Page 45 of Ice, Ice… Maybe?

“Would your bed and breakfast idea be considered commercial?”

“Travis?” Becca hesitated, turning to look at him. “What… um, well it would have to be zoned as a commercial boarding house. Why are you asking?”

“Just thinking and talking…”

“About zoning and property?” she said skeptically and caught her breath as she looked over her shoulder at him, seeing the look in his eyes in the moonlight. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

“I’m always thinking or looking for different things or opportunities – and I really like it out this way. It’s peaceful.”

“And that makes you think of zoning regulations?”

“No,” he said softly, his eyes warm and tender as he touched her cheek. “I like us being able to escape for a little while, and if we had something out this way, you could see your family, and we could work on it together,”he began and stopped her as she opened her mouth to question him. “I’m not going anywhere and hope to play hockey for as long as possible, but if something happened or I got hurt, then I would need a backup plan.”

“And you’re thinking about a bed and breakfast?”

“Maybe I’m explaining this wrong,” he chuckled softly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Let’s say that three years from now, I get traded to Seattle from the Coyotes – I would have to move to keep playing and things would change. My home would get uprooted to keep earning a living. However, if there was a permanent home base, it would give me a sense of security.”

She nodded, understanding what he was saying and truthfully a little shocked he was discussing getting traded or something changing. His finger caressed her cheek as he slowly traced the shell of her ear.

“What are you thinking?”

“I’m not sure,” she answered honestly. “A lot.”

“What if,” he started again, his voice hushed. “What if things changed for us, and we wanted a home away from home to hide – a retreat? I’m not going anywhere, and I would really like to be a part of your world as long as you would let me. We could escape each weekend, spend time together fixing it up, and you could work for yourself instead of some corporation.”

Travis was talking about a future… here, she realized and felt herself choking up at the sweetness of his thoughts. It sounded like such a huge undertaking and almost overwhelming. It would take so much money to fix up those houses, and she didn’t want to say that aloud. Would the banks even lend her that kind of capital?

Her mind was racing.

“Hey,” he whispered. “It was just a thought. Before we did anything or made a move, we’d have to really sit down and think about logistics. It’s fun to dream, though.”

“It is…”

“Becca,” he whispered, as she turned to put her back against his chest once more. “I love these moments with you. Thank you for bringing me here.”

Hesitating, she started to sit up once more, pulling away from him, and heard his chuckle. Turning slightly, she looked at him, feeling so many things at that moment. What other guy touched on giving her every hope and dream she could imagine, talked loosely about the future, and insisted on meeting her family so he could be a part of her world all before they had even kissed - and that needed to be corrected.

“How are your stitches?” she whispered softly and saw his eyes widen for a moment before he blinked slowly and swallowed, meeting her gaze.

“I’ll manage if you are suggesting what I think you are.”

“I think I am,” she breathed, smiling nervously at him. “Maybe if we are careful or…”

“Leave it to me,” he said softly, sitting up and scooting closer to her, jostling the glider.

“Oh gosh,” she chuckled nervously realizing just how intense this moment was getting between them as he moved to hold her close, cupping her cheek. “It’s been a while since I’ve kissed anyone and…”

“That’s the past,” he said hoarsely. “Forget them…”

“Annndforgotten,” she agreed distractedly as she stared into his half-closed eyes as he leaned toward her. “You aren’t worried about your lip?”

“Sweetheart,” Travis chuckled softly, his breath warm against her. “My lip could split wide open at this point, and I couldn’t care less. Now, are you going to finally let me kiss you? Maybe you should shut your eyes if you are getting distracted or…”

And Becca leaned into him, gingerly touching her lips to his – only for Travis to take over. His hand moved from her chin to slide into her hair, cradling the back of her head as his lips claimed hers, and she burst out laughing nervously against his mouth. There were two little ‘whiskers’ where his stitches were tied that were tickling her – that, and beingso nervous, she couldn’t help the panicked laugh that escaped her.

“Shhh…” he began, chuckling against her lips as well. “Gosh, I love your laugh –but not now.”

“Sorry,” she giggled as he kissed her again, and they both couldn’t stop laughing together. It was such a sweet, fun, and lighthearted moment that she would never forget so long as she lived. Through the crack of her eyelid, she saw a light come on in the distance and ignored it.

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