Crossing the Line (Men of the Ice Book 2)

by Michele Shriver

  “And talk some more?” Nik asked, a smile forming on his face.

  “Yes. Talk,” Meryl said. “Or whatever we want.” Maybe she was too forward, but at the moment, she didn’t care. He was sexy and kind and fun to talk to, and Meryl hadn’t been this interested in a man since Jensen showed her what love could be like... and before her father did everything he could to ruin it for her. Her heart beat faster as she waited for Nik’s response.

  “But your father...”

  “Oh, don’t worry about him.” Meryl started the car. “I probably gave you the wrong impression the other day, but I don’t actually live in the main house.” No, when Meryl was officially an adult, she’d insisted on moving out. She didn’t want to be witness to her father flaunting his new trophy wife around the house her mother had once presided over. What if she ran into Ronnie half-naked or something? Meryl shuddered at the thought. “There’s a guest house on the property and I live there.”

  “So we would be alone?”

  “Yes.” Meryl turned out of the parking lot. If he agreed, she’d have to fight to keep the speed under control on the way there. “No servants. No controlling asshole father. No wicked stepmother. Just us.”

  “I see.” Nik leaned back in his seat and looked out the window. “That would be nice. I think I would like to see your place.”

  Meryl stepped on the accelerator.

  Chapter Ten

  The language was different. Cultures and customs were different. Nik could usually recognize an invitation when he heard one, however, and he was fairly certain this was an invitation. Even in a city that wasn’t completely hockey-crazed, he received plenty of offers for female companionship. It was never hard to find women hanging around the arena after games, and he knew a few of his teammates occasionally took them up on their offers, but Nik thought it was cheap.

  He had standards, such as at least wanting to know a woman’s name and a little about her before having sex with her. To be able to have a conversation with her about the things she enjoyed, and for her to care a little about the things he cared about. Spending every night alone grew tiresome, though, and Nik didn’t have to think long nor hard about Meryl’s invitation.

  “Here we are,” Meryl said as she pulled the car to a stop in front of the smaller—but still grand by Nike’s standards—house on her father’s property. “The guest house.”

  “And you live here? By yourself?” Nik asked as she led him inside. As he looked around, he realized his impression of the other night had been erroneous. The house was more than twice the size of the one he’d grown up. How did anyone have such wealth, and more importantly, what what did Mr. Johnson do with all of it? As he considered what Meryl said about the soccer team her family used to own, he couldn’t help but wonder if Mr. Johnson viewed owning a sports team as merely another toy to play with. It hadn’t worked out with the soccer team, so he’d moved on to hockey. If he couldn’t make the Generals succeed, would something else follow, such as baseball or football? The whole thing struck Nik as rather distasteful. The more he learned about Meryl, the more he liked her, but the opposite seemed to be happening with the man who signed his paychecks.

  “Yes,” Meryl said. “It’s a little ridiculous, isn’t it? You must think I’m so spoiled and selfish.”

  “No, I don’t,” Nik said. “Although I have wondered, if you find this place so unpleasant and you don’t get along with your family, then why do you stay? Why not live somewhere else? A smaller house or an apartment, or a residence at your university?”

  Meryl laughed, and Nik wondered if she found the very idea to be amusing or ludicrous. “Because that’s just the thing... I am spoiled and selfish. I hate the pretentiousness of all of this,” she waved her hand around, “but I also love some aspects of it and don’t want to let it go. I like being able to run up to the main house for a meal anytime I feel like it, and have someone ready to make it.”

  “It’s certainly convenient,” Nik said, not wanting to judge.

  “Yes, very,” Meryl agreed. “And who doesn’t like convenience? I am occasionally self-sufficient, though, and I have some cookies or pastries for dessert. I can also make us some hot cocoa or coffee, if either of those interest you?”

  “Cocoa would be good, and come cookies,” Nik said. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll go grab that,” Meryl said. “Feel free to look around.”

  She left him alone, and Nik walked over to an electric fireplace, flipping the switch beside it. Right away, blue and orange flames emerged. The Crawfords has an electric fireplace, too, and the first time Nik saw it lit, he couldn’t quite believe it. He didn’t know anyone back home with anything other than a wood-burning fireplace. Maybe this was another one of the conveniences Meryl appreciated and hated to leave behind.

  One the mantel above the fireplace were several framed photographs, two of which immediately caught Nik’s eye. One was of a woman who appeared to be an older version of Meryl, with the same alluring eyes and pretty smile. Nik picked it up to examine it more closely.

  “My mother,” Meryl said from behind him.

  Nik turned around as she set a tray on the coffee table containing a plate of cookies and two mugs of cocoa. “Yes, I thought so. You look very much like her.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” Meryl said. “She was a beautiful woman.”

  “As are you.” Nik placed the frame back on the mantel and pointed to another picture, this one of Meryl and a young man with blond hair. He had his arm around her and wore a shirt with a logo Nik didn’t recognize. “Is this your brother?” he asked.

  “No.” Meryl said. “That’s a guy I used to know. His name is Jensen. He played on the soccer team my father used to own.”

  Nik looked at the picture again and saw that the shirt said Renegades, the name of the team. “Oh, right. Were you friends with him?”

  “Friends, yes.” Meryl nodded. “And for a while, more than that. It was a long time ago. Anyway, you should try these cookies and tell me what you think.”

  More than friends. Meaning lovers. And Meryl seemed anxious to change the subject. It made Nik curious as to what happened between them and if it should concern him, given that he played for the hockey team her father now owned and that Mr. Johnson didn’t want his daughter to become personally involved with his players.

  Nik sat down on the couch and reached for one of the cookies. They were chocolate chip and peanut butter, a combination he loved, and the taste didn’t disappoint. “They’re very good,” he said. “Did your family’s chef make them?”

  Meryl’s face tightened into a frown. “No, I made them. I told you I was occasionally self-sufficient.”

  Nik nodded, feeling embarrassed. “You did, yes. I’m sorry to offend you. Sometimes I seem to say the wrong thing around you.” First about the guy in the picture, now about the cookies. Maybe coming to Meryl’s house hadn’t been such a good idea, in spite of the attraction between them.

  ***

  Leaving a picture of her ex-boyfriend on display when she invited someone else to her house likely wouldn’t go down as one of Meryl’s smarter moves. The invitation had been rather spur of the moment, though, and Nik appeared more nonplussed by the whole thing rather than angry. Then again, Meryl had a hard time picturing Nik ever being angry. He always seemed so calm and quiet, aside from the intensity he displayed on the ice.

  She reached out and touched her hand to his cheek, feeling a hint of stubble. “Actually, I think you say just the right things to me.” Sure, he occasionally confused a few English words, but making a woman feel beautiful and special didn’t require a fluent grasp of the language. “I enjoy being with you.” Meryl leaned in and touched her lips to his.

  Their previous kisses had been tender and sweet, carrying with them a hint of promise for more. This time, instead of being content with a gentle peck, Nik responded by taking Meryl’s mouth in his and pulling her close to him. She reached her hand around his neck, lacing
her fingers through his hair as he nibbled on her lips. His breath was hot against hers, and sent a course of pleasure through her body.

  “Nik,” she whispered with a soft moan.

  “Yes?” He took a step back. “Do you want me to stop?”

  Meryl stifled a chuckle as she shook her head, not surprised he would ask that. “No. Please don’t stop. I want you to keep going.”

  “That would my pleasure,” Nik said with a grin.

  Meryl wanted to reply that No, the pleasure would be hers, but before she could, he swallowed her mouth with his, kissing her hungrily. For all of her outward reputation as a flirt and maybe even a wild-child, Meryl’s experience with men had been limited to Jensen. He’d introduced her to sex and made her feel whole again after the loss she’d suffered, but she’d lost him too, leaving her wondering if she’d ever feel the same intense desire for a man again.

  Any doubt was erased as Nik’s hands probed her body, finally undoing the zipper on her dress. She helped him tug it off, leaving her standing before him in only her undergarments. Instead of feeling exposed, though, she felt loved and desired as he gazed at her with passion in his eyes. “You are so very beautiful,” he said, and proceeded to back up his words with his actions as he loved her and pleasured her in ways that left her begging for more.

  When finally they were sated, they lay intertwined in each other’s arms on the rug in front of the fireplace as it provided a gentle warmth in the room. Meryl could feel Nik’s heart beating against her body and even though she knew she’d have to take him home sometime, she didn’t want to move. “This is the best night I’ve spent in a long time,” she said softly.

  “Me as well, Sol-nyshka moyo,” he answered.

  Meryl didn’t recognize the expression which she assumed must be Russian. “What does that mean?”

  “Sol-nyshka moyo?” Nik repeated. “My sun. You are my sun.”

  “That’s sweet.” Meryl smiled. “I’ve never been called anyone’s sun before.” She rolled over on her side and propped herself up on her elbow so she faced him. “Can you teach me some more Russian words?”

  “Sure, sometime,” Nik said. “I am also teaching Bryson to say some things in Russian.” He chuckled. “Of course, I will teach you different words. I say different things to you.”

  “I should hope so. Say something else to me,” she urged.

  “Ti krasIvaya.”

  “And what does it mean.”

  “You are lovely.” Nik leaned over and kissed her forehead. “You are so very lovely.”

  ***

  Nik woke up on the floor in front of Meryl’s fireplace, with her still in his arms. The only light in the room came from the glow of the electric flame, so it must not be morning, but he wondered how long they’d slept. He lifted his arm to glance at his watch, and saw that it was four a.m. “Govno,” he muttered as he sat up.

  The expletive and the movement caused Meryl to stir. “What? What’s wrong? What time is it?”

  “Almost morning. I have to be at practice in four hours.” Nik stood and began gathering his clothes. “I am sorry, but can you take me home?” He hated to dash out. He’d like nothing more than to hold her as the sun came up and welcome the day by making love to her again. But he couldn’t be late for practice and he didn’t want the Crawfords to know he’d been out all night.

  “Sure. Just let me put some other clothes on.” Meryl dashed off to another room, and by the time Nik finished dressing, she was back, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. “Will you get in trouble?” Her expression was one of concern.

  “No,” Nik reassured her. “As long as I am at practice on time, it’s fine. If not, I will be scratched from the next game.” Their coach was strict, and the last player to show up a few minutes late for practice sat in the press box for the game. Nik was punctual, though, and he’d be on time for practice. He’d probably just be tired. “How about you? Will you be in trouble?” Nik still worried what might happen if her father knew he’d spent the night with his daughter. He didn’t want to find out.

  “No. No one will ever know you were here,” Meryl said, retrieving her keys from where she’d left them. “At least as long as I get you home before dawn.”

  Nik felt a little like a child sneaking around, but knew it was best to be cautious, and was relieved to get back to the Crawfords’ house and not see any lights on. He appreciated their generosity in allowing him to stay in their home and didn’t want to do anything that reflected poorly on him.

  “Here you are,” Meryl said.

  “Yes, thank you.” Nik unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned forward to kiss her. He kept it to a single kiss, not wanting to get carried away. In a way, they were both sneaking around. “For everything. I had a great time.”

  “Me too.” Meryl smiled. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “Yes. Soon.” Nik knew he would look forward to it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Meryl covered her mouth as she yawned. Although she’d tried to get some sleep after taking Nik home, the attempt had been futile. She’d been preoccupied with thoughts of Nik and how soon she might see him again.

  “Are you tired this morning?” her father asked.

  “A little.” Meryl added flavored cream and sugar to her coffee, the only way she could tolerate the stuff. Still, caffeine would be essential for getting through the morning. “I didn’t sleep very well last night.” Because I spent part of the night in sexual bliss with your top-line winger. On the floor in front of the fireplace. Romantic, yes. Conducive to sleep, not so much.

  “Is that why you were out driving around at four in the morning?”

  “Excuse me?” The question caught Meryl off guard, but it probably shouldn’t have. She’d long suspected her father had spies keeping an eye on her comings and goings. The real question was not whether he knew she’d left the grounds before dawn, but whether he knew she hadn’t been alone at the time she left. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about?”

  Rick set his fork down and peered at her across the table. “The security gate was accessed at 4:12 this morning, and again at 4:43,” he said. “Presumably when you left, and then returned from your errand. Whatever it might have been.”

  So if he knew about Nik, he wasn’t letting on. But he had confirmed that his spy system was more elaborate than Meryl had ever suspected. That sealed it. It was time to think about getting her own place, off of the estate grounds, even it meant giving up the convenience of prepared meals whenever she wanted and the housekeeping services that went along with it. “Oh, that.” Meryl shrugged as if it was nothing. “I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to go for a little drive to clear my head.” Hopefully the explanation would pass muster.

  “Did it help?” Her father’s eyebrows arched above his glasses.

  “Maybe a little.” Meryl concentrated on her eggs benedict, as usual expertly prepared by Clive and his staff. It would be hard to give this up.

  “When I have trouble sleeping, I like to get up and run on the treadmill,” Ronnie announced, as if anyone cared.

  “That’s nice,” Meryl muttered.

  “Or have sex. That helps too,” Ronnie added with a wink at her husband.

  Meryl choked on a bite of toast and reached for her water glass. That was so not the image she wanted first thing in the morning, especially while she was eating. Did the woman have any shame? Apparently not. At least she didn’t offer further details, or Meryl might have to plug her ears and gouge her eyes out with a fork to try to unsee the image. “Really? Sex usually tends to wake me up. Maybe you’re doing it wrong.”

  “Meryl!” Her father scolded.

  “What? Your trophy wife was the one that started it.” She wiped her mouth with her napkin and pushed her chair back. “As much as I’d love to continue this fabulous and enlightening conversation, I have to get to work. We’re hoping to launch the website for the camps today.”

  ***

  Nik needn’t have worried about being lat
e for practice. Unable to sleep after he got home, he lay in bed thinking about Meryl and the feel of her body pressed against his. Since such thoughts could be dangerous, especially with the team about to embark on a road trip with back-to-back games in Edmonton and Calgary, he got up and took a cold shower before leaving for the practice facility at 6:30. He’d already put in some time on the exercise bike before anyone else arrived.

  Not surprisingly, it was Colton, who liked to set an example for the rest of the team. In spite of some bad press at the start of the season, he’d proven himself to be a good leader and captain and someone Nik looked up to. “Hi, Colton,” Nik said, as he wiped his face with a towel.

  “Hey, Nik. You’re here early.”

  “Yes, I haven’t worked out or skated in a few days, so I thought I better get in some extra time.”

  “Makes sense.” Colton got on the bike beside Nik. “I figured maybe you’d call me so we could get in a practice skate in yesterday like we talked about.”

  “Oh, right.” Nik realized he’d forgotten Colton’s offer. “I didn’t have any time.”

  “Yeah?” Colton gave him a curious glance. “So Christmas turned out better than you were expecting it to?”

  Nik nodded. “Yes, it was actually very good,” he said, opting to keep the details to himself. “And yourself? Did you enjoy the holiday with Maya’s family?”

  “Sure did,” Colton said. “A lot different than I’m used to, but it was great. I think her family’s starting to like me more, even her overprotective father and cop brother.”

  “That’s good,” Nik said, feeling a little envious. He doubted whether Meryl’s father would ever approve of her having a relationship with him, and it made him question what kind of future they could have, in spite of the growing feelings between them.