Page 11 of Snowed In With the PUCK

I jump at the chance to get to know her better. “Their daughter? No, I didn’t know that. But this,” I gesture around us, “looks like a ton of work. And you agreed to this just to be nice? What’s next? You’re going to pull out a Mrs. Claus outfit?”

She gives me a smirk. “You never know—if there’s one in a box around here somewhere, I just might put it on.”

“I could help with that,” I say to test the waters. It’s a flirty comment.

She tenses and doesn’t respond. Maybe she doesn’t trust me. I get it. Pro athletes have a terrible reputation with women.

I watch her for a moment. She’s back to acting like nothing is out of the ordinary, like she’s forgotten about my lips on hers entirely. If she has, why haven’t I?

“So, you’re turning the place into a Christmas wonderland,” I observe, leaning against the wall by the fireplace. I find myself wanting to linger, wanting to figure her out. Who kisses someone and then just ignores that it happened?

Jessica gives me a quick glance. “Of course! I like the holidays.”

I shrug and then lie, “Well, it doesn’t bother me to have all this stuff up.” Honestly, it is actually a little triggering to me. “Just don’t ask me to help you take it down. Everyone knows that’s the hard part.”

She makes a face, then smiles, clearly happy in her task.

The holidays used to mean a lot to me, but now they just feel like another reminder of the people I’ve lost. I try not to think about it too much.

“You don’t want to help?” she asks in a leading way, as if I don’t have a choice.

I hesitate. “I’m not really into the whole decorating thing. I don’t have a knack for it. Plus, I could use a shower and TV time—been a long week away.”

Jessica glances at me, fiddling with the red ribbon on the top of the fireplace mantle. “Right.”

There’s something in the way she says that one word, like she’d already decided who I am and that she knew I’d say no.It irritates me. I’m tired, sure. I’ve had a long week. But that doesn’t mean I’m not the type to help out.

“Alright,” I say, stepping forward. “What do you need help with?”

She looks genuinely surprised, her brow lifting slightly. “You don’t have to, Eric. I do understand you’ve been gone…”

“It’s all good. Just tell me what to do.”

Jessica looks at me like I’m barely an acquaintance and it awakens that primal part of me that wants to chase her and conquer her. I feel rebuffed, and I don’t like it. She points to the boxes stacked against the wall. “You can help me hang the garland around the windows. Just don’t mess up the lights.” She forces a smile. But it’s not the real type of smile she gave me before. This one is tight, small.

“Got it,” I say, grabbing a box.

We work in silence for a bit, which is probably for the best. I can feel the weight of the unspoken words between us. I wonder if she’s been thinking about the kiss as much as I have.

“Congrats on winning that game in Cali,” she says politely.

I nod. “It felt good. Any more community events coming up for me?” I try to make a joke, but it falls flat.

She doesn’t answer at first, then she says, “We do have holiday events coming up, Eric. I can’t change that.”

That’s it for me. She’s withdrawn completely. I think it’s best that I match her energy.

I finish hanging the garland and look at Jessica. She’s still working on the mantle, standing on the step stool, reaching up to try to secure some ribbon above the fireplace.

“I can do that for you—you look a little unsteady.”

“Unsteady? I may not be able to stand up in ice skates,” she says in a teasing tone, “but I can decorate a fireplace mantle just fine—”

Before she can finish, the stool topples to the side, and she loses her balance.

“Sunshine!” I lunge forward just as she falls over backward. I catch her in my arms, pulling her against my chest. Her hands grip my shoulders for balance.

For a moment, neither of us moves apart. I can feel her hands on my neck, her full breasts pressed against my chest, and it’s like we’re back in the kitchen when we had kissed. The last thing I want is to let her go.

---