He wanted me.
I didn’t doubt that, not even a little bit. But he was different here. It was the summer. The team and all that came with it were a distant memory. Once he went back to college, though, everything would change. But I was trying hard not to think about that.
As I pulled onto Carson’s Street, his truck was nowhere to be seen, thank God. I cut the engine and climbed out, rubbing my clammy palms down my jeans. Despite the balmy heat from the summer sun, I’d dressed for the occasion.
Inhaling a deep breath, I walked up to the door and knocked. It swung open, and Aiden grinned. “You’re late.”
“I am not.”
“Three minutes, freckles.”
“I…” My eyes narrowed, and he chuckled, hooking an arm around my waist and pulling me inside. My hands went to his chest, steadying myself.
“Hey,” he said, gazing down at me.
“Hey.”
“You look…” Aiden’s lips grazed my ear, sending a shiver through me. “Good enough to eat.”
“While that does sound tempting, we have to go.”
“Are you going to tell me where you’re taking me, yet?”
“No, it’s a surprise.” I went to pull away, but he tightened his hold on me. “Aiden, we need—”
“Just one taste.” He cupped the nape of my neck right as his lips crashed down on mine. I clung to him, my fingers twisting into the t-shirt stretched against his muscular chest.
“Mmm, that’s better.” Licking his tongue into my mouth, he teased me, his eyes dancing with heat and humor.
“I… okay, then.”
He’d rendered me speechless.
Flushed and breathless, I slipped out of his arms and hurried out to the car, his laughter following me the whole way.
* * *
“So, what do you think?” I peeked up at Aiden as he stared out at the rink. “I thought you could show me some of your moves.”
“I… hell yes!” He picked me up and swung me around, dipping his head to brush his lips over mine. “This is perfect. I’ve missed the ice.”
“We’ve got the place to ourselves for ninety minutes.”
I’d called in a favor to Ben, the owner. He was a family friend and had been all too willing to let me bring the Lakers star player along for some time on the ice.
“I just need you to sign a hockey jersey for the owner before we leave.”
Aiden’s eyes crinkled. “Oh, it’s like that, huh?”
“Like you don’t spend your days at Lakeshore U signing napkins and girls’ boobs,” I teased, my stomach churning a little at the thought.
We still had a lot to talk about, but I was content living in the moment for now. And it had been too long since I’d been on the ice.
“I’m a little rusty,” I said as we got into our skates.
“Don’t worry. I’ll catch you if you fall.” Aiden’s eyes twinkled, and I shook my head, laughing at his cheesy attempt at flirting.
“Has anyone ever told you your ego needs its own room?”