Read Online On the Fly (Crimson Romance) by Katie Kenyhercz - Free Book Online

didn’t matter that she knew he did it on purpose. The effect was the same. And now she found herself on the precipice of doing something really stupid.
    She paused in tying the bow at the top of her skate and grabbed the end of a lace to undo it when Carter appeared in front of her, hooked a hand around her elbow, and hoisted her to her feet. She wavered off balance, and his arm slid around her waist to keep her from falling back onto the bench. It had a yo-yo effect, and she fell forward against his hard chest. He smiled down at her, and all thoughts of putting a stop to things disappeared. They were replaced with thoughts of throwing him down and having her way with him right there. She blushed, shocked at herself, but he didn’t seem to notice. He stepped onto the ice and skated toward the goal crease. Most men only thought about one thing. For Carter, it was hockey. It humbled her if nothing else.
    With a sigh, she glided over to where he waited. For good measure, she stuck out her arms and feigned a wobble.
Can you ice skate?
That was something of an understatement. Her father had gotten her a pair of ice skates as soon as she could walk. Carter didn’t need to know that.
    “You gonna make it?”
    “I think so.” She came to a stop against the goal post and turned around to mimic his stance.
    “Tell you what, I’ll give you a head start.”
    She just smiled.
    “Down and back, okay? Ready, set, go!”
    She took off like a shot, arms pumping, knees high, just digging into the ice with the sides of her blades. Behind her, shocked laughter echoed. Then it was replaced by the sound of his own skates. At the other goal, she skidded sideways in an awkward hockey stop and tried to regain momentum, heading back for the other end, but Carter had the experience, and he turned in two seconds. He passed her and pivoted to skate backward, adding insult to injury. She squinted at him and surged forward. Amusement played openly across his sharp features until he stopped and she didn’t.
    Jacey hadn’t really considered the consequences of hurling herself at him. It seemed like a good idea at the time. And before she could reverse it, she collided against him with a solid thump. They spun in a circle, their legs tangled, and Carter fell backward. She had no choice but to follow. One minute she was standing, and the next she was looking out over the ice, her cheek against his chest.
Déjà vu.
The rink was silent save for a low, electrical hum.
    Carter broke the quiet. “Ow.”
    Jacey burst out laughing and tried to climb off of him. And she would have … really … except that the slippery, snowy ice foiled her attempts. Her hands slid out from under her every time she tried to move.
    “Are you okay?” Her worry might have been drowned out by the smile she couldn’t hide.
    “I thought we were going to stop meeting like this.” He winced and shifted, and time stopped. Suddenly, Jacey became all too aware of every part of his body touching every part of hers. The change registered in his eyes as well. She could feel his heart pounding beneath hers. She didn’t move. Slowly, he lifted a hand from her waist and dug rough fingers into her hair, pushing it back from her face. He leaned in, eyes hooded, and she could feel his warm breath against her lips. And the door to the rink banged open just before the Zamboni emerged.
    Jacey scrambled off of him and held onto the goal post to stand up. She let out a shuddering breath and watched Carter climb to his feet with less grace than usual. Most likely the driver hadn’t seen. She hoped. “Time to go … ”
    “Yeah, I guess they’re getting ready for the next open session.”
    “I’ll, uh … see you Monday?”
    “Yeah, at the game.”
    “At the game.” She retreated to the bench to put her shoes back on, and Carter waved as he went into the lobby. When she was sure he was gone, she held her face in her hands and groaned. “Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

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