Page 38 of Icebound Attraction

When I return to our table, the guys are still talking about the game. I join them and don't let on. But I'm having trouble following their conversation. The kiss keeps popping into my mind.

A taste of honey, temptation and fear...

***

I'm sitting in the lecture hall, trying to concentrate on what the professor is saying.

Since Saturday night's kiss, I haven't spoken to Emily. I haven't run into her either. I wanted to write to her, but I don't know how to approach her. Then, should I really do it? Or rather, is it honest of me to keep hanging around her when I know a relationship isn't an option? I need to concentrate on my future. On hockey.

But... isn't it possible to reconcile everything?

Dude, you're already barely getting by with your classes and workouts, don't add a couple relationship to the picture!

I let out a long sigh and rest my head on the table.

I'm fucking fed up...

I finally decide to send her a text, one that leaves no room for refusal on her part. If I see her face-to-face at least one more time, maybe everything will clear up and I'll know what to do.

* Hi Emily. I’ll be at the library at noon waiting for you. See you later!

Well done, Liam!

She doesn't reply, but I give it my best shot, and at the appointed hour, I'm there. As I unpack, I'm still lost in thought.

The short time I've spent with Emily so far has been unlike anything I've experienced before. I simply feel at ease with her, and her support helps to stabilize me. But a woman like Emily deserves someone who brings the world to her feet, and I'm just not in a position to do that right now. Ice hockey comes first.

As always, Emily is punctual. She seems a little nervous as she approaches me.

“Hi,” she says shyly as she sits down at my table.

“Hi! Are you okay?” I ask, suddenly hesitant.

“Uh yes... Hum... What do you want to study today?”

She rummages through the books in front of her, seemingly out of the blue. Oh, she wants to play it that way? Pretend like nothing happened the other night? That's not going to make my job any easier, that's for sure!

We start studying. Every now and then, my arm brushes against hers, and I feel as if I'm getting little electric shocks. Her hands also shake a little as she turns the pages of her textbook. I watch her stealthily, wondering if I'll have the balls to talk to her.

After a while, I pluck up the courage to open my mouth. But nothing comes out. Absolutely nothing.

Okay. It's over.

The rest of the hour passes silently, and neither of us seems determined to broach the subject of our kiss. Eventually we say our goodbyes and I head off to lunch with the team, resigned.

Later, in the locker room at the ice rink, I can't get the little blonde out of my head. I've got to do something, damn it! So, I get my phone out of my bag and send her a message.

* Are you free tonight? Can we get together after training?

I put down my phone and put on my skates. Just as I stand up, her reply arrives.

* Yes. Where?

She's really good at keeping things short when she wants to! Is she giving me a run for my money?

I send her my address.

Knowing that I'll be talking to her later helps me focus on training and I feel more serene.

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