Icebreaker

by Hannah Grace

I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m a control freak, but I’m a woman who needs to be in control.

“As someone who throws you around quite a lot, I feel like I’m qualified to say this: if that jackass isn’t able to cope if your weight fluctuates a few pounds, which is perfectly normal, by the way, he shouldn’t be your partner.”

“What this means for you,” Skinner continues, “is you will need to share a rink until repairs are

complete, and I expect you all to work together to make this situation work.”

I’m trailing behind Aaron,

dragging

my feet, and feeling sorry for my...

hear a “Hey” and feel a hand land...

What I’m saying but not saying is she’s hot, and maybe getting to know her a little better won’t be a bad thing.

“If you’re going to be a dick you need to leave, dude. People are trying to have a good night.”

You know what, Nate,” I say sharply, shaking off his hand. “Forget it. Stay out of my way and I’ll stay out of yours.”

As he reaches the exit, he turns to face me. “I’m going to enjoy watching her turn you into a simpering fool, just to drop you like she does everyone else. Happy skating.”

Two words. Twelve letters. Two hours of hell. “We’re going to be doing some icebreaker activities,” Brady announces to the room.

“Oh, I’m more than aware of who you are. I make it my mission to know any woman that puts Nate Hawkins in his place. I’m a big fan.”

“You’re on probation.” I sigh. Heat creeps back to my cheeks when he gives me the brightest smile. “I’m gonna nail it.” “You better.” Shit, shit, shit.

Anastasia rubs her hands up and down her arms, and I quickly realize for someone wearing not that much, it’s cold out here. “Here,” I say, shrugging off my tuxedo jacket. “Take this.”

“I’m sure there are plenty of things you can teach me, Nathan, but being nice isn’t one of them. I’m a delight.”

She laughs and, my God, that noise. I’ve never enjoyed making someone laugh as much as I do with her.

“The only time I ever want to see a grown man on his knees in front of me, Nate, is when his face is between my legs. So no, I don’t want you to beg me.”

Let me show you how much I like it when you’re nice.” “Why would I do that when I don’t like you?” Her words are strong, but her delivery is strained and wispy, giving her away. “You don’t have to like me to scream my name, Anastasia.”

“I don’t joke about consent, Anastasia,” he says softly, leaning forward to kiss the inside of my knee.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A woman sprint in stilettos? I have.

JJ is furious we’re not going to have time to stop for Dunkin’, mumbling something about his constitutional rights.

I know I’ve said it before, but I mean it this time. This year is going to be different.

She’s fucking mesmerizing. I’ve been on the ice since before I can remember, and I’ve never, ever moved the way she is moving right now.

She must be properly injured if she isn’t even annoyed by my existence. Fuck.

I try to give her a comforting smile, but it sinks into horror as a dark red stream of blood escapes from her hairline and runs down her temple.

“I’ll check on her. You know we live together, right? My bedroom is just as close to hers as Lo’s is.” What the fucking fuck?

Your man is fine as hell, jeeeeeeeeeez. He isn’t my man. He should be. He just slammed someone into the wall and I swear I got a flutter.

Then there are times like now when the nasty streak he has seeps through the cracks. Sometimes it comes so out of nowhere it feels like whiplash, making me wonder if I know him at all.

He’s clearly a good guy, like everyone has told me he is.

hands land on my waist from behind, and I feel breath on my neck. “You shouldn’t be drinking. You have a head injury.”

From now on, she’s going to come to me.

I’m on my feet and brushing past the legs of my teammates before I even have time to consider this reckless, drunken display of envy.

I don’t even know how to fucking dance. I just know I want the feel of her body on mine, and if I had to watch her touching JJ for a minute longer, I was going to rip his head from his body.

I didn’t think I could feel better after today’s win, but hearing Stas’s satisfied sighs as I run my hands over her waist, whispering how fucking good her body feels against mine into her ear, it’s definitely better.

I’m addicted to her when she’s like this. When she forgets about this game we’re playing, when her eyes drink me in, and her hands grip the front of my shirt like she’s scared I’m going to slip away.

Lips crash into mine and his hand moves to grip the front of my throat.

“Can you be a good girl and be quiet?”

“One day, I’m going to fuck your pretty little mouth, and you’re not going to be able to be such a bossy, impatient little brat.”

“Stop looking at my ass, Hawkins.” “Stop having an ass that looks like that.”

“I’m jealous because I want you all to myself, Stassie, and I’m jealous of any guy you freely give your attention to. I’m even jealous of Henry, for fuck’s sake, and I love that kid.”

“I want you to want me when you’re sober, Anastasia.

I wait until he’s fast asleep before requesting the Uber.

BEING NUMBER ONE ON STASSIE’S shit list is the easiest job I’ve ever had.

Her hands have moved to her hips, and she’s so fucking hot when she’s mad at me.

“What the fuck was that?” I ask as calmly as I can, which, upon hearing myself speak, I realize isn’t calm. “Are you jealous, Anastasia?”

to gentle in seconds.

“Don’t be gentle. Fuck me like you hate me.”

“I’m going to fuck you like this tight little pussy is mine. You’ll take it like a good girl, won’t you?”