Page 89 of Coach's Temptation

Hunter reaches for my hand, pulling me from my thoughts with a gentle tug. "So, tell me what you think of Boston. You like it?"

I smile softly, squeezing his fingers. "I really do. I loved meeting your parents today, Hunter. They're amazing people."

He skates closer, looping his arms around my waist and bringing us to a slow glide.

"They loved you too. My mom texted me while you were talking to Dad. She asked when you're moving in."

I laugh, tipping my head back as we skate lazily beneath the bright glow of fairy lights strung above the rink. "You know, if I didn't have to leave Iron Ridge, I might actually consider it. She promised me more embarrassing stories about you."

"Of course she did," Hunter mutters, but his eyes shine warmly as he draws me even closer, his large hands spread possessively along my hips. "I’ll have to watch what other childhood relics she shows you next. Can't have here revealing all my secrets."

We glide easily across the smooth ice, moving together in a comfortable rhythm that mirrors how seamlessly we fit everywhere else. This past week has been insane.

In his house, on the road with the team, even here, deep in the heart of his past… every moment with Hunter just feels perfect.

We circle the rink again, and I let his hand guide me closer near the edge.

“Right there,” he nods to a spot near the far boards. “That's where I landed flat on my ass trying to impress a girl when I was thirteen. Thought my hockey skills would win her over.”

I grin mischievously. “Did it work?”

“Not even close,” he chuckles, shaking his head. “She laughed so hard she cried. I was humiliated.”

I lean in, brushing my lips softly against his. “Well, it worked this time.”

His arms tighten around me, eyes darkening with desire. “Thank god.”

He kisses me again, slow and sweet, right here in the middle of the rink where he took his first tentative steps toward his hockey dreams.

When Hunter finally pulls away, his gaze is serious. "I’m glad you're here, Nat. Sharing this with you… it means more than you know."

Emotion squeezes my chest as I run my thumb along his jawline, smiling softly. "Thank you for bringing me. For showing me this part of you."

His eyes flash with a hint of mischief I've seen once before - when he was standing opposite me in Vancouver with a bowl of frosting at his disposal.

I brace myself as a grin tugs at the corners of his lips.

“Actually, there’s one more part of my past here I haven't shown anyone else…”

His voice drops lower, and my pulse quickens. “Oh? What's that?”

He shoots me a wicked smile and leads me toward the edge of the rink. “Come with me, and I'll show you.”

Hunter guides me off the ice, the playful gleam in his eyes sharpening into something darker, more wickedly promising.My pulse quickens as he leads me behind the old concession stand, down a hallway lined with faded team photos and championship banners from decades past.

"Where are you taking me?" I whisper, laughter slipping into my voice as I glance around the empty hallway.

He turns, shooting me a grin that makes heat rise up my neck. "Somewhere special."

Hunter reaches into his pocket, pulling out an old key dangling from a worn hockey puck keychain.

"I worked my first job here. Maintenance and concessions," he explains. "And let's just say, I learned a few secrets about this place."

"Hunter!" I whisper harshly, looking over my shoulder. "Where did you get that key?!"

He smirks and scoffs at my shock. "It's been in my bedroom all these years. I grabbed it earlier when I decided to bring you here."

Turning, he unlocks a door markedStaff Only, revealing a cramped, forgotten office now used as storage.

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