Page 87 of Cross Check Hearts

I stare at her for a second, not really understanding what’s going on here. None of the other parents have introduced themselves to me like this, but I shake her hand anyway and wait for her to tell me her boy’s name. Instead, she keeps staring at me until finally I catch on to what she’s subtly hinting at. The kid isn’t here to skate—she is.

“Sorry,” I say with a bemused chuckle. “I just assumed it was the little guy who wanted to meet me.”

“Oh, we’re both big fans,” she says with a broad smile. “But he already got to skate with one your teammates, so I figured, why don’t I take a turn? I’ve always loved ice skating. And it sure doesn’t hurt that you’re so handsome.”

She bats her eyelashes a little as she says that last part, and warning lights flash in my head.

Is she one of those puck bunnies the guys warned me about?

I’ve been on the team less than a season, so I haven’t had any women throw themselves at me like this yet. Not that I’d be interested anyway—there’s only one woman I want. My jaw tightens as I shift into professional mode. I smile with practiced politeness and focus my attention back on the woman.

“Nice to meet you, Jessica,” I tell her with the same detached courtesy I’d use at a team press conference and gesture out at the ice. “So I’m assuming you know how to skate already?”

Jessica beams at me with a flirty twinkle in her eye.

“You could say that,” she says and pulls her lip between her teeth suggestively. I wince, because that isnotthe kind of message I was trying to send her. I keep my expression neutral, determined not to encourage whatever game she’s playing.

The sooner I get this over, the better. This is part of the job. Just another obligation.

“Great. Then let’s take a quick spin around the ice,” I say and hesitate for longer than I probably should before I finally offer my arm to her.

Jessica loops her arm through mine and leans in close to me as we set out together. She’s clearly skated before because she’s way more graceful at it than the kids have been, but I still think it’s fucking weird that she didn’t just let her son enjoy a little more time on the ice. Poor kid.

I maintain a cool distance, keeping my movements efficient and professional. Every attempt she makes to press closer to me is met with subtle resistance, my body language clear. I’m not remotely interested in this woman, and my thoughts are a thousand miles from her—or more accurately, about fifty feet away where Hannah stands near the edge of the rink.

Jessica’s voice breaks into my thoughts as we make a turn at the far end of the rink. “So how are you liking Denver so far?”

“It’s great,” I reply automatically, keeping my answer short.

“I could show you around sometime,” she suggests brightly. “There are some places only locals know about.”

I frown, shaking my head. “Uh, thanks, but the team’s been pretty good about showing me the important spots.”

I don’t want to be rude, but this woman isa lot. I can’t wait for this lap to end, so I just keep skating and deliberately avoid making eye contact with her until we finally circle back to the starting line.

“Your skating is almost as good as your looks,” she comments in a flirtatious tone as we slow to a stop by her son.

My face flames, and I clear my throat, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck.

“Thanks for coming out tonight,” I say, ignoring her comment. “It’s for a good cause, so we appreciate it. I hope your son had fun too.”

I give her a firm nod, then move to skate away. But before I can, Jessica reaches out and puts her hand on my forearm to stop me.

“We had a great time. But I’d have an evenbetternight if you called me when you’re done,” she purrs quietly.

Her manicured fingers pull a torn piece of paper with a phone number and her name scribbled on it from her back pocket, and she holds it out to me. I stare at it, my eyes going wide.

“Uh, sorry,” I blurt out, holding up my hands. “But I’m not interested. I’m already taken.”

“Oh.” Jessica’s smile falters. “I… didn’t know that. This is so embarrassing, I’m sorry. Excuse me.” She quickly gathers her son before hurrying away, tucking the rejected number into her pocket as she leaves.

I exhale slowly, puffing out my cheeks as I watch her go. As I turn to see who might be next in line, I spot Hannah striding across the ice directly toward me, her eyes locked on mine. My heart lurches as it hits me in a rush that she might’ve overheard at least part of that exchange.

“I should’ve known some people would use a charity event as an excuse to hit on the players,” she says when she reaches me, cocking an eyebrow.

I grimace. “I guess I should’ve seen it coming too. But I didn’t take her number, hummingbird.”

“I know.” She gives me a look I can’t quite interpret, although I wish like hell that I could. “Because you’re already taken.”

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