Holiday Hockey Tale The Icebreaker's Impasse (By Ivory Row) novel Chapter 45

Luci

Hunter Hayes–Wanted

At home, I change into my new shirt and jeans before driving to the hockey rink. Nervously, I walk in the team entrance taking a deep breath as my eyes dart around. I’m here. I text Easton.

Follow the blue lights.

I find them on the wall and follow them to the player’s entrance. I step up to the player’s bench and call his name softly. Only part of the rink and seats are lit up.

He skates in from the side wearing a green pullover and jeans. “Come sit Luci.”

I do as he asked and he kneels down taking my boots off and replacing them with skates.

“Umm Easton, I do not know how to skate.”

He looks up while he ties them. “I know. I’m going to teach you.” He finishes the second one and helps me to my feet. “I was right. That looks good on you.” I let him lead me onto the ice.

He faces me, holding the sides of my waist. “Stand and get a feel for being on them first. Look at me and keep your knees barely bent. Keep your shoulders and hips over your feet.” He helps me adjust and I laugh. “You’re going to lift your knees and feet like you are marching. After you do each foot, I want you to push your knee toward me. You’ll glide. Repeat over and over until we get you moving.”

“You’re sure you want to do this?”

“Yes. I thought you might like it. I won’t let you hit the ice.”

I nod following his instructions. It isn’t long before I am gliding forward. I grin excitedly and he laughs. “I’m moving!”

“Yes sweetness you are.” He continues to teach me and thirty minutes later he has me swizzling my feet along with pushing and gliding completely.

I can’t help but smile happily at him. “Enjoying it?” He asks.

“Yes. Sorry this can’t be that much fun for you.” I apologize.

“Wrong. I love this. Sharing something you love with someone willing to truly try it is…special. When I taught Cole to skate it was this wonderful feeling. And if they love it too, that’s a huge bonus.” His face has dropped the usual mask and I see his vulnerability for once. “You didn’t hesitate to join me.”

“Because this means a lot to you. Hockey, skating…it’s your passion.” I answer truthfully.

“Yeah it is.” He presses his lips together. “Can you balance for a minute sweetness? I want to do something else, but I left the remote on the bench.”

“I’ll try.” I stretch my arms out like he showed me and he skates away backwards slowly. “I’m a professional at falling on my ass. You can go.” I tell him and he laughs hard. Which warms my heart. He hardly ever laughs like that.

The lights change a bit before he skates back towards me. Music starts playing overhead. I glance at him as he skates back my way. “Want to dance with me? First dance on ice? This is our song anyway.” He moves my hands to his shoulders and wraps his arms around my waist.

“It is?” I ask, but then I remember. “The boys‘ dance party….”

He nods. “Yes. I had to show my son I could dance with you. I think the rules state that has to be your song. Besides, it was on your playlist. Must be a Luci favorite.”

“I do like it.” He helps me maneuver my feet around in a makeshift waltz on the ice and I laugh when I almost completely lose my balance. “Is there a type of hockey where you can land on your tail and move the puck with your hand?”

“Close. I’ll teach you how to play. I bet Luci Forrester has a mean snap shot.‘

“Mmm I’m thinking I probably suck. Baseball during PE growing up was not my strong suit.”

He laughs again.

“Because baseball is boring as hell and you probably lost focus constantly. You said hockey keeps your attention. But if you suck, that’s fine. I’ll be able to bet you for things I want.”

“Aha, the ulterior motives of Easton Reed are revealed.” I joke and he suddenly lifts me by my waist up in the air and skates backwards. I yelp in surprise and he laughs harder.

“I never hid them. Sorry, but we have to go. They’ll be by to lock up soon. I lost track of time.” He skates me back to the player’s bench and I begin removing my skates. “Where do these need to go?”

“Home with you.” He changes out of his and takes mine from me to attach the guards. He slings both over his shoulder and grabs my hand for us to leave.

“You bought me skates? What if I hated it?”

He shrugs. “I was hopeful. What if I swing by the late–night coffee shop and buy hot chocolate, then meet you at your place to end this date?”

“I like that idea.” He helps me into my car.

“Ten minutes behind you sweetness. Go get barefoot.”

He knocks a few minutes after I get in and hands me a big cup of hot chocolate. “Maybe you can come skate one weekend with me and Cole. He loves to go.”

I nod, smiling at him. “Oh that reminds me. The fire station near campus is decorating their trucks Saturday after lunch for the light parade we’re going to. Kids can come watch and sit in the truck. It’s also the home for the EMTs who responded to that car crash with Cole and I.

I thought I could come over early Saturday morning and help him decorate Christmas cookies.

Then we could go drop some off to the guys who took him to the hospital and watch them decorate the trucks. Warner and Ari are their names.”

He groans painfully. “You want to go to a fire station with sweets and drop them off? I’m coming too.”

“You want to join us?”

“Sweetness, I have no doubt those firefighters are going to show off for you and any other pretty girl who shows up. And you want to take them fancy cookies. Yeah not without me standing next to you. I’m going too.”

“Do you think I’m going to flirt with the firemen?” I ask him, laughing as I try to drink my hot chocolate.

“No. I think they are going to flirt with you and I’m not taking any chances on the men in uniform trend not affecting you.”

Now I lean back laughing hard. “You are ridiculous.”

“No I’m perceptive and forward thinking. I’ll be ready. And do I not get any cookies too?” He narrows his eyes at me.

“I will bring plenty of extras. Was already planning on it.”

“Good answer. Come here sweetness.” He tugs me into his lap and kisses me. “Mmm you taste like hot chocolate.” His hands wrap around my waist and I let him sweep me away.

When his fingers move to unbutton my jeans, I reach for them and stop him.

“You don’t want me to touch you?” He asks patiently.

“No. But if you are cashing in your thank you, I think I’m the one who is supposed to touch you. Otherwise, the math doesn’t add up.”

His eyes sweep over me. “I’m not going to fight you, but I didn’t expect that yet Luci.”

“How is that fair to you?” I ask him curiously.

“It’s not about fair. It’s about making sure you are ready.”

“I like fairness. I’m weird like that. So maybe you can teach me something else tonight?” I say as I slip my fingers under his sweater. He tugs it off quickly and I trace the tattoo on his chest with a question in my eyes as I glance up at him.

“That’s Cole’s fingerprint when he was two. And his birthdate. You aren’t supposed to tattoo names or initials ever. Bad luck they say. I thought of this instead. It’s his mark on my heart. How he touched me.” He says the last parts almost reluctantly and I see that vulnerability again in his eyes. His cheeks are a little pink and I know he’s embarrassed. He goes to look away and I cup his cheek.

“That’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard, Easton Reed. You are a truly wonderful dad.” I lean down and kiss him softly. “Don’t be embarrassed. It shows how much you love him. That’s how much that sweet little boy deserves to be loved.”

“I don’t think I could say that to anyone else, Luci.” He whispers almost brokenly.

“Then I feel very special.” I tell him as I let my fingers trace all those muscles I drool over.

“You are special. I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“Then you can teach me what you like.” I unbutton his jeans and he watches me. I bite my lip nervously as I unzip them. I’m not any kind of experienced seductress so hopefully I don’t embarrass myself. His arm wraps around my waist as he lifts himself up and shoves his jeans down to his thighs.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify