Read Online Pairing Off (Red Hot Russians #1) by Elizabeth Harmon - Free Book Online Page B

up.” She nestled against him and closed her eyes, one hand clasped around his upper arm, the other resting on his stomach, assurance he was still near.
    From the time they were kids, he’d been her refuge in a scary life, as she and her alcoholic mother drifted from one dingy flat to the next. When her mother finally put a bullet in the head of an abusive boyfriend and went to jail, he, his family and Galina were there for Olga. He’d never hurt her. But his trust in her was badly shaken, and her decision to skate with Valentin only made things worse. There was also her temper, and the fact that they wanted vastly different things. And just as Olga’s wishes had defined their skating partnership, they would define their married life.
    Most of the time that was okay. He wasn’t the type of guy who always needed to have his way. He liked making her happy. But she didn’t appreciate it, she merely expected it—a price he ought to gladly pay for the privilege of being with her. Lately, he’d been wondering if the price was too high.
    Awake in the dark, he listened to the far-off sound of a storm brewing. Just when he thought she was asleep, she whispered sadly, “I love you.”
    The words broke his heart. He pulled the sheet up over her bare shoulder. “I love you too.”
    It wasn’t a lie. A part of him would always love her. But he no longer wanted to marry her.

Chapter Seven
    The next afternoon, headed back to Moscow on the M10, he made good time until south of Klin. Then he crept along the rest of the way, caught in traffic and thinking about Carrie Parker.
    Brigitte’s comment about Carrie’s former partner explained how they had synched so quickly. Just as he had always adapted to Olga, Carrie had adapted to Cody. The one with mean eyes. That explained a few things too, like her fear when they worked on lifts and throws. And not once had he seen her eat anything besides apples and celery. Was deWylde the reason? Or was he?
    He’d been cold, indifferent. Instead of talking to her during practice breaks, he plugged in his iPod. He left to run before she finished her workouts without so much as a “see you tomorrow.” He’d been exasperated when she missed jumps, but pretended not to notice when she landed them well.
    Be honest, you’ve been a jerk. She probably thinks you’re the mean one.
    She’d be stunned to know the real reason.
    He’d first noticed her at the Cup of China when he and a friend dropped by a late practice. As Misha had chatted with a hot Canadian ice dancer, Anton peered into the arena, mostly curious about who was skating to the Foo Fighters. But instead of some Asian kid getting his macho on, the skater was a beautiful young woman.
    Small and slender, with a shiny blond ponytail sailing behind her, she was lost in the music, skating for no one but herself. The loud, hard music complemented her athletic, though elegant, skating. She was breathtaking, but at the same time, her distant expression was undeniably sad. She wasn’t on the ice to practice. She was there to escape.
    Who was she? Misha shrugged, but the Canadian girl knew. “Carrie Parker. She’s an American.”
    He recognized the name. She was part of a lower-ranked pair competing in their first Grand Prix event. A pair he’d not given much thought, until now.
    The next night, he approached her, but she froze him out cold. He took it as a sign to patch things up with Olga, but never forgot her. When Olga left to skate with Valentin, Carrie was the only partner he wanted.
    But now that she was here, he wasn’t treating her any better than deWylde had. She was uncomfortable around him, afraid even. Worse, she’d lost confidence. She’d been made to feel worthless, when she deserved to be treated as something rare and wonderful.
    Fear and harsh treatment pushed some skaters to excel, but Carrie needed a friend, not a taskmaster. Unless she trusted him, they’d never gel as a pair. Despite his growing attraction, the wall