Hard Lines & Goal Lines (Fast Ice Book 2)

by Stephanie Julian

  “What if it doesn’t work out? A relationship with a player can be messy but having to work together after a breakup? It would be hell.”

  Just thinking about it gave her heart palpitations. But just saying the word “breakup” out loud had hurt.

  “And if you don’t even try?” RJ shook his head. “That’s worse. Word of advice? Don’t think about it too long. You’re both stubborn as hell. You’re gonna need to bend a little.”

  “Can I come in?”

  Gabby’s door was open, but Tim knocked before he stepped inside. He wasn’t sure what kind of reception he was going to get, and he’d purposely only given himself enough time to spend a few minutes here. He had to be in the locker room in fifteen minutes to get ready for the game.

  Sitting at her desk, Gabby looked up and smiled. A little. So far, so good.

  “Of course.”

  She bit her lip, as if she wanted to say something else. But she must have reconsidered because she smiled and remained silent.

  Okay. Guess it was up to him.

  “You mind if I close the door?”

  “No, go ahead.”

  He turned to shut it and, when he turned back, she’d stood and come around her desk to lean back against it.

  She looked amazing. Her hair a sleek fall of waves that he wanted to sink his hands into, her lips a pretty shade of pink he wanted to taste, and her brown eyes staring into his with a heat he swore he could feel.

  “About Friday—”

  “I’m sorry.” She broke in before he could finish. “I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did. It was a knee-jerk reaction and I’m sorry for jumping down your throat.”

  “And I’m sorry for acting like a caveman and making things worse. I know you can take care of yourself. But I can’t help wanting to take care of you.”

  Her smile widened. “And that’s okay most of the time. It was just a combination of things—”

  “I told your dad I’m retiring at the end of the season.”

  Her mouth dropped open in shock and stayed that way for several seconds before she snapped it shut and blinked in shock.

  “What?”

  “I told you I was thinking about it. I made up my mind. I’m ready to move on.”

  Did her cheeks go a little pale? Was she happy? Sad? What?

  “I don’t want you to think I’m doing this because of you. I’m doing this for myself. And because I want us to give a relationship a shot.”

  She shook her head, her brow furrowing. “Do you think you need to give up your career for me?”

  He shook his head, feeling like he was crossing thin ice. “No. I know you wouldn’t ask me to do that. You barely ask me to do anything for you.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing. It doesn’t mean anything. Gabby—”

  “No.” She held up her hand. “Just…wait. I don’t want to fight. But I also don’t want to be the reason you retire.”

  “I’m not retiring for you. And I’m not retiring because of you.”

  “Tim…”

  “I’m retiring because this is when I’ve decided to retire. On my terms.”

  Her gaze darted away for a few, telling seconds. “If that’s what you truly want, then I’m happy for you. But if you think this is what I want you to do—”

  “No. That’s not it.”

  “Okay.” She paused, her expression not loosening at all. “Do you know what you’re going to do?”

  “I have a couple of ideas, yeah. One that would keep me in the area. Close to you.”

  Her eyes widened, and he couldn’t tell if he saw fear or surprise cross her expression. Whichever, it was gone in a flash.

  “And that’s what you want?”

  She’d gone so still, watching his every move.

  Nodding, he watched her carefully. “Yeah, it is. But you have to know if it’s what you want. I don’t want to push you into a relationship if you’re not ready—”

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t ready. But we literally have only been together two weeks. How do you know we’ll still be together in a month? A year?”

  He shrugged. “I don’t. I do know I’ve loved you for years. I want to be with you. The question is, do you want me?”

  Her lips parted and she drew in a breath, but he stood and closed the space between them before she could say something he might not want to hear.

  Instead, he sealed his mouth over hers in a kiss that made him sweat. And want. Christ, he wanted her.

  His mouth devoured hers, her taste an aphrodisiac that made his heart pound and his stiffening cock ruin the line of his suit. It didn’t help when she lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, pressing the full length of her body against his. Giving him exactly what he wanted.

  Christ, he’d missed this. Wanted so much more than her mouth on his. He wanted to run his hands up her back and press her even closer. Wanted to strip her clothes away until she stood naked in front of him and he would go to his knees and—

  With a groan, he set her away from him, loving the fact that she gripped his shoulders tight before letting him go.

  “Think about it, Gabby. Don’t answer now, just think about us. I’ll see you at the benefit tomorrow. Do you want me to pick you up?”

  “No, I’ll meet you there. I have an appointment before.” She slowly released his shoulders, where she’d been gripping him tight. She looked flushed and out of breath. “Tim, I—”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

  And he hoped like hell she’d want to dance with him for more than just one night.

  Thirteen

  “Whoa, Gabby. You look amazing. Guess you’re not spending the night at home watching TV.”

  Gabby rolled her eyes at RJ and waved him through her front door as she finished fastening her earrings.

  No, she wasn’t, but she’d briefly considered it. She knew if she showed up at this event tonight, she’d have to make a decision. She couldn’t continue to string Tim along. It wasn’t fair. To either of them.

  “I’m about to head out the door for the Sunnyspace benefit. Hey, good game last night, by the way.”

  “Thanks. Guess I should’ve called. This can wait until tomorrow.”

  “You’re here now. What’s up? What do you need?”

  “Nothing that can’t wait.”

  Something in her brother’s voice made her stop and look at him, really look. What she saw made her breath catch in her throat.

  “What happened?”

  For a few seconds, she thought he wasn’t going to answer.

  Then he sighed and straightened, like he was about to do something she wasn’t going to like.

  “I talked to Mom and Dad then I made a call to the LA Times. I told them we can do an interview Monday. They can ask me whatever they want. I have nothing to hide. I’m sick of acting like I do.”

  A mess of emotions roiled in her gut. Anger that anyone could think RJ would ever be guilty of any of the accusations being flung at him. Sadness at the hard edge in her older brother’s normally cheerful voice. And the odd sense of guilt that someone she’d left him to handle this on his own.

  “Why didn’t you ask me to make that call? Or at least be there for…moral support?”

  The curve of his lips held no amusement at all. “Because I’m an adult who should be able to handle his own mess.” Then a hint of the normal RJ peeked out in an easier grin. “I’ll have you there for the call, if that makes you feel any better.”

  She smiled back at him. “It does. I’m here for you. You know that, right?”

  He nodded. “I know. So. All this is for Tank, huh? Glad to see you’re making an effort. The poor guy won’t know what hit him.”

  She thought about her next words carefully. “I’m still not sure what I going to do. I’m afraid I’m going to mess this up. Mess us up.”

  Reaching for her, he squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t doubt your instincts. Tell him how you really feel. Every
thing else will fall into place or it won’t and then you’ll do what you do best.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Make it happen yourself.”

  Gabby thought about her brother’s words all the way to the venue where they were holding the benefit. Located along the Schuylkill River, the building had been a residence years ago, a mansion that’d been lovingly restored by a local historical society. Today, it held events like this one.

  Stepping through the huge, arched wood doors, she was glad she’d taken the time to get her hair and makeup done. She felt much more at ease knowing she looked like she fit in wearing a designer dress and Louboutin heels. Most events she attended didn’t call for her to dress in a couple thousand dollars of silk and rhinestones.

  As she walked into the main hall, she recognized a billionaire tech mogul and five millionaires, all of whom nodded and smiled at her as she passed by. Any other night, she would’ve stopped to talk. She would’ve made the rounds, shook hands, made small talk, asked about families and golf games and invited them to a game in the box with her dad. All part of the job.

  Tonight wasn’t about the job. She smiled to acknowledge them but kept walking. She had one goal tonight.

  A jazz quartet played softly in one corner, though no one was dancing yet. They’d save that for after dinner and the presentation of recognition awards, probably for the money these men and women had given to keep this place running. Men like Tim.

  Anticipation rushed through her at the thought of being in his arms. She hadn’t seen him after the game last night. She’d gotten caught up with a couple of chatty sponsors after the game and he’d been gone before she made it downstairs. Then she’d wondered if he’d deliberately avoided her.

  Which was ridiculous. After what he’d said to her…why would he avoid her?

  Maybe because he thinks you’re going to dump him? You do have kind of a reputation.

  Just the thought made her stomach hurt. All she’d thought about every waking hour since yesterday was Tim. And how much she wanted him to stay here. With her. The thought of him leaving the team made her heart hurt because she wouldn’t be able to see him every day. And that just wasn’t acceptable.

  She needed to tell him that. Needed to tell him she wanted to be with him, and she didn’t care who was here that would see them. In fact, she was pretty sure she wanted everyone to know he was hers. And she was his.

  “May I have this dance?”

  Tim spoke directly into her ear, his voice resonating deep inside her. Smiling, she turned—and had to remind herself to breathe.

  The man looked like the fairytale prince she’d dreamed of as a child but had grown up to believe didn’t exist. Yet, here he was, a hockey god in a tux made specifically for his body. A tux she wanted to strip away so she could get her hands on the hard body beneath.

  “You cut your hair.”

  She took the hand he held out to her as she reached with her other to brush through the silky strands. They’d been cut short enough to only hint at the curls she knew were there.

  His smile widened as she stepped into his body, pressed tight enough that she could feel the heat of him. A heat that only intensified as she came even closer.

  “You look so civilized.”

  “And you look amazing.” His voice brushed against her ear. “I’m glad you came.”

  “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

  He paused. “I might’ve considered it a few times.”

  Now or never.

  “Of course, I came. I couldn’t miss an opportunity to dance with you.”

  She hadn’t realized they’d begun to sway to the music, their bodies in perfect rhythm, until Tim stopped, his hands on her hips gripping her hard before loosening.

  “Gabby.”

  She closed the sliver of air left between their bodies and pressed her body tightly to his. She wanted to be clear about her intentions.

  “I want to have dinner together and then I want to dance with you some more,” she said. “I don’t care who sees us or who talks about us. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I only care what you think. And if you want to leave now and go back to my place, I’d be okay with that, too.”

  He pulled his head back and put one hand under her chin so she couldn’t look away. “I don’t just want you in my bed, Gabby. I want you in my life. I want you to be my life.”

  The tightness in her chest that had plagued her all day cracked and let her take her first full breath, maybe since last Friday.

  “Good. Because that’s what I want from you, too. I love you, Tim. I think I always have—”

  His lips descended and he kissed her. And even though it was a mostly chaste kiss, it still managed to make her panties damp. She heard nothing over the sound of her beating heart and Tim’s rough breathing as he pulled away.

  She realized they’d stopped swaying to the music she could barely even hear anymore, realized a few people were staring at them. She didn’t care. Smiling up at him, she moved even closer.

  “I love you, Gabby.” His smile mirrored hers. “Now, either we dance. Or we leave. And since we just got here, and you look fucking amazing in that dress…”

  They danced but they never made it to dinner.

  They made it back to her place. Barely.

  Tim had been undressing Gabby with his eyes since the moment she’d walked into the ballroom, but he’d tried to keep his desire under a tight hold while they were in public. He didn’t want to embarrass her or himself by, oh, running his hand over her ass or adjusting a hard-on all night.

  But now, finally, they were alone. She’d just closed and locked the door to her apartment behind them and had turned back to him, walking straight into his arms and lifting her mouth to his.

  He let her kiss him, felt her hands cup his jaw as his hands wrapped around her waist to draw her into his body. For several minutes, all they did was kiss. Her lips moved over his, her tongue tangled with his, as her hands roamed his shoulders and chest.

  He kept his hands locked to her hips, her midnight-blue dress slick and warm against his skin. His fingers curled into the material but released it just as quickly, afraid he’d rip it if he wasn’t careful.

  But when she rolled rubbed herself against his erection, he groaned and clamped his hands tighter on her hips.

  Pulling away, he let his forehead rest against hers. “You’re going to need to lose the dress.”

  She huffed out a laugh, her lips curving in a sexy little smile. “The big, tough hockey player can’t deal with a little silk, huh?”

  “This hockey player doesn’t want to tear it off your hot body.”

  She hitched in a breath, her hands sliding to the back of his neck to run her nails up and down his nape.

  “Maybe I want you to.” Her smile turned wicked.

  Heat raced through his body. “Gabby.”

  His voice held a distinct growl as he took a step back. She raised her eyebrows at him in challenge. Lust fired at her dare, the look she gave him pure provocation. If she wanted to play, he wasn’t about to say no.

  Grabbing her shoulders, he turned her until she had her back to him. Barely holding on to his control, he reached for the exposed zipper running down the back of the dress. Tugging it down, he watched it spill onto the ground. Then his gaze ran back up her body, taking in the peach lace panties that barely covered her ass and the bare expanse of her back. She hadn’t been wearing a bra.

  He swallowed hard, the tips of his fingers trailing up her spine from her waist to her neck, now uncovered by her hair, twisted in some kind of complicated knot, held together only by a couple of pretty sticks. When he pulled them out, her hair spilled down her back, making his cock jerk at the sight.

  He left the panties. And the shoes. Holy hell, those shoes would be the death of him.

  She looked over her shoulder at him, her gaze an invitation. Which he took.

  Spinning her around, he kissed her again, his hands rising to cup h
er breasts, knead them, while her tongue slid along his. He felt her fingers working between them, his jacket being pushed off his shoulders until he had to release her so she could take it off.

  His jacket and shirt disappeared in seconds, her nimble fingers falling to his pants. When she tugged the button through its hole, his cock responded by hardening even more. And when she shoved his pants down his legs, he put one hand on her nape and held her to him so he could kiss her even deeper.

  But Gabby had other plans.

  She went to her knees, her hands tugging down his boxer briefs. When his cock sprang free, he breathed a sigh of relief before drawing her head toward him. She gave some resistance but from the look she flashed him, he knew it was token, designed to make him even hotter. Which she was doing a damn fine job of.

  The second her lips touched his cock, he wanted more. More of her mouth, more of her hands, her body. Wanted everything she had to give. And then some. He let her nuzzle him for a moment, rub the tip of her nose against the shaft, before she wrapped her hand around him and drew him into her mouth.

  Damp heat. Tight suction. He’d be lucky not to hold off coming in seconds. He let her control the action, held himself steady as she sucked him with a rhythm that made him gasp.

  Fuck. She made him crazy. Made him so fucking happy she was his.

  As her hands gripped his thighs, kneading the tight muscles, his cock pulsed as her lips spread around the tip. With her eyes closed, she looked as if she were enjoying it almost as much as he was.

  With reluctance, he pulled away from her mouth, sliding his hands under her arms to lift her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist, his cock bumping against her mound, satin panties damp against his heated flesh.

  Fuck yeah.

  Keeping one arm around her back, he moved to the couch and lowered himself to the cushions. With his arm around her waist, he urged her higher, then used his free hand to guide his cock. He rubbed the tip against her panties, against her clit.

  Her head fell back as her eyes closed, her bottom lip sucked between her teeth. Lowering his mouth to hers, he sealed their lips together for a deep kiss. As she moaned into his mouth, she angled her body so the head of his cock lodged between her lower lips, pushing her panties inside her body.