Page 29 of Goalies Don't Date Ice Princesses

“Come on, Princess,” Archer said. I glanced behind me, through the glass doors into the expansive hotel lobby, as if I was waiting for one of our coaches to appear and yell at us for being out this late. If we were caught, we would be paying for it when we got back to school. Especially so for him after the fight.

But… we were already out here. What was the point of sneaking out in the first place if I was just going to give in the second we actually got outside? Letting out a deep sigh, I slipped my hand into Archer’s and let him lead me across the deck.

“Are we allowed to be in here?” I whispered.

“The door was unlocked,” Archer said.

“Yeah, but still…”

“Relax, Princess,” he said. He pointed at a big sign resting next to the hot-tub with a list of rules. “We’re allowed to go in until midnight.”

I sighed and looked around again, but then, seeing no one, I slipped my bathrobe off. Likewise, Archer kicked off his sweatpants and heavy sweater he had on over his bathing suit. He stepped in first, then held out a hand to me. I took it and stepped in carefully after him.

The warmth from the bubbling water enveloped me like a soft blanket, chasing away the chill of the night air. I sat down and leaned back against the edge of the hot tub, letting my hair float around me.

I felt his strong arms wrap around me, pulling me closer. His chest pressed against my back, his breath warm against my neck. I let out a contented sigh as his lips found their way to my skin, gently kissing and nipping at my earlobe.

“Is this okay?” he asked, his voice low.

I turned my head to look at him, my eyes meeting his in the dim light. I smiled and nodded, feeling a rush of desire course through my body. His hands traveled down my arms, sending shivers down my spine, before coming to rest on my waist. He pulled me even closer, our bodies now pressed together.

I leaned into his chest, my heart racing with anticipation. Our lips met in a gentle kiss, then deepened as we lost ourselves in each other. The warmth of the water combined with the heat of our bodies created a steamy haze around us.

I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him even closer as our kisses grew more urgent. His hands roamed over my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. The steamy haze thickened around us as we continued our passionate kiss, his lips exploring every inch of mine with unhurried leisure. Time seemed to slow down. Despite the chill of the night air, the water seemed to rise in its warmth, wrapping around us like a warm blanket.

He slowly removed his lips from mine, his eyes drawing me in.

“Are you nervous about the competition tomorrow?” I asked. Archer sighed and leaned his head back, letting the water cover all his hair.

“Don’t talk about the competition,” he said. I frowned in concern. But when he sat back up, he added, “I don’t want to think about it right now... I just want to think about you.”

He wrapped a hand around my waist and pulled me toward him.

As our lips met once more, someone awkwardly clearing their throat interrupted our passionate moment. I broke away from Archer and looked down awkwardly, not wanting to risk looking behind me to see who was there. Luckily, Archer, ever the gentleman, looked up for me instead, though I didn’t miss the redness creeping its way up his neck and face.

“Yes, sir?” He asked politely.Sir.Well, at least it wasn’t either of my coaches then. It didn’t guarantee it wasn’t his, but I was hoping the chances were low.

“I apologize for the interruption,” the deep and authoritative voice replied. “I just must remind you that the hot tub is closing in half an hour.”

I closed my eyes and rested my head against Archer’s chin, torn between wanting to laugh at the absurdity of the situation and dying from the embarrassment of it.

“I understand,” Archer said. “Thank you for the reminder.”

I heard receding footsteps that indicated the man leaving. I lifted my head and looked back at Archer again.

“Well, that was horrible,” I said. A laugh escaped from my mouth without me meaning for it too. Archer laughed too and I could feel the vibrations of his chest through my hands was still sitting against his bare skin.

“That’s what we get for kissing out here, I guess,” he said. He pressed another kiss to my lips but continued laughing, making it impossible to keep going. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment, my eyes still locked with Archer’s, his own filled with the same hopeful longing. We both knew that our stolen moment in the hot tub had come to an end.

Archer sighed and stood up. I unabashedly stared at him as he grabbed a towel, at the droplets of water cascading down his bare skin, highlighting defined lines of his abs. The water shimmered in the dim light of the hot tub, tracing a path down his abdomen and disappearing into the waistband of his bathing suit.

“Enjoying the view?” Archer asked.

“Hm?” I blinked at him stupidly as he stepped back towards me. He just grinned and reached toward me. With a gentle hand, he lifted me out of the hot bubbling water of the tub. I was immediately hit by the chilliness of the late November air, but before I even had the time to wrap my arms around myself, he was enveloping me in a fluffy towel, its warmth embracing me as we stood in the cool evening air. He wrapped his arms around me and I took a deep breath as I leaned my head against his chest, breathing in the mixed scent of chlorine and Archer’s familiar cologne.

The chilly night air seemed to only intensify the warmth between us as I melted into Archer’s embrace. We stood there, the world around us fading away, aware of nothing but the delicate rustling of towels and the quiet rhythm of our breathing.

Archer’s strong arms cradled me, his touch reassuring and tender. His hands glided down my back, leaving a trail of gentle warmth that I could still feel long after he’d moved on. His chest rose and fell beneath my ear, steady and comforting, his heartbeat a familiar song in the quiet night.

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