Melting the Ice (A Play-by-Play Novel)

ward her.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, thoroughly, until she went limp, content to let him work his magic on her mouth.

When he pulled back, his eyes had gone dark with desire, and every nerve ending in her body was zinging.

“It’s been a long damn time since I held you in my arms. I missed you.”

She smiled and looped her arm in his as they headed down the hall. “I missed you, too. How did practice go today?”

“Practice went good. It always does. If only we could figure out how to transfer those kick-ass practices into winning games.”

“Your record isn’t that bad.”

“At home we’re awesome. It’s only on the road we’re having problems.”

“You’ll figure it out, Drew.”

“Yeah, we will.”

He led her into the locker room. “Okay, what’s the deal for this shoot?”

She laid her bag on the bench. “This is the underwear line I’ve created. I’d like to start with you in the briefs and T-shirt, and then just the briefs.”

“And you want me on the ice in these?”

“Yeah. I know it’s going to be uncomfortable, but I want you with your hockey stick in your hand, near the net. Did they leave the net up?”

“Yeah. I asked the crew to leave the net up. They’re going to come back later and take it down and lock up.”

“Okay, great.”

He kicked off his boots. “I can’t believe I’m going to freeze my ass off for you.”

“I really appreciate this.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

He changed into the boxer briefs and T-shirt that Carolina had provided him.

“How do they feel?” she asked.

He looked down, then at her. “Like underwear.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Why? Do they have superpowers? Or will my dick grow an extra inch when I’m wearing them? Because if so, you’re going to make billions on these things.”

“Never mind.” She walked away.

He followed. “Babe. It’s underwear. Men aren’t picky about it. Besides, you’re really advertising this to women, aren’t you? Women buy a ton of underwear for their men, don’t they?”

She stopped and turned to face him. “Yes.”

“All right then. Let’s make women want some men’s underwear.” He grabbed his hockey stick, and Carolina laughed.

Sometimes, Drew could turn the most complicated thing into something simple.

They headed toward the ice, where James had set up a carpet leading from the step off onto the ice and toward the net.

He owed James a case of beer.

“I’m pumped and feeling energized in these briefs. Like I could maybe even fly.” He took a superhero stance.

She laughed. “Too late. Let’s get you into position and take the pictures.”

“Sounds good to me. I’m already cold.”

Excitement fueled her. “Okay. Let’s just do a few test shots of you standing next to the net.”

Drew stood there holding his stick.

“Um, boring. Could you kind of get into a sexy position?”

He cocked a brow. “Define ‘sexy position’.”

“I don’t know. Lean back.”

He leaned back. And looked ridiculous. She laughed.

And Drew frowned. “So we’re done now?”

“I’m sorry.” She wasn’t a professional photographer, the kind who could make a model feel sexy, who could draw out the vibes needed to get them in the mood.

But . . . she was a woman. And she knew what it took to get Drew in the mood.

She walked over to him. This visual had been in her head for so long, she just had to get it out, take the test shots, and see if this was even going to work.

“Put the stick in your left hand, then lean over this way, with your hand on the net. Yes. Just like that.” She made sure to touch his body, to caress him the way she would if they were alone together.

She focused the lens on him. “I love seeing you in my clothes. Of course I love seeing you without any clothes.”

His gaze hit hers, and she took the picture.

She smiled at him, then moved in closer, getting his face, the way he watched her whenever she touched him to realign his body.

“Spread your legs, just a little.” She made sure to touch his butt, his thighs, to take deep breaths when she was near him.

“Carolina.” His eyes looked dark and a little dangerous. Perfect.

She got the shot, and with every subsequent picture, she was certain she’d been right when she’d visualized this.

“Now, take off the shirt and let’s get you in just the briefs.”

He pulled the shirt off and she tossed it over her shoulder.

“Slide just the tips of your fingers inside the briefs, Drew. Let me see your hipbone.”

“You asking me to do a striptease for you?”

She smiled, but kept her focus through the lens. “Maybe.”

The look he gave her melted her. She clicked the camera, shot after shot, as he instinctively got into it. Now he knew what she wanted.

But then she lifted her gaze above the camera. “I don’t think the erection is going to work.”

“Then quit talking dirty to me.”

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