Page 39 of Heat It Up (Off the Ice)
Besides, it’s not Joni who inconveniently fills my thoughts. It’s the dark-haired guy with glasses and a love for hockey and physics who’s the guilty one.
“Do you want to work with athletic teams once you’re finished your degree?” Dabria asks. “Or do you want to work in a clinic?”
I glance at the guys running around the field. “I’ve done both as part of my clinical training, but I like working with teams more.” The idea of working with a team and getting to know the players appeals to me. I don’t mean getting to know them on a personal level, but to know them enough to understand how best to work with them. To see the benefits of my job when the injured player can play again.
We watch the guys run through their drills. Markus, the guy from the beach last week, cuts one way but his knee has other plans and he goes down. I’m already on my feet, charging across the field before Dabria has a chance to stand up from the bench.
I dropped next to Markus who is writhing in pain. I check his knee, careful not to cause more damage, then ask Joni and another player to help him to the bench. Once they’re there, I elevate his leg and apply an ice bag to the swelling joint. I don’t even have to think what I’m doing. It’s instinct.
The coach has Joni and the other player help Markus to his friend’s car, and his friend drives him to the hospital so his knee can be checked out. The game resumes.
“You’re sexy in action,” Kyle says behind me. I startle at his voice. I had no idea he was here.
I turn to him. He’s wearing jeans and a light gray t-shirt that skims his developed chest and abs. Lucky t-shirt. “Hey, what are you doing here?”
“I didn’t have anything exciting to do, since the person I’m exploring Helsinki with now has a life beyond that.” He glances at the field where the team is playing, then leans down and kisses my jaw. “And maybe I missed hanging out with you.”
His lips linger against my skin and my entire body buzzes at his touch. My brain tells me to step away from him, but I can’t for the life of me remember why. My body says to hell with that. I move my head so my lips can brush against his. But before I get that far, Kyle stumbles into me and lets out an exhaled grunt.
He turns toward the field. Joni jogs to where the ball rests on the grass a couple of yards from us. The rest of the team watches. And now I remember why my brain wanted me to step away from Kyle. Him kissing me while I’m volunteering as a first aider is hardly professional.
“Sorry,” Joni says. “It wasn’t meant to hit you.”
Kyle mutters something under his breath that sounds close to “sure it wasn’t.”
Joni picks up the ball and tosses it into play.
“Are you okay?” I ask Kyle. “Where were you hit?”
“It’s no big deal. I’ve had worse playing hockey.”
“I guess that’s true.” Hockey isn’t known for being a friendly sport, which might be why I’ve never been into it. Too much fighting. “If you want, I can take you for an ice cream to make you feel better.” I press my lips together to keep from grinning. It doesn’t work.
“You’ve got a deal. But in the meantime, I’ll wait over there.” He points to a group of birch trees a safe distance away.
“Are you sure? There’s still another half an hour left.”
“Did I mention you’re sexy when you’re working?” His gaze travels down my body.
I laugh and give him a small shove on the shoulder. “By the way. Thanks.”
“For what?”
“For telling Rafu Jarvinen about me.” At Kyle’s confused expression, I explained, “He asked me if I’d be interested in covering for someone next week in the physical therapy clinic. So thanks for suggesting me.”
“I didn’t. I was looking for you yesterday at the sports center before I went to your grandmother’s. I might have mentioned to him what you’re studying.” He shrugs.
“Thank you anyway.” I give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Okay, off you go. I’ll see you soon.”
He salutes me and walks away. He’s limping, but not as bad as he has been. He has his good days and his bad. Right now seems to be a good day.
“Who’s that?” Dabria asks, a knowing glint in her eyes.
“A friend.” My face heats at the memory of what my “friend” did to me the other night.
Dabria laughs. “Your friend’s hot.”
I look back at Kyle. “You’re right. He is.” But he’s a lot more than that, too.
