Page 67 of Ice Contact

“I do,” he says.

Oh my God he just said ‘I do’ and that has me feeling a whole other set of feelings.

Hayes reaches forward to the touch screen and hits the ‘missed calls’ button. He hovers his finger over the last number, looking at me out of the corner of his eye. “Move in with me, siren? We can call him back right now and tell him your decision.”

I start to ask him if he’s sure, but I know I don’t have to ask. This man loves me. I love him. And there is only one answer to this question.

“I would love to move in with you. These last few weeks, and especially the last few days, made me realize I don’t want to be without you either.”

He places his hand on my cheek and leans in to kiss me. He’s so gentle at first, our lips teasing one another, then our passion heats up.If it weren’t for the console between us, this probably would become a very voyeuristic incident.Hayes pulls back and takes my hand, giving my palm a gentle kiss as well.

“But, Hayes, what about-”

“Shhhhh,” he says, interrupting me again. “No buts. I actually have another question for you.”

“You do?” I say, my eyes wide, biting my lower lip.

“Olivia Marie Brooks, would you make me the happiest man alive and…go on a date with me tomorrow night?”

I laugh at his fake proposal, a smidge sad it wasn’t real, but also relieved we aren’t getting engaged in a parking lot. “Of course, Hayes Michael Larson, I will go on a date with you. Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise. But I think, hope, you’ll like it,” he says, grinning from ear to ear with his smoldering eyes staring me down. “Now, let’s get back to the task at hand.” Hayes gestures to the number on the touchscreen, and with a deep breath, and a lot of courage, I push it.

“Hello, Mr. Lochmueller? This is Olivia Brooks. I’m just calling to let you know I won’t be renewing my lease.”

41

olivia

Iasked Hayes what to wear for this surprise date, but he said nothing. Not one hint. Not even a teeny-tiny suggestion of where we might be going or what we’d be doing. And now I’m trying to steady my shaking hands as I apply my eyeliner.Why am I so damn nervous about this date?I decided on a mid-thigh black dress with knee high black velvet boots. We’ve had a warm fall this year, so my bare legs don’t mind the open air. Unless we’re doing anything related to ice, then I’ll be freezing my ass off.Oh well…at least Hayes will be there to keep me warm.I do a half spin in the mirror, checking my outfit one final time. I texted Maggie a photo and she assured me I look hot. But I can’t shake the feeling that something is different about tonight.

Stepping onto the porch, I see Hayes pull up in his rental car. This is his first full day driving on his own since the accident. At least he’s been cleared to do that. My heart races when I think about him driving again, but he’s never let anything stop him. This won’t either. He jogs around to the passenger side to open my door. I can’t help but smile at the gesture, admiring the man who never fails to put me first. He’s wearing a fitted pair of grey dress pants and a white button-down shirt.Holy fucking hotness.This man in tailored dress clothes, especially thosetight-fitting pants where the outline of his cell phone, and other things, makes it hard to breathe. I bite my lip, rubbing my palms down my thighs.Well, maybe it’s not the outline of the phone getting me worked up.

“Hey beautiful,” Hayes whispers, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me into him, nuzzling his face into the sensitive crook of my neck. His slight stubble sends a shiver through my entire body. “You look so hot in that dress and those sexy-as-fuck boots. Dammit! Why did I suggest going out? Let’s just go back inside,” he says as he jokingly starts to walk me backward.

I laugh as I lean in to kiss him. “This was allyouridea, mister. No take backs. Plus, I’m way too intrigued as to where you are taking me on this date.”

“Okay,fine,we’ll go out. But just know that outfit is going to have meverydistracted and I can’t wait to see it on my floor later tonight.”

“Mission accomplished,” I say with a wink. “Although, your dress pants may have me a little distracted as well. I would like to personally thank whoever it was that decided hockey players had to wear suits, because you wear the hell out of those slacks.”

“You’re not helping, siren,” he chuckles. “I think you’re going to need a punishment for all of this teasing.”

“Then I’ll say it again…mission accomplished.”

“Alright, Miss Sassy…get in the car before I throw you over my shoulder and do unspeakable things to you,” he says as he helps me into my seat, shutting the door behind me. I’m already blushing at the mention of unspeakable things, more than ready to find out what he has planned.

“Can you tell me where we are going yet?” I ask as he slides into the driver’s seat.

“Nope. Like I said, it’s a surprise.”

I cross my arms, pretending to pout. “And what if I don’t like surprises?”

“Oh, but I think you do.”

“I guess we’ll see. Jury’s still out.”

We pull up to an old brick building with a cool historic feel to it. Walking up to the entrance, Hayes opens the giant glass doors and gestures for me to head inside.

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