Page 15 of Where It Begins

“I’m good with anything apart from dairy. Dairy and I are not friends, and I would prefer not to regret my food choices tomorrow.” Skye makes a face like she didn’t mean to be that honest.

“Got it, no dairy. How do you feel about calamari?”

“I feel good about it, easy to eat and non-dairy.”

“Perfect, we’ll have the calamari to start.”

The server leaves us to put in the order.

“So…you’re a hockey scout. That’s kind of a big deal job, isn’t it? Always searching for the newest talent.” Skye sips her white wine.

“It can be rewarding, especially when I discover a diamond in the rough,” I reply.

She smiles. “You love your job, don’t you?”

I nod. “Yeah, absolutely.”

“Do you play hockey?” She clasps her hand and props her chin on her fingers, effectively cutting off my view of most of her cleavage.

“Recreationally, yeah, and I shoot the puck around with my son. He’s a hell of a lot better than I am, so it’s not much of a challenge for him, but a damn good workout for me.”

Skye’s gaze roves over my shoulders and down my arms. “You’re definitely in great shape.”

“Thanks. Having a teen in competitive sports keeps me active.” I tap the edge of my glass. “Tell me about your hobbies. What do you like to do in your spare time?”

She hums. “I’m an avid reader. My daughter enjoys sewing, so we’ve taken courses together, but I’m not nearly as good at it as she is. I’m not very athletic, I’m afraid. Putting one foot in front of the other without tripping is a win for me most days. I do like to swim, though, since there’s a low chance of tripping or pulling a muscle.” She reaches for her wineglass but doesn’t bring it to her lips. “You’re probably looking for someone more athletic, huh? Like a person who wants to hike wilderness trails with you on weekends. I can’t even skate.” Her throat bobs with a nervous swallow. “I feel like I applied for the wrong job and now my resume is falling short.”

“Hey.” I cover her hand with mine.

Her gaze lifts, and she bites her lips together.

“I spend an inordinate amount of time in an arena, a boardroom and on the ice. It’s my job and I do it for my son because it’s his passion. But if I’m completely honest, the last thing I want is to fill my down time with more physical activity. I’m not looking for a gym buddy. I’d rather see a movie, or hang out and talk, or go for a meal, like we are right now.” I run my thumb across her knuckles. “I want someone I can have fun with, and if you’d like to learn to skate, I’ll gladly teach you.”

She laughs. “I’ll probably need a helmet and full body pads. I’m not exaggerating when I say I’m uncoordinated. I can and have hurt myself during yoga class.”

“That’s a lot of bending your body in ways that aren’t entirely natural.”

“This is true.”

The server drops off the calamari and we order our entrees. Skye chooses the steak and twice-baked potato, and I do the same.

Skye delicately lifts one of the calamari rings with her fork and inspects it for a moment. “Sort of looks like a deep-fried cock ring, doesn’t it?”

I’m in the middle of a sip of scotch and I choke on the liquid. It burns my throat and lungs as tears spring to my eyes and I cough into my napkin.

Her fork clatters to her plate. “Oh my God, I can’t believe those words came out of my mouth. Are you okay?”

I’m still coughing, so she pushes back her chair and comes around to my side of the table, patting me heartily on the back.

“Give me your hands!” She yanks the napkin free and moves to stand beside me. She leans in and takes both of my hands in hers, raising them over my head.

Within a few seconds, my lungs are no longer burning, and the coughing has ceased. I’m also staring directly into Skye’s ample cleavage.

“Are you okay?”

“Better than ever,” I tell her chest.

She releases my hands, and her finger rests under my chin, tipping my head up. My eyes are slow to follow. Her cheeks are tinged pink, but her smirk is all-knowing.

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