marie
Jay leaned over her and said, “Go get your coat, babe.”
She looked up at him and smiled. For some reason she couldn’t figure out, she felt good, but also uneasy. As much as she wanted it all to go away with her mother, she knew this was only the start.
Chapter Fourteen
Kate looked up at Jay as they stood at the corner and waited for the light to change so they could cross. They were headed back to the rink to get his Jeep.
“Jay, I want to skate.”
“You got it, babe.”
They turned around and headed to her apartment. She changed into a pair of faded jeans with holes in the knees and a gray sweatshirt. She pulled her skates out of the closet and opened the box. She went to a drawer in her dresser and found a pair of black gloves and a CD which she put in her purse.
When they got back to the rink, Kate sat down on the floor and started doing warm ups. Jay got her a bottle of water and his skates. She felt him watch her as she stretched the muscles in her legs and back. She sat up with her legs out to her sides and saw him look around the ice. He waved at the security guard, who stood near the other end of the ice and walked over to the boards to talk to the man. She heard Jay ask the guy to clean the ice.
After twenty minutes on the floor, Kate got up and put on her skates. She opened her purse and pulled the CD out. She put it into Jay’s hand. “Can you put this on and play it loud?”
“Done,” he said and ran up to the control booth.
When he came back down, Kate watched him walk toward her and smiled. “Jay?” She moved over to him on her skates and grabbed the shirt he wore. She put her lips on his and pulled back. She looked him in the eye and ran her fingers through his hair. “I love you and I’m so thankful we met. You are something I never dared dream of, but somehow all of my dreams are coming true.”
He put his hands around her waist and held her tight. She heard the engine on the Zamboni turn off and Jay kissed her. “I’ll be right back. It’s time to get the music going.”
Kate took her gloves out of her purse and slipped them on. She walked over to the ice and knelt down putting her gloved hand on it. She said the prayer and patted the ice and then stood back up. She heard Jay’s voice on the speakers asking her to let him know when she felt ready to go. She took the blade guards off, stepped onto the ice and skated around once, then stopped in the middle. She looked up at the booth and gave him a thumbs-up.
After a few seconds the music she’d skated to so long ago started to play. She wasn’t sure if she could remember the whole routine, but it didn’t matter. She just wanted to feel the freedom she’d once felt whenever she skated her own style.
The music started out slow. She moved gently around the center before she broke off and headed down the ice. She did a spread eagle, spun around at the end, and then picked up speed as she moved to the other end of the ice. She felt it was the right pace, kicked her leg up and did the triple axel. After she landed she let her body flow with the gentle whistle from a flute. She realized she probably wouldn’t be able to do the whole four minutes since her lungs started to hurt, but would go as far as she could.
She did a spiral, crossed over center ice and picked up speed again. The music began to pick up and got louder. After she did a couple of outside edge turns, she dropped into a sit spin, When she came up she did three twizzles on her left foot and then three on her right. Kate could feel her chest burn and knew she wouldn’t finish.
She slowed her pace below the tempo of the music and bent at the waist. She put her hands on her knees. Over the music, she could hear Jay ask if she was okay. She straightened up and saw he sat on the boards at the other end. She skated down to him, moved her hands up his thighs and then wrapped her arms around his waist.
“You know what?” she asked, out of breath. She looked up into his warm brown eyes and started to melt. “You’re mine, babe,” she quoted his ringtone. “Put your skates on. I don’t like being so far away from you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She slowly skated around the ice and listened to the music. It changed to another piece she’d used for a two minute program. It wasn’t her favorite and she knew there were better pieces on the CD coming up that she liked better. She tried to do straight line steps, but found her edges were off and the blades probably needed to be sharpened. She did another couple twizzles and then a scratch spin.
When she stopped she saw Jay take off his blade guards and skate straight toward her. With his arms out he scooped her off her skates and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
****
She leaned in and kissed him. “I’ve never skated with a partner before.”
“Neither have I. This is kind of different, but I like it. What were those spins you were doing on one foot?” He moved around the ice.
“They’re called twizzles.”
“I thought those were only done by the ice dancers?”
“Look at you, smart guy.” She kissed his jaw. “That’s where those spins are used the most, I guess. Single skaters can do them, too.”
“Why are they different than sit spins or scratch spins?” He turned a corner and headed back down the ice.
“Twizzles can move across the ice, those other spins are supposed to stay in the same spot.”
Jay let her down and they moved around the ice together. When Kate got her wind back, she broke off and did a Lutz jump and then a camel spin. Jay stopped by the boards and watched her skate. It amazed him how smooth she glided over the ice. At one point, she did a jump and almost landed on her butt. She corrected her footing quickly and got straightened up. He pushed off and caught up with her, pulling her back into his arms.
“I like you better this way.” He moved to the far end board and sat her down on it. He stayed between her legs, put both hands in her hair and devoured her mouth. He hadn’t meant to be so forceful, but couldn’t hold back. They sucked each other’s lips and when he put his hand on her breast, he felt her move her hand down the front of his pants and cup his penis with her fingers.
He moved his head back and was out of breath. “Babe, we need to go home.”
“I agree.”
He lifted her off the boards and they skated to the entrance. “I like your music. I got excited when you moved so smoothly to it. You really are graceful out there.”
“Thank you.” She smiled at him. “That compliment is better than any gold medal.”
“Did you get enough skating time? I’m not making you quit too soon?” Jay asked and put on his blade guards.
“No, that’s enough for tonight,” she said. He saw her look out at the ice and could detect something that appeared to be longing in her eyes. “I may want to start doing this regular time though. Its good exercise and my lungs could use the workout.”
“Do you sort of miss it, the skating and the attention?” he asked as they sat down at the table. He started to untie his skates.
She sat back in her chair. “Not so much the attention.” She crinkled her nose and looked at him. “I think I just miss the freedom. I can’t explain it, but I get this emotional high when I’m out there and everything feels right.”
Jay nodded. “I think I know what you mean. There’s something about the movement on the ice that grabs at your head and...I don’t know, it’s sort of peaceful.”
“Yeah, I suppose it has to do with a chemical reaction. I can’t remember the word for that hormone that gets released, but when I skate it’s such a good feeling.”
****
As they finished changing back into their shoes, Jay looked at her. “Kate, have you ever thought about teaching?”
“No, not really.”
“I can understand the parent issue better now since meeting your mom, but I think you’d be a great teacher.”
“
I’ll think about it.” She put her skates into the box and took off her gloves.
“I’ll go get the CD and we’ll be off.” He stood up and held his skates by the laces.
She watched him turn and move to the stairs. She looked out at the ice again and thought maybe teaching wouldn’t be so bad. She could start with just one or two kids. She refused to teach Shelby if it meant she’d have to deal with Monica. She’d probably be arrested for hitting that woman. Kate felt his warm hand on her shoulder.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Jay?” She stood up and looked up at him. “You do know I’m jealous of you.”
“Jealous? Of what?”
“The relationship you have with your mom and dad.” Kate’s eyes started to fill, but she was determined not to cry and closed her eyes. She hated when she felt sorry for herself. “I never experienced what you have with your folks.”
“What do you mean?”
“The way your mom teased you about the blood sacrifices still makes me laugh. I just am jealous that I don’t know what that type of relationship feels like.”
“I did tell you, my mom has your new cell phone number. On your next day off, I have a feeling you’re going to be busy. She said something about cooking, shopping and lunch out. She thinks we spend too much time together and it would be best to split us up for a couple of hours.”
“She did offer to teach me how to cook.” She leaned up against him. It was the first time in a couple of days she felt calm, but also felt tired and needed some sleep. “Your mom was very nice to me the other morning.”
“Come on, sweetheart. Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter Fifteen
Edna Hardy sat on the bed in her dreary hotel room. The TV played, but she’d kept the volume down. A headache pulsed in her temples and she didn’t want to throw up. That asshole sheriff stood in the parking lot of the diner until Ken took off in the SUV. She’d wanted to go back in and finish the argument with her spoiled daughter, but the sheriff stood there and just watched as they drove away.
She took her water glass off the nightstand and sipped. Her cell phone rang and she picked it up. She smirked when she saw the name on the reader box.
“Hi, honey,” she answered and waited to hear her husband’s voice.
“Sweetheart, how did your meeting with Stacy go?” His deep voice made her head vibrate.
“Not well. She has a boyfriend and he thinks he’s a superhero. He’s tall and very full of himself. I guess he once played hockey. He broke Bradley’s nose and I’d like to have him arrested for assault. As far as Stacy goes, I’m at a loss. She isn’t willing to listen.”
“Did you make her realize how much money she could make if she were to appear in one of our films?” Max asked.
“I didn’t get a chance to bring it up. Her attorney and a sheriff showed up. It got a little ugly for a moment and Stacy made some very rude accusations.”
“Edna, why don’t you let it go, for now? Let Stacy know about the deal, come home and give her some time to think about what she’s missing. Surely she doesn’t think there’s much for her there in Podunk, USA?”
“No, Max. She owes me. She could have made a mint with Stars on Ice, but at this point I think the skating is history. She’s gotten too old, but she’s kept her body in very good shape and she’d be fabulous in the bondage film you’ve tossed around. After this evening, I’d love nothing more than to see her chained up and screwed fiercely by Mr. Nine-inch.”
“Do you mean Darren?”
“Is that his name? I have a terrible time with names.” She heard Max let out a heavy breath and felt nervous for just a moment. “She might need a little body upgrade. Her breasts could be bigger,” she said and wanted this conversation to go her way. She would get her way or make his life a living Hell.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you just take her?”
Edna sat up straight on the bed and realized her headache started to get better. Then she thought of Ken and Bradley not wanting to bend the law. “There’s a problem there, Max. I mentioned that possibility to Ken and he insisted on being a law-abiding citizen. I guess since he and Brad have already experienced prison, they don’t want to go there again.”
“Hmm...is that right? I should speak with them about that attitude. They’re in the wrong business to look at things that way.” The line went silent and then she heard her husband sigh. “I may have some other less law friendly men who could get the job done. Let me ask you this, Edna, my darling. Is she worth the price I’d have to pay these two men?”
She bit her lip and grinned. “Definitely, honey. We could clean up with DVDs alone and if I know my daughter, she’d be incredible in some BDSM films, too.”
“Is she a screamer?”
“I don’t know from firsthand experience, but I’m willing to bet she’s very vocal.”
“All right, sweetheart. I’ll let you know after I’ve instructed my two men. It should be tomorrow or the next day at the latest. I want this done and get you back home. My bed is very cold without you.”
“I’ll be waiting on pins and needles, Max. I love you,” she said and clicked her phone off. She held the phone to her lips, grinned and thought this is going to be fun.
Chapter Sixteen
Jay lay next to Kate under the comforter on his bed. They’d just woken up and the sun shone through the bedroom window. Their legs were tangled together. They kissed and let their hands wander and then heard the door bell ring.
“Dammit, we’re busy. I say let’s ignore it,” Jay said and put his lips back on hers. He pushed her onto her back and ran his hand down her pelvis.
“You’ll get no complaint from me, babe.” She smiled and kissed his chin. She ran her tongue down his neck and then sucked in a breath as his fingers found her nice, warm spot and slid between her wet folds and into her channel.
Jay put his lips back on hers and their tongues touched. He felt his penis grow harder and then his cell phone rang. He growled deep in his chest. “I may have to kill somebody.” He kissed her nose and brought his hand out from under the covers. He picked up his cell phone and looked at the reader. “It’s Frank.” He pushed a receive button. “Hey, we’re busy.”
“I knew you were here. Get out of bed and answer the door. I have some news.”
Jay hung up and looked down at Kate. “He’s at the door and says he has some news.”
She nodded. “I guess we’d better get up then. I’m going to mark this page in our book, so when we come back we can pick up from where we left off.”
Jay chuckled. “I don’t want to get up, but yeah, hopefully Frank won’t be all long-winded lawyer and then we can come back and I’ll let you devour my body, beautiful woman.” He kissed her again and let her get up.
While she washed her face, Jay put on his jeans and ran down to the front door. Frank walked in and carried a bag of bagels and his briefcase.
“Do you want coffee?” Jay asked and walked into the kitchen.
“Yes, please. I’ve been up all night.” Frank sat at the table and rubbed his eyes. “I didn’t want to go over this on the phone.”
“You could have at least combed your hair and put on a clean shirt. You look like crap, man,” Jay said and put coffee into the maker.
“Thanks, I’ll remember that next time we’re on the ice with our brooms.”
“So, the news, is it good?” Jay turned from the coffee pot and looked at him. Frank glanced up at him and shook his head. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
“No.”
They heard Kate’s footsteps come down the stairs. Jay poured water into the coffee maker and tried not to get worried. When he turned back around, Kate entered the kitchen and Frank stood up from his chair and smiled.
“Hi Frank. Please, sit do
wn. It’s too early in the day for formality,” she said and walked to the other side of the table. Jay sat down next to her and took her hand.
“Early? It’s ten o’clock.” Frank eased himself back down. “How are you doing this morning, Kate?”
“I’m fine,” she said. Jay thought he could hear tension in her voice. “Yesterday felt pretty intense, but you’ll be pleased to know Jay took extremely good care of me last night as per your instructions.” She smiled and leaned on Jay’s shoulder.
“Good. I’m glad he listened to me for a change.” Frank sat forward and put his hands on the table. “So, no time like the present, right? I have some good news and some weird news. I’m going to start with the weird. After that little meet over at Harry’s Diner last night, something your mom said bugged me.”
“Long legs,” Jay said. He hoped and prayed it wasn’t what he thought.
Frank looked at him. “You too?” Jay nodded.
“Did I miss something?” Kate looked back and forth between them.
“No, it’s a guy thing. When I got home last night, I got online and searched your new step-dad, Max Hardy.” Frank sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.
Jay saw a frown on Frank’s face and thought he looked in pain. “What did you find out?”
Frank huffed and looked away from them. “I said it yesterday, Kate. Your mother is a piece of work. Max Hardy does make films, but not the reputable kind.”
“Porn?” Jay asked and watched Frank nod. “Son-of-a-bitch.”
Kate sat forward and let go of Jay’s hand. “Frank, are you saying she wants me for porn films?”
“Direct to DVD and it’s a very lucrative business. Max Hardy is one of the biggest names in that business and yes, I believe that’s why they’re after you.”
