Breaking The Ice (Providence University #1)

by Ali Parker

  “We’re not going to make it through a movie, are we?” I cupped the side of his face and pressed myself tightly to the front of him, loving how good it felt to be held by such a strong man.

  “I’m not sure.” He turned his face toward mine and kissed me softly. “One more thing about her.”

  “Tell me.” My breath caught in my chest. I needed him to tell me that he was in love with me. I was too scared to tell him first. It was a trap of sorts, one that he wouldn’t try and get out of, and then what? He would let his hockey contract with Washington fade into oblivion just because of the guilt he felt at knowing that I’d fallen in love with him? How did that make me any better than his parents?

  “She hates touching bugs.” He nipped at my lips and moved back. “Get up here and tell me how your dance appointment with the bitch went.”

  I let out a grumble and got up on the couch next to him, snuggling against his side. “Hand me the popcorn first.”

  “Here, but don’t eat the kernels at the bottom. I love those.” He handed me the bucket, only to pull it back teasingly.

  “She was open about her own life. It was weird. Refreshing.” I shrugged and picked up a handful of popcorn. “She wanted to make a large dance company but got pregnant by some basketball player.”

  “Yeah. She’s Natasha Kelly’s mom.” Lucas glanced over at me and smiled. “The point guard for the Friars?”

  “No fucking way. Are you serious right now?” I moved back a little. I knew Natasha from having English together our freshman year and watching her move her way up as the most petite spitfire basketball player on our basketball team. “She looks nothing like McCraven. Wait. Why are their last names different?”

  “Because when her parents divorced, her mom went back to her maiden name.” He reached across me and grabbed a handful of popcorn, taking special attention to brushing his arm by my breasts. My nipples responded like they had a mind of their own.

  “Wow. I didn’t know that.” I snuggled back against him. “We had a good talk today, but I think it was because I stood my ground.”

  “Oh yeah? On what?”

  “The tryouts for the spring production are on Saturday this coming week.”

  “What? You’re supposed to be with us in New York.” His reaction was somewhat telling. Maybe he did expect me to give up my dreams to follow his, but did he even know what he wanted in life?

  “I know that.” I popped him in the chest and moved up to the edge of the couch as I ran my hands through my hair. “I told her that I would get there as soon as I could. The tournament starts on Thursday night, so I should be able to fly back earlier. If not, then I gave up my chance for this year.”

  “You did?” He moved up and slid his hand up my back. “Why? Not for me, I hope.”

  I glanced over at him. “Would you ask me to do that for you?”

  “Never.” He brushed my hair off my shoulder and leaned in, kissing me a few times. His dark hair and trimmed beard had him looking like the alpha male that he was. I wanted to feel his skin against mine, to see him hovering above me as he took care of all my wants and needs for the night.

  “I wouldn’t ask it of you either.” I turned to kiss him again.

  He tugged me into his lap and ran his strong fingers up my back to my neck as he made love to my mouth.

  “I’d stay here if you wanted me to,” he whispered against my lips before tugging at my unitard. “How does one get this thing off? I mean, if he were trying?”

  “Who’s trying? This ‘one’ character?” I chuckled and got up.

  “Such a funny girl tonight.” He reached up and pulled it off my shoulders slowly. “I missed you like crazy. Did you know that?”

  “I hoped you did.” I reached out and ran my fingers through his short hair as he moved up and licked at my breasts.

  He continued to pull my outfit off slowly, taking his time to lick and kiss each spot he exposed. I let out a shaky breath and ran my nails over his shoulders as I held back my adoration. I wanted to tell him so badly.

  “You kill me every time with how incredibly sexy you are.” He ran his hands back up my thighs and over my hips and up to cup my breasts. He leaned in and pressed a few kisses to my mound before licking at it.

  “Where are your condoms?” I turned and walked toward the bedroom completely nude and feeling like a million bucks. My mother and McCraven could fuck off. If the incredibly hot guy in the other room thought I was beautiful, then that was enough for me.

  “In the nightstand beside the bed.”

  I grabbed a few and walked back into the living room to find him kicking off his jeans.

  “Come here.” He reached for me and pulled me back down into his lap. “I’ll put one on in a minute. I wanna feel you against me first.”

  “God, I needed you.” I straddled him and pressed my breasts tightly to his chest as I rolled my hips, sliding the softest parts of myself against his thick erection.

  He gripped my ass and leaned in to bathe my neck and chest in kisses. “Not as much as I needed you, but it’s okay. Hopefully one day, you’ll crave me the way I crave you.”

  “Please.” I pressed my hands to his shoulders and lifted up a little as he repositioned to fill me up.

  Lucas’s hands tightened on my hips as he looked up and smiled at me. “You know I would give it all up for you, right?” I pressed down and let out a groan as he closed his eyes and jerked his head back. “Fuck.”

  “I would never ask you to.” I ran my hands up to cup his neck and started to work him as he held on tightly to me. The passion in his words, combined with the firm grip of his hands all over me throughout the night, left me without a doubt that we were meant to be together. One of us would have to relent sooner than later. Either that, or we might go mad.

  “Come for me, Aubrey.” He cupped my chin tightly and pulled my face down to his as he kissed me hard and lifted his hips to pound into me from below.

  I moaned and held on to his thick shoulders, enjoying every moment of having him against me.

  “I’m so close,” I whimpered as he gripped my hips and jerked upward, pulling me off him.

  He reached for the condoms beside us. He worked one over his swollen shaft and reached for me. “Come here, baby. Turn around and press your back to my chest. Lean against me.”

  I put my back to him and let him help to lower me back into position as I took him inside of me and started to rock my hips forward.

  “That’s it.” He licked my ear as his fingers sunk into the wet curls between my thighs and lit me on fire. “Work me good, Aubrey. Only you get this big cock.”

  That was all I needed to hear.

  I screamed his name as the room exploded in my mind and pleasure took its tight hold on me.

  Never once did he let up until we were both completely sated and wrapped around each other on the couch for the night.

  Chapter 33

  Lucas

  “Let’s go. We have two and a half hours on the bus and I want time for us to settle into the hotel before we need to get over to the rink and warm up. Make sure you have all of your shit. We’re not turning around, and no one is overnighting you a jersey.” I stood at the front door of the Ice House in front of my fellow players, the Ice Queens, and a few other groupies that were joining us for the trip.

  “Is there a shitter on the bus?” Jessie lifted his hand as everyone cracked up laughing.

  “Yes, but in your case, if you need to shit, do it now in the house, and no Mexican food.” I smirked. “Load up and make it quick.”

  We’d rented a small charter to take us to New York instead of risking someone breaking down or not making it there. It wasn’t our first rodeo, and surprisingly enough, the last few years we’d barely squeaked by with enough players because of a freak accident or someone getting pulled over and put in jail for weed or an open container of liquor.

  “You ready for this? Last one, champ.” Coach Billows patted my back as I glanced over
toward the bus where Aubrey was helping the players make sure they had their stuff.

  “I am.” I nodded. “I wasn’t sure how I would feel about this one, but I feel good.”

  “And you’ve thought about what you’re going to do when Washington calls you?” He lifted his eyebrow and stepped in front of me. “It’s not like everyone on this team is going to get an opportunity like this. You’d do us mighty proud.”

  “I know, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to take it. I’ve just got one last hurdle to get over. I’m just not sure how to approach it.” I let out a short sigh and patted Coach’s arm. “Let’s go. Make sure you sit near the front. You know the guys act like shit in the back of the bus.”

  “What if I want to act like shit?” He smirked as I rolled my eyes.

  “Not you too.”

  “Lucas, you got the extra pucks and sticks, just in case? And the pads that I had stacked up beside the locker room earlier this morning?” Jayce was a hot mess, running around, trying to make sure everything was perfect. He’d soon learn that nothing ever turned out like we wanted it to. I was surprised that he hadn’t learned it yet.

  “Yep. I got it. Get your ass on the bus and stop worrying.” I pointed to the bus as he gave me a stern look.

  “First-aid kit?”

  “They have one there, Jayce, and several medics on standby.” I picked up my large duffel bag and jogged down the stairs, stopping by him. “It’s going to be great. Go get a seat on the bus and leave the rest up to me. Next year is your year.”

  “Speaking of,” he turned and pulled at my arm as we walked to the bus together, “I’m going to do both.”

  “Both what?” I moved toward Aubrey and put my arm over her shoulder before leaning down and kissing the top of her head.

  The guys made catcalls from the windows above us and received a finger from me.

  “Both hockey and baseball.” He shrugged. “I figure that someone will step up in one of those places over the spring or maybe by the fall, and then I could pull back and just be captain of one or the other.”

  “And Coach was good with this?” I glanced down at Aubrey and patted her butt. “Get on the bus. I’ll check everything.”

  She nodded and moved up on the bus as my eyes followed her.

  Jayce popped me in the chest. “He’s fine with it. Stop staring at my damn sister in front of me.”

  “I love your sister.” I turned and patted the side of his face. “Don’t tell her, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to give up Washington and stay here with you guys.”

  “What?” He gripped the front of my shirt. “No. She would hate that. She wouldn’t want to be the reason you gave up your future. Your dreams.”

  “But are they my dreams, or are they my father’s? My brother’s?” I winked at him and gripped the handle just inside the bus. “I don’t know yet, but I need to figure that out.”

  “Just talk to her, Lucas. She’s going to be fine with a year apart, and you guys can visit each other if you’re really that into her.” He moved up behind me, bumping into me as I stopped and glanced down at him.

  “I’m not into her. I love her. She’s going to be my wife a few years from now. Your ass is going to be stuck with me forever.” I glanced up and smiled as she waved from the back of the bus. “Now I just need to get us through the next year.”

  “It’ll work out, Lucas. I’ll help in any way I can.” He pushed at my back. “Get your ugly ass on the bus.”

  “Ugly? You wish.” I popped up my T-shirt and wagged my eyebrows. “Who’s the finest motherfucker on this bus?”

  “You are!” everyone yelled and popped me in the back and stomach as I walked by.

  “Yep. I make you ugly motherfuckers look real good.” I dropped down next to Aubrey and pulled her close to me. “Actually, you are.”

  “You’re so silly. It’s nice to see you happy.”

  “I’m always happy around you, baby.” I kissed the side of her face. “Now, pull it out and let’s get started.”

  “Pull it out?” Her words were slow, and she lifted an eyebrow as if worried.

  “Your clipboard. I know you have a million questions and even more instructions.” I slid my hand over her thigh and kissed her neck a few times. “Remember all the years before this when I used to sit with you under the pretense of wanting to go over all this shit?”

  She yelped and pulled back, popping me in the chest with her clipboard and laughing loudly. “You weren’t interested in all the hard work and pre-planning I did?”

  “What? Yes.” I gave her a silly frown. “No. I was interested in you.”

  She laughed. “All right. I guess I’ll take it. Now, get over here and let’s go over the instructions and details for tonight’s game.”

  “Then can we make out?” I leaned toward her and licked at her ear.

  “Hey! I’m fucking right here.” Jayce kicked at my foot. “Keep that shit on lockdown.”

  Someone turned their music up loud, and the whole damn bus started shaking as the guys danced in their seats. We pulled away from campus. For the first time in all my years of playing for the championship, I wasn’t worried or stressed. I was excited.

  “All right. Sixteen teams. We’re going up against the best in the Northeast. Be on guard and look for the ankle-benders. They’re easiest to take out. Usually, your winger will be this guy. Keep his ass busy no matter what team we’re playing, and we’ll have a little bit of breathing room for Lucas.” Coach held out a clipboard as he ran through the positions we would each take for the first game that night.

  The stands were packed, and the girls were sitting just above our players’ bench with their faces painted in our colors. To say they had fun getting ready would have been a mild understatement. I honestly couldn’t wait to get Aubrey in the shower and help her clean up.

  Head in the game. Keep your head in the game.

  “Lucas, where are you?” Coach barked at me as he turned his face toward me. “We need you here. You’re playing forward for as long as you can tonight. I need you in the later half of this tournament, so you let us know when you’re beat and I’ll send Jayce in, all right?”

  “Yep. Got it.” I glanced over at Jayce as he handed me the black paint. “You ready? You all ready?”

  “Yeah!” everyone yelled in tandem.

  “On three. For the Friars. For Providence. For us.” I put my hand in the air as we gathered around the coach tightly. “One. Two. Three.”

  “Break!”

  We moved back and into the players’ box to get ready for the game. I worked to get a strip of black paint under each of my eyes and popped my mouthpiece in.

  “No mercy out there. Let’s come out strong and kick this first team’s ass. All right?” Coach handed me a bottle of water. “I want them scared shitless of us—of you. Got it?”

  “One hundred percent.” I bumped my head against his and put the rest of my gear on before skating out on the ice as they called my name. The rest of my team moved in behind me and pride swelled in my chest.

  One more round. One more tournament. One more college victory.

  “Go Friars!” the girls yelled from behind us, and I glanced back to see Aubrey and Layla hopping up and down, holding a sign with all of our names on it.

  I lifted my hand to my lips, kissed it, and threw it toward her. I love you, baby.

  She pretended to grab it and gobble it up.

  “Let’s go.” Jessie smacked my ass on the way to the far side of the ice.

  “Let’s do this.” I moved to the center and positioned myself for the face-off. The ugly motherfucker across from me was missing a few teeth and had a shiner that looked rather fresh.

  “I’m gonna eat your ass for lunch,” he growled and spit on the ice.

  “You’re gonna have to ask my girlfriend for permission to do that. She’s the only one allowed near my pretty ass.” I smirked as the referee dropped the puck and I took off. The poor bastard didn’t know what hit h
im. My guys kept the rest of the team away from me with force, and the first point was ours.

  I glanced up just before our first intermission and pressed my skate to the right to stop me. “Shit. Fight.”

  Geoff grabbed my jersey and pulled as we threw off our gloves and helmets and moved quickly to the fray.

  “You shouldn’t have been cherry picking, you asshole.” One of the players from the other team pushed Jessie hard. “You keep loafing and I’m going to stomp your ass into the ice.”

  “No, you ain’t, bitch.” I got in the first punch, and it got ugly from there.

  Chapter 34

  Aubrey

  “I need to try and get some of this paint off my face.” I stood in the bathroom, trying to scrape off some of the paint from the night before. We’d won the first game and gotten shit-faced at the hotel bar, which wasn’t part of the plan, but with Lucas relaxed, everyone seemed to be following suit.

  “Start up the shower and let me know when the water’s warm,” Lucas called from the bedroom, where he was laid out still half asleep. “I’ll help you get it off, baby.”

  I almost lamented not getting to enjoy the big fluffy bed together the night before, but we both needed the fun more than the sex. I huffed and walked back into the room, stopping short so I could look at him.

  He looked like a god lying on the starched white sheets. His dark skin and large muscles left my stomach contracting. He glanced over at me as a smirk tugged at the side of his perfect mouth.

  “What are you looking at, baby?” He reached out and motioned for me to come closer.

  I had on a tank top and a pair of boy shorts. Going closer wasn’t in anyone’s best interest.

  “I’m looking at you, you handsome beast.” I turned and walked back into the bathroom to check the shower. “You coming?”