Power Plays & Straight A's (CU Hockey 1)

I let myself enjoy his tongue brushing mine before I pull away. “While yes, I did want to see you, I also have another reason for being here.” I lift up the ice skates I’m holding as I tug his hand to get him walking.

“You know what those are, right?” he asks.

“I have become well acquainted with them in the last few months.”

“Okay, so, why …?”

That’s a fantastic question, and the burst of nerves hitting my stomach asks the same one. I lead Foster down the stairs closest to the ice and drop into a seat.

“The thing is, my boyfriend happens to be a hotshot hockey player.” I kick off my shoes then lean down to pull the skates on. Foster pulls his from his bag and does the same. “And while I might not be experienced with relationships, I hear it’s a good idea to take interest in the things your partner loves.”

Foster wrinkles his nose. “Does that mean I have to take up reading?”

“No.” I laugh and slap his stomach. Once my laces are done up, Foster grabs my legs to check that he’s happy with how tight I’ve done them. Sitting there, legs in his lap, calms my apprehension. “You’re headed for the NHL—”

He slaps a hand over my mouth. “Shh. Don’t jinx it.” He gestures to the rink with his free hand. “Not in this house of the holy sacredness that is hockey.”

“I’m not,” I say against his palm. He releases his hold, but I quickly grab his hand. “It’s not jinxing it when it’s stating a fact. You’re incredible, and wherever you end up, our time together will be limited. You know that, I know that, and so …” I wriggle a foot.

“You want me to teach you to skate?” His voice is soft and full of awe. I did that.

“I mean, it’s not like I’ve never done this before. I grew up in Wisconsin. But I’d just stand at the side, holding on for dear life. I never had any interest in trying.”

“But you do now.”

“I think we both know why.”

“Spending time with your incredibly hot boyfriend is a good incentive.”

“I think we also know I’m not a prodigy like you.”

“Can I tell you a secret?”

“Always.”

Foster leans in. “When I first learned to skate, Seth was better than me. I mean, he still sucked, but I spent more time on my ass than the blades. He at least had balance.”

“No.”

“Yes.” He drops my legs and takes my other hand to pull me to my feet.

Okay, steady. I find my balance and grin up at him.

“Feeling cocky, are we?” Foster asks. “Pretty sure that’s my job. Just wait until you get off the carpet.”

I stomp heavily after him toward the entrance, and the smile Foster’s wearing makes it impossible to regret my decision. Even if it means a bruised ass when we’re done … I’m sure it won’t take much convincing for him to kiss it better.

“Coach is going to kill us for being in here.”

“I organized it with him.”

“You …” He shakes his head. “Of course you did.”

“I’m a little nervous,” I confess, as Foster steps back onto the ice.

“You wouldn’t be my Zach if you weren’t.”

His Zach. “Are you calling me a scaredy cat?”

“You’re afraid of a lot of things.” He tugs me, and I glide forward right into his arms. “But you never let it stop you.”

“To stop trying is to stop learning. Ignorance is the enemy of progress.”

Foster lets out a full-body laugh and starts to move backward, me going with him by default as I refuse to stop clutching his arms. “How did a dumbass like me ever catch the eye of someone as amazing as you?”

I snort and give him a little shove. “You really are an idiot if you have to ask a question like that.”

“Careful, Zachy, I’m the only thing holding you up right now. You’re completely at my mercy.”

“Maybe I like being at your mercy.” My voice comes out way too high pitched to be as sexy as I’d been aiming for.

“Getting complacent, eh? In that case …” Foster eases away from me, forcing me to readjust my hold to his hands again. “Let’s get you standing on your own two feet.”

I smile as I look down.

“Nuh-uh. Eyes up here.”

Well, that doesn’t feel natural. Still, he’s the expert here, so I encourage my gaze away from the ice and back up to his face.

“It’s all intuitive,” he explains. “Don’t overthink it. Feel for your balance and then push.”

Intuitive. Balance. Push.

Oh dear, this is far more difficult than I remembered. It takes a few laps for me to finally let up on my vise-like grip. I wouldn’t say I’m especially comfortable, but things start clicking together in my head. It’s easier to get my balance, to gain confidence, and soon I’m actually skating rather than just letting Foster pull me along.