Page 67 of Cold as (N)ice

“She certainly did!” Irene hissed, her face burning. “We have to go back in there. I have to be able to hold my head up after this and?—”

“We’re not alone tonight,” Barrett interrupted smoothly, spinning to face her. His expression shifted, something deep and unreadable flickering in his gaze. “Salas took off ten minutes ago.”

She sucked in a sharp breath. “With Jamie the media woman?”

“His wife – and yup.”

Irene’s heart pounded against her ribs. She wanted to argue, to lay out all the reasons why this was reckless and unfair and completely inappropriate, but Barrett was already moving again, pulling her into a side room with a quick, deft motion. The door clicked shut behind them.

“This doesn’t make itright,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath as her eyes darted around. “And—wherearewe?”

Her pulse slowed just enough to register her surroundings: warm-toned walls, soft lighting, a comfortable-looking chair tucked into the corner, a small bench, potted plants arranged to give an air of privacy. The details clicked into place a second later.

“Is this a nursing room?” she asked, incredulous.

“It was labeled a family room,” Barrett corrected, his voice tinged with amusement. His hands found the hem of his shirt,and before she could fully react, he was tugging it over his head. “And we’re family.”

Irene inhaled sharply, torn between exasperation and a completely different kind of frustration. “Youareimpossible.”

“I know…” His grin was all mischief, but his eyes—his eyes—held something far deeper, something that made her knees go weak.

She took a step back, unsteady, and the backs of her legs bumped into the bench, forcing her down with an awkward plop. Before she could muster another protest, Barrett sank onto his knees before her, his hands already reaching for her feet.

He slipped off her shoes with slow, deliberate care, his fingers brushing her skin in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. And then he looked up, giving her a smile so devastatingly tender, so achingly full of love, it nearly unraveled her right then and there.

“Socks on?” he murmured, running his thumb lightly over her ankle. “I don’t want those little toes to get chilled.”

Her breath caught. “You’re serious.”

His gaze never wavered. “When it comes to you—yes.”

And just like that, the tension shifted, igniting into something far more consuming. Barrett’s hands gripped her hips, tugging her forward on the bench, his head dipping toward hers. The moment his lips met hers, the world outside ceased to exist.

His kiss was slow, savoring, unhurried yet insistent. His hands were warm, strong, anchoring her while coaxing her to let go. And shewas—melting, softening, falling into him like he was the only solid thing left in the universe.

“Now?” she whispered hoarsely, her hands curling around his shoulders, clinging.

“Always,” he murmured, his voice rough with emotion, with devotion, with a promise that settled deep into her bones. And after that, neither of them spoke.

They didn’t need to.

19

COEUR

“Hey Coeur!You’re needed off the ice and in the boss's office!”

Barrett looked up during practice – and gasped two seconds later as a puck hit him in the belly. “No chipping!” he grunted, dragging in his breath and wincing at the pain as he skated off the ice. That was going to leave a bruise.

Coach Starnes was waiting there, next to a woman dressed formally in a suit, and Barrett already knew what this was about. She was the team’s attorney with whom he’d requested to speak about Irene’s ex-husband. Nodding silently, he shot off the ice and followed her, murmuring his thanks to the coach.

“You can use my office,” Coach Starnes called out. “Coeur, I want you back on the ice shortly – we’ve got a game in two weeks.”

“Yes, sir!”

As the woman entered the office, she shut the door behind him and then moved to take a seat, getting out a small device and pressing record.

“Elizabeth Bergeron speaking with Barrett Coeur of the Quebec Wolverines regarding his request for a cease and desist letter, combined with a harassment suit of his wife, Irene Coeuragainst Irene’s ex-husband, Eric Kanen of Dallas, Texas – is this correct?”

---