Page 51 of Ice Cold Rival

“She wants me to be the heir apparent for the company, but I have no interest in running it, let alone working at it. I want to play hockey and go to dive bars with my friends and help take care of arrogant, pampered ducks.”

My brows rose. “That’s a very specific list.”

“I’ve had some time to consider before Gram started increasing the pressure. Boston drafted me years ago, but it’s not a guarantee I’ll get to play. If I want to make it onto the team, I need to work my ass off.”

I squeezed his fingers. “You’ll make the team.”

“Maybe, but becoming captain and winning the Frozen Four will go a long way toward making it happen.”

“And after?” I asked quietly, unable to help myself from digging a little deeper.

Reece tugged on my hand until I scooted across the bed. “I’m going to live off my ridiculous pro-hockey salary and use my trust to help people.”

He wrapped an arm around me and leaned back until we were lying on the bed face to face.

“I like helping people,” I murmured.

“I know. That’s why I took you to Lucky Duck tonight instead of skinny dipping. A massive sacrifice on my part, I’d like to point out. Alexis could use more people who care about her mission. She was running herself into the ground trying to keep it going.”

Suspicion narrowed my eyes. “And what did you do to help?”

“I may have given her a donation to hire the help she desperately needed. She said she’d only accept it if I came in to volunteer once a month. So I do. Secretly.”

My heart simply melted, like warm honey spreading in my chest. “As your fake girlfriend, I’m very proud of you. Even if you did show up unannounced to share your bombshell secrets and spend the night.”

His lips curled into a smile. “You’re right. I should have called first, and I should have asked instead of demanding. Can I stay?”

This time the question felt different as heavy anticipation filled the air between us. I’d never been nervous with him, but I had trouble catching my breath to answer.

“Of course. Everyone expects it anyway.”

“No, not for them. For me.”

My tongue darted out to wet my dry lips, and he followed the motion with hungry eyes. “Why?”

“Because I only feel like myself when I’m skating or I’m with you. It’s not about sex or revenge or the deal. You make me feel good—just being next to you, touching you—and I needed that tonight.”

I’d been convincing myself for months his interest was cursory. The result of a mutually beneficial deal neither of us wanted to ruin. I’d been fighting the truth at every turn because he made me feel good too.

I wanted to do more than feel good with him.

He was holding back, asking for the bare minimum. I appreciated his dedication to letting me make my own decisions, and I had no problem making this one. If Reece didn’t ask for more… I would.

18

“Consider this blanket permission to come over whenever you want. Not that you don’t already do that, but I wanted to be clear. You’re always welcome in my room.” I climbed off the bed and pulled him to standing, ignoring the little voice in the back of my mind trying to convince me I should leave things as they were.

His brow furrowed, but he kept smiling. “What are you doing?”

“I think it’s time I crossed another item off my list.” Before the negative thoughts could convince me otherwise, I sank down to my knees in front of him.

Reece tucked my hair behind my ear. “You don’t have to do this tonight.”

“I want to.” And I did. I was scared I’d be terrible, but I never worried he’d laugh or berate me for trying. “Will you teach me?”

He nodded slowly. “If you’re sure.”

Holding his gaze, I stroked him once, stupidly pleased he was already hard, and snagged the waistband of his sweats. His cock sprang out, and I licked my lips, suddenly nervous at the size.

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