open skate with dozens of kids and parents, I’m not only turned on, but I’m seeing an entirely different side of him as he laughs and plays with the kids. He dishes out high-fives and fist bumps and words of encouragement so easily it makes me wonder how he’s ever doubted himself when it comes to Angelo.
He’s a natural. On the ice. With kids. In bed.
I’m beginning to think there’s absolutely nothing Mikah can’t excel at when given the opportunity to flourish.
An arm lands on my shoulder and I’m pulled toward Katie and out of my moment of drooling over Mikah.
“Hey you. Like hockey yet?”
I smile at her. “It’s growing on me, definitely. How’s Jude doing?”
I know he was injured last season and was unable to play for most of it. He’s been on the ice all spring and summer, practicing for this return.
“Nervous, but that’s only mentally. Physically he’s stronger than ever.”
“Probably because he had a good therapist.”
“Please.” She laughs and drops her arm from me. “Like he listens to me. Every time I try to help him with his stretches it leads to something unconducive to his healing, so I stopped.”
A very unfeminine snort comes from me, and I shake my head. Katie’s hilarious. “His parents aren’t here, are they? I thought they were coming.”
“Oh. They’ll be here. And trust me, you’ll have to sit close to us at the first game. John Senior, his dad and his mom Sonya are something else. The first time I watched a game with them I almost peed my pants laughing so hard at him.” Her gaze lands on Jude on the ice, smiling and waving as he slides a young girl on skates through his legs and back to her feet. “They’re at Joey’s training camp early this week out in Vegas, though. They travel a lot during the season, trying to catch as many games from all their boys as they can. This year was actually supposed to be Joey’s for them to be at for the first game, but they wanted to be here for Jude.”
A flash of something appears in her eyes and they narrow.
“You’re worried.”
“Nerves, like Jude, probably. We’ll shake it off. As soon as the first game is over, everything will be fine. You are coming though, right?”
I’ve considered it, although Mikah hasn’t said anything about me coming, but after today I’m not sure I want to miss it. Jude and Jason’s parents seem entertaining alone at least. Plus, I hear they sometimes bring out puppies on the ice during one of the breaks.
Puppies on ice? How can I miss it?
“Probably.”
“Good. I’ll make sure Mikah gets you seats near us. Now come on, the guys will be out here for a while and then need to clean up. And I’m starving. I hear the team has food we can eat in one of the suites. You in?”
Happily. I’m all in. With hockey. With Mikah. With Angelo. Crazy how a few weeks ago I was drudging through my building, exhausted, and I have an entirely different life that leaves little time for any moping or exhaustion.
“Yeah. I’m in.” I grab her hand and squeeze. “Show me the way. And maybe… maybe teach me something about hockey while we’re at it.”
She pulls me along right after it. “Anything you need, girl, I’m here.”
My hand is fisted along the line of buttons on Mikah’s dress shirt. I’m pulling him down the hallway to my door, avoiding going back to his place quite yet. We still have time before he sends Viola home for the night so I’m taking a short detour to my couch. Or my bed.
Wherever we land.
Mikah is smiling down at me, part playful, part heady with desire. We have definitely found our rhythm together over the last week. I take, he gives. He gives and I take. I am fortunate he appears to enjoy giving more than taking. I’ve dated the reverse in the past and it doesn’t end well—usually with him satisfied, and me still wanting. Sometimes he lets be in charge, but it’s never for long. It’s more the illusion of control, anyway, like right now. He’s willingly allowing me to pretend I can actually move him with force.
“Do you know what I’ve been thinking of all day?”
He bites his bottom lip, glances at my fist, wrinkling his perfectly pressed light blue dress shirt. “Ruining my clothes?”
“No.” I yank him to me, thrilled when he stumbles from the surprise and kiss him. “I’ve