“Hey, did your sister get the job?”
She liked that he remembered to ask about Greta. “She did. She’s really excited to be moving here. I can’t wait.”
“That’s great. When is she making the move?”
“She has to give notice at her current job, and pack up her stuff, so not for about a month. But it’ll be awesome to have her so close.”
“I’m sure it will. Family’s important.”
He understood. She also liked that about him.
“So tell me about this new choreographer that has you soaking your sore muscles.”
“He’s a dick. I think he wants stick figures as dancers, so he watches all of us, especially the leads.”
“You got a lead part, huh?”
She told him about the show she was in, and how she’d had to audition seven times for Lawrence before he announced her as one of the leads.
“I’m glad you got the lead, but this guy sounds like a class A douche, Stell.”
“He is, but he’s also a brilliant choreographer.”
“I thought you looked thinner when I saw you last week. When was the last time you had a nice, greasy pizza?”
She groaned. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Too long, huh?”
“I was thinking about pizza on the way home, too. But ended up having a salad with grilled chicken.”
“Your body is slammin’, Stella. You can afford the pizza. You dance it all off, anyway.”
She enjoyed the compliment. “See, now why aren’t you my choreographer?”
“Because I can’t dance for shit?”
“I wouldn’t know about that, but you sure can dance on the ice.”
“I’ll have to take you dancing sometime.”
She couldn’t even imagine. “Now that I’d like to see.”
“Anytime. Though I’m better on the ice.”
“Ice dancing? Thinking of an Olympic career?”
“Ha. No. But speaking of ice—without the dancing, that is—are you coming to the game tomorrow night?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. It’s a Friday night and the start of my weekend, which means no rehearsals. At least right now.”
“Great. I’ll leave tickets at the window. Are you bringing anyone?”
“You mean like a date?”
“You’re funny. You don’t want me to have to hurt someone, do you?”
Her lips curved at the possessive tone. They’d never laid claim to each other. It had always been a very open relationship, with no strings. Exactly the way she wanted it. But just now? She couldn’t help the little thrill of excitement that ran through her.
She didn’t know how she felt about that.
“No, doofus. I’m not bringing a date. But maybe I’ll bring a girlfriend.”
“Oh, so you want a threesome.”
She rolled her eyes. “Now you’re being an ass.”
He laughed. “Go enjoy your bath. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Okay. Play good.”
“Don’t I always? See you, Stella.”
She hung up and slid her phone onto the side of the tub, thinking about seeing Trick tomorrow. Her body tingled at the thought of getting her hands all over that man again.
She’d have thought she’d have lost interest. In the past years, she’d tired of men after only a few rolls in the sack. But seeing him again the other night sparked her up all over again.
That shouldn’t surprise her. He was inventive, sexy, had a body that just didn’t quit, and he’d learned her body fast. Every time with him had been like the first time, and she always eagerly anticipated seeing him.
There was something about him that completely frazzled every nerve ending, but at the same time, gave her a sense of calm in her whacked-out world. It was crazy. She was crazy for starting up this relationship— Correction. She was not having a relationship with Trick. She did not have relationships. Not anymore. Not since that epic mistake she’d made. She’d vowed to never again give a man that much control over her heart, her soul, and her life. No one was going to hurt her so deeply again.
So far, it had worked. She was much happier controlling her own destiny. She’d worked her way up the dancing echelon in New York City, and now she was one of the lead dancers in a show that was going to premiere on Broadway next spring. She’d worked her ass off to get here, and it was because she’d let nothing and no one distract her.
Not even the incredibly hot man she was going to see tomorrow.
Chapter Four
“Pull your head out of your ass and focus on the puck, Niemeyer.”
“My focus is on the puck, Hogan.” Trick skated past his friend and teammate, Drew Hogan, and shot the puck toward the net, where the Travelers goalie, Avery Mangino, waited and easily used his stick to shove it out of the way.
“Shit,” Trick muttered.
“Come on, Trick. You made that one too easy for me,” Avery said. “How am I going to hone my goalie skills if you don’t give me something to work with?”