Puck Daddy

Then, I hear the magic words. “Guys, we’ll go down to the arena later, to go through strategies.”

Everyone’s muttering and talking as we leave the room. I’m worried for a second that the coach might’ve noticed I wasn’t really paying attention, but he doesn’t say anything as I stand. I need to get my mind back on the upcoming game and as far from Faith’s sexy little body as possible. But it’s so fucking hard. Near enough to impossible.

I grab my phone. She’s sent a text, saying they’re out of the pool and back in the room. She says she’ll meet me in ten minutes at the reception desk. That’s music to my ears, and I grab my bag, intent on making my way out of the room.

The coach grabs my arm. “Everything okay? You were miles away, Wright.”

Shit, he did notice.

I smile. “Yeah, sorry, Coach. Just want to make sure the kids are okay.”

His eyebrow arches. “And that’s why you were smiling while I was showing the game footage?”

Fuck! He was watching me more than I realized. I need to focus, but Faith’s taking over my damn mind. And I’m letting her.

“Coach, cut me a break. I’m here. Playing better than before. What more can I do?”

He uses his two fingers and very nearly pokes my eyes out. I jerk my head back just in time.

“Focus!”

I quickly move away from him, not wanting to hear more lecturing. A couple of guys seem to want his attention, which saves me from more grilling, and I slip out the door.

I sigh as I head toward the reception desk, because I know he’s right. I need to stop thinking with my cock and start using my damn head.

But that idea comes to a dramatic end when Faith enters the reception area. Even in her simple yoga pants and fitted shirt, she takes my breath away. She’s a distraction, that’s for sure. One that I need to rid myself of if I’m going to be the star player in this next game.

It’s then that I notice the kids aren’t with her.

“Where are—”

She holds up a hand. “They’re fine. There’s a play area and a babysitting facility here. I asked if they wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on them for a couple of hours, so we can do this. You don’t mind, do you?”

So we can do this. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask what kinds of delicious things she had in mind, but I swallow it back. I know what she means.

I shake my head, knowing that those kids would’ve kept me on the straight and narrow. But now, I’m going to be alone with Faith.

I can’t see how I’ll be able to control myself, but I know that I have to fucking try. After all, it’s only for a couple of hours.

* * *

Faith hasn’t stopped talking since we got here. I’m starting to think she’s even more nervous about all this than I am.

Luckily, there was equipment to be rented at the arena, so she was able to suit up in stuff that actually fit her to practice in.

“Are you sure you can skate?”

I can’t help but laugh as she tries to straighten up after falling yet again. She’s done that twice, and I’m just standing in the middle of the rink, waiting for her to join me.

“Yeah, I’m just really rusty.”

I nod my head, but she’s a mess. I didn’t think I came here to give her a skating lesson. I wanted to see her on the ice. But now…

Curiosity gets the best of me, and I skate closer to her. She’s shaking. “Faith? Are you okay?”

She shakes her head and then rips off her helmet. “I can’t do this.”

Tears are streaming down her face, and I wonder if maybe I was too harsh on her. Shit, I’m not good at this. I have no patience, whatsoever. The idea of teaching her anything makes me feel like I’m not the man for the job. And that’s exactly what went through my mind when she suggested it.