Melting The Ice

by Amy Leigh Napier

  “She’s here with me.” Cian’s tightly controlled voice sounded from behind her. “That’s how she happened to be here.” Without another word, he latched onto her hand and began dragging her through the crowd behind him. In four-inch heels, it was hard to keep up with him. She glanced back over her shoulder; Max was speaking with an irritated Stephane, obviously explaining the situation to him. Cian was rudely shoving his way through the crowd, garnering way more attention than she was comfortable with; people pointing and whispering in speculation was not her idea of a good time. She felt her face heat with embarrassment and pulled against the iron grip he had on her hand. He turned on her swiftly; his face tight with anger and leaned down until his lips were against her ear. “You can either walk out of here or get carried. Right now I don’t give a damn one way or the other so which will it be, Ava?” His harsh whisper pissed her off. Her blue eyes glittered with anger as she tossed her head and looked at him with contempt.

  “You try to carry me out of here and you will live to regret it.” She snarled at him before forcefully removing her hand from his grip. Amusement lit his eyes for a second at her audacity, but only for a second. The anger was back as if the amusement had never been but when he reached for her hand again, his grip was much gentler and he led her through the crowd instead of dragging. He seemed to know where he was going; traversing from one corridor to another until the noise from the party couldn’t be heard at all. He opened a door, glanced inside and finding it unoccupied, flipped the light switch and shoved her inside. He slipped in behind her and locked the door, leaning back against it. It was obvious he was trying to get his warring emotions under control before he spoke. She glanced around to find they were in a small powder room. Leaning back against the countertop, her arms crossed, she decided the best course of action was to go on the offensive.

  “So you hate me now?” One supercilious brow rose up her forehead. He continued to regard her in silence. “You don’t love me anymore?” His eyes narrowed in warning.

  “I don’t want to love you.” His words sounded like they were forced out between gritted teeth. Crossing his own arms across his chest, he studied her as if she were some kind of puzzle. “What do you want from me, Ava?” She opened her mouth to respond and closed it just as quickly finding it was hard to tell someone looking so hateful that you loved them. His next words had her as riled as he. “Did you wanna fuck with my head some more or is this strictly a social call?” Her hands on her hips, she took an aggressive step in his direction.

  “That’s right. I came all this way to fuck with your head some more.” Sarcasm dripped from every word. “There weren’t enough people back home that despised me to keep me entertained so here I am.”

  “I don’t despise you.” He grumbled, not looking the least happy with his admission.

  “Really?” Her mocking tone had him shifting uncomfortably. “Then you’ve chosen the wrong career. You should have been an actor, Cian.”

  “Why did you come here?” Before she could answer, he moved his hands to his hips and took a step closer to her, his look accusing. “And what the hell were you doing with Beliveau?” She gaped at him in surprise.

  “I was dancing and having civil conversation; something you apparently know nothing about.” She shook her head in disbelief at his jealousy.

  “You looked mighty cozy…”

  “You found me out, you brilliant man!” she exclaimed sardonically. “After a mere twenty minute acquaintance with Stephane, I completely forgot I had come here to see you and have already pledged my eternal love to Mr. Bellevue.”

  “Beliveau.” He corrected a spark of amusement in his gaze again.

  “Names aren’t important when one has found the love of their life…” He smiled ruefully at her heated words. He moved until he was directly in front of her and laid his index finger over her lips.

  “You’ve made your point, Ava; don’t belabor it.” He said softly, the expression in his brown eyes regarding her uncertainly. Her anger deserted her and she gazed back at him with all the love she felt for him there for him to plainly see. “Damn…I’ve missed you, Baby…” His hand settled on the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to his. Her lips met his eagerly in an openmouthed kiss, their mouths slanting against each other for better access. Her arms went around his waist, needing something to hold onto as the hot, wet kiss quickly burned out of control. She wasn’t sure which one of them moaned; maybe it was both but the mating of mouths and his body rubbing against hers was everything she had recalled on all the lonely nights of the last two months. The hand on the back of her neck had slid into her hair to better control the angle and she felt his other hand slide under the short skirt of her Chanel cocktail dress to grasp her buttock bared by her thong. Their mouths still joined, she pulled back far enough to push his suit coat from his shoulders, yank his tie free and tore at the buttons of his shirt until his thickly muscled chest and rippling, washboard abs were bare to her caressing hands.

  “Cian…” she groaned. He tore his mouth from hers to work his way down her throat, his hands pushing the straps of the dress off her shoulders to bare her breasts. His head bent to her breasts, sucking a nipple between his lips while his hands slipped under her skirt to slide her thong down her legs. His teeth gently nipped at her nipple and she felt his fingers slide into the warm wetness between her legs.

  “Ava…you’re so wet for me…” his deep growl sent a shiver down her spine as her hands clutched him closer. He dropped to his knees and pushing her skirt out of his way, put his mouth to the most tender part of her while her hands grasped his shoulders to stay upright. When his mouth fastened on the knot of nerves to suck hard and he plunged two fingers inside her, her orgasm ripped through her, forcing a loud groan of pleasure from her. Before she could recover, he had her lifted to the marble countertop and somehow managed to undo his belt and fly, freeing the long, thick part of him she knew was going to make her scream. She reached down to grasp him in her hand, her fingers not quite meeting around the thick shaft, stroking him. She tasted herself on him when his mouth met hers for another blazing kiss. He grasped the hand stroking him and moved it up behind his neck. His hands spread her legs wide and wrapped them around his hips before grasping her buttocks in his hand and joining their bodies in one hard thrust. Her body bowed back at the feel of him inside her after such a long absence. She braced her hands behind her for leverage and met him thrust for thrust until she felt her orgasm building inside of her. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had as he made her come so hard she thought she would literally black out.

  “Cian!” she gasped as she felt his release start while hers continued. “Oh God…I love you...I love you…I love you…”she chanted.

  “Ava…I love you.” He groaned, burying his face against her neck. Finally the tremors shaking them both came to an end and they clung to each other trying to regain their senses and calm their erratic breathing. He raised his head from her neck and placed a long, lingering kiss on her lips before easing out of her. He glanced around and she could see when the realization of what had just happened hit. “Dear God…I can’t believe we just had sex in Tate’s bathroom…”

  She giggled and slid off the countertop and caught her reflection in the mirror. “My hair…” she groaned when she witnessed the mess he had made of her hair. His eyes met hers in the mirror and he grinned sheepishly.

  “Sorry…I got a little carried away.” She grinned back at him as she removed the pins from her hair and set about fixing it back into the messy up-do.

  “You don’t have to apologize. I like it when you get carried away.” His arms slid around her from behind, pulling her back against him. He kissed the side of her neck and looked into her eyes.

  “Oh yeah?” he asked, his gaze the warm and loving one she had thought she would never see again.

  “Yeah.” They smiled at each other for a long moment. He placed another quick kiss on her cheek
and gave her a squeeze before stepping away to let her work on her hair. When they both had cleaned up and had everything back where it was supposed to be, he led her back to the party, his arm wrapped securely around her waist, keeping her close to his side.

  “What do you say to finding my newly reinstated best friend and Macy, making our excuses and letting me take you home with me where I plan to let you take shameless advantage of me?” His low voice rumbled in her ear as they negotiated their way through the throng. She smiled up at him through her lashes.

  “I say you are not only a handsome man, but a brilliant one as well.” He grinned at her words, kissing her upturned lips. They located their friends a few minutes later at the bar. Max smiled like a cat that had just snacked on a fat canary when he saw Cian and Ava with their arms around each other.

  “We’re gonna head out.” Cian stated, his smile sheepish as Max continued to silently gloat. “Can you find your own ride home?”

  “We’ll take my limo when we’re ready to go.” Macy answered, her smile as satisfied as Max’s. “You two go on and we’ll talk tomorrow.”

  “But before you go…is there not something you would like to say to me, best friend?” Max raised an inquiring brow in mock hauteur, his eyes sparkling devilishly. Cian sighed and rolled his eyes.

  “You were right, okay?” He muttered. Max turned his head to the side with his hand cupped around his ear as if he were hard of hearing.

  “Forgive me…I do not believe I heard you correctly. Did you say ‘Maxime Brooks, you are always right and I, Cian Secord, am always wrong’?” Cian chuckled at Max’s words while Ava and Macy burst out laughing. Max smirked with relish. “It is such a burden always being right.”

  “I’m in too good of a mood to argue the point.” Cian gave Ava a squeeze. “As soon as I find Coach and Tate, we’re outta here.”

  “Then we will bid you and the lovely Ava adieu.” Max bowed over Ava’s hand and lavishly kissed it. She giggled and swatted at him.

  “Let’s meet at our hotel for breakfast.” Macy suggested.

  “Make it brunch and you’re on.” Cian stated, glancing at the slim gold Patek Philippe watch on his wrist. With their plans made to meet up the following day, he led Ava through the crowd, stopping to introduce her to several of his teammates and members of team management while they searched for his coach and team owner. After what seemed like hours but in fact was no more than thirty minutes, they were in Cian’s Maserati on their way to his place. He steered with one hand, his other hand holding hers while his thumb absently stroked her palm.

  “Do you live very far?” She questioned, giving his hand a squeeze. He shook his head, flashing a quick smile before returning his attention to the road.

  “Fifteen minutes or so.” He hesitated for a second. “Did I tell you how happy I am to have you here with me?” She snorted indelicately and laughed.

  “You say that now. You weren’t so happy to see me at first.”

  “That’s why I acted like such an ass.” He laughed. She hooted with laughter.

  “You threatened Max’s life because you were happy to see me; that makes sense.”

  “But I didn’t want to be happy to see you. I wanted to hate you.” He shrugged. She turned slightly in the passenger seat to face him.

  “And now?” she asked softly, her eyes glowing with all the love she felt for him. He brought the vehicle to a halt at a four-way Stop and leaned over to rub his mouth lightly over hers.

  “Now all I want to do is love you…” he paused for a moment and pulled back, his eyes searching hers. “In whatever capacity you want…I don’t wanna be without you, Ava.” An impatient motorist laid on the horn behind them. He returned his attention to his driving and put the car back in motion. She thought about what he had just said. She wouldn’t have to step outside of her comfort zone and into the murky, unknown world of commitment. She had come to Boston prepared to put all her fears aside and tell Cian she would marry him because that’s the only way she had thought she could have him. He’d pulled back on his marriage or nothing stance and basically said he would take her anyway he could get her. She could have her cake and eat it too. What she couldn’t understand is why that brought her no satisfaction at all…and why she felt like the chickenshit he had accused her of being. Her gaze ran over him caressingly…she really loved this man. The silence continued until he had parked the car and walked around the car to open her door. His hand grasped hers to lead her into his home but she stood her ground and pulled him back to her, her uncertain gaze meeting his confused one. Taking a deep breath, she let it out in a whoosh.

  “What if I tell you I want it all?” she asked, her voice shaking. His eyes widened in surprise for a moment before his hand moved to caress her cheek. A happy smile lit his face and he bent down to give her a soft, gentle kiss.

  “Then I have something inside that belongs to you.” His husky answer had her exhaling in relief and throwing herself into his arms to cling to him. His arms closed around her, lifting her completely off her feet in a tight hug. They stayed silently wrapped in each others’ arms for a lengthy moment, neither willing to let go of the other. When they finally separated, they grinned at each other and headed for the front doors of his building. The night doorman greeted them and they crossed to the elevators. He fit his key into a lock and hit the button for the top floor, snuggling her close to him as it ascended. The doors opened to an entryway with gleaming dark wood wainscoting and a massive set of double doors. He unlocked the door and ushered her inside. She looked around, happy to see Cian’s home, though richly furnished, was also comfortable. She stepped down into a sunken living area with a massive, deeply cushioned three-sided sectional in chocolate brown suede, glass topped accent tables and a truly spectacular wall of electronics that any Best Buy would have envied. There were a few pieces of modern art scattered about and a stack of Hockey News’ on the coffee table. She crossed to the sofa and set down, kicking off her shoes to get comfortable. Cian was glancing around with a confused expression on his face.

  “What?” she asked, looking around to see what was bothering him. After a moment, he smiled sheepishly and shrugged.

  “Nothing.” He bent over the back of the sofa and tilted her face up to his for a lingering kiss. When the kiss broke, he grinned mischievously and winked at her suggestively. “Let’s go to my bedroom; I have something I wanna show you.” She giggled in delight as he snatched her off the sofa and swung her up into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and started nibbling on his ear lobe, her tongue tracing the shell. A low groan escaped his throat when she whispered how hot he made her and what she was gonna do to him between kisses. He used his foot to push open the door of the bedroom and she felt his entire body stiffen as he came to a sudden halt.

  “What the hell…”

  “Surprise, Baby!” A high-pitched female voice had Ava whipping her head around in shock. A ridiculously beautiful Lani Mason lay across Cian’s huge mahogany sleigh bed in a barely there sheer nightie, carefully posed with her head propped on her left hand, a huge cushion-cut diamond glittering…

  “That’s my ring!” Ava yelled in outrage as she wriggled violently until Cian released her. Lani sat up, flipping her long blonde hair over her shoulder, an angry pout on her face.

  “Who is this…woman?” she asked with distaste. Cian stared at Lani in disbelief, unable to grasp that his ex-girlfriend was lying across his bed wearing next to nothing…and Ava’s engagement ring. His gaze shot to Ava’s face and the fury he saw there had him breaking into a cold sweat.

  “Ava…please, Baby…you have to believe me. This is not what it looks like…I don’t even know how she got in here…” his words were running together he was talking so fast as he saw his entire future with Ava draining away.

  “Ava?” Lani’s snide voice interrupted his flood of words. She came to her feet and put her hands on her hips, displaying her thin model body to its best advantage. “This is the old wo
man you were cheating on me with?”

  Cian scowled at Lani with pure loathing glittering in his dark eyes, before turning back to Ava who was still glaring at Lani in a decidedly menacing manner. He gripped her chin and turned her face up to his until he could look into her eyes. “Ava, I swear to you I’ve not been with another woman since I met you. I love you, Baby…”

  “How did she get in your apartment?” Ava jerked her face free of his gentle grip and stepped back, her expression angry and accusing. Before he could respond, Lani’s fake laugh broke the silence.