Holiday Face-off (Puck Battle Book 1)

HolidayFace-off

PuckBattleSeriesBookOne

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eBookISBN:978-0-9952712-2-7

CHAPTERONE

tsuckedbeingsingleatChristmas.Theholidayscouldbealonelytimeofyeareven
whenbychoice.CarlySainthadherreasons,butthatdidn’tmaketheacheinherchest

anylessreal.

Asnowflakefromthedarkenedskylandedonhernose.Thesunwasn’tduetomake

anappearanceforanotherhour.Withanyluck,itwouldpushthestormcloudsaway.
Thirtypercentchanceofflurries.Foronceshewantedtheweathermantoberight.She
neededhimtoberight.

Thecitylookedfestiveandpeacefulonherdrivetowork.Snowblanketedeveryinch

withshimmeringsparkles.AwinterwonderlandthatCarlycouldn’tappreciateyet.Not
untilhershiftatthedinerwasoverandshewassailingthousandsoffeetintheairwould
shegettoenjoythebeautyoftheChristmasseason.

Therewerenocarsontheroadasshedroveoutsidethecitylimits.Shelivedinthe

campusdorms,butworkedataruraldinerbecauseitremindedherofhome.Shecould
haveworkedoncampuslikeeveryoneelse,butnotwiththathecticpace.Plus,shefellin
lovewiththeownersthefirsttimeshesetfootinthefiftiesstyletruckstopdiner.Insix
monthsofemployment,thiswasthefirsttimeshewisheditwasclosertoschool.

Everydirectionwassnowcoveredprairiesandwhite,frostedbuildings.Thesnow

madetheroadslick,forcinghertodriveslow.Thirtyminutesbecameanhour.Despitethe
icyconditions,shearrivedontime.

Shepoppedintothebackofficetopunchtheclock.“Morning,Carly.Thanksagain

fortakingthisshift,”Mr.Richardsonsaidwhenhespottedhertyingherapron.“Youlook
nicetoday.”

Shehadstyledhershoulderlengthhairintoamessyponytailwithcascadingtendrils

aroundherface.Atouchoflightmake-upandheavymascaracompletedtheeffortlessly
chiclook.Unfortunately,shecouldn’tsaythesamefortheblackt-shirtandbluejeans
uniform.

PerryRichardsonwasakindbosswhonoticedsmalldetailsothersoverlooked.The

complimentmadeherblush.HelookedlikeayoungerversionofSantaClaus.Exchange
thebrownbeardforwhiteandhewasashoeinforthejob.Whenheaskedforsomething,
likeworkingonChristmaseve,shefeltcompelledtohelp.

“Um…Thanksandnoproblem;myflightisn’tuntilfivethirty.”Hershiftendedat

twothirty,leavingherenoughtimetomakeittotheairportevenwithpoorconditions.
Sheleanedoverhisdesktopeekoutthewindowforaviewofthenearemptyparkinglot,
prayingthesnowwouldstop.Ithadn’t.

Mr.RichardsonsettledintohischairandswitchedonthesmallTVwhichhungonthe

wallbyhisdesk.“Thisisyourfirstvisitbackinawhile,right?”

Thenewswasbroadcastingthefaceofamissingteen.Lately,itseemedasthougha

newfacewasbeingshowneveryweek.Criminalsweretakingover,givingCarlyan
uneasyfeeling.Heflippedthroughthechannelsuntilhereachedthesportsnetwork.

Citycrimerateswereatanall-timehigh,providinganotherreasontoheadbacktoher

smallnorthernSaskatchewanhometown.Aplaceshe’dbeenhappytoleaveatthestartof
summer.It’snotlikeshehadextratimetospareorthemoneytogoback,butherparents
expectedherhomefortheholidays.

“Yup.”Shehopedhercurtresponsewouldstopthequestions.

“Yourfolksmustbehappytogetyouhome.”Thestatementhungintheair,making

Carlyquestiontherealityofit.“Theystillonyourcaseabouttheex?”

Mrs.Richardsonlovedtogossip.Theniceolderwomanwaslikeasecondmother,

andCarlyappreciatedhavinghershouldertocryonwhentheyfirstmet.Onlyhersecrets
weren’tsecretsforlong.Everyoneheardshehadanexfromhell,andparentswho
worshipedhim.

Sheplasteredonherfakesmile;theoneshe’dperfectedforcustomers.Itoozed

charmwithadashofsass,butalsosaiddon’tmesswithme.“Thingsarefine.Thankyou
forasking.”Sheswitchedherfocustothethirty-inchflatscreen.Carlywonderedhowhe
gotanyworkdonewiththedistraction.Highlightsoflastnight’shockeygamewerebeing
shown.

“Didyoucatchthegame?”Heasked,andshewashappyforthechangeinsubject.

Shewasahockeyfan.Oneofthefewthingstheyhadincommon.

“Suredid,weslaughteredthePenguins.Ifwekeepthisup,wemayhaveashotat

playoffs.”Carlycouldn’tskatetosaveherlife,butstilllovedtowatchthegame.Her
fatherwasadiehardJetsfanandhisloverubbedoffonheratsomepoint.

Thepointsflashedacrossthescreen.Thenight’stopspotwenttoTheoMontagne;

lastyear’sRookieoftheYear.Theannouncersshowedlastnight’shat-trick.Nothisfirst
oftheseason.Eachofhisthreegoalslookedeffortless.Hehadserioustalent.They
displayedapictureofTheowithhiswildmopofbrownhair,piercingblueeyesandkiller
smile.Carlystaredatthepicture,tuningouttheannouncer’scommentary.

“Goodlookingkid,don’tyouthink?”Mr.Richardson’squestioncaughtheroffguard.

“Lookslikeaniceguytoo.”

Shedidn’tknowhowtoanswer.Yes,themanwasattractive,okaysmokinghot,but

hewasalsoahockeyplayerwhichshefoundunappealing.“Ifyoulikehockeyplayers,I
guess.”Sheshruggedhershoulders.“I’llbeupfrontifyouneedme.Trynottoworktoo
hard,boss.”Carlywinkedandfinishedsigningin.Asmuchasshehatedgossip,sheloved
theownerslikefamily.

Mr.Richardsonnodded,shufflingpapersonhisdesk.“Don’tleavetodaywithout

comingtosaybye.TheMrs.andIgotyoualittlesomething.”Carlyputherhandsout,
hopingtogetwhateverthepresentwasnow.Chocolatewasalwayswelcomedsinceher
sweettoothwasneversatisfied.Heswattedthemaway.“Aftershift;don’tforget.”

“Sure,Iwon’tforget.”Carlywouldneverleavechocolatebehind.Sheclosedthe

officedoorandmadeherwayupfront.Thosetwoweresogenerous,anotherreasonshe
workedoutinthemiddleofnowhere.

Asexpected,thereweren’tmanycustomerswhenthedoorsopened.Aslowmorning

meantfewtips.Theshiftwasafavor,butinreality,shedidn’tmind.Sheneededevery
penny.Planeticketsnearlydoubledaroundtheholidays,butgoingbackwasimportant.
Shefeltguiltyenoughforchoosingaschoolthatwasthousandsofmilesaway.Shedidn’t
wanttoaddyetanotherdisappointmentintheireyes.

Herparentsactedliketheywerehappywithherdecisions,butshecouldtellthey

wantedtheironlychildcloser.Theysupportedherwithbrightsmiles,whichonlymade
herfeelworse.Behindthefakegrins,shewasbreakingtheirhearts.Shestuffedthose
thoughtsawayasthehustleandbustleofservingcustomerspickedup.

“Don’tlooksoglum,yourtipssufferwhenyou’renotsmiling,”Mirandasaidwitha

bigeartoeargrin.Herco-workerdidn’thavetoremindCarlyofthatfact.

Hershiftwascomingtoanendandthesmallamountofchangejinglinginherapron

wasenoughofareminder.Sheforcedatoothygrin.Theyweregettinghardertofakeas
thedayprogressed.Shewantedtogohome,butdreadedseeingcertainpeople.

“Whyareyousocheerful?”MostpeopleweredelightedthatChristmasevehad

finallyarrived,butCarlyknewMiranda’sbigsmilehadnothingtodowiththeholidays.

“Chucksurprisedmelastnightwithanafter-gamehat-trickofhisown.Athree

orgasmsperformance.Andthenagainthismorning.Iamoneluckylady.”

Carlysputteredthecoffeeshe’dsnuckasipof.Mirandahadnofilter.“OMG.Keepit

down!I’mnotsurethetablesinthebackheardya.”Carlygiggled.

Miranda’shusbandwasanotherJetsfanwhotookthegametooseriously.Heplayed

thesportinarecleagueandthoughthewasGod’sgifttowomen.

Everyhockeyplayershe’devermetthoughtthatway.Onmorethanoneoccasion

she’ddebatedthemeritsofdatinghockeyplayerswithMiranda.Carlywasn’tconvinced
theyweren’tallegotisticalmaniacswithdaddyissues.

“Hushyourself.IftheteamkeepsplayingthisgoodImightenduppregnantbefore

Easter.”Mirandarubbedherflatstomach.

ThecouplewantedababybutaccordingtoMrs.Richardson;Chuckwasacheater.

Mirandaconfirmedasmuchthelasttimesheworked.MenlikeChuckfueledCarly’s
bitterness.

“Soundslikeyou’vepatchedthingsupthen?Lasttimewespoke,youwerekicking

hislyingassout?”Itwasimpossibletomasktheirritationinhervoice.Chuckdidn’tcheat
habitually,whichmadehimmorefaithfulthananyotherhockeyplayershehadever
known.

Mirandabitherlipandlookeddown.“Iwasangrywhenwetalked.Chuckexplained

everything.Itwasallonehugemisunderstanding,andwe’reallgoodnow.”

Carlywasn’tsurewhoshewastryingtoconvince.“Howexactlydidheexplainthe

factthathehadsexwithsomeoneotherthanhiswife?”Shekepthervoicelowtokeep
theirconversationprivate,butshewantedtoscream.Cheatingwasunforgivable.Ithad
happenedtoher,andshevoweditwouldneverhappenagain.

Mirandastraightenedherapronandcamecloser.“You’vemetChuck.Myman’seasy

ontheeyesandadamngoodhockeyplayer.Noonecanhandleasticklikehecan.”She
waggledherbrowandCarlywantedtohideunderthecounter.“Thereisnothingto
explainandIdon’twanttotalkaboutthepast.Hepromisedit—.”

“Wouldneverhappenagain.Andyoubelievehim?”CarlybelievedChuckdeserved

tobebenched;permanently.

“Don’tgivemethatlook,MissSaint.I’mnotanidiot,butIdolovehim.He’sagood

manandI’mnotinterestedinbecomingathirty-year-olddivorcedwoman,searchingfor
loveagain.Whenyoufindtherightone,you’llseewhatImean.You’llgrabonwithboth
handsandneverletgo.He’llmakeyouthinkanythingispossible.Besides,Iwanttostart
afamily,andChuckpromisedmeahappylife.Today,Iamahappywoman.Whenwas
thelasttimeyousaidthat?”

IthadbeenalongwhilesinceCarlyhadallowedherselfthatkindofhappiness.

“We’renottalkingaboutme.Ifyou’rehappy,thenIamtoo.”Shetrulymeantherwords.
Carlylivedvicariouslythroughherfriends.Shejusthopedhe’dkeephispromisethis
time.

“Thanks.Yourprinceisouttheretoo.Amanwhocanmakeyoucomesohardyou’ll

beseeingstars,mygirl.Hey,maybewe’llhavebabiesaroundthesametime.Christmas
miracleshappenallthetime.”Shewinkedbeforesaunteringofftoclearatable.

Anacheinherchestnearlystoppedherheart.Herhandmovedtoherstomachasshe

tookafewdeepbreaths,butitleftheroffkilter.Carlydoubtedherfriend;shedidn’t
deservethekindofmiracleMirandamentioned.

Therewasn’tmuchtimetodwellonherconversationsincecustomerscameintoget

outofthestorm.ThelunchrushhadCarlyhopping.Mostoftheirclientsweretruckers
andnearingtheendofhershifttheplacewaspacked.

“Doubleespresso,”adeep,malevoicesaid.

CarlylookedupfromtheregisterintothefaceofnoneotherthanMr.Hockey-Star

himself,TheoMontagne.Sherubbedhereyes,thinkingshehadtobemistakenbecause
celebritiesnevercametothediner.Buthewasrealandstandinginchesfromher.Her

CHAPTERTWO

erheartflutteredatthesightofhim,whichtickedheroff.Goodlooksandmoney
didn’tmakehimmorespecialorsignificantthananyothercustomer.Thick,dark

brownlocksfellacrosshisforeheadshieldinghiseyes.Evenwithoutseeingthecrystal-
clearpoolsofblue,sherecognizedhim.Heshookthemeltingsnowoffhisblackbaseball
capbeforequicklyputtingitbackonandpullingthebrimlowtohidehisidentity.

Carlysuspectedhewasn’tinthemoodforafanmoment,thoughherheartbeatamile

aminuteinhispresence.She’dneverbeenthisclosetosomeonefamousbefore.Hockey
playerornot,hewasacustomer.Sheflashedanextra-largesmile,notthatitmattered.He
didn’tlookupfromhisphone.Arrogancerolledoffhiminwaves.

“Feelfreetograbanyvacanttable,althoughtherearen’tmanyleft.”Shepointed

aroundthediner,buthiseyesremainedgluedtohisphone.Carlyrolledhereyesand
hopedhesatatoneofMiranda’stables.

Mirandawasn’ttheonlyloverofhockeyplayers.Carly’sroommatewouldswoonif

shewasthisclosetoTheoMontagne.Bethhadanaddictiontohockeyandanunhealthy
attractiontohockeyplayers.Thepastsixmonths,Carlywatchedherdatefourdifferent
hockeyplayers.Allofwhomusedandtossedherasidelikeapieceofgarbage.Bethwasa
sweetgirl,butherfixationonthesportcloudedherjudgmentregardingthemen.

Beinganathletedidn’tgivetheseguystherighttotreatpeoplelikecrap.Herown

datinghistoryrevealedsimilarconduct.Theytreatedwomenasthoughtheywereluckyto
haveamomentoftheirtime.Bethwasonamissiontomarryahockeyplayer.Shehada
listofmenfromtheNationalHockeyLeaguesheplannedtoseduce.TheoMontagnewas
onthatlist.

“DoIorderhereoratthetable?”Thehockeyplayerasked.Thedeeptimbreofhis

voicesentshiversdownCarly’sspine.

“Dependswhichtableyoutake.Ifyoutaketheonlyoneopennexttothewindow,

thenIcantakeyourordernow,otherwiseyou’llhavetowaitfortheotherwaitresstoget

toya.”Shecouldhavekickedherselffornotdirectinghimtowardsthetwoemptytables
ontheleft.

Shedidn’twanttoservehim,right?

“Thanks.Iwaskiddingabouttheespressobytheway.”Hesmiled,hisstraightwhite

teethsparkledlikethefreshlyfallensnow.Carlywishedhe’dlookupbuthekepthishead
down.“I’dlikeacupofcoffeeandthelunchspecial,please.”

Atleastthisegomaniacwaspolite.“Surething.”Carlysmiledagain,butherefforts

wereinvain.

Thehockeyplayerwalkedaway,neverhavinglookedatheronce.Hewasatallguy

withoutbeingimposing.Carlyadmiredhisbroadbuild.Oversixfeetofleanmuscleslay
hiddenunderablackleatherjacket.Carlypunchedhisorderintothesystemandwatched
himfromthecornerofhereye.Hehadthemostfirmandroundassshe’dseeninages.
Hermouthsalivatedasheflauntedthatperfectbehind,makinghiswaytothetableinher
sectionanddisappearingfromherview.

Itwasashamehenevernoticedher.Hecouldn’tbebotheredtoacknowledgeher

existence,whichdidn’tsurprisehereventhoughitstung.

Ifhewastoobusytospareheraglance,thenhecouldwaitforhiscaffeinefix.Carly

wasbusytoo.Shecheckedonherothertablesandwaitedanotherminutebeforefetching
hiscupofcoffee.Whensheapproachedhistable,hetypedonhisphonewithpurpose.
Whateverconversationhewashavingmusthavebeenimportant.Hisfulllipsthinnedinto
astraightlineandhisjawclenchedasheconcentratedonthedeviceinhishands.Hehad
hugehands,makingthephoneseemtinybycomparison.

Carlywonderedwhatitwouldfeelliketohavethosebigpawsonher.Touchingherin

placesshehadn’tbeentouchedinfartoolong.Wouldtheyberoughorgentle?

Sheclearedhersuddenlydrythroat.Thecoffeefelttoowarminherhandsandher

facebecamerosy.Sheplacedhiscuponthetableinfrontofhimwithyetanothersmile
thatwasnotreturned.Theomumbledawordofthanks,effectivelydismissingher.

Leaningagainstthecounter,shewonderedwhyshecaredifhelookedatherornot.

It’snotlikehewouldfallinloveatfirstsightlikeinthemovies.Butdamnit,shewanted
togetapeekatthosestunningblueeyesshe’dseenonTV.

“Howareyoustillstandingupright,girl?”Mirandaasked,leaningnexttoher,

fanningherface.

“What?”Carly’scheeksheatedassheturnedtofaceherco-worker.Shetuckedafew

loosecurlsbehindherearsbeforetuggingonthehemofherblackt-shirt.Theuniform
shrunkinthedryer,exposingatinysliceofmidriffonthesideswheretheaprondidn’t
cover.

“TheoMontagnetalkedtoyou,andyourkneesdidn’tbuckle.What’swrongwith

you?”Shegiggledlikeaschoolgirl.

Anyonewhoknewanythingabouthockeywouldbeabletorecognizehim.Hatorno

hat,hewasabigdealaroundtheseparts.Hewasthatgoodontheice,andjudgingbythe

sizeofthosegianthands,hewasgoodoffitaswell.Hisfirst-yearpointsbeatrecords
createdbysomeofthegreats.Hissecondseasonwasmoreofthesame.Draftedrightafter
highschool,hewasn’tmucholderthanCarly.Hecouldretiretomorrowwithmorezeros
inhisbankaccountthananyoneneededinalifetime.

Noneofthatimpressedher.“Hebarelysaidmorethantwowords.Hardlyaswoon

worthyencounter.”

JudgingbythelookonMiranda’sface,shethoughtotherwise.“Girl,areyoutelling

mehedidn’tflirtshamelesslywithyoulikealltheothermenhere?Yourwholesomeface
androckingbodykeepsthisplacepacked.”

Thedinerwasbusybecausethefoodwasamazing,notbecauseofCarly’slooks.

“You’reexaggerating.Hedidn’tevenlookatme,soflirtingwasoutofthequestion.”A
model,shewasn’t.Butmostofthemaleclientelecommentedonhercurvesandsome
evenaskedherout.Sheturnedthemalldownforseveralreasons,butmostlybecauseshe
wantedtofocusonherstudies.Sheconsideredherselfprettyenoughtocatchaman’seye,
exceptshecouldn’tcatchTheo’s.

“Butyouadmithe’shot,right?”

Carlythoughtaboutthequestionandnodded.TheoMontagnemightnotbesomeone

shewouldeverconsiderdating,butshecouldappreciateagood-lookingman.“He’s
attractive,butcocky.Notmytype.”

Mirandabumpedherhipandleanedinclosenexttoherear.“Hon,he’severyone’s

type.IfIhadsomemistletoe…Iwouldgogetmeakiss.”

Carlywouldn’tturndownakisseither,butMr.Hockeywouldn’tnoticeherevenif

sheslappedhiminthefacewiththestuff.It’snotlikesheexpectedtheguytodroolather
feetafterseeingher,butitwouldhavebeennicetoatleastcatchaglimpseofhisbaby
blues.Herpridetookaslightbeatingathislackofresponse,butshepushedthehurtaside.

Bigdeal,afamoushockeyplayershowedupandignoredher,sowhat?

“Goodthingwe’reoutofmistletoe,”Carlysaidandbothgirlslaughed.Their

conversationwascutshortwhentwonewcustomersapproachedthecounter.Something
aboutthemgaveCarlythecreeps.Mirandagrabbedacoffeepotandtookoff.

Oneofthementoweredoverher.Everythingaboutthisguyscreameddanger.“That’s

ashame,youain’tgotmoremistletoe,sinceakissfromyouwouldmakemyday,sweet
cheeks.”Theoverweightmanappearedtobeinhisearlyfortieswithyellowingteethand
atwistedsmile.

Thepickuplinewasn’tawelcomedone,butshesmiledanyway.“Happyholidays.

Areyoustayingorgettingsomethingfortheroad?”Shehopedhewouldgetwhathe
neededandleave.Shehadnodesiretochitchatwiththisguyorhisfriend.

“Well,weweregonnahittheroad,butyou’veconvincedustostay.”

Shewasafraidhewouldsaythat.“Grabatableandsomeonewillbewithyou

shortly.”Shegesturedtotheemptytableneartheback,whichhappenedtobein
Miranda’ssection.Thiswasonetimeshewouldn’thavemindedbeinginvisible.

“We’llsituphereatthecounter,sowecanbeclosertoyou,”theshortermansaidina

thickaccentCarlycouldn’tdecipher.Heremovedhisglovesandplacedthemonthe
counter.Theywerecoveredinscratches,likehehadbeenholdingacatagainstitswilland
thebeasthadclawedforfreedomandlost.Poorcat.

Theyweremostlikelyboredandlonelytruckers.Sheplasteredonasmileand

rememberedthattipswerebetterwhenshewasn’tsnarky.“Greatchoice.WhatcanIget
foryoutoday?”

“ThisholidaywouldbeahappyoneforsureifIhadsomeonesweetlikeyoutoshare

itwith.”Thetallermanraisedhisbrowssuggestively.Heleanedoverthecounter,getting
closerthanshewascomfortablewith,andeyedherfromtoptobottom.Themensmelled
likeleatherandmenacecombined.Helickedhischappedlips,makinghercringeinside.
“WecouldmakethisaChristmasyou’llneverforget.Whattimeareyoudonehere?”

Carlyshuffledherfeet,wantingtogetthelastthirtyminutesofhershiftoverwith.

“I’mnotonthemenu.”Thewordspoppedout.Shequicklyadded.“Myshiftendssoon.
Perhapsthecandycanehotchocolatewouldbetoyourlikingsinceyouwantsomething
sweet.Itisonsaletoo.Thelunchspecialisalsoahit;aRubenwithfriesandcoleslaw.
Areyouwantingtoplaceafoodorder?”Shecouldn’tgetthewordsoutfastenough.The
soonershetooktheirorderthefastershecouldgetaway.

AquickglanceleftandhereyeslandedonTheoMontagneashewalkedpast,

presumablyonhiswaytothewashroom.Thesmirkpaintedonhisface,rubbedherthe
wrongway.Hewasnodoubtlaughingatherdiscomfort.Jerk.

Theimposingmanlaughedasthoughshe’dsaidsomethingcomical.Carlytensedas

shereturnedherfocusonhim.Hescratchedthedarkstubbleonhischin,keepinghis
shady,almostblack,beadyeyesonher.“Relax,sweetcheeks,I’lltaketwoextra-large
coffeestogo.Throwinacoupleofcinnamonbunssincewe’vegotafewerrandstorun
beforewecancelebratetheholidays.”

Sherushedtofilltheirorder.Somethingaboutthemdidn’tsitwellwithher.Theway

theywatchedherassheworked,liketheywereassessingher.Shehandedthemthetwo
cups,andtheybothmadeafewmorelewdandinappropriateremarksbeforepaying.

Customersflirtedallthetime,sometakingitalittletoofar,butthesetwotookita

steppastgross.Shesometimesflirtedback,butthistimethethoughtnevercrossedher
mindtotry.

SomeChristmasthiswasturningouttobe.Carlybreathedasighofreliefwhenthe

doorclosedbehindthem.Shewasusedtoseeingallwalksoflifecomeintothedinerand
mostwereharmless.Thesemenweretheoppositeofinnocent.

Thebellrangfromthekitchen,signalinganorderforpickup.Sheracedtothe

warmingtrayandgrabbedthehockeyplayer’splate.Mostofhertablesweredoneand
soonhershiftwouldbeover.

Hisbrownhaircurledaroundtheedgesofhishat.Theflushtohercheeksreturned.

Therewassomethingsocasuallysexyabouthim.Toobadhewasahockeyplayer,
becausehefithertypeperfectly.Sheputhisplatedownonthetable.Hisnosewasburied
inhisphoneasithadbeenbefore.“Onespecial.CanItopupyourcoffeeorgetyou

anythingelse?”

“Morecoffeewouldbegreat,thanks.”Heputdownhisphonebutonlytopickuphis

sandwich.“Oh,Miss?”

“Yeah.”Shestraightenedherstance,waitingforhimtocontinue.

“Nevermind.”Hekepthisheaddownandtookabite.

Notasingleglancewassentherway.Withoutknowingit,thismanwasgettingunder

herskin.Sherefilledhiscupinsilenceandlefthimtoeat.Sheslippedhisbillonthetable
intheprocess.Thelessshehadtodealwithhimthebetter.

Carlyglancedattheclockandsmiledherfirstgenuinesmileoftheday.Onelasttable

toclearandshewasdoneforanentireweek.Soonshewouldbehomefortheholidays
andshe’dbeabletoputthefluttersandTheoMontagneoutofhermind.

CHAPTERTHREE

neoftheregularssanganoff-keyversionofLetItSnowashepointedatthewindow.
Sure,theicecrystalsmadeforalovelypicture-perfectChristmas,thekindyousee

trappedinsnowglobes,butshewishedforclearskies.

Sheneededchocolate,thatalwaysmadeeverythingbetter.Carlylookedattheseaof

couplesaroundthedinerwithenvyasshecashedout.Theycuddledwiththeirlovedones,
baskingintheholidayambiance.Theplacehadgarland,largecandycanesandtinsel
coveringeverysquareinch.TheaftermathresembledSanta’sworkshop.

Asalittlegirl,Carlylovedthistimeofyear.Thelights,thepresentsandspending

extratimewithherfamily.Theholidayswereallaboutfamily,remindingherofhow
lonelyshe’dbecome.

Anattempttodeliverhergoodbyeswithasimplehappyholiday,andescapewithout

gettingembracedbyeachofherco-workersfailed.Herbossgaveheragenerous
Christmasbonus.Twohundredbuckswasn’tabigdealtosome,buttoCarlyitmeantthe
world.ShehuggedMr.andMrs.Richardsonsohardtheyhadtopryheroff.Shewas
overwhelmedbytheirgenerosityandshebecametearyeyed.Theordealtooklongerthan
expected,leavingherlittlewiggleroomifshewantedtomakeherflightontime.

Theweatherhadtakenaturnfortheworseasthebucketsofsnowcontinuedtofall.

Onceshesteppedoutside,sherealizedtheamountwasfarmorethanshe’dexpected.So
muchforthirtypercent.Thehairsonthebackofherneckraisedasthoughshewasbeing
watched.Shedismissedit,thinkingitwasthestorm.

Atinycherryredsportscarwasparkedsoclosetohertruckshecouldbarelysqueeze

by.Atleastshethoughtshesawhintsofredunderthemountainofsnowitwasburied
beneath.Sheopenedhertruckdoorenoughtoreachinandgrabthesnowbrush.Thecar
enginenexttoherroaredtolife,startlingCarly.Shejerkeduprightandsmackedherhead
againstthedoorframe.Thehoodfellfromherheadandshereachedtomassagethenewly
formedbump.

Carlywasn’tusuallythejumpytype.Nothingseemedtogoaccordingtoplantoday.

Sheturnedherbacktotheparkinglotandwenttowork,brushingthesnowoffthe
windshieldandwishingheroldtruckhadcommandstart.Thetemperaturewaswellbelow
freezing,buttherewasnoplacetoplugin.Shegaveupthefighttoclearthesnowwhen
sherealizedtherewasnokeepingupwiththedeluge.

Thecrunchingofsnowunderheavybootscaughtherattention.Sheturnedand

noticedthetwodisturbingmenfromearliercomingtowardsher.Thesinistersmileson
theiruglyfaceslookedanythingbutfriendly.Theyshouldhavebeenlonggone,instead
theirlongstridesbroughtthemcloserthantheyhadreasontobe.

“Hey,sweet-cheeks,weforgottogiveyouyourtip,”thetallermansaid,closingthe

gapbetweenthem.“We’vegotafistfulofmistletoe.”

AlumpformedinCarly’sthroat,preventingherfromrespondingorscreaming.

Consideringhowbusythedinerandadjacentgasstationwere,Carlycouldn’tseeanyone
elseoutside.Shelookedaround,butitwasonlythethreeofthem,andtheyweregetting
closer.

Shefelttrapped.Therewasnowheretogo.Hergriponthebrushtightened,shewould

useitasaweaponiftheygotanycloser.Theywerealmostwithinarm’sreach.

“We’renotgoingtohurtyou,much,”theothermansaid.Hisaccentmadehim

difficulttounderstand,butCarlycaughtthemeaningofhiswords.Theirintentions
weren’tgood.Thethoughtofbeinganywherenearthesetwocausedhertostepback.

Sheaccidentallytappedtheredcarwithherbehind.Analarmsoundedandpanicset

in.Herheartracedassheswungthebrushoutinfrontofher.Itwasn’tnecessary.The
loudnoisescaredthemenaway.Sheoverheardthemcurseasshebreathedasighofrelief,
watchingtheircoatsdisappearintotheblizzard.

Aclosecall.Whoeverownedthecarhadunknowinglysavedher.Iftheywereclose

by,shewouldhavekissedthemandthankedthemamilliontimesover.

Sheleanedagainsthertrucktocatchherbreath.Thisdaycouldn’tgetanyworse.The

noiseblaredinherearasshewipedthesnowoffherbottom.Sheturnedherattentionto
thecar,inspectingtheflashyscrapofredmetalforanydamages.Nodent,thank
goodness.

Thesnowfellinsticky,wetclumps,soakingherhairandface.Herearsrang,andshe

wonderedhowsuchalittlecarcouldmakesomuchnoise.Soontheentiredinnerwould
comeouttoinvestigatehersmallindiscretion.Oncue,theownerofthesportscarclicked
aremotebutton,silencingthealarm.

“Foryourinformation,there’snothingworthstealinginthere,”TheoMontagnesaid,

approachingthecar.Hisdarkblueeyesfocusedonherandthistimeherkneesbuckleda
little.Ofcourse,thecarbelongedtohim.Heliftedhishat,revealingmoreofhis
handsomeface,likehewantedhertoknowwhoshewasdealingwith.

Carly’scheeksflushedarosycolorthathadnothingtodowiththecoldweather.“I

wasn’ttryingtostealanything.Youparkedwaytooclose.”Herinitialreactiontosmother
theownerinkissesandthankyouswasn’tgoingtohappen.

“You’resayingit’smyfaultyouhitmycar?”Heclosedthedistancebetweenthem

untilhestoodrightnexttoher.Shecouldfeelhiswarmbreathagainsthercheekandonce
againherkneesbuckled.Sheexpectedhimtocheckouthiscar,buthekepthisintense
bluesonher.Hiscockygrinsentgoose-bumpsacrossherskin.Ifherhearthadn’talready
beenracing,itwouldhavestarted.

Theairfeltsupercharged,likeshewasstandinginanelectricalvortex.“Um,Idon’t

thinkthesituationmeritsanyblame.YourcaralarmmustbesensitivesinceIbarely
tappedit.”

“So,youadmitthatyoudidhitmycar.”Histonewasplayfulasheleanedagainsthis

hoodlikehehadallthetimeintheworld.Aluxuryshedidnotshare.

Carlydidn’thavetimeforgames,evenifthosegameswerewiththesuper-hotand

famoushockeyplayer.ShehadaplanetocatchandflirtingwithTheoMontagnewasn’t
onhertodolist.First,heignoredher,andnowhewasbeingcute.

“There’snodamage,lookforyourself.”Shepointedtowhereshegrazedhiscar,but

hiseyeswenttoherlipsinstead.

Helickedoverasmallscaronhisplumplowerlipashereachedintohispocketand

pulledouthisphone.“Youmayhavedentedthedoor.Ican’ttellwithallthissnow.We
shouldexchangecontactinformationjustincaseIfindsomedamagelateron.Addyour
details.”

Shesteppedawayfromhisoutstretchedhandandwipedtheheavysnowoffher

windshieldwiththebrushagain.“Ibumpedyourcarwithmybutt,there’snodent,and
there’snowayI’mgivingyoumyinformation.”

“Choosingthehardway,Idigit.Let’sstartwithyourname,sweetheart?”

Carlyfelthiseyesfollowherrearasshefinishedclearingherwindshield.Shemay

havebentovermorethanrequired.Whenshelookedbackhewascheckingheroutlikeit
wasthemostnaturalandcasualthingintheworld.Mostwomenprobablyfellathisfeet,
butshewouldn’tbeoneofthem.Herbloodboiledathisarrogance.Herencounterwith
thetwomenwasallbutforgottenwithhimstandingsoclosetoher.

“MynameisCarlySaint,andIamnotyoursweetheart.Jackass.”Sheusedthebrush

topushthelastofthesnowtowardshim,coveringhischinandjacketwithsnow.She
laughedatthelookofshockonhishandsomeface.

Asmilecurledatthecornersofhismouth,finallyhelookedlikeayoungtwenty-

year-oldman.Heshookouthisjacketandlaughedrightalongwithher.Arichand
profoundsoundingvibratothatenticedhersenses.Ifshehadmoretime,shemighthave
stayedtohearmoreofthatlaugh,butshecouldn’t,moreoversheshouldn’t.

“Youdon’ttalklikeasaint,butyoulooklikeanangel.”

Thecomplimentwarmedher,butsheknewbetterthantofallforsmoothlines.Rather

thangoclosetohimagain,sheroundedthefrontofhertrucktogetaway.Sheopenedher
passengerdoorandslidacrosstothedriver’sside.

Herattemptataspeedygetawaywasfoiledwhenhertruckrefusedtostart.Theearly

ninetiespickupstruggledtoturnoverasshecrankedtheignition.Ithatedthecoldmore
thanshedid.Shetriedagainandtheoldpileofcrapshowednosignsoflife.Mr.Hockey-
Heartthrobsatonthehoodofhiscarwithabrightbigsmile,watchingherstruggle.

Click,click,click.Nothing.

Hewasbeginningtoresembleasnowmanasshekepttryingandfailing.Shegaveup,

knowingthebeastwouldn’tcooperate.Thiswasn’tthefirsttimethetruckhadlether
down.Alookintherearviewmirrorreflectedatiredraccoonwithbigbrowneyes.Hair
clungtoherfacesincetheelasticnolongercontainedherauburntendrils.Shefixedher
ponytailandwipedawaythemascarafromunderhereyes.Alltheextraeffortthat
morningwasnotreflectedback.

Withhertailbetweenherlegs,sotospeak,sheopenedherdoor.Thiswassonothow

todaywassupposedtogo.Carlysearchedtheparkinglotforoptions.

“Needalift,Carly?”Heaskedassheclosedthetruckdoorbehindher.“Ormaybe

you’rehopingthosebigguysfromthedinerwillcomepickyouup?”Hisjokewasn’t
funny.

Afewcarsdown,shespottedabigwhitepickuptruckidling.Shecouldn’tbesure,

butsheassumedthereweretwomensittinginside.Itwasdifficulttomakeoutanyfaces
fromthedistance,butshefeltcertaintheoccupantswerethesamemenfromearlier.They
downrightfrightenedher.

Shewonderedwhytheywerestilltherewiththeirtruckrunning.Itcouldn’tbethem,

surely,theyhadbetterthingstodoonChristmasEvethanscaretheshitoutofawaitress.
Throughthesnow,shecouldn’tseeanythingbutherguttoldhertheywerestaringather.
Sheshiveredandwrappedherarmsaroundherwaist.

“Yes,I’lltakearideplease,”shesaid,turningherattentionbacktoherknightin

snowyarmor.Herrushtoleavehaddoubledinthelastfewminutes.

Hecamearoundhiscarandopenedthepassengerdoorforherlikeanold-fashioned

gentleman.Carlyslidintothewarmthandhismanlyscentmadeherforgetallaboutthe
truckandthestrangemenlingeringoutsideherwork.Theheatfromtheseatsandtheair
wasawelcomedreprievefromthecold.

Thehockeyplayersbigbodysettledintothetinydriver’sseat,hisarmtouchinghers.

“I’mTheo,bytheway.So,whereareweheaded?”

“Awayfromhere,”shesaid.Thesoonerthebetter.

CHAPTERFOUR

hestormstruckthemwithitsfuryoncetheyhitthehighway.Carlyleanedforward
andgrippedthedashboard,strugglingtoseethelinesoranybareconcretethroughthe

wallofwhite.ThewindshieldwipersfailedtokeepupwiththeonslaughtfromMother
Nature.

Theohadn’tbalkedwhensheaskedhimtotakehertotheairport.Turnedouthewas

headingthereaswell,bothofthemtravelinghomefortheholidays.Aftertheinitialfew
words,theconversationdroppedtoastandstillastheybothattemptedtoseetheroad
beforethem.

Curiositysatlikeadevilonhershoulder,demandingsheaskthehockey-legend-in-

the-makingwhyhewasatherdiner.HeseemedlargerthanlifeonTV,andhisdisarming
smilecontinuedthatimpression.Thetruckstopdinerwasn’taplacesheexpected
someonelikehimtofrequent.Shewasn’tsureifsheshouldask.Regardlessofhisreason
forbeingthere,shewasgladtobegettingaride.

“Itdoesn’tlookprettyoutthere.”Theosmiledandallthoughtsorquestions

evaporated.

Thatsmilewasalethalweaponthatslaughteredherdefenses.Shedidn’twanttobe

attractedtohim,butonlyasuperhumancouldresist.Ateighteenshehadn’tfine-tuned
thoseskillsyet.Heradiatedananimalmagnetismorpheromonesshewaspowerless
against.

Aridetotheairportwasallheoffered,howeveranotherkindofridecametomind.

Shepicturedtheminthebackseat,hisfaceconfinedbetweenherthighsashepressedhis
fulllipsagainstherheatedflesh.Histongueslidingthroughherwetfoldsuntilhefound
thepartofherthatbeggedtobelicked.Sheimaginedherself,handsplantedontheceiling,
herkneesonthesoftleather,andscreaminghisnameashedevouredher.

Carlyshiftedinherseatandpressedherkneestogether.Somethinglikethatwould

neverhappen.Fromthatpointon,itwaseasiertoconcentrateontheroad.Everytime

CarlyglancedatTheoshe’dgetheatedalloveragainandhermindwouldcomeupwith
anothernaughtyscenario.Alloftheminvolvedhimnakedandhercoming.

BeingtrappedinaconfinedspacewithTheowasn’tgoodforherpsyche.Sheneeded

togetoutofthecarandpullhermindoutofthegutter.Havingacrushonahockeyplayer
wasabadidea.Theworstideaever.

Timemovedfast,butthemilesdidnot.Thedriveshouldhavetakenlessthananhour,

butitlookedlikeitmighttakethreeormoreatthespeedtheytraveled.Therewasnoway
shewasmakingherearlyeveningflight.Shewonderediftheywouldevenmakeittothe
cityatall.

Theoconcentratedontheroadanddidn’tfillthesilencewithchitchatwhichCarly

appreciated.Sheworriedhissmoothvoicewouldonlymakehermoreturnedon,like
addingfueltoafirethatwasalreadyburningoutofcontrol.Heturnedupthestereoand
letthebeatsdothetalking.Thetechnobasswasawelcomedistractionfromthenon-stop
carols.Thecarhydroplanedmorethanoncebeforehebrokethesilencewithaloudsigh.

“I’msorry,buttheairportwon’thappentonight.Thisisn’tsafe.Ican’tseethe

pavementorthelinesanymore.Wehavetoturnback.”

Shehatedtoadmitdefeat,butinthiscase,itwasthesafestoption.“Theflightsare

probablycancelednow,anyway.It’sbettertobesafethansorry.”Carlytwistedherfingers
inherlap.“Thanksfortrying,Theo.”

ThethoughtofspendingChristmasaloneinherdormmadeherwanttocry.Shecould

askherbosstojoinhimandhisfamily,butitwouldn’tbethesame.Hereyesfilledwith
tearssherefusedtoletfall.Theomusthavecaughtherblinkingawaythemoisture
becausehislargehandcoveredhersforamoment.Thewarmthspreadoverherlikea
blanket,buttoosoonhetookitaway.

“Don’tbesad.We’llfiguresomethingout.Doyoulivenearthediner?”

Menhateditwhenwomencried,atleastinCarly’sexperience.SheguessedTheowas

morelikeeveryoneelse.Toomuchemotionmadehimuncomfortable.

“No,”shereplied,annoyedatherselfforgettingupsetandathimforbeingsucha

guy.

“IknowI’mnotfamily,butwecanmakethebestofthesituation.Areyouworried

we’llcrash,causeI’manawesomedriver.IpromiseI’llkeepyousafe.”Theo’swords
werecomforting,butcameacrossasoverlyoptimistic.

Everyinterviewshe’dseenTheogive,heradiatedpositivity.Heneversaidanunkind

wordandsomehowfoundthepositivesevenafteraloss.Carlyconsideredherselfarealist,
andthisChristmaslookedbleak.

“Myplaceisonthesouthsideofthecity,takingthatoptionout.Sowheredoyou

live?”Heaskedafteranotherfewminutesofsilence.

“I’msouthaswell,Iliveoncampus;UofM.”

Hewhistled.“That’snowherenearhere.Whydoyouworksofar?”

“Theownersremindmeofmyparents,andwehaveasimilardinerbackhome.Small

townrootsandallthat.”

Theoglancedherwayquickly.“Itakethattomeanyourfolksdon’tliveinthearea?”

Itwassweethewascuriousabouther,butthethoughtofherparentsspending

Christmasalonemadehersadalloveragain.Theywereboundtobedisappointedand
heartbrokenbyherabsence.

“Neitherofusisfromthearea.Nobigdeal,we’llsalvagethisChristmasoncewe’re

backatthediner,”hesaidwhenshedidn’trespond.

“We?”Sheturnedinherseattofacehim.

Hissmilespreadfromeartoear.“Yeah,we’reinthistogether,sweetheart.”He

winked,andCarlycouldn’thelpbutgiggleathiscockiness.“That’sabeautifulsound.
Laughinthefaceofadversity.”

“Youaresomethingelse,”shesaid.

Heshruggedhisshouldersbeforeresponding.“That’sagoodthing,right?”Theo

reducedtheirspeedtoanearcrawl.Thehazardlightsdidn’thelpthevisibility,therecould
beothercarsontheroadandtheywouldn’tknow.Carlydidn’tnoticetheoff-rampsign,
andtheymissedthefirstchancetoturnaround.

Theslowpacedidn’tstopthecarfromslidingonthesheetoficethatwasonce

pavement.Carlyfeltthecarslippingontheicemorethanonce,butTheokeptthemoutof
theditch.“I’mnotsurewe’llevenmakeitbackthere.Wemightbebettertofindaplace
torideoutthisstorm.”Shewasn’tafanofherownsuggestion.

Theogrippedthesteeringwheeltight.Hisknucklesturnedwhiteasheattemptedto

keepthemontheroad.“You’retheboss.”

AmomentlaterCarly’sstomachjumpedintoherthroatasthecarspunoutofcontrol.

Thethree-hundred-sixty-degreeturnstoletheairfromherlungs.Hernailsdugintohis
thigh.Lifedidnotflashbeforehereyes,andshedidn’thaveanykindofepiphany.All
Carlythoughtofinthatsplitsecondwashowupsetherparentswouldbeifshedidn’t
survive.

Theokeptthecarfromspinningofftheroad,butforhowmuchlongerCarly

wondered.Theyneededtogetofftheroadsuntiltheblizzardpassed.Hermindracedinto
theditchwherethereddeathtrapalmosttookthem.Theohadabrightfutureaheadofhim
andtonsofpeoplewhodependedonhim.Carly’sfuturewasn’tsocheery,butitwashers,
andshewasn’treadytodie.

“Thatwasaclosecall.”Hepattedherhand,whichwasstillgluedtohisleg.“You

okay?”

Herpulseracedlikeshe’dcompletedthehundred-meterdash,andshestruggledto

catchhernextbreath.Nopartoftheirpredicamentwasokay.Drivingintheseconditions
wasstupidandcouldgetthemkilled.Anyhopeofhavingahappyholidaywasgone,but
shekeptallthosethoughtstoherself.“I’mfine,you?”

Shenoticedhowsolidhislegfeltunderherhand.Ahandthatwasprecariouslyclose

tohiscrotch.Hereyesdrifteddowntohislapandherpinkyfingerrestedagainstthethick

bulge.Hemusthavefelther,butdidn’tmindbecausehedidn’tpushheraway.Herfinger
inadvertentlytwitchedalongthesideofhiscock.OhLord,shetouchedTheoMontagne’s
penis.Carlyblushed,embarrassedbythereflexandwithdrewherhand.

Hedidn’tsayaword,simplynoddedanddroveatasnail’spacealloveragain.She

kepthereyesoffTheoandkeptherhandstoherselffromthatmomenton.Theydidn’t
missthenextexit.Theconditionsweren’tmuchbetteroffthehighway,buttheystayedon
theroad.

“We’lltakethefirstroadweseeandhopethatsomenicepeopleletsusin.”

Hisplansoundedgood.Thefirstroadwasagravelonewhichledthemformiles

beforethefirstbuildingappeared.Carlyshookherheadwhenthesmallfarmhousecame
intoview.Itlookedoldandempty,butitalsolookedsaferthanbravingtheroadsfor
anotherminute.

“Comeon,let’scheckifanyoneishome.”Theounbuckledhisseatbelt.

Theskiesdarkenedwiththelateafternoonhour.Herphonehadnoservice,meaning

therewasnoonecomingtohelp.Theowhippedaroundthecarandopenedherdoor,
surprisingCarlywithhischivalry.Thewindhadpickedupsinceleavingwork.Carly
liftedthehoodonherredjackettocoverherears.Shelookedintothebackseatand
realizedshe’dforgottenherbags.

“Dammit!”Shemumbledunderthebreath.

“What’swrong?”Heasked,placinghishandagainstherback.

Shecouldhavesteppedawaybutdidn’t.“Iforgotmyluggageinmytruck.”Carly

lookedupandcaughthisslygrin.

Itwasobvioushehadhisownideaswhythathappened.Heprobablythoughtshewas

sotakenbyhisawesomenessthatsheforgotherstuff.Thetruthwasshe’dbeensoscared;
shehadn’tthoughtofanythingexceptgettingawayfromtheterrifyingmen.Thatwasnot
somethingsheplannedtotellTheo.

“I’llleavemineinthecarfornow.Let’sgetoutofthesnow.”Theotuckedherbody

closetohisastheyhurriedtowardstherun-downtwo-storyhouse.Beingsoclosefelt
natural,toocomfortable.

Nolightswereonandshegottheimpressionthatnobodywouldbehome.She

knockedandlistenedforaresponsethatnevercame.Theotriedthedoor,butitwas
locked.Theybothknockedseveraltimesandcalledoutintotheblizzard,butnoone
answered.

Theydidn’thavemanyoptionssincedrivingwasoutofthequestion.Carlylooked

backtowardsthecarlocatedonlystepsawayandshecouldbarelymakeitout.Theycould
hunkerdowninside,buttheydidn’thaveenoughfueltokeepitrunningfortoomuch
longer.

“Stayhere;IwillrunaroundbackandseeifIcanfindawayinside.”Theotriedthe

handleagainwithoutsuccess.

Hereyeswidenedathissuggestion.“Wecan’tbreakin.It’sagainstthelaw.”She

placedherbodyagainstthedoor,creatingahumanbarricade.Carlyplannedonbecoming
atop-notchscientist.ShehopedtowinaNobelprizeatsomepointinhercareer,anda
criminalrecordwouldeliminatethatpossibility.

“Wecan’tstayouthereandfreezetodeatheither.It’ssurvival101:seekshelter.”He

pinchedthetipofhernose,thenboundeddownthesideofthehouseanddisappearedinto
thestorm.

Herpitypartykickedintofullforce.First,shehadtoworkonChristmasEve,which

wasalreadybadenoughwithouttherestofhercrapdaypiledontop.Shehadn’tmade
greattips,consideringtheseason,plusshe’dencounteredthosestrangeandscarymen.At
leastTheo’scarhadscaredthemoff,butifshecausedanydamage,shehadnomeansto
payfortherepairs.Addthatshemissedherflighthome,andnowshewasstrandedinthe
middleofnowhere.TheonlysilverliningshefoundwasTheo.

Heshowedupattherighttimeandsofar,he’dproventobeadecentguy.Things

couldhavebeenwayworseifshe’dbeendrivinghertruckalone.Shemightnothave
madeitsafelytothishouse.Arattlingsoundcamefrominsidesecondsbeforethedoor
opened.Shestumbledbackwardstakenbysurprise.

Theocaughtherbeforeshefellonherbuttandchuckledasshestraightenedup.He

pulledherinsideandclosedthedoor.“Sorry,IthoughtyouheardmeyellonceImadeit
in.”

Shewipedthesnowoffhercoatwithherhands.Someofthelargerclumpslandedon

Theo,buthedidn’tnoticeorcare.“Clearly,Ididn’t.Andfortherecord,I’mnotokaywith
breakingandentering.”Shegavehimasternlook,whichonlyincreasedthesizeofhis
smile.Aheart-stopping,panty-droppingsmile.

“I’malaw-abidingcitizen,thebackdoorwasunlocked.”Heheldhishandsupin

surrender.“Swear.We’realone.”Hisblueeyestwinkledwithmischief.

Herbreathhitched.Therealitysetin;shewasalonewithTheoMontagne.Dropsof

waterfellfromhishairandrandownhisface.Heturnedthelightson,andCarlysaw
moreofhishandsomefeatures.Hisjawhadthatultra-sexyfiveo’clockshadowthing
happening.Thefeelofthosepricklywhiskersagainsthercheek,orbetteryetherthighs
woulddriveherwild.

Thiswassonotthetimetogetallgooey-eyedoverhim.Shehadtofocuson

somethingotherthanthetwoofthembeingalone.“I’mnotsurehowIcanthankyou
properlyforgettingusheresafeandsound,excepttosaythankyou.But—”

“Youcanpaymewithkissesifyouwant?”Hepuckeredhisfulllipsandmadea

kissingsound.Hisactionsinfuriatedherasmuchastheycausedherpulsetorace.Cocky
bastard.

Noteveryonewantedtokisshim,didthey?

Carlylookedaway,unabletotakehimseriously.Theadrenalineofthenear-death

driveherewasmakinghimtalkcrazy,orthemanwasanincurableflirt.Shesuspectedthe
lattertobetrue.Thefactthatshewouldn’tmindhisformofpaymentmeantthatthe
storm,coupledwithbeinginanenclosedcarwithTheo,hadofficiallymessedwithher

CHAPTERFIVE

hehadtoconvincehimthiswasahorribleidea.Thequestionwashowcouldshemake
himunderstandwhenthereasonshadlittletodowiththehouseorstorm,and

everythingtodowithhim.

Inthecorneroftheroom,shespottedafakeChristmastreedecoratedwithblueand

whiteribbons,buttherewerenopresentsunderneath.Itseemedlikeamasculinetreeand
therestofthefurnishingsmatchedhertheory.Thishouselackedawoman’stouch.Butthe
familyportraitonthewallshowedacoupleandayoungteenagedaughter.

Theoldhouseandpictureremindedherofherownfamily.Theyalwayscutdowna

realtree,andthebaseoverflowedwithgifts.Carlywasspoiledinmanyways,butnever
thewayshewanted.Thefestivitieswouldgoonwithoutherthisyear,andshehatedthe
thoughtofintrudingandinterruptinganotherfamily’sspecialday.

Theycouldn’tstay;Theowouldhavetounderstand.

Thehousedidn’thaveanopenlayoutlikemostmodernhomes,butitdidn’ttakelong

tofindhim.SheopenedthedoortothekitchenandfoundTheolookingthroughthe
cabinets.Thedarkjeanshuggedhisperfectlyroundbuttashebenttocheckalower
drawer.Theurgetowalkoverandgrabahandfulwastoomuch.Sheadmiredtheviewfor
amomentlongerthansheshouldhave.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Hervoicehadagroggy,almostbreathlesstoneshedidn’t

recognize.Sheclearedherthroat.

Hedidn’tturnaround.“Checkingforsupplies.Wemightbesnowedinforadayor

two.It’sprettybadoutthere,incaseyoudidn’trealize.”

AnovernightwithTheowouldtestherresolvetobealone.Themoretimeshespent

withhimthedirtierherthoughtsbecame.Toomuchtimewithhim,andtherewasno
tellingwhatshe’dendupsayingordoing.Shecouldn’tlethimknowshewasattractedto
himbecausehisegodidn’tneedpaddingbutherheartdid.

Carlyrolledhereyes.“Inoticed.Idon’tthinkweshouldstealfromthesepeople.It’s

badenoughwe’reintheirhomeuninvited.”

Theoreachedintohisbackpocketandpulledouthiswallet.“We’renotstealing.I

willpayforanythingweuseandleavethemathankyounote.”Hetossedsomebillson
thewoodenkitchentable.“I’mnotthrowingapartyandtrashingtheplace.Lightenup.”

Heneededtogetserious.“Wecan’tstay.I’mnotcomfortablebeinginhere.AsIwas

sayingearlier,Iappreciateyoubringingusheresafely,Ireallydo.Butweneedtomove
alongandfindanotherhouse.”

Theostraightenedhispostureandputhishandsonhiships.“What’sgotyou

spooked?”

“I’mnotscared!”Shemimickedhisstance.

Hesmiledatherresponse.“Tellme;areyouuncomfortablebecausethehomeowners

aren’theretoinviteusinwithopenarms,orisitthefactthatyou’realonewithme?”

Hisarroganceastoundedher.“Letmesettherecordstraightforyou,Mr.I’m-Way-

Too-Cocky,Iamnotinanywayscaredofbeingalonewithyou,becausenothingwill
happen.”

Hesteppedtowardsherandsheheldherground.“Areyousureyoudon’twant

somethingtohappen?”Hearchedabrow,lookingatherlikeamanstarvingforakiss.Or
maybethatwasherlookreflectedwithinhisceruleanswirls.

Whydidhehavetobesotempting?

Ifhewasanordinaryman,Carlysuspectedshewouldhavekissedhimrightthenand

there.Throwncautiontothewindandendedherdryspell.Buthewasn’tjustahockey
player,hewasTheoMontagne.Averywell-knownplayer.Carlywouldn’tletherself
forgetthatfact.

“Positive.”Shelickedherlips.“Now,Iwillrepeatmyselfsinceyouseemtobehard

ofhearing.Weneedtoleave.”Carlyturnedtowardsthedoortobreaktheheated
connectionthatleftherstomachinknotsandherheartpoundinginherears.

Heplacedhishandonthesmallofherback.“Ifyouinsist,thenafteryou.”

Sheexpectedmoreofafight.Hewasenjoyingherdiscomfortfartoomuch,andhis

handfelttoowarmagainstthepatchofbareskinbetweenhershirtandjeans.Theheat
spreadthroughheruntilhertoesfelthot.

“Great,I’msurewecanfindahousethatdoesn’trequireanyfelonycharges.”

“Whateveryousay,Carly.”Thewayhesaidhernamesentgoosebumpstoexplode

acrossherskin.

Theywalkedtotheentryandputtheirjacketsandbootsbackon.Theo’scockysmile

neverwavered,likehewasprivytoasecretshehadyettodiscover.Shedidn’tcarefor
thatsmile.Sheaskedhimtogobackashehadentered,andlockthefrontdoor.Helefther
thereonthesteps.

Thesnowsomehowcamedownevenworsethanbeforeifthatwaspossible.Their

footstepsfromearlierhadbeencovered,leavingnotrailtowardsthevehicle.Carlycould

barelymakeoutthecarwhichwasn’tmorethanafewfeetaway.Therewerenoother
housesnearby,atleastnoneshesaw.Shesecondguessedherrequesttoleaveand
questionedherownmotives.

Theohadcalledherbluffinthekitchen,beingalonewithhimmadehernervous.She

admittedshewasfarmoreattractedtohimthanshewouldhaveliked.Hemadeittooeasy
withhissuggestivesmilesandeasy-goingattitude.

Shesloggedthroughthesnowandwaitedforhimbythecar.Hedidn’tmakeherwait

long.

“Yourchariotawaits,”hesaid,openingthepassengerdoor.

Shegotinandwatchedasheattemptedtowipethesnowoffthecarbeforegettingin.

“It’smiserableoutthere.Isitme,ordoesitseemworse?”

“It’snotyou.I’mnotmakinganypromisesaboutwhatwe’llfindnext.Wecan’tdrive

aroundlookingforahousefullofpeople.Evenifthere’snooneatthenexthousewe’re
stayingthere.Deal?”

Shedidnotwanttobealonewithhim,butshehadlittletobargainwith.“Deal.”

Thetiresspun,butthecardidn’tmovewhenTheoputitintodrive.Hepressedonthe

gasandCarlyheardtheengineroarasthetiresfoundtractionandlurchedforward.She
couldn’tmakeoutthedriveway,letalonetheturntogetontotheroadahead.Theo’s
gesturetohumorherirrationalrequestwouldendwiththemhurtordead.Shecouldn’tlet
thathappen.

“Stop.”Theyhadn’tmadeitovertenfeet.

Theostoppedthecar.“What’swrong?”

“Wearen’tgoingtomakeittoanotherhouseinthis.Thestormhassealedourfate

andwhoeverliveshere;oddsaretheywon’tbecominghomeuntiltheweatherbreaks.I
waswrongtoaskyoutodriveusoutofhere.I’msorry.”

“Wow,awomanwhoadmitstobeingwrong.Willyoumarryme?”Hesmiledand

diffusedthesombermoodshehadcreatedforherself.

Sheslappedhisarmplayfully.“No,andIfiguredifwecan’tmakeitoutofhere,then

thecopscan’tgetheretoarrestus.”

Theolaughed,andthesoundsentbutterfliesdancingthroughherbelly.“Can’t

disagreewithyourlogic.”Heputthecarinparkandkilledtheengine.“Waitherea
moment,I’llrunaroundbackandcomebacktogetyou.There’snosenseinyourwaiting
inthesnow.”

“That’sokay,Icangobackwithyou.”Shedidn’twanthimgoingoutofhisway.

He’dalreadydoneenoughbytakinghertosafety.

Heopenedhercardoorandheldontoherhandonceshewasout.Thegesturewas

caringanddidn’tmakeheruncomfortable.Itmeantnothing,hewasbeingkind,shetold
herself.Shewasthankfulforhisquickhandswhensheslippedhalfwayaroundthecar.
Hisstrongarmscaughther,pressingherbodyagainsthis.Thesnowcoveredthemboth
andasshelookedupintohisfaceherbreathseized.Hewasmagnificent.Ifheleaned

downandkissedher,shewouldhavelethim.

Hiseyesfoundhersandforamoment,shethoughthemight.Thenheblinked,the

blizzardspellbroken,andhetookastepback.Therewasnokiss,andsheberatedherself
foreventhinkingtheremightbe.Hewasaflirt,nothingmore.Sheattemptedtoconvince
herselfhewasn’thertype.Although,shewouldwagerTheoMontagnewaseveryone’s
type.

Oncebackinside,theyreturnedtothekitchen.Thatseemedlikeasafeplacetobe

together.

“Areyoufeelingmorecomfortableaboutbeingherenow?”Heaskedasheopeneda

cabinetcontainingpotsandpans.

“I’mokay,”shesaidwithasmile.“Thinktheyhaveanychocolate?”Ifhecouldmake

thebestofthissituation,thensocouldshe.Shewalkedpassedhimandopenedthepantry.
Therewereplentyofcannedanddrygoodsavailable.Shelookedoverhershoulderaftera
moment.

Heraisedabrow.“Okay,”herepeated.“Didn’tseeanychocolatebutI’mhungry.

Howaboutyou?”

“Icouldeat.”Carlylookedoutthelargekitchenwindowattheendlesswaterfallof

white.“Sinceyoudroveushere,it’sonlyfairImakedinner.Wemightlosepowersoon,
sowe’llneedflashlightsandcandles.”

“Goodcall;I’monit.”Theocheckedthedrawersbutcameupempty.

“Don’tsnooponthesepeople.Checkthehallclosets,butthelesswedisruptthe

better.Gotit?”

Henoddedandlefttosearchforsupplies.Carlygatheredwhatsheneededtoprepare

aquickmealandgotbusycooking.Nothingfancy,somefriedham,macaroniandcheese
withasideofcannedgreenbeans.Itshouldsatisfytheirhungerandnotputoutthe
ownersinanyway.

ShewasplatingtheirmealwhenTheoreturned,holdingahandfulofcandles.Carly

prayedtheywouldn’tneedthem.Karmalaughedinherfacewhenamomentlater,the
lightswentout.

CHAPTERSIX

heowalkedovertothetable.“Guesswe’llbeeatingbycandlelight,”hesaid,lighting
thefirstsetofcandles.

Theflameslickedacrosshisfeatureslikeasoftcaress.Carlyhadalwayswantedto

havearomanticcandlelightdinner,buttheoccasionhadnevercomeup.Untilnow.This
wassonotgoingtohelpherresolvetostayawayfromallhockeyplayers,includingTheo.
“Iguessso.”

Theroundwoodenkitchentablewassetfortwo,witharedlinentableclothandthree

smallvotivecandles.CarlysatacrossfromTheoastheyatebycandlelight.Shealways
dreamedonedayshe’dmeetamanwhowouldloveherunconditionally,shareromantic
dinnersandreadherpoetry.Themanofherdreamswasfictitious,hedidn’texist.

“Thanksformakingdinner,”hesaidbetweenbites.

Carlycouldn’thelpbutcomparehimtothemenofherpast.Inthelooksdepartment,

heoutshonetheothersbyalandslide.Herexesweresimilarinbuildandattractiveintheir
ownways,butnotdroolworthylikeMr.Montagne.

Hertwohighschoolboyfriendshadbeenjocks.Theydidn’tunderstandthefirstthing

aboutromance.Tooyoung,selfishandself-centeredtothinkofputtinginanyeffort.It
tookCarlywaytoolongtorealizeshedeservedbetter.Toanathlete,thesportalways
camefirst.Alessonshewouldn’tforget.

“You’rewelcome.”HergazefollowedthelightasitflickeredagainstTheo.

Thesoftglowoftheflamessentshadowsdancingacrosstheroom.Somehowit

softenedthehardlinesofTheo’sface,makinghimappearevenmorehandsomeand
flawless.Theentiretimetheywereeating,Theo’seyesstayedlockedonhers.Abattleof
blueversusbrown.

Shewonderedwhathesawwhenhelookedather?Didheseethewholesomecountry

girlMirandaclaimedshewas,ordidheseethetomboyherfathersaw?Whateveritwas,
heseemedtolikelooking.

Watchinghimdevourhismealwashighlyerotic.Helickedhisfork,andthetinesslid

acrossthesmallscaronhislip,makingherclenchherthighs.Shecouldn’tstop
memorizingeveryoneofhisfeaturesandimaginingwhattheyfeltlike.

Theyateinrelativesilence,eachofthemwrappedupintheirownworld.Theo

checkedoffallofherattractionboxes.Tall,solidbuildandasmilethatcouldmakeherdo
justaboutanything.Shehadtowatchoutforsmileslikehis.Theyhadgottenherinto
troublebefore,andshevowednevertorepeatherpastmistakes.Yet,whenhehummedhis
satisfactionattheendoftheirmeal,andgiftedherwithagenuinelysatisfiedsmile,she
nearlycameundone.

Carlywouldneverlookatmacandcheesethesamewayagain.

Theoofferedtocleartheirplatesandcleanup.Shedidn’tprotestbecauseshehadto

getaway.Theroomwasfartoosexuallycharged.Shefearedifshehelpedhimwashup,
shemightthrowhimagainstthewallandbitethescarshe’dstaredatallthroughout
dinner.

CarlyretreatedtothecouchnexttotheChristmastreetotakestockofhersituation.

Thesefeelingswereallwrong.TheoMontagnewasMr.Hockey-Player.Aplayer.Shegot
thedistinctimpressionhelikedherasinwantedtosleepwithher.Thebedroomeyeshe
sentherwayweren’tinherimagination.

Herroommatewouldhateherifshehookedupwithsomeonefromthepotential

husbandlist.ThekindofmenCarlydeemedasinappropriatedatingmaterial.Shewasn’t
wrong,butnoneofthosereasonscouldstoptheoverwhelmingurgetokisshim.Those
indecentthoughtshadtogo.ShewouldnotkissTheo.Thestormcutthepowertothe
houseandherbrain.Herlibidowasonthevergeofshortcircuiting.

ThebrownupholsteredcouchwasmorecomfortablethanCarlyexpected.After

lightingtwocandlesonthecoffeetable,shecurledintoaballandsankfurtherintothe
cushions.ShetriednottothinkaboutTheoandthesweetwayhepulledoutherchairat
dinner,orhowheanticipatedherneeds.Thewayhewastakingcareofher,notbecausehe
hadto,butbecausehechoseto.

“Allclean,”Theosaidasheploppeddownnexttoher.Hislegtouchedhersandshe

shivered.“Areyoucold?IfoundsomeblanketsearlierintheclosetwhereIgrabbedthe
candlesandflashlights.Ibroughtthemouthere.”

Thearrogancefrominsidethediner,andthebravadohedisplayedintheparkinglot,

wasreplacedwithanallureshefounddifficulttoignore.Shewonderedifthischarming
Theowastherealhim,oriftheusualtoo-cooljockpersonality,sheknewalltoowell
wouldmakeanuglyappearance.

Carlyshookherhead,knowingthegoosefleshhadnothingtodowiththe

temperature.“I’mfine.”Sheavoidedeyecontactandstaredoutthelargepicturewindow.
Therewasn’tmuchtoseeoutsidebesidesawhitehorizontalwaveofsnowagainstthe
darknessofnight.

“Isthatcodeforyouaretickedoffatme?Myexusedtosayfineallthetime

wheneverIdidsomethingshedidn’tlike.”Theostretchedhislonglegsandplantedthem
betweenthecandlesonthetable.Hisgreensockshadtinycandycanesalloverthem.

Theymatchedherredsockswiththesamedesign.

Carlylaughed.“Nicesocks.”Shekickedoutonefootfromunderherandwiggledher

toesinhisdirection.

TheograbbedherankleandinspectedtheChristmassock.“Didyoupickyoursoutor

weretheyagift?”Hedidn’treleaseherfoot,insteadhesettleditonhislapandkneaded
herinsole.

Itfeltlikeheaven,transportinghertoaplaceofcovetedbliss.“Iboughtthem,and

youdon’thavetomassagemyfeet.”HepressedhardagainstatightspotandCarly
moaned.“Onsecondthought,don’tstop.”Shechangedpositions,placingherotherfoot
onhislap.

“Appearswehavesomethingincommon.”

Carlyreachedover,grabbedathrowcushionandsmackedhimwithit.“Isthatadig

becauseI’mnotapopularsuperstarathletelikeyou?”

Theolaughedashestolethepillowandplaceditunderhishead.“Noteveryoneloves

Christmas,butitismyfavoritetimeofyear.Beforeyousayanything,it’snotaboutthe
presents.Don’tgetmewrong,Ilikegifts,butit’sallaboutfamilyandgiving.Mymom
alwaysmadeabigproduction.Doesyourfamilygooverboard?”Hewentbackto
massagingherfoot,applyingtheperfectamountofpressuretomakeherswoon.

“I’manonlychild,somyparentsspoiledme.ThisisourfirstChristmasapartandI

don’tthinktheywillhandleitwell.Theykindofhatemegoingtoschoolsofaraway.
Howaboutyou,Ibetyourfamilywillmisshavingyouhome?”

Theogotquiet,andshethoughthehadn’theardher.Hecontinuedtomassageherfeet

andshesoakedinthesoothingsensations.Afewminutespassed,Carlyalmostfellasleep
beforeheanswered.“Mymompassedawayafewyearsback.”

Hesaidnothingmoreforawhile.Carlydidn’tknowwhattosay,soshestayedquiet.

“It’sjustmydadandmytwoolderbrothersnow.Hockeycomesfirst,sotheyweren’t

expectingmehomefortheholidays.”Hesighedheavily.“Tobehonestwithyou,we
haven’tcelebratedsinceshedied.It’sashamebecauseshewouldbepissedtoseewhat
ourfamilyhasbecomewithouther.”Awistfullookghostedacrosshisfeaturesbutwas
soonreplacedwithasadsmile.“Thistreeoverhereisnice,don’tyouthink?”

“Kindofmanly,butitisnice.”Carlywasn’texpectinghimtohavealessthanperfect

homelife.Heactedlargerthanlifeandalwayshadasmileforthecameras.

“I’msorryaboutyourmom.”Sheleanedoverandcoveredhishandwithhers.His

handsstilled.“Icantellyoumissher.I’mnotsurewhatIwoulddoifmymomwasn’t
aroundwhenIneededher.”Carlydreadedeventhethoughtofherparentsnotbeinga
phonecallaway.Theywereclose.Theurgetoreachouttothemandtellthemshewas
okaygnawedather.Theymustbeworriedsickbynow.

“Ido,missherImean.Shewassofulloflifeandsmiles.Shenevergottooserious,

abouthockeyoranythinginlife,whichissomethingItrytocopy.It’shard,becauseshe
madeitseemeasy.”Herubbedherfeetagain.

Carlyleanedbackintothecouch.“You’resucceedingthen,becauseI’veonlyever

seenyouwithasmile,exceptfortoday.Ontheiceyou’reafiercecompetitor,butoffit,
youseemlikeahappyguy.Ifiguredyouforaguywhodidn’thaveacareintheworld.”

Theoshruggedhisshoulders.“Yousaidsomethingearliertoo,so,youknowwhoI

am.Doesthatmeanyou’reahockeyenthusiastorareyouaTheoMontagneadmirer?”
Hissmilebroadened,andadimpleemergedtotormenther.

“Imaybeafanofyourteam,”sheanswered.

HetickledinsteadofrubbingandCarlysquealed.“Didyouhitmycaronpurposeto

getmyattention?Youwouldn’tbethefirstyouknow.”

Again,withthearrogance.Carlyrolledhereyesasshetriedtopullhertortured

tootsiesawayfromhisstrongholdbutitwasinvain.Shethoughtbacktothetwomen
fromthediner,andtheonewiththegross-lookingscratchesinparticular.Itgaveherthe
creepsalloveragain.“No,Iwasn’ttryingtogetyourattention.Getoveryourself,hockey
star.”

“You’vecalledmethatafewtimesnow,what’swiththat?”

Herroommatewasn’ttheonlyonewhoenjoyedwatchinghockey.Unlikeherfriend,

Carlyenjoyedthesportnotthemen.Sherebuffedallmen,butprovidedanextracold
shouldertothehockeyplayers.Thatdidn’tmeanshedidn’tlovewatchingthegames.“I
mayhavecaughtmorethanafewofyourgames,”sheadmitted.

Inthatmoment,shewasafraidwhatelseshemightadmit.Likethefactthatsheliked

Theo,waymorethansheintendedto.Sheknewifshedidn’tmoveawayfromhimsoon,
herfeetwouldn’tbetheonlythinginhislap.

Shewasn’treadytogothere.Nomatterhowmuchofagoodguyheseemed,hewas

stillaplayer.Shepulledherfeetoffhislegs,plantedthemonthefloor,andwalkedoverto
thewindow.Thestormhadtoendanditcouldn’tcomesoonenoughforCarly.

“Idon’tlikehockeyplayers.”Thestatementburstfromherlipsbeforeshecouldtake

itback.“Letmerephrase;Idon’tlikehockeyplayersasboyfriends.”

Hestoodbesideherandpulledherchintowardshim.“Icanunderstandthat,we’rea

difficultgrouptolove.”Hiseyesmovedfromhersandhelookedoutthewindow.

Whoa,shenevermentionedlove.“I’msureyou’reagreatpersonandanywoman

wouldbeluckytofallinlovewithyou.”

Hiseyesweresoblue,shewasdrowningwithintheirwaterswhilehepeekedintoher

soul.Asthoughheknewherdefenseswereweakeningwitheverymomentshewaswith
him.Shewasn’tawareofhermovement,butsheleanedtowardshim.Heleanedinclose
aswellandthiswasthemomentshe’dbeendreadingandhopingfor,sinceshenoticed
himwalkintothediner.Thiskisswouldchangeeverything.

CHAPTERSEVEN

isbreathflutteredagainstherlips.Thewarmwetinvitationwasalmosttooappealing
toturndown,butshepulledaway.

Allofherpreviousmistakesflashedbeforeher.Shewasn’tinterestedinbeinga

hockeyplayer’shookuporanythingelse.Theomorethanlikelyhadmillionsofgirls
throwingthemselvesathim,andshewouldnotbeoneofthem.

“What’swrong?”Theoaskedassheputsomedistancebetweenthem.

Shewalkedonlyafewfeetawaytostandbythetree.Theglassornamentscastan

eerievibetothebranches,andtheroomfeltlikeitwasclosinginonher.Therewasno
misinterpretation.Theowasgoingtokissher.Anothersecondandtheirmouthswould
haveconnected.Akissthatwouldn’thaveendedthere.

Somanypossibilities.

Thatwastheproblembecausetherewasonlyonepossibleoutcomefromthatkiss.

SexcomplicatedeverythingandCarlywasn’tlookingforanothernotchonherbedpost.
Anothermantoskateoverher,leavinghismarksbehind.

Themixedsignalswereherfault.Asmuchasshedidn’twanttoopenherselftohim,

sheowedhimanexplanation.RipofftheBand-Aid,shetoldherself.Thesoonershelaid
thegroundrulesthebetterofftheywouldbothbe.Sowhywasshehesitating?

“ItoldyouIdon’tkisshockeyplayers,andyouaremostdefinitelyahockeyplayer.”

Helaughedandwalkedintheoppositedirectionshieldinghisface.“I’veneverbeen

turneddownbecauseofmyjobbefore.That’sanewone,andprettyshallow.”Hecalled
hershallow.

“Pardonme?”

“Youheardme.Ithinkthatit’sextremelyjudgmentaltostereotypemebasedonmy

job.Myworkdoesn’tdefinewhoIam,anymorethanyourchoiceofschoolsdefines
you.”

Exhaustedfromthebarrageofemotions,shewasn’tsurewhattosay.Carlyslidher

fingertipsoverthesilkribbononthetree,admiringthewayitcontrastedagainstthefake
bristlesoftheevergreen.

Theohadsomevalidpoints.Sheneverthoughtofitalongthoselines,butshewasn’t

superficial.Athletes,regardlessoftheirsport,werebadnews,andshehadherreasonsto
stayaway.

“Doesn’tmatterwhatyouthink.Iwon’tgetinvolvedwithanyonewhoplayssports.

Nooffensetoyou,it’snotpersonal,it’smychoice.”

Hecameupbehindher.Hisheatradiatedagainstherback.“Idotakeoffense.Won’t

yougivemeachance?”

“No.”Sheturned,andhestoodinchesfromher,holdingapieceofmistletoeabove

herhead.“Whatareyoudoing?”

“MakingsureIgetachance.”

Hislipscoveredherswiththerightamountofpressuretomakeherpulserace.She

openedhermouthtohimandhetookfulladvantage.Theirtongueswrappedaroundone
anotherinablissfulencounter.Allthejoyofbeingakidopeningapresent,tearing
throughthewrappingpapertofindyournewfavoritetoy,that’swhatitwaslikekissing
Theo.Carly’sheadspunandhertoescurled.Theokissedwithpurposeandwiththesame
skillshe’dseenhimdisplayontheice.

Thesoftestpillow-likelipsmoldedagainsthers.Thevelvetsmoothnessofhistongue

encircledaroundhers.ShewasmakingoutwithTheoMontagne.She’dkissedothers
before,butnonedisplayedtheamountofskillTheopossessed.

Hishandmovedtoherhip,andthecoldofhisfingertipsbrushedagainstherstomach.

“Weshouldstop,”shesaidashelickeddownthecolumnofherthroat.

“Icouldn’tdisagreemore.”

Hekissedheragain,withrenewedvigor.Shecouldfeelhisdeterminationtochange

hermind.Asifakisscouldprovetheywereperfectforoneanother.Asthoughthisone
momentcoulderaseyearsofpain.Whentheirlipsweresealedtogether,nothingelse
mattered,shegotlostinthesensations.Hegrowledwhenshelatchedontothescaronhis
lipandsuckeditintohermouth.Hetastedbetterthansheimagined.

Shehadn’tnoticedtheyweremovinguntilthebackofherkneeshitthecouchandshe

fellbackwardsontoit.Hismouthneverlefthers.Hewassostrongandsogoodatthis.
Toogood.Sheplacedherhandsagainstthesolidmusclesofhischest.

“Ican’tdothiswithyou,”shesaid,pushinghimoffher.Theybothmovedtotheir

respectivecornersofthecouch.“I’msorry.

“I’mnot.ThatwasamazingandIknowyoufeelwhateveritisbetweenustoo.Ifyou

needtime,I’mapatientman.”

“Theo…I,we—”

“Okay,MissSmarty-Pants,whydon’twesharesecretsandgettoknoweachother

better.”Theocockedhisheadtothesideandflashedheracockygrin.Hischarms
wouldn’tgethimanywherewithher.

Shecrossedherarmsoverherchest.Shewasnotinthemoodforgamesandshook

herheadfromsidetosideinsilentrefusal.

“Comeon,we’vegottimetokill.WoulditmakeyoumorecomfortableifIwent

first?”Heasked,sittinguprightonthecouchnexttoher.Itdidn’tescapehernoticehehad
movedcloser.Hisarmgrazedherlegandshiversracedacrosshercoveredskin.

Everytimetheytouchedshereactedthesame.Wouldthateverstop?

TheoexudedsomeseriousheatasCarlyshiftedawayfromhim.Shewasalreadytoo

warm.“No,thankyou.Idon’twanttoknowyourdeepest,darkestsecretsandImost
certainlydonotcaretosharemine.”

Shekepthereyesonthewindowbecauseshecouldn’tdoanythingelse.Spillingher

gutstothehockeysuperstarmadeherwanttorunbackoutsidebarefootuntiltheskies
cleared.Plus,ifshelookedatTheoshewouldhavetoadmitthatupclosehemightbethe
best-lookingmanshehadeverseen.Hewasn’tperfect,whichmadehimmoreattractive.
Thetinydeliciousscaronhislipwasoneofmany,nodoubtreceivedfromsticksand
puckstotheface.

Fromthecornerofhereye,shecaughtTheosinkbackintotheworncushions.He

placedhisfeetonthecoffeetablewithoutacareintheworld.“Allright,I’llgofirst,”he
said,ignoringherrefusaltoplayalong.Theolinkedhisfingersbehindhishead,appearing
relaxedandatease.Theoppositeofheratthatmoment.

Carlyhuffedanexasperatedbreath,thisguycouldn’ttakeanythingserious.“Whydo

weneedtogettoknoweachother?Can’twesitherequietlyandwaitoutthestorm?”

“Ilikeyourfeistiness,areyouthiswayaroundallmen,oristhissnarkyattitude

reservedforme?”

Carlyturnedandglaredathim.Theogotunderherskinwhenheshouldn’t.Whydid

beingalonewithhimputheronedge?He’sjustaboy,likealltheothers,shereminded
herself.Noonespecial.Right,whowasshekidding.Insteadofrippingintohimshe
closedhereyesandcountedbackwardsfromfifty.Herangstwasn’twithhim,itwaswith
herself.

“Whatareyoudoing?Areyoucounting?”

Carlyfinishedhercomfortingritualbeforeresponding.“Yes,Icountasawayof

calmingmyself.I’msorryforbeingrudewithyou,it’sthissituation.”Sheopenedher
eyesandfoundhimleaningforward,mereinchesfromherface.Hiseyesfastenedonto
herlips.“Imean,this…thisisn’thowIexpectedtospendChristmas.”

“ThismightbemyfavoriteChristmasever.”Heshiftedhimselfcloser,hislegnextto

hers.“It’snoteverydayIgettospendmyholidayswithabeautifulwoman.”

Carlylaughed.Wasthisguyforreal?“Thoselinesmightworkonyourmany

admirers,butI’mnotfallingforanyofit.Youdidn’tnoticemewhenIwasservingyou
coffee.I’mnomorespecialnow.Theonlyreasonyouwanttokissmeisbecausewe’re

stuckheretogetherandI’msayingno.”

“Or…Iwanttokissyou,becauseyouareexactlythegirlI’vebeenlookingfor.

Strong,smartandsexy,soundslikeagoodpackagetome.”Theotuckedawaywardcurl
behindherear.Histouchwassoftandgentle.Carlywouldhavemovedaway,butshewas
alreadypressedagainstthearmrest.

“TrustmewhenIsayI’mnoneofthosethings,exceptsmart.I’mtoosmarttofallfor

cheesypickuplines.Don’tyouhaveyourfillofhockeybimbo’sthrowingthemselvesat
you?”

Hisfingertraileddownhercheekandcuppedherjaw.“DidImentionsassyisatthe

topofmylist?Carly,didIoffendyoubynotfallingatyourfeetintherestaurant?”

“No,Iwouldn’texpectthat.ButIknowyourtype.Youhockeyplayersareallthe

same.TheI’mhereforagood-timenotalong-timekindofguy.AmIright?”

“Wrong.Justsoyouknow,Ihadonegirlfriendthroughouthighschoolandstilldated

thesamegirlmyfirstyearafterbeingdraftedintotheleague.Webrokeupthispast
summer,andIhavedatednoonesinceher.Itwasamutualdecisionsinceshedidn’twant
toleaveMontreal.Wehadbeengrowingapart,andIwasokaywithhernotcomingwest.
She’smovedonalready,butIwasn’treadyuntilrecently.Carly,I’mnotsurewhoyou
thinkIam,butI’mnotaplayer.”

ThisnewsforcedCarlytoadmitshe’djudgedTheoprematurely.Thatcouldhave

beenalie,butshedidn’tthinkitwas.Paintinghimwiththesamebrushastheother
hockeyplayerswasn’tfair.“I’msorry.Beth,myroommatehasdatedafewofyour
teammates,andlet’sjustsaytheyweren’tthebestguys.Theyusedher,andIdon’twantto
gethurt.”

“Someofmyteammatesliketheattentionthegirlsoffer.Therecognitionandfame

cangotoyourhead.Especiallytheyoungguysmyage.Puckbunniesarearoundevery
corner,it’sanoveltysomeguyscan’tresist.Butthemajorityaredecentguys.
Relationshipsendandpeoplegethurt,butit’sstillworththerisk.Ifyouaskme.”

“Areyouadecentguy,Theo?”Carlydesperatelywantedhimtobeagoodguy.The

worldhadenoughbadboys.

“Itrytobe.”Helickedhislipsagain.

Alumpformedinherthroatasherwallscrumbled.Whatiftheykissedagain,would

thatbesobad?“Whatareyoulookingfor,Theo?Areyouworththerisk?”Hervoice
soundedthroatyandhoarse.

“Youtellme.”Heinchedcloseruntiltherewasnodistancebetweenthem.

Theintensityinhiseyesoverwhelmedher.“Somerisksmightbeworthtaking.”Carly

wasaplanner,notarisktaker.

“Youmightbetheperfectgirl,Carly.CanItellyouasecret?”Hetookherhandand

drewlazycirclesonherpalm.

Thecontactstolehersanity.Unabletosayanotherword,shenoddedinresponse.

“AllI’veeverwantedtodowasplayfortheNHL.Butwiththatjobcomesalotof

expectations.MoredemandsthanIeverthoughtpossible,andthat’sjustfrommyfamily.
Everybodywantssomethingfromme,evenmydad.”

“Isthatwhoyouwerechattingwithatthediner?”

Theolookedawayforasecondandhisintensitysoftenedalittle.“Yeah,hewantsme

homefortheholidaysbutnotforafamilyChristmas.It’smostlysohimandmybrothers
candrillmeaboutmyperformancethusfar.Oh,besidestheunsolicitedcoaching,he’ll
wanttoparademearoundthelegion.I’vebecomeacommodity.”

“Whatdoyouwant?”Sheasked,takinghisfacebetweenherhands.

Hisblueeyeslookedtohersforanswers.Onesshecouldn’tprovide.“I’vebeen

askingmyselfthatalotthesedays.Inthisbusiness,it’shardtotrustpeople.Theytellyou
whattheythinkyouwanttohear,butrarelyaskwhatIwant.”

Carlysmiled.Thiswastheirmosthonestconversationyetandthingsweregetting

real.Theoleanedinandpressedhislipsagainsthersagain.Shemeltedintohim,andshe
didn’thavethestrengthtopushhimaway.

CHAPTEREIGHT

islipsconsumedhers,leavingnopretensebehind.Thescruffonhischintickled.
Theokissedherwithafinesseandskillmeremortalscouldn’temulate.Shelikedthe

feelofhismouthonhers;ofhischeekunderherhands.Sheopenedandgrantedhimfull
access.HetookadvantageandCarlyliquefiedintoapuddleoflust.

Hemovedtheirbodiesintoalyingpositiononthecouch.Hisbodycoveredhers,but

hekepthisweighttotheside,proppedonhiselbows.ThesensualwayTheokissedblew
herChristmasprintsocksoff.Amixofhardyetsoft,demandingbutinviting.Neverhad
hertonguerelishedthetasteofanother.

Theirlipswerelocked,andfusedtogetherbythelawsofattraction.Toooverwhelmed

bythesensationscoursingthroughherbody,shecouldn’tstop.Asthekissgrewmore
intense,sodidherdesiretotouchhim.Herfingersitchedtofeelmoreofhim.Tolearn
andexploreeveryinchofhisbody.

Shedoveherhandsintothesoftmopofhishair,twistingatthestrands.Heseemedto

enjoyherplayfulsideashegrowledwhenshepulledharder,anglinghisheadforadeeper
kiss.Shecouldn’tgetenough.

Histonguelickedalongherbottomlipashemaneuveredhershirtupoverherbreasts.

Thekissbrokeforamomentashiseyesdevouredherbody.Hisfingersworkedthefront
claspofherredbra.Itpoppedopen,freeingherbreastsfromtheirsatinconfines.

Thecolorofhisirisesbecamethemostbreathtakingshadeofcobaltasheranthetip

ofhisfingersoverhernipple.Itbeadedunderhisgentlecaress.Hepluckedatbothtips,
alternatingandwatchingthemharden.“You’rebeautiful,”hesaid,ashepalmedone
breastinhislargehand.

Carlybelievedhim.Shenolongerhadareasontodoubthiswords.

Itwasonlyfair,ifhegottolook,thensoshouldshe.Shetuggedatthehemofhis

sweaterandhepulleditoff,tossingthegarmenttothefloor.TheoMontagnewasripped.
Hisbodywasinpeakphysicalcondition.

Carlyreachedforhisthickbiceps.Hesatisfiedherarmfetishandthensome.She

couldnotwrapherhandsaroundthemuscle,butshedidn’tneedto,topullhimontopof
her.Skintoskin.Herbreastswerecrushedagainstawallofsolidmuscles,andsheliked
it.Thistime,shekissedhimanditwasthemostintensekissofherlife.Asiftheirtongues
spokealanguageoftheirown,communicatingperfectlywithoneanother.

Sheclosedhereyesandallowedthesensationstotakeoverasherhandsroamed

freely.Sowhatiftheywerebreakingthelawbytrespassing.Whocarediftheywere
strandedinablizzard.Theonlythingthatmatteredwasthem.

Sherakedhernailsovertheridgesofbackmuscles,lovingthehardplanesofhis

body.Itwouldbetooeasytoloseherselfinthemoment,toletthechemistryandsex
appealruleher.Thewarwagedwithinherwhethertokeepgoingor…wasthereanother
option?

Everythingfeltsogood.Shecouldn’tstop;notyet.Theowasn’ttheplayershe

peggedhimtobe,butthatdidn’tmakehereasy.She’dnevermovedsoquicklyonthe
physicalsidewithsomeonewhowasn’therboyfriend.Shewasn’tanotherpuckbunny.

Thebattleofwhethertoletthingsprogressorstophimwaslostwhenthezipperon

herjeanslowered.Hisfingersdoveinsideherpantiesandherubbedherbaremound.She
moanedintohismouth.

TheobrushedCarly’sslitwiththesideofhisfinger,slowlyexploringherfolds.She

shouldhavebeenembarrassedbyhowwetshewas;byhowturnedonshehadbecome
fromakiss.Therewasnodenyingit.Withinafewswipes,hisdigitwasdrenchedwithher
arousal.

Heslippedonefingerinsideherandappliedaheavenlyamountofpressurewithhis

palm.Theycontinuedtokissasheexploredherwetheat.CarlymoanedagainasTheo
insertedanotherfinger.Hefingeredherslowlyandthenfasteruntiltheclimaxbuilt.His
thumbflickedherclit,andsheshotoffthecouch.Hesmiledagainsthermouthandkissed
downherthroat.

Hispaceslowed,makingCarlydeliriousformore.Hecircledhernubwhilepumping

hisfingersinandout.Helatchedontohernipple,engulfingthehardtipinhisheat.She
wassoclose,gettingcloserwitheachkissandsuckheprovidedtoherbreasts.Sherocked
herhipsagainsthishand,reachingforherorgasm,buthekeptitoutofrange.

“Theo,”shesaid,notsoundinglikeherself.Whowasthiswantonwoman?Carly

didn’tcare;sheneededrelease.“Please,makemecome.”

Heflickedhistongueacrosshersensitivenippleandkissedhiswaytohernavel.

“Yourwishismycommand.”

Yes!Sheexpectedhimtofingerheruntilsheshattered,butheremovedhishand.

Shewhimperedinprotestandliftedherhipstochasehishand.Hepulledatherpants

andpanties,loweringthempastherbutt.Shewiggledherhipstohelphimremoveher
clothes,leavingherexposedfromthewaistdown.Hedrewoffeachofhersocksandhe
addedtheitemstoanever-growingpileonthefloor.

Theosatbackonhisheelsandpushedherkneesapart.Shewantedtoclosethem,but

thewayheadmiredherbodymadeherfeelbeautiful,notembarrassed.Heliftedherleg
andkissedhiswayupfromherankletothetopofherrightthigh,thenrepeatedonthe
left.Withbothofherlegsdrapedoverhisshoulders,hepressedhisnoseintothebare
fleshandinhaled.

“Damn,that’sgood.Ihopeyou’reready.”Withoutmorefanfare,helickedalongher

entrance.Onelong,torturousstroke.

Ashiverracedacrossherspine.Heusedhisfingerstopartherfolds,thenhelicked

Carly’sentirelengthbeforekissingherclit.

Therewassomuchshewantedtodo.Lockherlegsandcapturehimthereforever,

openthemwidertogivehimfullaccess,andscreamhisnameallatthesametime.
Instead,shesatuponherelbowstowatch.Theo’sshaggybrownhairbobbedbetweenher
legsashetastedher.Histongueworkeditsmagic,reachingdeepinside.Headdedhis
fingersintothefrayandCarlybecameawrithingmesswithinseconds.Hedevouredher
pussyandkeptgoing.

Hisfingerspenetratedherwhilehecircledherclitwithhistongue.Hestartedslow

butincreasedhisspeedquickly.Carlyclenchedagainsthimasherclimaxneared.Hemust
havesensedittoobecausehedoubledhiseffortsandsuckedherclithard.

“Oh…Theo…Oh…”Shesplinteredintoamillionpiecesandshotofflikeafirework

displayonNewYear’sEve.Sheenteredthelandofbrightlightsandsparkles.

Theoslowedbutdidn’tstopuntilhe’dwrungeverylastounceofherorgasmfrom

her.Onceherheadfellbackontothecouchlikeauselessragdoll,heputherbackontothe
cushion.Hekissedherbody,andpaidhomagetoherbreastsagain,butnotforlong.

“Thatwas…Ican’ttalkyet,butgivemeaminuteandI’msureIcanbeclever.”

Theochuckled,andthesoundcrushedthelastofCarly’sdefenses.Hewedgedhis

bodybesideher,hisheadproppedonhisarm,whiletheothertracedanunknownpattern
onherskin.Hetrailedhisfingersdownthecenterofherchest,acrossherribsandupher
arms.Hisgentletouchleftgoosebumpsinitswake.

Thisamazingmanhadgivenherthebestorgasmofalltime.She’dnevercomeso

hardorforsolong.Shewasn’tavirgin,andthiswasn’therfirstoralexperience,butthis
wasfarandawaythemostexplosive.

Wouldshebeabletorepaythefavor,didheexpectthat?

Sheneededtocatchherbreathbeforeshecouldtry.Shealsoneededaheavydoseof

courage,ithadbeenalongwhilesinceshe’dpleasuredaman,andthetruthwasshe’d
onlybeenwithboys.Highschoolboyswho’dgotoffalmostassoonasshetouchedthem.

Theowasn’tcutfromthesameclothasthoseguys.

Shetwistedtofacehimandfollowedhislead,usingherfingerstotraceasimilar

patternonhisbody.

Heclosedhiseyes,andCarlycouldtellhewasenjoyinghertouch.Sherepeatedhis

actionsseveraltimesbeforeherhandtraveleddownhisabsandtracedthetopofhisjeans.
Hiserectionstrainedagainstthezipper,needingtobereleased.Sheloweredherhand,

readytofreehim,buthestoppedher.

“What’swrong?”Shewantedtogiveback.Makehimfallapartandunravellikehe’d

donetoher.

“Wecangoslow,Carly.”

“Idon’tgetit.”Herconfusionwaswrittenalloverherface.“Don’tyouwantme…

wantmetotouch,youknow…”Itwasimpossibletotalkaboutthatkindofthingwith
TheoMontagne.

Heliftedherhandandkissedherpalm.“Youaskedmetomakeyoucome,andI

wantedtomakeyoufeelgood.Icouldn’tresisttastingyouandfeelingyourbodycontract
againstmyface.Sopretty.ButIdon’twanttorushthings.It’sobviousyouhavesome
wildlyincorrectnotionsofwhoIam,soletmeprovemyself.Let’sgettoknoweach
other.”

Thosewordsweresweetandtotallyunnecessary.“Ithoughtweweredoingthat,”she

said,lookingdownatthebulgeinhispants.“MaybeIwanttomakeyoufeelgoodtoo.”

“Perfect,becauseyouare.”Headjustedherbraandpulledhershirtbackdownto

coverherbreasts.“IreallylikeyouCarly,andIwouldn’twantyoutoregretanything.
Trustme,Iwouldlovenothingmorethantomakelovetoyou,butit’stoosoon.I’mnot
lookingforaquickie,plus,Idon’twantyoutothinkI’maplayer.”

“Idon’tthinkthatanymore,”shecorrectedhim.

Hehuggedher,anactmoreintimatethanthekissing.“Good.Turnover.”

Sheturnedover,andhepulledherbodyagainsthis,anglingtheirbodiessotheywere

spooningonthecouch.

Herbacksettledagainsthisfront.Hereachedontothebackofthecouchandpulleda

blanketoverthem.“You’renotthefirstpersontomisjudgeme.I’malwaysunderpublic
scrutiny,”Theosaid,restinghischinonthetopofherhead.“EverymoveImakeispublic
knowledge.Peoplecanberoyalpricksandtheywilljudgeus.”

“Us?I’mnotexactlyfamous.Noonewillcarewe’refriends.”Thewordfriends

didn’tfit,butshewasn’tpreparedtothinkofthemasanythingmore.

“Theycare.Whyisanyone’sguess?Butthey’llwanttoknoweverythingaboutyou.

Likewhatyoudoforfun,whoyourfriendsare,andthey’lldigintoyourpast.So,isthere
anythingyou’dliketotellmebeforewecontinuethisrelationship?”

“Wearenotinarelationship,”sheremindedhim.

“Yet,”hecorrectedher.

Sheelbowedhisribslightly.“Damn,you’resmug.IfyouwanttoknowwhoIam

thenask;don’tmakeitsoundlikemylife’sstorywillbeheadlinenews.”

“Tellmeaboutyourself.Considermeafan.”Hisplayfulnesspenetratedherdefenses.

Shefoundherselfwantingtoopenup,buthadnoideawhattosay.“There’snotmuch

totell;I’maredneckcountrygirlwithawickedaim,sodon’tmesswithme.”Herjoke
madeTheo’sgripstiffen.Tellingaguy,sheknewhowtouseagunandcouldshoothim

mightnotbethebestwaytowinhimover.NotthatshewantedtoimpressTheo.“I’m
kidding;alittle.Mostofmytimeisspentatuniversitystudying,andtherestatworkto
payforit.Iliveaverycommonandboringlife.”

Herelaxed.“It’snotboringtome.Tellmemore.”Theirbodiesweresoclosethatshe

couldfeelhischestexpandashebreathed.

“Um…ImovedtoWinnipegthispastsummerandIhaven’tmademanyfriendsyet.

Okay,Ihavetwo.Myroommate,Beth,andmyco-worker,Miranda.Bothgirlsarecuckoo
forhockeywhichwehaveincommon.Theyprettymuchhadtobecomemyfriends.”
Admittingshewasn’tmisspopularwasembarrassingwhenshewassittingnexttoTheo.
Heoozedcharminhissleepshe’dbet.Everyonelovedhim.

“Movingtoanewcityistough.I’veonlylivedhereafewyears,andIhaveashit-ton

ofacquaintancesbutonlyahandfuloffriends.So,Igetit.”

“Noway!”Shewasshockedandwantedtoturnover,butshedidn’t.

Hechuckledatherhigh-pitchedoutburst.“Myfirstyear,Iwashomesickandspent

allmytimeofftravelingbacktoMontrealtovisitmyfamilyandmygirl.Thisseason,I
havenoreasontogobackthere.It’sbeenprettylonely.”

Thementionofhisex-girlfriendandTheobeinglonelycausedhertostir.“Howdid

yourexhandlethelimelight?”

Helaughedagain,andthesoundcaressedherbodylikeasipofhotchocolate.“Not

wellI’mafraid.”

“Ican’tpictureyousittingathomealone.Thatimagedoesn’tgelwithyourpublic

persona.”Avisionofhimaloneandsprawlednakedonhisbedpoppedintoherhead.His
handonhiscockashe…badCarly.Sheswallowedandclenchedherkneestogether.

“Wehaveanentireteamdedicatedtobuildingourpublicimage.Saythis;wearthat;

it’sexhausting,butit’sallpartofthegig.”Heblewoutabigbreath.

Thatdidn’tsoundfun.“Iwouldn’tenjoythatverymuch.Mustbetedious.”Herehe

wastellingherhowmuchlifewithhimsuckedandshecouldn’tstopthinkingabout
suckingsomethingelse.

“Partsofitcanbe,butI’vestayedontheirgoodbooks,sotheyleavemealoneforthe

mostpart.Butnewrelationshipsarealwaysatopicofconversation.”Theotuckedaloose
curlbehindherear.Hisfingerlingeredagainstherneck.“Ilikethehintofredinyourhair
andthefreckleshere.”

Thecomplimentmadeherblush.“Youshouldn’thavetodebatewhoyouarefriends

with.It’snoneoftheirbusiness.”

“You’rewrong.Datingmeisn’tsimpleoreasy.”

DatingTheoMontagne.Theideasentatinglethroughherbody,buthewasn’ttheguy

forher.Theconversationseemedfartoointense;toomeaningful.“You’reMr.
Complicatednow.Isthatit?”

“I’makidfromMontrealwhogetstoplaypro-hockey.Thecomplicatedpartisthe

worldthatsurroundshockey.Thinkyoucanhandleit?”

CHAPTERNINE

heroomwastoowarmandCarlycouldn’tmove.Herarmswerepinned.Hisbody
pressedagainsthers,holdingherhostageinacocoonofheat.Shesmiledandturned

herhead.Theo’sfacewasrightthere,theirnosespracticallytouching.

Hewasstriking.

Carlyslowlyfreedonearmandsweptthehairoffhisforehead.Carefulnottowake

him,andrisklosingherchancetogazeathimwhileheslumberednexttoher.The
overnighthairgrowthonhischinsuitedhim.Heseemedatpeaceandthesoftsnorewas
morecutethanannoying.

Whatadifferentstarttothedaycomparedtothepreviousone.Thelonelyacheinher

chestwasgone.Thepainfulvoidremained,butithadlessened,becomebearable.She
didn’tknowwhattomakeofthat.

Theo’smouthopenedslightly,andshenoticedmoretinyscars,besidestheobvious

oneonhislip.Theyhidinhishairlineandbrow,andanotheracrosshischin.Hewore
battlewoundsfromhissport.

Carlywantedtopinchherself,toconfirmthiswasreal.Normalgirlslikeherdidn’t

sleepwithguyswholookedlikeTheo.ThefamousstatueofDavidhadnothingonthis
man.Apricelessworkofart,imperfectionsandall.

Hewasn’tperfect,andneitherwasshe.Except,hewasn’tanordinaryguy;hewasa

hockeyherotomillionsofadoringfans.Nevermindthefamousmillionairepart,she
couldn’tbelievetheleague’stopplayerwasthesamemanwho’dheldherallnightlong.

Therewasnotimeforregrets.Shemightnevergetthechancetobecarefreeagain.Be

thegirltoletloose,havefunandnotworryaboutexpectationsandcommitments.Having
thebestgrades,takingeverythingseriouslyandoverplanninghadgottenhernowhere.

Sheremovedtheblanketandletitfalltothefloor.Thefirstthingshewantedhimto

seewouldbeher;thefirstthinghefelttobeherlips.Shemovedtohersidetofacehim
andpressedherlipstohis.Shewokehimwithakiss.

Akissthatstartedoffslow,butthenhekissedback.Shedidn’tevencaretheyhadn’t

brushedtheirteeth;hetastedgreat.Sheexpectedtogivehimapeck,somethingsweet,but
itturnedintoakisssteamierthanapotofboilingwater.Itquicklybuiltuntilshewason
thevergeofclimax.

Shefeltsomethinghardpokeagainstherstomach.Shereachedtostrokehim,buthe

stoppedherhandandpresseditoverhisheart.Thesteadythudletherknowhewas
equallyturnedon.

“Goodmorning,”hesaid,stretchinghislegs.

“Let’smakeitanevenbettermorning.”Shewinked,findingherboldside.

“It’snotthatIwouldn’tlovetohaveyourhandsonme.Iwantthatmorethanyou

know,Carly.ButIwantmoretoo.”Hekissedthetipofhernose.“Idon’twantashadow
ofdoubttocrossyourmindwhenyouthinkofme,orofustogether.”

Shewiggledcloseruntilnospacecamebetweenthem.“Ifeelgoodaboutus.Iwantto

liveinthepresent,whateverhappenstomorrow,wecanfigureitoutthen.”Shekissedhis
lips,ranhertongueovertheseamuntilheopenedtoher.Shesuckedonhistongue,
makinghimgrowl.Lowanddeeplikeaprimalcalltomate.Thiswasacallshewasmore
thanwillingtoanswer.

“Iwantyou,Theo.”Herattempttofreeherhandsfailed.

“Icanseethehesitationinyoureyes,”hesaid,andsheblinkedanydoubtaway.She

raisedherbrowinchallenge.Helaughed.“Trustme,it’sthere.Ifitweren’t,we’dfinda
bedimmediately.”

Abed-yesplease.

Theogaveheraquickpeckonthelipsbeforerollingoverherandgettingoffthe

couch.Theyeachtookturnsinthemainfloorbathroom.Neitherofthemhadventured
anywhereupstairs,andshewasokaykeepingitthatway.Shebrushedherteethwithher
fingerandafterusingthetoilet,shecameouttofindTheostandingbythewindow
watchingthesnow.

Carlyjoinedhim,wrappingherarmsaroundhismidsection.“Nosignsofstopping.”

Thestatementfloatedthroughtheairlikeapromise.Theyhadmoretime.

Theystoodthereforawhile,holdingoneanotherandwatchingthewinter

wonderlandoutsideunfold.

“Didyoucheckthepower?”Sheasked,walkingovertothecoffeetableandpicking

upherphone.Heshookhishead.“Nopoweryet.”Andnoservice,sheconfirmedwithher
phone.

“Guesswe’llbehereawhilelonger.”Hislipskickedupononeside.Thedevil

himselfcraftedTheo’smouthforsin,itwasthatwicked.

“Whatshouldwedo?”Shebitherlip,tryingtosuggesttheyfindthatbedroom.

Hedidn’ttakethebait.“Comesitwithme.”Hetookherhandandpulledhertositon

hislap.“MerryChristmas.”Hegrippedthebackofherheadandkissedhersoftly.There
wasnotongue,butitwasn’tnecessary.

CarlypressedherforeheadagainstTheo’sandlookedintohiseyes.“Merry

Christmas.TellmeyourbestandworstChristmasstories.”Shewantedtolearnmore
abouthim.Everydetail.“Gobackasfarasyouneedto.”Shesnuggledontohislegsand
wrappedherarmsaroundhisneck.

Hescratchedhischin.“Hmm.YougofirstwhileIpickone.”

Carlydidn’thavetoponderforlong,sheknewherfavorite.

“Iwasten,andmydadhandedmeapresentwrappedwithredandgreenstripes.He

wasexcitedaboutit,almostgiddy,whichifyouknewmydad,wouldnotfit.Anyway,I
torethroughthatwrappingpaperandinsidethewoodenboxwasthelastthingIexpected.
Imean,itwasn’tatallwhatIwanted.IaskedforapinkBarbieDreamHouseset.WhatI
endedupwithwasthispieceofmetalandaboxofbullets.Heboughtmeagun.”

Theorubbedherleg,probablythinkingthiswastheworstChristmasstory,itwasn’t.

“Atfirstsight,Ihatedit,butIsmiledeventhoughIwantedtocry.Mydadthoughthe

hititoutofthepark.Oncehe’dexplainedthereason,Ihadtoagree,henailedit.Dadsaid
hewouldteachmetoshoot,andthenwecouldhunttogethersomeday.Hegavemeagun,
butwhathereallygavemewashistime.Irarelysawhimduringtheweek,becausehe
workedsomuch,buthepromisedtotakemetotherangeandteachmehowtoshoot.He
tookmeeveryweekendthatyear,andwe’vehuntedlotssince.”

Shecouldn’ttellwhatTheothought,buthewassmiling,whichshetookasagood

sign.Carlywishedherdadwassittingtherewiththem.HewouldloveTheo.Notbecause
heplayedhockey,althoughthatgavehimextrabrowniepoints,butbecausehewas
genuine.

“Thatwasbothsweetandatinybitscary.It’sclearyoulovedhimandwantedto

pleasehim.ForayoungkidthatwasprettycoolofyoutogiveuptheBarbiewhatever
youcalleditinexchangeforagun.Iwouldn’thavetakenthataswellasyoudid.”

Hislipscaressedthesensitiveskinunderherear.“Isitwrongofmetothinkit’ssexy

thatyoucanshoot?”Hishandroamedunderhershirt,trailinghisfingertipsagainsther
stomach.

Carlyneverconsideredherselfsexy.Cuteasingirlnextdoor,yes,butbadass,no.

“I’mgladyouapprove.Yourturn.”

Theodrewacircularpatternagainstherskin.“No,tellmeyourleastfavoriteandthen

I’llgo.”Helickedalongtheshellofherear.

“I…can’tthinkaboutanythingbutyou,whenyou’redoingthat.”

Henibbledonherlobe.“Good,butI’llstop,fornow,”hesaid,andshewantedto

protest,tellhimtokeepgoingbutshewaslearningfastthatTheohadastubbornside.

“Lastyear,wasalowoneforme.I’dreceivedsomedevastatingnewsandeventhe

holidayscouldn’tbringmeoutofmyfunk.Yourturn.”Sheshouldhavemadeupastory.
Toldhimabouttheyearshefellofftherockinghorsehergrandfatherhadmadeher.
Spendingtheentiredayintheemergencyroomwashorrible,however,thatdidn’tcome
closetolastyears.

“I’msorry.Caretoelaborate,Ifeellikethere’smoretothestory.”

Carlyshruggedhershoulders.“Idon’twanttotalkaboutit,Christmasissupposedto

bemagical,solet’sfocusonthehappierones.Nomoredodging,you’reup.”Sherubbed
herhandstogether,gettingreadyforajuicytale.

Hetiltedherchintowardshimandtheireyeslocked.

“Wheneveryou’reready,I’vebeentoldI’madecentlistener.”

Hekissedhertenderly.“I’mgladthisoneisn’tyourworst.Because…Myfavorite

Christmastodateisthisone.It’sthefirstoneI’mspendingwithyou.”

Implyingfirstofmanyshehoped.Nosweeterwordshadeverbeensaid.Thevaultof

herheartopenedacrack.Theflutterinherstomachcomplicatedthings.

Theykissed,andshehadtoadmitthisChristmaswasquicklybecomingacontender

forthetopspot.

CHAPTERTEN

hemorninggavewaytotheafternoonasthestormcontinued.Theyhaddonelittle
morethanmake-outliketwohornykidswho’ddiscoveredthepleasuresofFrench-

kissing.Shewouldhavebeenhappytokissthedayaway.ButTheosuggestedtheygodig
outthecarandsurveytheareawiththebrightnessofdayontheirside.

Shewageredtherealreasonhewantedtogooutside,wasbecausehewashavinga

hardtimerefusingherconstantadvances.Anyothergirlmighthavebeenputoutbyhis
refusaltotakethenextstepbutCarlyfounditendearing.Itdidn’t,however,reduceher
desiretoseehimnakedanddonastythingswithhim.Everykiss,everytouchmadeher
crazyformore.Shedidn’tunderstandhowhehadsomuchwillpower.

TheydressedtogooutsideandCarlyonceagainlovedthewayhishaircurledout

fromunderhishat.Helookedsoyoungandvirile,likeamanreadytoconquertheworld.
Fornow,he’dhavetosettleforbattlingtheelements.

Theblizzardwasboundtostopatsomepoint;afactthatmadeCarlyuneasy.Only

yesterday,she’dbeendesperateforclearskies,andnowtheprospectwasn’tasappealing.
Theowasonehundredpercentbehindhershiftinperception.

TwostepsoutthefrontdoorandCarlywantedtoturnback.Itwascoldand

miserable.

MotherNaturecontinuedherquesttocovertheearthinwhite,buthadslowedher

pursuitsomewhat.Thewindhowledandwhippedflakesinherface.Visibilitywasstill
poor,butnotasbadasthepreviousevening.

Snowdriftshadformedagainstthesideofthehouse,reachingthetopofthe

windows.Sheguesstimatedthesnowfallamountaswelloverafoot.Theonlybrightness
CarlyfoundwasTheo’ssmilingface.

“Whatistheretosmileabout?There’ssomuchsnow,”shegrumbledasthefreshly

fallenpowderreachedhermid-calf.

“I’mherewithyou,andI’vebeendreamingofawhiteChristmas.”Hespunher

aroundinatwirlwhilesinging.“Justlike—”

“Don’tquityourdayjob,Casanova,”Carlyinterruptedhisserenadebeforeitgot

started.Theomightbeaprofessionalhockeyplayer,buthecouldn’tholdanotetosave
hislife.Shegiggledatfinallyfindingsomethinghewasn’tperfectat.

“Gladyoufindmeentertaining.”Hepulledhercloseandkissedthetopofhersnow-

coveredhead.

Handinhand,theymadetheirwaytowardsthemountainofsnowthathidthecar.Not

aspeckofredcouldbedetected.Carlyshivered,thinkingaboutwhatmighthave
happenedtothemiftheyhadn’tgottenofftheroadwhentheydid.Theirdecisiontoturn
aroundhadbeenagoodone.There’snowaytheywouldhavemadeittothecityinone
piece.

Carlyusedherarmtowipethestickysnowfromoffthecardoor.Theoreachedinside

andtookoutabrush.Thesmallbluesticklookedincapableofdealingwiththemassive
amountofsnow,butTheomadeitwork.Carlyusedherhandstohelpdig,andinnotime,
theyhaddugouthiscar.

Theredpaintglaredather,remindinghertheirtimewouldsoonbeending.Butit

wasn’toveryet.Thefreshsnowandgustingwindsmadetheireffortseeminvain.The
sportscarwouldn’tstandachanceplowingthroughthedriftstogetbackonthemain
roads.

“Weshouldgofindshovels,”Theosuggestedashelookedatthesnow-covered

driveway.

Theyhadtheirworkcutoutforthem,butshovelingbeforethewindstaperedoff

wouldbeanexerciseinfutility.“Anyprogresswemakenowwillbesweptawaybythat
wind.We’llcheckbackalittlelater.”

“Goodpoint.”TheobentdownandCarlyadmiredhisfinebehind.

Thegoodbyemightbeharderthansheenvisioned,shewasn’treadyyet.Shelooked

downandstompedherbootstoremovethesnowbuildup.Thesnowstucktohermittens.
Itwouldbetherightconsistencyforbuildingasnowman.Shewasabouttomakethat
suggestionwhenablurofwhitewhizzedbyherhead.Snowballswereanotheroption.

“Gameon,hockeystar.”

Carlydashedaroundthecarforcover.Itdidn’ttakelongtocreateasmallarsenalof

ballsandwhensheliftedherhead,anotherballbuzzedher.Theohadgoodaim,buthers
wasbetter,andhe’dgivenawayhislocation.

Withoutlooking,shestoodupandpeltedsixballsinhisdirection.Fiveconnectedand

shecouldn’thelpbutlaughathiswideblueeyesandstunnedexpression.Oneshotlanded
onhischin,dustinghisbeardinwhitefluff.Shemightlooklikeagirly-girlbutshegrew
upinthecountry,raisedbyparentswhowantedason.Hedidn’tstandachance.

Theodroppedtheonesnowballhewasabouttothrowandraisedhishandsindefeat.

“Youwin.Isurrender.”

Shecouldhardlybelieveamanascompetitiveasaprohockeyplayerwouldaccept

losingsoquickly.Carlysteppedoutfrombehindthecar.Theorushedherandtheyboth
wenttumblingtotheground.Shewouldhavebeenmadifshewasn’tsobusylaughing.
Hecoveredherbodywithhis,pinningherarmsbyhersideswithhisknees,andhe
sprinkledsnowonherface.

“Stop,cheater,”sheyelled,blinkingsnowfromhereyes.

Hislaughgrewlouderasshewiggledtogetfree.Sheshookherheadfromsideto

side,butitwasnouse,hewouldonlystopwhenhewasready.Sheeventuallystopped
struggling.“Allright,youwin.”Shewasn’tonlytalkingabouttheirgame.Theowas
winningherheart.

“That’sright,”hesaidthroughhislaughter.Heloweredhisupperbodyuntiltheir

faceswereinchesapart.“Youlooklikeanangelrightnow.Sparklingandsodamnpretty
myeyeshurt.”Hedidn’tgiveherachancetorespondbeforekissingherandstealingher
wordswithhismouth.

Theomadeitclearhewasn’tinterestedinafling,butcouldsheoffermore?Wasshe

ready?Kissinghim,madeherfeellikeanythingwaspossible.Herolledoffandflapped
hisarmsinthesnow.

“Whatareyoudoing,crazyman?”

“Makingsnowangels,whatelse?”Hestoodupandsurveyedhishandiwork.“Not

bad,butitdoesn’tcomparetoyourbeauty.”

Shelaughedathowridiculoustheywerebeing,butshehadtoadmithemadeagood

angel.Atsomepoint,shestoppedlookingatthesnowandtheblizzardastheendofthe
world,andbecamethankfulforeveryflake.

Theowaschangingherviewofthings,andthathadtobeagoodthing.Forsolong

she’dbeenactinglikeadrillsergeantwithherlife.Sheallottednotimeforfun,because
shewantedtopleaseeveryonearoundher,andatoneforhermistakes.Itseemedlikeshe
couldn’tdoanythingrightnomatterhowhardshetried.

Lyinginthesnow,herstomachtwistedwithguilt.Shehadn’tcheckedherphoneonce

inthelasthour.Shewastheworld’sworst,mostinconsideratechild.Hereshewashaving
thetimeofherlife,certainherparentswereworryingthemselvessick.Carlyscrambledto
herfeetandtuggedonTheo’sarm,pullinghimtowardsthehouse.

“Let’sgobackinside.”

“Soundsgood,I’veworkedupanappetite.You?”Hissmilewasinfectious.

“Sure.”

Onceinsideshedidn’tbothertakingoffhercoatbeforerushingforherphone.There

wasstillnoservice.Shebreathedasighofrelief,butthesadnessdidn’tdissipate.Itclung
toherlikeanunwelcometick.

Theowasn’tallthumbsinthekitchenasCarlywouldhavesuspectedatwenty-year-

oldmantobe.HemadeadecentPB&Jsandwich.Alittlechocolatewouldhaverounded
offthemeal,buttherewasnoneinthekitchenorfrontclosets.Theycheckedtwice.He
laughedatherdisappointment,buttoldherhe’dbuyheragiantslabofitwhentheygot

out.Shewouldn’tholdhimtothat,butthinkingaboutchocolatesoothedher.Theway
Theodotedonher,madeherfeellikeaprincess.

LunchturnedouttobenothinglikeherusualChristmasmealwithallthetrimmings,

butTheomadeitspecialallthesame.Helitcandleseventhoughthebrightnessoftheday
illuminatedtheroomfine.Thistimehesatnexttoherandheldherhandunderthetable.
Thegesturesentthebutterfliesdancinginherstomachagain.

“Didyoualwayslovehockey?”Sheaskedbeforetakingherfirstbite.

“SincethemomentIputonskates,I’vebeenchasingapuck.Irememberthefirst

gameIsawonTV,Iwastwomaybethree,andI’vebeeninloveeversince.”

“Why?”Carlylikedhockeybecauseherdaddid.Itwasawayforthemtobondand

somewherealongthewayshebecameafan.

“I’veneverreallythoughtaboutwhy.MostCanadiankidsgrowupplayinghockey

andwantingtoplayfortheNHL.Mydadhadallofusboysinskatesassoonaswe
learnedtowalk.Asakid,Iusedtowatchhoursofhockeyreels,learninghowthepros
skated,passed,checked,everything.Iwasn’tsatisfieduntilIcouldreplicatetheirmoves.I
loveeverythingaboutthesport.”

“So,you’reoneofthefewwhogottoseehischildhooddreamcometrue.Ithought

mostplayersgoprofortheaccolades,andofcoursethefatpaycheck,”shesaidwitha
giggle.ShefinishedhersandwichandwatchedasTheoatehisthird.

“Ilovehowthefanscheer,don’tgetmewrongthat’sabonus.Themoneyisallright

too.But,Icouldn’timaginedoinganythingelse.Thescarypartonceyoumakeit,ishow
quicklyitcanallfallapart.I’moneinjuryawayfromlosingmydream.I’monebad
seasonawayfromitallending.It’sterrifying.”

CarlysqueezedTheo’shand.“You’reanamazingplayer.Idon’tthinkyouhaveto

worryaboutnotgettinganothercontract.You’vegotalongcareeraheadofyou.”

“Ihopeso,butyouneverknow.Ithoughtgettingdraftedinthefirstroundwascool

butmymomwasn’ttheretosharethatmoment.Mydadandmanagerkindofruinedthe
funwiththemoneytalk.Imean,Icareaboutmakingmoney,butIcaremoreabout
playing.”

“Yourdadwasmostlikelylookingoutforyou,makingsureyouweren’tgettingtaken

advantageof.Ihearthingsinprosportscangetprettycutthroat.”

“Youhavenoideahowmuchpressurerestsontheseshoulders.”

Theowouldbesurprisedhowmuchshecouldrelatetothepressureofbeingthebest

andpleasingeveryone.Theyhadsomuchmoreincommonthanshewouldhaveever
imagined.

“Wellletmerelievesomeofyourstressbycleaningup.Youcangorelax.”

Theosmiled.“Iwon’targuewiththat.ThanksCarly,you’rethebest.”Heroundedthe

tableandkissedhercheek.Hedisappeared,leavingherwithafewplatesandalotof
informationtodigest.

Sheranthewaterandasoapyclothoverthebutterknifeanditallfeltsodomestic,

likeplayinghouse.CarlypicturedlivingwithTheoandsharingsimilarlunchesonlazy
days.Kickingbackafteraheavyschoolday,snuggledonacouchandwatchingagame
together.Shelaughedoutloudatherdaydream.

Theotoldherearlier,hehadn’thadagoodChristmassincehismompassedaway,and

sheplannedtochangethat.Shetriedtothinkofsomethingshecoulddotomakethisone
goodforhim.Themorehedivulgedabouthimself,themoresheknewhewasagenuine
goodguy.HedeservedtohavethebestChristmas.

Sheponderedheroptions,gettinglostinthepossibilities.Allpathsendedwiththem

inabed.Ifshegaveherselftohim,wouldshebeabletowalkawayafter?

ShelikedTheo,morethanshe’dsetoutto.Ifshewasbeinghonest,shecouldso

easilyfallforhim.Hehadsomanygreatqualitiestolove.However,therewasabigpart
ofherthatdidn’ttrusthim.Shedidn’ttrustherself.She’dbeendownasimilarroad
before,withdisastrousresults.

HermusinggotinterruptedbyTheodroppingakissagainstthebackofherneck.

Shiversofanticipationraceddownherspine.“Comewithme,”hesaid,takingherhand
andleadingheroutoftheroom.

Theenergyshiftedbetweenthem,becamemoresexuallycharged,andherentirebody

wasprimedforhim.Theeagernessforthemtomovetheirrelationshipforward
monopolizedherthoughts,leavinghersensesonhighalert.

Hermindwasmadeup.SheknewwhattodoinordertomakethishisbestChristmas,

andshehopedhewouldgoalongwithherplans.

CHAPTERELEVEN

arlylistenedtotheloudpoundingofherheartandwonderedifTheoheardit.His
gianthandengulfedhers,makingherfeelpetite.Thiswasit.Theyweregoingtohave

sex.Theowalkedherintothelivingroomandpointedtowardsthecouch.

Apangofdisappointmentsettledinhergutwhenhedidn’tsitwithher,ortakeherto

abedroom,asshehadstupidlyhopedfor.

Allwasnotlost.Shecouldtakethereinsandexplainherself.Herattractiontohim

wasmorethanskindeepandshewasreadytomovebeyondthekissing.Lastnighthe’d
rockedherworldwithhisfingersandtongue,butshecravedmore.Hethoughtshewasn’t
ready,buthewaswrong.Carlyhadneverbeenmorecertainaboutanything.

“Theo,pleasecomesitwithme.”Sheheldoutherhand,buthedidn’ttakeit.

Theconfident,attimesarrogant,manwassweating.Asheenofperspirationcollected

athishairline.Hewipedhishandsonhisjeansandbreathedheavily.IfCarlydidn’tknow
better,shewouldthinkhewasnervous.

Butwhatwouldhehavetobeapprehensiveabout?Hermindjumpedtotheonly

logicalconclusion.

Acoldsweatbeadedonherbrow.Duringtheirtimetogether,Carlyhadlearnedhow

caringandthoughtfulTheocouldbe.Theonlythingthatexplainedhisbehaviorwas
regret.Heregrettedmessingaroundwithherandnow,hedreadedtellingher.Thekissing,
thefoolingaround,alltheshenaniganswouldendnow.

Carlyclosedhereyes,andtookadeepbreath.Theohaddonetheimpossible,and

madeherlikeahockeyplayer.Sheconsideredhimafriendwiththepotentialformore.
Herhanddroppedtoherlap,andsheknottedherfingerstogether.

Sexwithnostringsattachedwastheperfectwaytoprovetoherselfthatshewasn’tas

damagedasshethought.Oritcouldconfirmherworstfears.Lookingintothedeepblue
seaofhiseyes,sheknewhewasworththerisk.

Hereyesdartedpasthimasheshuffledfromfoottofootsearchingforhiswords.The

snowhadn’tstoppedyet.Fromherseatonthecouch,thevisibilityappearedtoopoorto
drive.Elationrosefromthepitofdespairatthejoyofeachfrozencrystal.Christmas
wasn’toveryet,andshemightstillhaveherchancetogetclosertohim.Intimatelycloser
atleastbecauseshehadnothingelsetooffer.

Heclearedhisthroat.“Okay,so…Um,Ihaveapresentforyou.”

What?Howcouldhehavebroughtherapresent?

“Don’tgettooexcited,it’snothingfancy,it’snotevensomethingyoucanopen.None

theless,Ihopeyoulikeitsinceitwouldn’tfeellikeanofficialChristmaswithout
presents.Hereisagiftfrommyhearttoyours.”

Hesmiled,andshereturnedthesentiment.Shekeptherhandsfoldedonherlap,

waitingforhimtogiveheragift.Somethingfromhisheart.

“Heregoesnothing.IwantedtoquoteoneofmyfavoritepoemsbyLordByron,

entitledSheWalksinBeauty,butIonlyrememberedthefirstfewlines.”

Heloweredhimselfontobentkneesandtookhershakinghandsinhis.Theokissed

herknuckles,andCarlysensedtheromancesprinkledthroughtheairlikeamagicalmist.
HiseyeslockedontohersandtherewasnoplaceonEarthshewouldhaveratherbeenin
thatmomentthanwithTheo.

“WhenIlookatyou,Iseethepurityofyoursoul,theexquisiteradianceofyour

smile,andtheglowthatsurroundsyou.Youaretheperfectwomanhedescribes.Carly,
youwalkinbeauty,andeverythingelsepalesbycomparison.Notbecauseofyour
gorgeousexterior,butbecauseofthetenderness,thedarknessandlightthatshinesfrom
withinyou.”

Hespokelikeapoetandnaturalstoryteller.Carlywasmesmerizedbyhiswordsas

muchastheblueofhiseyes.Shecouldsitthereandlistentothesoftpurrofhisvoicefor
hours.Hepausedandchewedhislowerlip.Sheremainedsilent,waitingwithbatedbreath
forwhathewouldsaynext.

“IwishIrememberedthelinesforyou,butyouinspiredmetofindmyownwords.

ByronmusthavehadhisownversionofCarlySaintwhenhewrotethatpiece.”

“Theo,”shewhispered.Itwasherturntoclearherthroat.Hiswordsaffectedher

deeply.“Yourwordsarebeautiful.Thankyouformypresent.”

“Oh,there’smore.WelearnedByronbackinhighschoolandthatopeningstanza

alwaysstruckachord,butIdidn’tfullyunderstandit,untilImetyou.Anyway,thenext
poemismine,inspiredbyyou.PleaserememberI’mahockeyplayernotapoet.”

Shewasn’tsureshecouldlistentoanymorewithoutpassingout.Allthebloodhad

alreadyrushedtoherlowerhalf,leavingherwoozy.Nomatterwhathecameupwith,she
alreadylovedeverywordhe’dsaid.

“Thestarsaligned,bringingustogether,somewillcallitfate,

Iagree,becauseI’mfallingforyou,withouthavinghadafirstdate.

Youaretheentirepackagewrappedinasassylittlebow,

Iwillcherishourtimeforeverandalwaysrememberthesnow.

Apoet,I’mnot,butwhatcanIsay,

Except,I’mgladwearetogether,andHappyHoliday.”

Hebroughtherhandstohislipsandkissedherknuckles.Hiseyessearchinghersfor

areaction.

TheoMontagnewroteherapoem.Thebestpresentofalltime.

“Wow,Theo.Thankyou.”Sheplacedtheirjoinedhandsoverherheart.Carlywas

blownawaybyhissensitiveside.Thewayhedescribedherandsaidsheremindedhimof
oneofthemostromanticpoemseverwrittenwasbothhauntinglybeautifulandheartfelt.
“Thatwaslovely.Yourwordswillforeverbeetchedintomyheart.”

Theo’scheeksturnedrosyatthecompliment.“Itwasfarfromspectacular,butI’m

gladyoulikedit.”

Carlymorethanlikedit.Itwasoverthetopswoon-worthy.“Idid.”Noonehadever

doneanythinglikethatforherbefore.Shedoubtedshewouldevermeetsomeonewho
wouldagain.

Heheldherhandsandlookedrightintohereyes.Thepiercingbluediggingdeepinto

hersoul.“CanIaskyousomething,Carly?”

“Anything,”shesaidbreathlessly.

“Doyoufinditstrangehowcomfortablewearearoundoneanother?”

Sheswallowedthelumpinherthroat.Theconversation,thepresent,allofitwasn’t

aboutsharingsomethingminororinsignificant.Theowasmakingaplayforherheart.The
onethingshedidnotwanttogiveup.Herbody,shewasreadyandwillingtogive.She
wasachingforthemtoconnectphysically,butthiswastooemotionalforher.

Hewaitedforaresponse,butshewasn’tabletoanswer.

“Iknowyoufeelittoo.It’slikeIcanbemyselfwithoutfearofjudgment.Thehockey

worldexpectsmetobeacertainway.Myfamilyhassimilarexpectations.I’mstill
learninghowtodealwithit,youknow.”

Carlyknewexactlywhathewastalkingabout.Allherlife,she’dfeltlikeshehadto

behaveacertainway,andsomewhereshelostherselfwithinthoseexpectations.Her
outwardappearancedidn’tmatchthegeekinside.

“Igetit,growingupisn’teasy.Navigatingthewatersintoadulthoodhasbeentougher

thanIexpectedtoo.”

“Yeah…”Awistfullookcrossedhisface.Thishockeyplayerhadaheart,andhewas

burrowinghiswayinsidehers.

Shecuppedhisfaceinherhands.“Thankyouagainformypresent.Itmovedme,

morethanIcanexpressthroughwords.”Herlipsmethisinakissshehopedconveyed
howaffectedshewas.

“MerryChristmas,Carly.”

“It’stimeforyourpresentnow,”shesaid,risingtoherfeet.Shefoundhercourage.If

hepushedpasthisfearandrecitedpoetry,shecouldgiveherselftohim.Carlyfiguredit
wastimetoputherbiggirlpantiesonandtellTheowhatshewanted.Showhimwhatshe
wantedfromhim.

Hewasstillkneelinginfrontofherassheliftedhershirtoverherhead.Hereyes

remainedlockedonhis.Hissharpintakeofbreathconfirmedhehadn’tbeenexpecting
this.Beforeshechangedhermind,sheunclaspedherbraandletitfalltothefloorby
Theo’slegs.

“Yousaid,youwantedtowait,butwe’vewaitedlongenough.Ihavenofancywords

orsentimentalgesturestooffer.ButIamofferingmyself.”Itsoundedsomuchmore
patheticthanithadinhermind.

“Breathtaking.Iaminaweofyou.”Hekissedherstomach,rightaboveherjeans.His

handsroamedoverherass,squeezingherroundglobes.“Areyouonehundredpercent
sure?”

Shenodded.

“Thentakeoffyourpantsandpantiesandletmeseeyou.Allofyou.”Thecommand

sentajoltofdesirerighttohercore.

Shegotthedistinctimpressionhemeantmorethanhernakedbody;hewanted

everything.Afterthismoment,therewouldbenogoingback.Baredandvulnerable,and
shewouldn’thavewantedthingsanyotherway.

Theosatbackonhislegsandwatchedher.Hiseyesroamedoverhercurves,making

herfeeleverybitasbeautifulashisearlierwords.Shereachedfortheflyonherjeansand
undidthebuttonandzipper.Ahintofherredpantiespeekedthroughtheopening.He
leanedinandkissedthetopofhermound.Thisemboldenedherfurthertocontinue
showinghimallofher.

Carlyhookedherfingersintothewaistbandofherjeansandpantiesandlowered

themtotheground,exposinghermostprivateparts.Hehelpedherremovethearticles
alongwithhersocks.Shestoodbeforehimcompletelynaked.

Herfirstreactionwastocoverherself.Tohide,butsheforcedherarmstoremainby

hersideasshepresentedherselftohim.Theodevouredherwithhungryeyes.Therewas
nomistakingtheattractionwithinthoseblueorbs.Theattentionmadeherhot,andshe
knewhecouldseethearousalglisteningdownbelow.Witheverypassingsecondher
desiregrewthicker.Theanticipationofhistouchwaskillingher.

“ThemostexquisitepresentIhaveeverreceived.Carly,yourbodydeservestobe

cherishedandIplantodothat.Willyouletmemakelovetoyou?”

Whydidhehavetocallitlove?Thejoiningoftheirbodieswouldbefunandhotas

hellbutitwasn’tlove.Shedidn’tknowhowtomakehimunderstand.She’dhaveto
conveyhermessagethroughwordsandbodylanguage.Lovedidn’tfactorintothe
equation.

“Touchme,Theo.Iwanttofeelyouinsideme,IwanttolookintoyoureyeswhenI

makeyoucome.IwantthistobeaChristmas,neitherofuswilleverforget.”

CHAPTERTWELVE

heo’squietassessmentskyrocketedherarousal,themoisturepracticallydrippeddown
herleg.Fromhisposition,hesaweverything.Carlyhadneverbeensowetinher

entirelife,andhehadn’ttouchedher.Yet.Theanticipationdrovehercrazy.

Asthesecondsstretchedon,shenervouslyshuffledfromonefromfoottothenext.

Theo’seyesneverleftherbody,combingovereveryinch.Itseemedlikeaneternity
beforehefinallybrokethesilenceandrosefromhisknees.

“Carly,mysweet,undeniablysexygirl,youhavebewitchedme.”Heclosedthe

distancebetweenthemandkissedherhard.

Theirtonguesintertwinedashishandstouchedhereverywhere.Herneck,herback,

hersides,shewasonsensationoverload.Carlytoreatthehemofhissweater,liftingit.
Theoremovedthebarrierandtheirbodiesrejoicedintheskintoskincontact.

Hernippleswerehardfromthecoolairoftheroom,buttightenedevenmoresoas

theyrakedagainsthisribs.Hewassotallandpowerful,shefeltbreakable,butshetrusted
himnottohurther.Herhandsroamedthebroadexpanseofhisbackwhilehewent
straightforherass.Hecuppedherglobeshardandthrusthiserectionagainstherstomach.
Theowantedthistohappenasbadlyasshedid.

Hebrokeawayfromhermouthandtheywerebothpanting.“Iwanttotakethisslow,

savoryouandworshipyou,butI’mafraidIwon’tbeableto.Ourfirsttimetogether
shouldbespecial,notaquickieonthecouch.”

Itdidn’tmattertoCarlywheretheyhadsexaslongasithappenedsoon.Theirfingers

threadedtogether,andhekissedherknuckles.Leadingherbythehand,hepulledher
awayfromthecouch.HeaskedhertostandbytheChristmastreeashelitthecandleson
thetableandthrewablanketandsomepillowsonthefloorbyherfeet.

“Ifyou’remypresent,it’sonlyrightIopenyouunderthetree.”Thecheekyglintin

hiseyesandthesmirkonhisfaceremindedherofthatfirstmomenttheireyesconnected
intheparkinglot.She’dpeggedhimasanarrogantprick,butshe’dbeenwrong.“Sit

downforme,Carly.”

Withoutwords,shesatonthemakeshiftbedandlookedupathim.Theostoodafew

feetawayandremovedtherestofhisclothing.Itwasnowherturntogawk.Hisabswere
ripped,thedeepvleadingtoanimpressivecock.Longandthick,andallhersforthe
taking.Carlylickedherlips,wonderingwhatTheowoulddonext.

Hefistedhiscock,andsheenviedhishand.Hesmirkedandsliditalonghisshaft,

roundingoverthetip.“Youlikewhatyousee,Carly?”

Shedid.Verymuch.“Yes,”sheadmitted.

Hissmiledeepenedatheradmission.Hewassosexy.“Spreadyourlegs.”

Sheplantedherfeetontheblanket,openedherlegsandletherkneesfalltotheside.

Shewassurprisedhowunabashedshewas,consideringithadbeenoverayearsinceshe’d
lasthadsex.Ontheoutside,shelookedlikeeveryotherwoman,butinsideshewasa
mess.Buthewouldn’tbeabletoseethat.

Hiseyesflaredandfixedontoherwetpussylips.Thereactionhegavewasallshe

neededtoturnthingsupanotch.Shetoyedwithhertaughtnipplewithonehand,andlet
theotherrunbetweenherbreasts,overherstomachandthroughtheslickfolds.

Theoinhaledsharply,andhispupilsdilated.Helikedwhatshewasdoing.She

watchedhishandincreaseinspeedasshepushedonefingerinsideherself.Thewet
slurpingnoiseshouldhaveembarrassedherbutdidn’t.Theostalkedtowardsherand
stoppedwhenherfacewasonlyinchesfromhiserection.

“Wrapthoseprettylipsaroundmycockandkeeptouchingyourselfasyousuckme

off.”ThesweetpoetryrecitingTheohadgivenwaytoadirtyboy,andCarlylikedit.She
likeditalot.

Shepinchedhernippleonelasttime,moreforaconfirmationofrealitythanfor

pleasure,butitprovidedboth.Heguidedhiscocktohermouthandranitoverherlips,
wettingthemwithhispre-cum.Sheinhaledhismuskymasculinearoma,andshewanted
moreofit.Hertonguedartedoutandlickedthelastofthemoisture.Theogroaned.

Hetastedmightyfine.CarlyopenedhermouthandTheofedhimselftoher.Slowly,

oneinchatatime,untilhehitthebackofherthroat.Shegaggedbutrecoveredquickly.
Relaxingherthroat,shetookalittlemore.

“Damn,that’sgood.”Theo’sencouragementspurredherintoactionandsheworked

herpussyfaster.

Shewouldnotlastlong.Shesqueezedhisassashertongueworkedalonghisshaft.

Hepulledoutandpushedbackinagain,eachtimegoingdeeperthanthelast.Theosetthe
pace,andshelethimfuckhermouthasslowlyashewantedbecausethiswasforhim.She
wantedthistobethebestblowjobinthehistoryofgivinghead.

Thefasterhemovedhishipsthemoreherpleasureincreased.Carlymoanedaround

him,makinghimhiss.Thehardershesucked,thefasterhethrust,andthewettershegot.
Theotightenedhisgripinherhairandfuckedherfacewitharuthlesspace.

Shelikedhowwildshemadehim.Hereyesstayedonhisashenearedhisclimax.His

buttcheeksclenchedunderherhand.

Hetappedhershoulder,andhisblueeyesimploredhertostop.“Carly,I’mgoingto

come,”hesaidthroughclenchedteeth.

Sheignoredhispleaandsuckedharder.Carlywantedhimtoletgo,shewasreadyto

tastehim.

“Shit,ifyoudon’tstopI’llcomeinyourmouth.”Hepumpedfaster,onthevergeof

release.

Sherubbedherclitfuriouslywithonehand,momentsawayfromdivingoffthecliff

herself.Shemovedherotherhandbetweenhislegsandrubbedthesensitivefleshbetween
hissackandanus.Theaddedpressurewasenoughtosendhimovertheedge.

Hiseyesclosedandhisheadfellbackashethrustonelasttime,fillinghermouth

withhishotseed.Hestoppedmoving,buthisbodyshiveredashecame.Knowingshe
couldmakehimlosecontrollikethat,stimulatedherownrelease.Sheswallowedevery
drop.

Whenhepulledaway,he’dbarelysoftened.“Thatwasamazing.Givemeyourhand.”

Heleaneddownandsuckedherfingersintohismouth,cleaningherwetnessfromthem.

“Hmm.Now,liebackandletmetasteyouproperly.I’vebeendyingtogetbetween

thoselegsallday.”

“Yes,please,”shesaidandlickedherswollenlips.Carlylayontheblanketand

openedherlegswideforhim.IfTheowantedtogodownonher,shewouldnotstophim.
Shewasnolongerafraidtoadmitshewantedhim.

“Thankyouformypresent,”werethelastwordshesaidbeforehesuckedherclitinto

hismouth.

Herhipsraisedtomeethimandherhandsdoveintohissilkyhair.Hedidn’tgoslow,

andhedidn’tstopuntilshecriedouthisname.Thesecondshecontracted,heinsertedtwo
fingersandherwallsclenchedaroundhim.Heworkedasecondorgasmfromherina
matterofminutes.

Shewasleftoverlysensitiveandmorethanreadytohavehimfillher.“Theo,Iwant

yourcockinsideme.”

Hesmiledwithherjuicescoatinghislipsashecrawledoverherandkissedher.Their

bodieslinedupastheirkissheated.Amostdeliciouscombinationofthemlingeredonher
tongue.Hernewfavoriteflavor.Theirtonguesfoundaslowsensualrhythmuniqueto
them.Hisrock-hardcockpressedagainstherentrancebutdidnotpushin.

Theteaseagainsthersensitivefoldswasn’tenough.Shecravedthefullnessofbeing

takenbyaman.“Theo,stopteasingmeandfuckme.”

“I’mnotgoingtofuckyou,Carly.Iwanttomakelovetoyousobad,butwecanwait

ifyou’renotready.”

Shewasreadyineveryway.Eventhewayhecalleditmakinglovenolonger

mattered.Theonlythingthatmatteredwasthem,comingtogetherinthemostcarnalway
possible.

“Then,makelovetome.”Carlydidn’tneedtosayanotherword.

Theomovedoffherandreachedoverintohisjeans.Shelaybackunderthetreeas

Theorippedopenafoilpacketandwrappedhimselfinlatex.She’dneverfeltthemagicof
theseasonsointimatelybefore.

Theo’seyesfoundhersashepositionedhimselfoverher.Heusedhishandtoguide

hiscocktoherentranceandcoatedtheheadwithherarousal.Themomentcouldn’thave
beenmoreperfectandCarlysmiledashefilledher.Shewasnervousasherwalls
stretchedtoaccommodatethedelightfulinvasion.

“Everythingokay,Theo?”Sheasked,worriedsomethingwaswrongwhenhe’d

stopped.

“Youfeelsogood,sotightandperfect,”hesaidbeforehismouthcoveredhers.

Allherapprehensionmeltedaway.Herscarsweren’tsomethinghecouldfeel,andin

thatmoment,thepastnolongerhauntedher.Carlyknewtherewasnosuchthingas
perfect,butthismomentwasascloseasshewouldevercome.

Hereyesgotlostinhisseaofblueandsheneverwantedtobefound.Theoentered

herslowly,thestretchwasuncomfortable,butnotpainful.Whenhepushedalltheway
inside,shewasfulltothepointofbursting,butthenhepulledoutandshemissedthe
fullness.

Theirbodieslearnedtomoveasone.Soon,allshecouldhearwasthewetnoisesof

skinslappingskin.Everythingfeltincredible,likehernerveendingsweregettingtheroyal
treatment.TheharderhepoundedhishipsagainsthersthedeeperhereacheduntilherG-
spotwasbeingbombardedlikethecoastofNormandyonD-day.Herbodywascharged,
primedandreadytoexplode.

Hehadherarmsoverherhead,holdingherthereashestaredintohereyes.She

couldn’tlookaway,shedidn’twantto.Hisforeheadpressedagainsthers,sweatdripping
downhisfaceandontohercheek.“Keepyoureyesonmineasyoucome.Focusonmeas
ifnothingelsemattersexceptus.”

Hiswordspushedthembothovertheedge.Afewdeeperthrustsandshewasdone.

“Theo…I’mcoming!Oh…Theo!”Shekepthereyesopen,buttherestoftheworld

fadedaway.Itwasonlythemandnirvana.

“Carly…”Hernameghostedfromhismouthasheemptiedhimselfinsidethe

condom.Histwitchesandpulsesmatchedherquivers.She’dneverexperiencedsexor
anythingelselikethat.Hecollapsedontopofher,andshewelcomedtheweight.

Theirlipsconnected,andsheknewshewouldn’twalkawayfromTheoasthesame

girlhe’dmet.He’dchangedher,openedherheartandnomatterwhatthefutureheldfor
them,shewouldforeverbegratefulforthisChristmas.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

heylayontheirbedofpillowsandblankets.Theirbodiespartiallyunderthe
Christmastree,baskingintheafterglow.

Carlycontemplatedwhethertoaddressthelovestatementorleaveit.Sheneverwasa

persontoleavelooseends.Intheheatofthemoment,tellinghimtomakelovetoher
soundedright,butshefearedshewasunlovable.

Shehadn’tmeanttotrickhim.Alumpofinsecurityformedinherstomach.Sherolled

awayfromhim.Herpasttaughtherpeopletookwhattheywantedandleftafter.Hergut
toldherTheowasdifferent,butherbrainwasn’tlistening.

“Wheredoesthisleaveus?”Carlypickeduphert-shirtfromthefloortocoverher

exposedbreasts.

Theoreachedoverandtookthetopofherhands.“Don’tcoveryourself.Ilikelooking

atyou.”

Carlyblushedatthecompliment,butcoveredherchestwithherarmsnevertheless.

“I’mgladyoulikewhatyousee,butyoudidn’tanswermyquestion.”Shedidn’twantto
feeldiscarded,butdeepdownsheexpectedhimtosaywhambamthankyouma’am.

Theorolledontohisside,proppedhisheadonhisarmandregardedher.Hismuscles

wereonfulldisplayandhemadenomotiontocoverup.Thisguywascomfortableinhis
skin,andhehadeveryrighttobe.

“Carly,whatareyouhopingtohear?Iwasn’texpectinganyofthistohappen,butI’m

notupsetitdid,ifthat’swhatyou’reasking?”

Shehadnothingtoloseexceptherpride,butstandingnakedbeforeahockeystar

alreadymadehervulnerable.“I’mcuriouswhatthisallmeans.Dowegobacktoyou
forgettingIexist,oristhissomethingyouwanttodoagain?”

Hesmiled,chippingawayattheiceshe’dcreatedaroundherheartalittlemore.“I

wouldliketodothatagainverysoon,andbythelooksofthisstormwe’llhaveplentyof

opportunitiestodoitagain.”Hegrabbedherhandandpulledherontopofhim.Hislips
brushedagainstherssoftly.“Andagain,”hesaid,beforehistonguelickedalongtheseam,
seekingapprovaltoenter.Thingstookaheatedturnfromthere.

Carlywasn’tsurewhatallthismeant,butshewantedthefullnessofhiminsideher

again.Thefeelingofbeingconnectedtosomeone.Hehadn’tmentionedafterthestorm,
andthatwasmostlikelyforthebest.Theycouldactliketomorrowdidn’texist.

Hiskissesworkedherintoafrenzy.Theykissedforawhilelonger,theirbodies

settlingagainstoneanotherontheground.Acomfortablepostcoitalembrace.Carly
wonderedwhenthebubblewouldburst.Shefelthappyandthosemomentsrarelylasted
toolong.

Theotrailedhishanddownherarm.“Areyouevergoingtotellmewhyyouhate

jockssomuch?”

Itwastrue,shethoughtmostjockswereselfishtools.Sheusedtothinkitwasall

athletes,shedowngradedtomostbecauseofTheo.Shebelievedhemightbetheanomaly.

“Idon’thatejocksperse,”sheanswered,avoidingeyecontact.

“Stilldon’ttrustme,huh?”Hepokedherintheribs,findinghermostticklishspotby

accident.Shesquirmedaway,unabletostopthehugesmileandgiggles.

“Whywouldyousaythat?”Shelaughedashecontinuedtopokeandprodherbody

withhislongindexfinger.

Hisexpressionturnedserious,soundingalarmbellsinherhead.Theopulledher

close,restinghischinontopofherhead.“Somethinghappenedtoyou,andwhenyou’re
ready,Iwouldliketohearit.Iwon’tpress,that’snotmystyle,butIneedtoknowwhat
I’mupagainst.”

Carlyneverintendedtotellanyoneaboutherpast.Onlyoneotherpersonknewher

secrets.Asfarasshewasconcerned,itwashercrosstobear.

ThefunnypartwasthatshetrustedTheo.Butthethoughtofopeningoldwounds

scaredher.Herbodystiffened,andshebrokeoutinacoldsweat.Thepainofthosedays
wouldneverbeforgotten.

“I’msorry,Carly.Ifyoudon’twanttotalkaboutyourpast,wedon’thaveto,butI

wouldlovetogettoknowyou.AsImentionedearlier,I’veonlyhadonegirlfriendsoI’m
notwellversedinwhat’sappropriateandwhat’snotinregardstodating.Iwanttoknow
everythingaboutyouandI’mwillingtoshareeverythingwithyou.”

“Yousharedabigpartofyourselfwithmeafewminutesago,”shejoked.

“Funny.I’minterestedinmorethanyourbody,incaseyouhaven’tfiguredthatpart

out.”Hesqueezedhertight,thehugwasbothreassuringandtelling.“I’mata
disadvantageontheinformationfront;mostofmylifeisavailableonline.SearchTheo
Montagneandmyhistorysincebirthisthereinblackandwhite.Theprivatestuff,likethe
factIlostmyvirginityatfifteen,thatkindofinformationisn’tonthere,butthosedetails
areyours.Nothingisofflimits.”

Hiswordsscaredthecrapoutofher.Shewasn’treadyforthetoughconversations.

“Forstarters,Ifeltyourinterestinsidemybody,andIammorethanwillingtofeelit
again,wheneveryou’reupforit,”shesaidwhilepinchinghisnipple.

Hepokedherribagain,andshegiggled.“Minx.”Heplacedhishandoverhers.“I’m

serious,Iwantnosecretsbetweenus.Ifwe’regoingtomakeitasacouplethenweshould
becomfortabletotalkaboutanything.”

Couple.TheoMontagnewantedtobepartofacouplewithher.Theideadidn’tsuck.

Itwastheoppositeinfact.

“Fine.Youwanttoknowaboutmypast,heregoes.”

CarlysatupandmovedovertothecouchtofaceTheo.Shepulledtheblanketover

herchest,asmuchforwarmth,asforsupport.Partofherdidn’twanttoseehisfaceand
thejudgmentthatwouldsurelyfollow,butshehadtogagehisreaction.Sheneededto
knowifhewouldchangehismind.Shewouldn’tblamehimifhedid.

Asifsensingherdesiretopullaway,Theogotupandjoinedheronthecouch.He

shiftedherlegsontohislapandrubbedherlegsovertheblanket.“Takeyourtime,I’m
listening.”

“Mydatinghistoryisn’tmuchmorethanyours.AtsixteenIthoughtI’dfalleninlove.

Ourparentswerefriends,andmydadlovedhim.Myboyfriendwasahockeyplayer
althoughnotnearlyastalentedasyou.”

“Fewpeopleare,”hesaid,earninghimaglareloadedwithcontempt.Hesmiledlike

shewasshootingraysofsunshineinhisdirection.“What?It’strue.”Hehadapoint,but
hedidn’thavetosoundsoconceited.

Sherolledhereyesandcontinued.“Wewereyoung,andslavestoourhormones.We

datedforayearbeforewehadsexandweweretogetherforanothersixmonthsafterthat.
Hewasalwayskindofselfishandcocky,butwhenyou’resixteenandinlustnothing
matters.Ihaddreamsofwalkingdowntheaislewithhimuntilthesummercameandhe
wentawaytohockeycamp.”

Carlytookadeepbreathandsquaredhershoulders.“Webrokeuptwoweeksafterhe

left.Ishowedupforasurprisevisitandcaughthimcheatingonme.Headmitteditwasn’t
justthatonetime,buttheentiretimeweweretogether.Hebraggedaboutalltheother
girlsandtoldmeIdidn’tmeasureup.Toldmeheneverlovedmeandhadbeenusingme.
Hewasadipshit,butIwasdevastated.Whenhegotbackfromcamp,hehadthenerveto
showupatmyhousetogetmeback.”

“Youdidn’tthough,right?”

Oh,howshewishedshehadn’t.“Mydadlethiminandtoldmetositdownandhear

Kevinout.Mydad,theguysupposedtobeonmysideandalwayshavemyback.Well,I
wantedtomakehimhappy,soIlistenedandweendedupbacktogether.”

Therewasthejudgmentsheexpected.Alookthatsaid:smartgirl,stupiddecision.

“That’sharsh.Guyscanbefuckinginsensitivesometimes.I’msorryhetaintedyourview
ofhockeyplayersforever.Wearen’talldipshitsasyouputit.”Hechuckled,andsodid
she.

“Iwishitwasonlyhim.KevinandIlastedamonthbeforehegotboredwithmeand

movedon.Ionlytookhimbacktomakemydadhappy,buteverytimeKevinkissedme,I
wouldcringe,picturinghimwithsomeoneelse.Eventually,Ihealedandmovedon.My
nextboyfriendwasanotherstellardecisiononmypart.DadlikedGabefromthestart.He
hunted,fishedandplayedhockey.”

“I’msensingyouhaveatypeMissSaint.”Theojoked,buthewasright.Carlyhada

specifictypeandTheohitallherbuttons.

“Guessthat’sagoodthingforyou.”Sheleanedinandpressedachastekisstohislips

beforesittingbacktofinishhertale.“Toobadforme;Gabeturnedouttobeaselfish
douche,worsethanKevinbyamile.”

“Whydidyoutwobreakup?Becauseyoumovedhere?”

Shelookedatthesoftbluearoundhiscorneas,pullingstrengthfromhim.“Wegot

pregnantafewmonthsintotherelationship.Itoldnoonebuthim.Hewantedmetoabort,
butthatdidn’tfeelright.Myparentshadtriedforyearstohavemorekidsandcouldn’t.
Theymiscarriedthreetimes.Endingthingsonpurposewasn’tanoptionforme.WhenI
toldhimthat,hecalledmeaslutandsaidthebabywasn’this.Hespreadsomenasty
rumorsaboutmearoundtown.”

“Son-of-a-bitch.”Theosoundedangryonherbehalfandthatwastouching.

“Prettymuch.Hebrokeitoffwithmeandsleptwithlikefiveothergirlsinthetwo

weeksbeforehefinallyacceptedthetruth.Itookhimback,notbecauseI’magluttonfor
punishment,butbecausehewasthefatherofmyunbornchild.WhatelsecouldIdo?I
wasseventeen,pregnantandabouttobecomeatotaldisappointmenttoeveryone.We
decidednottotellanyoneuntilweabsolutelyhadto.Iwentthroughsomedarkdaysand
Gabegotreallybusywithhockey.Whenhecamearound,hewasmeanandforceful.Iwas
soscaredtobealonethatIclungtoanyshredofattentionhegaveme.”Carly’shands
shookoverherstomach.Areflexfromlongago.

“Thesexwasrough,likeGabewaspunishingme.Welostthebabyaroundeleven

weekswhenmyuterusruptured.Thebloodstartedrightaftersexandthedoctorscouldn’t
doanything.Therelationshipendedthesamedaywhilewewereatthehospitalgettingthe
news.Gabewashappy,andIdidn’tknowwhatIwas.Fromthatpointonmyopinionof
jockshasbeenlow.”

“Yeah,Icanseewhyyouholdusinlowregard.I’msorryyouwentthroughthat.Are

youokay?”Heneverstoppedrubbingherlegsthroughoutherstory.Whatevershe
expectedtoseewasn’tthere.Hiseyeswerefullofcaringandconcern.

Heremotionswerealloverthemap.Sheneverimaginedtalkingaboutallofitwould

besopainful.Hereyesburnedasshetwistedherfingersoverherlap.“Imovedpassedit
allandtrynottothinkaboutanyofit.Thedoctorssaidtherewasscarringandpotential
lastingsideeffects.TheysaidIwillhaveahardtimeconceiving.I’llenduplikemymom,
unabletocarrytoterm.ItwasalottoprocessandI’mnotsureIhave.Thisisthefirst
timeI’veevertalkedaboutanyofit.”Herstiffupperlipcouldn’tstopthetearsfrom
fallingdownhercheeks.

TheoopenedhisarmstoCarly,andshewentwillinglyintothem.Hedidn’thaveto

providehercomfort,orbesounderstanding,butthiswasn’tanact.Theohadaheartthe
sizeofNorthAmericaandCarlywasbeingenvelopedbyit.Eventhoughshedidn’t
deservehim,shewantedhim.

“Doyouwantkidssomeday?”Sheasked.

“Notimesoon,butoneday.Why?”Heheldherclose,herheadpressedagainsthis

chest.Therhythmicsoundofhisheartbeatsoothedtheacheinhers.

“Yousaidyouwantedtoseewherethiscouldgo.Youandme.Coupleslaytheircards

onthetableandImightnothavebabies.I’mdamaged,Theo,andyoudeserveawoman
whocangiveyoueverything.”

Heliftedherchintofacehim.Theireyeslockedandhiswidened.“Youarenot

damaged.Neverthinkthatofyourself.Youaresmart,feistyandIloveyourhonesty.You
wentthroughhellwithyourexes,butyoucameoutastrongerwoman.Whoknowswhere
thefuturewilllead,butIamcertainIwanttoseeyouinmine.”

Hesaidthemostbeautifulwords.Hismotherwouldbeproud.

Forthefirsttimeinalongtime,Carlyhadhope.

“I’dlikeyouinminetoo.”Shekissedhimandthathopebloomedinsideherheart.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

arlywasgettingusedtothewayTheokissed,makinglovetohermouth.The
precisionthrustofhistongueagainsthers.Shekissedhimbackwithasmuchvigor

andstrengthasshecouldmuster.Herhandswerealwaysonhim,exploringandtracingthe
contourofhismuscles.Theresultwasherwetandwantingmore,andhimhardandraring
togo.

Oncewasn’tenough.ShedoubtedshecouldevergetenoughofTheo,butshedidn’t

wanttothinktoofarahead.Focusedonthehereandnow,shelookedtohimtoprovide
whatsheneeded.“Doyouhaveanothercondom?”Sheaskedasshestrokedtheridgesof
hischest.

Hesmiledandreachedintohiswallet.“Areyoureadyformetomakelovetoyou

again?”

Hiswordsnolongerscaredher.Everytimehesaidlove,theheavinessinherchest

becamelighter.“Yes,”shesaid,twirlingherponytailaroundherhand.

Theo’seyesromancedherbody,tellingataleofnaughty,delightfultreatsahead.

“Lastone.Webettermakeitcount.”

Andtheydid.

Theowasinsatiableandsofullofvirility.Hewasonamissiontoprovewhatlovefelt

like.Theystartedoutwithherbentoverthearmofthecouch.Heslammedintoherinone
fluidmotion.ThepositionopenedherG-spotforhimandherammedintoherhard.He
chasedherorgasmwithpowerfulthruststhatmovedthecouch.Thesqueakandscratch
againstthehardwoodsbarelyregisteredoverherloudmoaning.

Carlyhadneverdonemorethanthemissionarypositionandsheknewnowshe’d

beenmissingout.Theinstanthisfingersfoundherclitshecame.Herinternalwalls
squeezedandcontractedaroundTheo.Shecriedoutinpleasure,herfaceburiedina
cushionmufflinghisname.

Theowasn’tdonewithher,notevenclose.

Hepulledoutofher,butonlylongenoughtositonthecouchandpullherontohis

lap.Shemountedhimandthenewpositionallowedhertosavoreveryridgeandcontour
ofhiscockasheenteredher.Shelikedbeingfacetofaceandincontrolofthepace.

Theirlipsmet,andtheirtonguesdueledassherodehimhard.Withherkneeson

eithersideofhimandherarmswrappedaroundhisneck,theyconnectedinanewway.
Herclimaxcamesoonerthanshethoughtpossible.Sheclosedhereyesandletthetornado
ofblisstossheroffbalance,rippingthroughherandwreakinghavoconherheart.

“Youhavethebestcome-face,ever,”hesaid,watchingherregainherfooting.

Sheopenedhereyes,toseehimsmiling,hisbreathtakinggrinwasforher.“Yoursis

better.”

CarlyswiveledherhipsandTheogrowled.Heflippedherontoherback,causingher

togiggle.“Let’sfindout.”

Theywentateachotherlikewildanimals.Hetookheroverandoveruntilherlegs

wentlimpandtheybothcollapsedontothefloor.Theomadehercomesomanytimesshe
lostcountbeforehefilledthecondomwithhisrelease.

Shewasonthepillandevenwithherdecreasedchancesofconceivingsheknewit

wasbettertobecautious.Anotherunplannedpregnancywouldbetoomuchforher
woundedhearttohandle.Shewasn’tsureshecouldsurvivetheanguishofanotherloss.

Afterhedisposedofthecondom,hepulledherbackintohisarms.Thesolidmuscle

andstrengthmadeherfeelsafe.She’dbecomeusedtodependingonherselfandnot
seekingcomfort.Theluxuryofbeingspoonedandcomfortedwastoomuch,andyetnot
enough.

Thedaylighthaddisappeared,givingwaytonight.Theyhadspenttheentireday

foolingaround,andCarlyhadneversmiledsomuch.Hercheeksached,alongwith
anotherpartofher.“DidyouhaveagoodChristmas,Theo?”

“Bestever.Ilovedmypresent,IhopeyouknowIplantokeepit,”hesaid,running

hisfingertipsdownherarm.

“Whatwillyoudowithme?”Carlyjoked,wigglingherassagainsthisgroin.

Hegrippedherhipsandthrustbehindheronce.Hiserectionskimmedbetweenher

cheeks.“Oh,I’msurewe’llcomeupwithsomething.Butweranoutofrubbers.”Hebit
herearlobeplayfullyandmovedonehanduptocupherbreast.Hetoyedwithhernipple,
elongatingit.

“Theo!”Sheswattedhishand,butlovedthesensations.“Weshouldn’thavesex

withoutprotection.”Carlyrolledontoherbackandsatupright.Theowaslayingonhis
side,staringatherlikeshewasdaft.

“Thereareotherthingswecando.OrhaveyoualreadyforgottenhowtalentedIam

withmytongue?”Hewaggledhisbrowsandstuckouthisverytalentedtongueather.

Carlylaughed,risingtoherfeetandmakingarunforit.Sheswipedahandfulof

clothesoffthegroundandheadeddownthehall.“Youmustcatchmefirst,”sheyelled
overhershoulder.

“Youcan’trun,Carly.I’llfindyou.”Hewashotonherheels.

Herheartracedasshequickenedherstep,runninguntilshereachedtheendofthe

hall.Therewasadoortoabedroom,sheassumed.Theotheroptionwasadead-end.With
nowheretogo,sheplantedherhandaroundtheknobreadytohideinside,butnotbefore
lookingbacktoseehim.

Theostalkedtowardsher,slowlyclosingthedistance.Hisnakedbodyonfulldisplay

andshelovedit.“Youknowit’sabadideatorunfromme,right?You’llhavetobe
punished.”Hewasjokingaround,butitmadeherhotallthesame.

Carlymadeasplit-seconddecisionnottobecaughtyet.Shegrippedthehandleand

openedthedoor.“Can’tpunishme;ifyoucan’tcatchme.”

Twostepsintotheroom,Theowrappedhisarmsaroundherwaistandliftedherinto

theair.Theybothlaughed.

TheclothesinherarmsfelltothefloorasTheospunheraround,bringingherfrontto

his.Shereacheduponthetipofhertoesandkissedhim.Hertongueslippedintohis
mouthandlickedalonghisteeth.She’dbecomeaddictedtohistaste.Whentheybroke
apart,theywerebothpanting.

“I’mfallinginlovewithyou,”Theosaid.

Carlywantedtobelievehim,butitwastoofast.Insta-lovedidn’thappeninreallife.

Sheevenhadahardtimebeingconvincedwhenshereaditinoneofherbelovedromance
books.

“Theo…”Shewasn’treadytohearhimsaythosethreelittlewords,andshewaseven

fartherfromsayingthemherself.Ithadonlybeenafewhourssincesheacceptedthis
wasn’taonetimething.Theyweremorethanahookupofconvenience.

Hepressedafingertoherlips.“It’sokay.Ididn’tsayittomakeyouuncomfortableor

tohearitback.So,don’tfreakout.I’mnotprofessingmyundyingloveforyouyet,butI
getthefeelingitwon’ttakelongformetogetthere.It’sfastandunexpectedandIlike
thatwhenI’maroundyouit’slikeI’minvincible.Carly,I’mhappierthanI’vebeenin
months.”Theosmiled,andshewantedtosmileback,butsomethingcaughthereyeinthe
corneroftheroom.

Theroomwasdark,butitwasimpossibletomissthegiantlife-sizedposterofhim

plasterednexttothewindow.Anentirewallwasdedicatedtohockey.Therewerejersey’s,
cards,postersanddifferentmemorabilia.SeveralpictureswereofTheoandhishockey
team.Shescannedtheimagesandgasped.Theslightvariationsofhisarrogantsmileand
thesexyglintinhiseyesshe’dthoughtwasallhersstaredback.Theydidn’tbelongtoher;
hedidn’teither.She’dsomehowforgottenhewasahockeyheartthrobtomillionsoffans.

“You’reveryphotogenic,”shesaid,walkinguptoonepicturewherehewastopless

andhisbodyhadbeencoveredinoil.Hewaseveryteenagegirl’sfantasyman.

Theosteppednexttoher,wrappinghisarmoverhershoulder.“It’spartofthejob.”

Carlystiffened.“Doyoulikebeingadoredlikethis?”Ifshewantedtodatehimthen

she’dhavetogetusedtothis.Therewasnoif;shewantedhim,butthiswasalltoomuch.

SharingTheowiththeworldandneverhavinghimalltoherself.

Howcouldsheacceptneverbeingthepriority?

Heexhaledloudlyandturnedherinhisarmssotheywerefacingoneanother.“Not

really,butitdoesn’tsuckeither.Iloveplayinghockey.Iworkmyassofftobethebest
andwiththatcomesthisstuff.”Hewavedhishandaround,pointingatthepostersanda
calendarofhimposedwithnothingbutablanketcoveringhisprivateparts.Theodidn’t
haveabadside,andeverysmoking-hotinchwasdisplayedfortheworld.“Fadingintothe
backgrounddoesn’tsellticketstothegame.Youdon’tunderstandtheamountofworkthat
goesintoPR.We’reforeverchasingthecup.Carly,you—”

“Youhavelotsoffansandyouliketokeepthemhappy.Igetit.Posinghalf-naked

somehowtranslatesintoticketsales.”Shedidn’tlikeseeingthesepicturesandlooked
downattheirbarefeet.Thebubbleoflustbustedwideopenandoutpoppedthereminder
ofNHLdemands.Theowasn’tafreeman.Hedidn’tcalltheshotsinhisownlife.

“I’llhaveyouknoweverysingleoneofthosepictureswastakenforcharity.”He

tiltedherchin,soshewasforcedtolookintotheoceanofhiseyeswhichhelpedtocalm
herracingheart.“Alltheproceedsareusedtopayforsomeawesomework.Mybody’sin
peakphysicalcondition.Ifitsellscalendarsormagazinestopayformachinestohelpsick
kidsorprovidedisasterrelief,thenI’mhappytohelp.Ihavealotoffans,Carly.Iwon’t
denyit,butIonlygivemyattentiontothoseIwant.Youhavemyattention.”

Thewordssoothedthestingsomewhat,butCarly’sinsecuritiesweren’tsoeasily

swayed.Shedidn’tknowwhereshewouldfitintohishockeylife.Itwasn’tatrustissueas
muchasplayingsecondfiddletothebestgameontheplanet.

“You’reanamazingguy.”Shereachedontothetipsofhertoesandkissedhim.The

onlyremedyforheranxietywashislips;histongue;him.

Butwouldthatbeenough?

Hepickedherup,andshewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaist.Thekissdeepened.The

loudroarofanengineandthecrackleofsnowundertiresbrokethesilence.

Theybothheldtheirbreath,waitingtoconfirmthesound.Theengineturnedoff,and

inthenextinstant,oneandthenanotherdoorclosed.

Carlywaspanickinginside.Whattheheckweretheygoingtodo?Therewasnoplace

tohide.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

heoputherbackontheground.“Someone’shome.”

Carlyexhaled.Itwasn’theroveractiveimagination.“Shit.”Shebentdownand

searchedfortheclothingshe’ddropped.Theyneededtogetdressedandgetthehelloutof
there.“Helpmefindmypants.”

Thelackoflightandthedarkcoloredcarpethidhermissinggarmentswell.She

crawledtowardsthedoor.Shewassureshe’ddroppedthemwhenTheohadpickedherup
there.

Theycouldn’tgreettheownersdressedliketheywere.Thiswasanightmare.

“Got‘em.”Heheldupherjeansandtwirledherpantiesaroundhisfinger.

Thefrontdooropenedandthestompingofbootsmadeherholdherbreath.Her

stomachwasinherthroatandallshecouldhearwastheloudthumpingofherheart.They
weresoscrewed.

Theycouldtrytomakeitoutthebackdoor,butTheo’skeyswereinhiscoatatthe

frontdoor.Herbootsandmostoftheirclotheswereinthelivingroom.Theywouldn’tbe
abletosneakoutandsurviveoutsideforlonginthenude.Shehadtothinkofanother
option.

Sherushedoverandpulledonwhatshecouldbutshewasmissingthetophalfofher

outfitandonesock.Theohadnothing.Hestoodbeforeherbucknakedasthefootsteps
creakedthroughthehouse.

“Whatarewegoingtodo?”Carlywhispered,coveringherbreastswithherarms.

“Hello!Issomeoneinhere?Iseeyourcaroutthere.”Adeepmalevoiceyelled.

“Daddy,there’sjacketshungheretoo.I’mscared,”afemalesaid.

Carlyclosedhereyesandstartedcounting.One.Theloudthumpofheavyfootsteps

poundedagain.

Two.Oncesheopenedhereyes,thiswouldalldisappearanditwouldbejustthetwo

ofthemagain.Three.

“Now’snotthetimetocheckout.”Theograbbedafleeceblanketoffthebedand

wrappeditaroundhimself.Hepulledherintotheshelter,coveringtheirbodiesfromview.
“Weneedtogointroduceourselves.”

“Thiscan’tbehappening.”Sheclosedtheblanket,makingsurealltheimportantparts

weren’tvisible.Shecheckedthewindow;thesnowhadtapered.Ifshehadn’tbeenso
wrappedupinTheoshemighthavenoticedthestormhadpassed.

“Thelongerwewaitthemorefreakedthey’llbe.”Heclearedhisthroatandguided

themtowardsthehall.“We’recomingout,”heannouncedloudenoughsothey’dexpect
them.

Tuckedagainsthischesttheyshuffleddownthehalltowardsthelivingroom.“We

neededaplacetowaitouttheblizzard,”Carlysaid,hopingtoalerttheownersthatthey
meanttoharm.

Itwastoolate.Ashotgungreetedthemwhentheyroundedthecorner.Theowner

pointedthebarreldirectlyatthemwithhisfingerpositionedonthetrigger.Onewrong
moveandtheyweretoast.Thiswasaholidayface-offsheneversawcoming.

Thecandlelightflickeredbehindthemanandhisdaughter,providingenoughlightto

knowtheywereindeeptrouble.“Breakingandenteringisagainstthelaw.Putyourhands
upwhereIcansee‘em.”HekeptthegunaimedatCarly’schest.“Betyou’rewanted
criminalsorsomething.Didyoucomeformygirl?”

Themanworeaflannelcheckeredtoplikethefarmersbackhome.Itdidn’tmakehim

lessintimidating.Especiallyifhethoughttheyweresomehowinvolvedwiththerecent
disappearancesshe’dseenonthenews.Nowonderhewaspointingagunatthem.

Carly’shandsshookasshefollowedorders.Theblanketopenedandherbarechest

revealed.Thefleecelandedatherfeet.Luckily,Theowasstandingbehindherandthey
couldn’ttellhewascompletelynaked.

“Oh,hell!Whatwereyoutwodoinginmybaby’sroom?”Hiseyesassessedtheir

lackofclothing,andheshotthemadisgustedlook.Hisbabywasprobablythirteenor
fourteenandoldenoughtodrawherownconclusions.Carlyglancedoverhershoulder;
unsurehowtoanswer.

“Ipromisewemeannoharm.Weneededashelterfromthestorm.That’sit,”Theo

saidwithhishandsraisedabovehishead.“Ifyouletusgrabourstuffwe’llleaveright
now.”

Therewasenoughlightforhertoseetheyounggirl’seyeswiden.Carlykeptone

handintheairandcoveredherchestwiththeother.“Pleasedon’tshootus.Wearen’t
criminals.”

Thedaughtersquealedandstartedjumpingupanddown.Thehigh-pitchedshriek

hurtCarly’sears.“OMG!You’reTheoMontagne.Daddy,move.”Sheshookherfather’s
armandthegunwavedatthem.“Youaremyfavoritehockeyplayer,”shesaid,stepping
closer.

Carlycouldalmostseethesalivadrippingfromthegirl’smouthassheeyedTheo

fromtoptobottom.Thefarmerlookedevenlesspleased.“Idon’tcarewhotheyare;they
brokeintoourhome.They’redangerous,Cybil.Youneedtostayback.”

“Couldyoulowerthegun,Sir?Wejustwanttogetourclothesandgo.Weare

unarmed,andIpromiseifyoumoveasidewewillbeoutofyourhairinminutes.”

Theyweregoingtobeshot.Herstomachdidseveralflipsassheeyedtheclosestexit.

Thefarmerdidn’tlookhappy,butheloweredthegun.“Grabyoushitandgetout!”

“Thankyou,Sir.”TheothreadedhisfingerswithCarly’sfreehand,andtheymoved

togetherasoneunit.Hekepthisbacktothewallastheymovedpastthepairinthehall.

“No.Youcan’tleave.”Cybilsteppedcloserasshetooksomethingoutofherpocket.

“Nooneisgoingtobelieveme.”

TheflashwentoffonCybil’sphone.ShesnappedseveralpicturesbeforeCarlycould

react.Herfirstinstinctwastograbthephone,butthegirlwastoofarawayandstanding
nexttoamanwithagun.TheonlythingshecoulddowasprotectTheobykeepingher
bodyinfrontofhis,andhopingthegirldidn’thaveagoodangletocatchallofhim.

Theflashesfollowedthemintothelivingroom.Shetookmultiplepicturesofthemas

theyrummagedthroughthepileofdiscardedclothes.CarlyhandedTheohisunderwear
andpants.Hedressedquickly.

CybilreacheddownandgrabbedTheo’ssweater.“Youhavetoautographsomething

forme.Youguysaregoingtowinthecup.Iknowit.”Sheclungtothetoplikeitwas
madeofpuregold.

“Onlyifyoueraseallthosepictures,”hesaidpassingCarlyherbraandshirt.

“Noway!ThosearemineandI’llcherishthemforever.ThisisthebestChristmas.”

Hergleewasn’tsharedbytherestofthem.Sheturnedherbodyandsnappedacoupleof
selfieswithTheointhebackground.

Beingfamoushadsomeseriousdisadvantages.Theyfinisheddressingandshe

wantedtogetoutofthereasquicklyaspossible.“I’msosorryforintrudingonyour
holidays.CanyougiveTheohissweatersowecanleave?”Sheheldoutherhandbut
Cybildidn’tbudge.

“Cybil,givethemanhisdamnshirt.”Hehadn’tputthegundown,buthewasno

longeraimingitatthem.Hisdaughterdidn’tcomply.

Theotriedtohidehisannoyancewithacharmingsmile.“Cybil,ifyouerasethe

picturesI’lltakesomenewoneswithyouandautographwhateveryouwant.Howdoes
thatsound?”

Carlyputonhercoat,waitingfortheteenagertodotherightthing.Itnever

happened.ThegirlyammeredonabouthowgreatTheowasandhowmuchsheloved
hockey.Hetookitinstrideandtriedtowinherover.Itwouldhavebeensweetifshe
wasn’tholdingthemhostagewithincriminatingphotos.

Theycouldhavestoodthereforhoursandtherewasnowaythatkidwasgoingto

erasenakedpicturesofheridol.“Let’sgo.”CarlyhandedTheohisjacketbutitwasclear

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

heydrovetotheendofthedrivewaybeforeCarlybrokeoutlaughing.“Thatwasthe
craziestthingever.”Thegiggleswouldn’tstop.Thesituationwastooridiculous.

“Whyareyoulaughing?Thereisnothingamusingaboutwhathappened.”Theo

poundedthestirringwheelwithhisfist.

Hisreactionwasn’texpected.“Comeon.Wewerenakedandhadagunpointedatus.

Thenafangirlstoleyourclothes.It’shilarious.”Shelaughedagain,butstoppedwhen
Theostoppedthecar.

Heranhisfingersthroughhishair.“It’sadisasterandtheoppositeoffunny.Dammit,

Inevershouldhaveleftwithouttakingherphone.Weshouldgoback.”

Sheputherhandonhisthighandsqueezed.“Theonlywayyouweregoingtogetthat

phonewasoutofherdeadlittlefingers.Sheidolizesyou.Herroomwascoveredin
picturesofyouandtheteam.She’llprobablyprintthemoffandaddthemtoher
collection.What’sthebigdeal?”

Theoshookhishead.“Youdon’tgetit,butyouwill.”

“You’reoverreacting.Therewerenochargespressed.Wegotoutsafeandsound.It’s

acrazystoryweshouldbeabletolaughabout.Imean,thatcouldhaveendedsomuch
worse.”Shereachedupandgrippedhischin,tiltinghisfacetowardsher.“Theo,whydoes
thisbotheryousomuch?”

Hiseyescaughthersandshecouldseetheworrythere.“Assoonasshegetsservice

back,she’llpostthosepicturesalloverhersocialmedia.ThenitwillgoviralbecauseI
can’tsneezewithoutgettingpress.Nakedpicturesofuswillbeeverywhere.Youthought
datingahockeyplayerwasgoingtobetough;nowaddmediafrenzy.”

Howcouldshehavebeensonaïve?Ofcourse,Cybilwasoldenoughtopostthose

picturesandtellherstory.Shemightevensellthepictures.

“Balls!Thatsucksbigharryones.”

Theolaughed,andheleanedintoherhand.“Youareamazing.”Hekissedherpalm

andCarlyswooned.“Thanksformakingmelaugh,butdoyouthinkyoucanhandleit?”

Thisbigstrongmanwasafraidofwhatthiswouldmeanforher.Ifshewasn’tsure

before,shewasnow.Shelovedhim.“Youwerefightingtogetthephonebecauseyou
wereworriedaboutme?”

Hechewedhislipandtookamomenttoanswer.“Yeah,Idon’twanttoscareyouoff.

Thelimelightdoesn’tbotherme.MyrepsmightnotlikeitbutIdon’tcarewhattheythink
aboutme.Icarewhatyouthink.”

“Theo—”

“Don’trunfromme.Whateverhappens,we’llhandleittogether.”Hekissedherhand

again.

Together.Shelikedthesoundofthatandherfeetwerefirmlyplanted.“I’mnot

running.Theideaofbeingplasteredalloversometabloidswasn’tonmybucketlistbutI
thinkIcanfindawaytodealwithit.”

Hebreathedasighofrelief.“Ithoughtmaybeyou’dthinkIwasn’tworththehassle.I

toldyoubeingwithmewouldbecomplicated,butI’dhopedtoeaseyouintoit.”

“Lifeisthecomplicatedpart.Beingwithyouiseasy.”Sheleanedovertheconsole

andkissedhim.Aslongashekeptkissingherlikethisshecouldhandleanything.

“Let’sgetyouhome.”Theoputthecarbackingearandeasedonthegas.

Therewassomuchshewantedtosay.Instead,shenoddedandlookedoutthe

window.Whateverpicturessurfacedtheywouldfacethemtogetherasacouple.

Theomaneuveredthecarbackontotheroadandtheyinchedslowlytowardsthe

highway.Theroadwasimpossibletoseewiththegiantdrifts.Carlydidn’tmindthesoft
humoftheChristmascarolsontheradio.ShefoundherselfsingingalongwithTheoto
morethanone.Thelongershesattherewatchinghimdrive,thedeepershefell.Therewas
toomuchtoloveabouthim.Hisarrogancehadevengrownonher.

Sheneededtotellhimhowshefelt.He’dbeenhonestabouthisfeelingsandshe

wantedtodothesame.Sheopenedhermouthtospeakbutthecarstoppedmoving.She
lookedoverandTheo’sbrowsknittedtogether.Thatwasnotagoodsign.“What’s
wrong?”

Thetiresspun,butthecarrefusedtomakeprogress.Carlycouldseethehighway

turn-offahead,buttherewerenohousesnearby.Theyhadn’tseenanothervehicleyet.“I
thinkwe’restuck,”hesaidashetriedtorockthecaroffthesnowdrift.

Hepushedhisdooropenandsnowtumbledinside.Thecarwasburiedinamountain

ofsnow.Theyforgottograbashovelforamomentlikethis,andthehousewasnowmiles
away.“I’lltrytopush,”shesaid,gettingoutandsinkingintothewhitestuff.“Shit.”She
trudgedherwaytothebackofthecar.Therewasnowaytheyweregettingitout.Pushing
withallhermightdidn’thelpthemmoveaninch.Ifanything,itdugthemindeeper.

“Switch!”Theojoinedher.“YoudriveandI’llpush.”

“Allright,butIdon’tthinkevenyourbrutestrengthcangetusoutofhisjam.”They

exchangedpositions,buttheresultswerethesame.

Afterseveralwastedminutes,theyhuddledintothecartowarmup.Theoblewonhis

handstowarmthem.“I’msorry.Icouldn’tseethisdrift.It—”

Carlyreachedoverandsqueezedhishand.“Totallynotyourfault.Idon’tblameyou.

Youbroughtustothehighway;maybewe’llbeabletoflagsomeonedown.”

Thesuggestiontheywalkwasn’tmetwithglowingreviewsbyTheo.Hearguedthey

weresafertowait.Hisplanwaswarmer,butshewantedtoatleasttry.Itwasafter
midnight,andthelikelihoodofsomeoneturningoffthehighwayontotheremotecountry
roadwasn’tgreat.

Logicwon.Reluctantly,Theoagreed,andtheyambledtogethertothemainhighway.

Hekepthertuckedagainsthimastheyclimbeddriftshigherthanherhead.Shewas
windedbythetimetheyreachedtheroad.

“Thinkanyonewillcomeby?”Theo’snosewasred,andhesniffled.

Carlywaschilledtotheboneandregrettedherdecisiontogethelp.Herteeth

chattered.“Theybetter.Soonpeoplewillleavethepartiesandgohome.Christmasis
over.”Asshefinishedthesentenceheadlightsappearedinthedistance.“Look!”

“Sweet.”Theobrushedafrozenkissagainstherlips.“We’llbesafeandwarminno

time.”

Visibilityhadimproveddramaticallyfromthedaybefore,butitwashardtogaugethe

distanceinthedark.Neitherofthemhadwornanythingreflectiveorbrighttosignaltheir
presencetothedriver.Theywavedtheirhandsintheair,tryingtoalertthemthatthey
neededhelp.BasedonthepositionofthelightsCarlyguesseditwasacar.Thedriverkept
changinglanes,swervingalloverthehighway.

Theostoodclosertotheroadasthecarneared.Carlydidn’thaveagoodfeeling.

Insteadofslowingdown,itsoundedasifthecarrevveditsengine,pickingupspeed.
Peopleoftensaythere’samomentofclaritybeforedisasterstrikes.AllCarlysawwastwo
brightlightsturnandpointdirectlyatthem.Inthatsecond,heronlythoughtwasofTheo
andhissafety.Shegrippedhisjacketandyankedwithallhermight.Hestumbled
backwardsbehindhertowardstheditch.Thensheheardaloudscreechingofbreakasthe
lightsblindedher.Painspreadacrosshersideanditfeltlikeshewasflying.

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

arlywantedtoopenhereyesbutthemostalluringdreamlingeredintheforefrontof
hermind.Shepicturedthefamoushockeyplayer’sfacewithprecisiondetail.Dark

blueeyes,framedbylongthicklashes;strongjaw,dustedwithstubble;andthemost
sensualfulllipsperfectforkissing.Shecouldalmostfeelhiskiss.Herlipstingledatthe
fadingmemory.

Sheexpectedtoopenhereyesandbeinthedarknessofherdormroom,insteadshe

wasgreetedbybrightoverheadlights.Thelastremnantsofsleepdisappeared,andshe
blinkeduntilhereyesadjustedtothebrightness.Theyburnedwhileherlidsfoughtto
remainclosed.

“You’reawake.”Carlyrecognizedthesoftmelodictoneofhermother’svoice.The

shortwomanrushedtoCarly’ssideandgrippedherhandhard.“Areyouokay?Letmeget
thedoctor.Stan,gofetchthedoctor.”

Carlywasconfusedwhysheneededtoseeadoctor.Shefeltfine.Herparentshad

alwaysbeentheover-protectivetype.Oneofthesideeffectsfrombeinganonlychild.

“I’mfine,Mom.”Shetriedtositup,buthermotherpushedherbackintothebedwith

afirmhandtotheshoulder.Carlylookedathermomandnoticedthered,puffyeyes,and
runnynose.Astrongindicationshe’dbeencrying.

“Youaremostcertainlynotfine.Youalmostdied.”Hermothersobbedanddropped

herheadontoCarly’schest.“Idon’tknowwhat…IwoulddoifIlostyoutoo.”

Everythinginhermindspedbyinablurofinformation,slightlyoutofreach.Shefelt

dizzy.Sheranherfingersthroughhermother’ssilverhair,reassuringhershewasokay.
Butshewasn’tokay,becauseshewaslyinginahospitalbed.

“Whathappened?”Thewordscameoutslightlyslurred.Shewastired,keepingher

eyesopenwasadifficulttasktoaccomplish.

“Youdon’tremember?”Afamiliar,deepmasculinevoicesaidfromsomewhereinthe

room.

Carlysoughtthesoundandfeasteduponthemanofherdreams.TheoMontagnewas

sittinginachair,lookingeverybitassexyashedidontelevision.Onlyhebecamefuzzy
andtheroombehindhimspun.

“Theroomismovingtoofast.”Carlycouldn’tconcentrate.Sheclosedhereyesto

keepfromgettingsick,onlyitdidn’thelp.Herstomachwasreadytorevoltatany
moment.

“MissSaint,I’mDoctorPatel.Youwerestruckbyacarandadmittedforahead

injuryandsomeminorlacerations.”

Sheopenedhereyesandattemptedtozeroinonthedoctorbutfailed.“What?”Her

handsmovedoverthebandagesonherhead.

“You’reluckytherewerenomajorinjuriesfromtheimpactotherthansomebumps

andbruises.Thesnowmusthavesoftenedyourlandingbutyouwereknocked
unconscious.Wesedatedyouwhileweassessed,cleanedandstitchedthecutsonyour
scalp.Youmayfeelgroggyforanothermomentortwo,butitwillpass.You’vebeenout
forseveralhours.Howdoyoufeel?”

Thedoctorspokequickly.Itmadeherheadhurt.Thelongertheyspokethemorethe

painsetin.Herentirebodyached.

“IfeellikeIwashitbyacar.Everythinghurts.Whattimeisit?”Shetriedtositup

againbutwincedinagony.Theoroundedthebedandrubbedherback.Hisfingers
caressedhercheek.Thegesturewassweet,butshedidn’twanthimtoseeherlikethis.
Vulnerableandweak.

“It’searlyevening.Doyourememberanything?”Theoasked.

Carlyhadbeenunconsciousforanentireday,butsherecalledeverymomentofher

timewithTheo.Thepastfewdayshadbeenthebestofherlife.Untilanidiotrammed
intoheronthesideofthehighway.“Itwilltakemorethanbeingrunoverbyacarto
forgetyou.”

Ashiverofuneaseraceddownherspinewhenshethoughtabouthowshealmostlost

him.Sheeyedhimfromtoptobottom,checkingforanywounds.Helookedperfect.

Thedoctorgaveherareassuringsmile.“Wewillhavetokeepyouovernightto

monitoryourconcussion.Weshouldbeabletoreleaseyouinthemorning.Thescan
revealednobrokenbones,butyou’llhavesomediscomfort.”Heclearedhisthroatbefore
continuing.“Doyouhaveanyquestions?”

Thequestionsshehadweren’tforthedoctor.“Areyousurewecan’ttakeherhome

tonight?”Carly’sfatherpattedherfoot,andsheburstintotearsatthesightofhim.He
worehisfavoriteNHLteamhat,whichalsohappenedtobeTheo’steam.Hiswarmsmile
broughtbacksomanymemories.

“It’sstandardprotocolI’mafraid.Firstthingtomorrowmorningisthebestwecan

do.”

Shedidnotunderstandhowherparentsarrived,butshewasthankful.Herdadcame

tohersideandtookthehandshewasusingtohidehertears.“Hush,girl,everythingwill

beokay.”Shedrewstrengthfromtheirsupport.

Thedoctormadehisexit,drawingthecurtainclosedwhilethetearsfell.Hermother

criedrightalongwithher.Evenherdadlookedonthevergeoflettingthewaterworksfly.
Hewastheruggedoutdoorsmanwhorarelyshowedemotion.Sheneverdoubtedhislove,
becausehesaidthewordsoften,buthewasn’tasentimentalguy.

Nothinglikeaneardeathexperiencetobringafamilytogether.“I’msosorryIdidn’t

takeanearlierflight.”Thismesswasavoidable.“Iwantedustobetogetherforthe
holidays,butnotlikethis.”Herjokemadethemalllaugh.

“We’retogethernow,”hermothersaid,pattingherleg.

CarlyreachedoutandtookTheo’shand.“Thankyou.Howdidyoupullthisoff?How

didyougetthemhere?”

“Itwasnothing.Theyneededtobehere.Youneedyourfamily.”Hismodestymade

herheartswell.Hekissedherknuckles.

She’dbeenfallingforhimfromthemomentshemethim,buthiskindnesssealedthe

deal.ShelovedTheoforwhohewasontheinside,notthehockeyortheperfectsmile.
Therewasnosuchthingasperfect,butTheocamedarnclose.

“Yes,wecan’tthankyouenough,Mr.Montagne.Noparenteverwantstogetacall

thatherbaby’sbeeninanaccident,andit’sworsewhenshe’sthousandsofmilesaway.
Butyougotushere.You’reamiracleworker,”hermothersaid,asshewalkedoverto
Theo.Shepulledhimintoherarmsandhuggedhimtight.

Theoshuffledhisfeetuncomfortably,buthuggedherback.“Nothanksareneededas

Itoldyoubefore,butyou’remostwelcome.IsupposeIshouldleaveyouall.”Heturned
tofaceCarlyandhisforeheadcreasedlikehehadsomethingimportanttosay.Buthesaid
nothing.

“Pleasedon’tgo.”Shesmiled,andhereturnedthegesture.“MomandDad,doyou

mindgivingusamomentalone?”

“Ofcourse,darling.”Hermotherkissedhercheekandtookherdad’shand,lacing

theirfingerstogether.Overtwenty-fiveyearsofmarriageandtheywerestillheadover
heelsinlove.ItmadeCarlyhopefulforafuturelikethatsomeday.Maybeshehada
chanceathappilyeveraftertoo.

“MerryChristmas,sweet-pea.”Herfatherleaneddownandkissedherforehead.

She’dalwaysbeendaddy’slittlegirlandnothingwouldeverchangethat.“Youmakeyour
motherandIsoproud.Everydaywethankourluckystarstohaveyou,Carly.”

Shehuggedherdadwithallhermight,whichatthemomentwasn’tmuch.“Ilove

youtoo,Daddy.”

Oncethedoorclosed,shepattedthebedbesideher.

“Yousavedmylife.”Theocrawledintothebednexttoherandpulledherintohis

arms.Hewascarefulnottosqueezehertoohard.“WhenIfoundyouknocked-outina
snowbank,IthoughtImightloseyou.Therewassomuchbloodandyouweren’ttalking
tome.I’mnotafraidtoadmitI’veneverbeensoscaredinmyentirelife.”

“Iwasterrifiedwhenthecarswervedtowardsus.Butyoucan’taffordtobeinjured.”

Shemayhavepushedhimoutofthewayandsavedhim,buthe’dsavedherinsomany
ways.

Shewrappedherarmsaroundhim,readytoneverletgo.“Howdidwegethere?”

“Thecarthathityouendedupskiddingofftheroadbutstayedoutoftheditch.The

stupidjerkhadbeentextingwhiledriving.Icarriedyoutohiscarandmadehimdriveus
tothenearesthospital.Ifhewasn’tsosorryforhisactionsImighthavekilledhimwith
mybarehands.Youalmostdied.”

Shesqueezedhimharder.“ButIdidn’t.”

“Wegotlucky.Afteryouwereadmitted,IhadmyPAlocateyourfamilyandflythem

here.We’vebeenwaitingawhileforyoutocomearound.It’sbeenalongday,”hesaid,
stiflingayawn.

“That’scrazy.Areyouokay?Didthecarhityoutoo?Haveyoubeenherethewhole

time?”Shewantedtoknoweverythingthathappened.

Theopressedakisstothetopofherhead.“Hellyeah,I’vebeenheretheentiretime.I

wasn’tleavingyou,Carly.Nothinghappenedtomethankfully.Otherthansomebruises
frombeingthrownintotheditch;I’mfine.Howareyou?”

“Idon’tknow.I’mstillprocessingthis,butI’msohappytobealiveandtohaveyou.

Whyareyoustillhere?NotthatI’mnothappyyou’rehere;Iam.It’sjust…Ithoughtyou
hadhockeyeverydayforthenextlittlewhile.”

Theonodded.“Icouldn’tleaveyou.IcalledmypeopleandI’llmakeitwork.Your

healthandsafetyisallthatmatters.”

Hepickedheroverhockey.Shesmiledsobigtheroomcouldn’tcontainit.Theyheld

eachotherforafewminutes,enjoyingthecloseness.Carlywasafraidtoletgo.

“Whathappensnext,Theo?Imean,betweenus.”Herheartrateincreasedwithher

nerves.Itwasembarrassingsincethemonitorbeeped,givinghersecretsaway.

Heliftedherchinandkissedherlips.Afeatherlightkiss;bothpromisingandtender.

“Carly,Itoldyou,I’mfallinginlovewithyou.Whatdoyouwanttoseeinyourfuture?”

“You.”Onewordthatheldsomuchpotential.

“I’mgladyousaidthatbecauseIloveyou.I’myours,todayandtomorrow,there’sno

expirationdateonmylove.”

Carlylaughedathowcornyherboyfriendwas.Herboyfriend.

“I’vefallentoo.Iloveyou,Theo.Doesthismakemeyourgirlfriend?”Shelikedthe

soundofitrollingoffhertongue,andshehopedhelikedittoo.

Hesmiled;thepanty-meltingsmilethatstoleherheart.“Itsuredoes,andforthe

record,IplantokeepmyChristmaspresentforever.”

“I’myours.”Sheleanedintokisshimbutsomethingvibratedagainstherleg.Theo

reachedbetweenthemandcheckedhisphone.Hisbrowsknittedtogether.Whateverhe’d
readwasn’tgoodnews.“Iseverythingokay?”

EPILOGUE

fterTheoleft,Carlywasn’tsurewhattomakeofeverythingthathadhappened.Part
ofherwaselatedtohavehiminhercorner,butshewasnervous.Hewaseverything

shewantedinaman,andeverythingshehated.

“Theoseemslikeareallyniceyoungman.Itwasverygenerousofhimtogetusa

hotelsoclosetothehospital,”hermothersaid,takingaseatintheuncomfortablemetal
chairnexttoher.Theywaitedforthedoctortosignherreleasepapers.

Hermother’swordsweren’tenough.Nicedidn’tfitTheo.Hewassomuchmorethan

that.Herloveforhimwasallsonew,butitfeltright.“Theo’sawonderfulman,Mom.I’m
damnluckyhecamealongwhenhedid.”

Thatmuchsheknewforsure.IfTheohadn’tcomeoutofthedinerwhenhedid,she’d

haveendedupinaworseway.Thosemencouldhavedoneanythingtoher.Thenhesaved
herlifebybringhertothehospital.Hesavedherfromyearsofloneliness.Sheswallowed
andclosedhereyes.

Hermothertookherhandandsqueezed.“YourfatherandIcouldn’tthankhim

enough.Butyounevershouldhavebeeninthatsituation.Nottomentionallthosepictures
ofyoutwoonline.Goodnessgracious;thiscityisfullofhorriblepeople.Won’tyoucome
home?”

Carlyrolledhereyesathermother’splea.ThemomentTheoleft,theyhadpounced

onhertoreturnbacktotheirsmalltown.Wherethingsweresafer.Wherepeopledidn’t
spreadgossip.Shedisagreed.Badthingshappenedeverywhere,andshelovedhernew
city,herschoolandTheo.

“Ibelonghere.AndIthinkIlookedprettygoodinmostoftheshots.”Hersmilewas

metwithasterneyebrowlift.Thekindonlyamothercandeliver.

ThepictureshadindeedgoneviraljustasTheopredicted.Except,shedidn’tcare.He

wentoutofhiswaytogethisteamonit,tryingtostopsitesfromsharingandposting.But
oncethingsareonlineandoutintheworldthedamageisdone.Carlyjokedaboutitbeing

theircomingoutannouncement.Theowasofficiallyoffthemarketandnowtheentire
worldknewit.Shecouldn’tbeupsetaboutthat.

Shealsodidn’thatethatTheostayedatthehospitalwithherallday,missinghis

practice.Hernewboyfriendhadrefusedtoleaveherside.Theytalkedforhours.He
wouldhavespentthenight,buthehadaplanetocatch.Sayinggoodbyehadbeenmuch
harderthansheexpected.Inashortamountoftime,TheoMontagne,hadwormedhisway
intoherheart.

Herfathersteppednexttoher,holdingpapersinhishand.“Wearegoodtogo.I’d

preferitifyoucametothehotelwithus.Atleastfortonight.”

“Please,Carly,”hermotherbegged.Theydidn’twanttoleaveheralone,and

truthfully,shewashappytobenearthem.Shemightnothavewantedtogobackhome
withthem,butshehadmissedthemterribly.FamilymeanteverythingtoCarly.

Theconcussionwasmild,butherheadstillhurtlikecrazy.Bruisescoveredmostof

therightside.Thesilverliningwasthatshewasaliveandwouldlivetoseeanother
sunrise.“Soundsgood.Let’sgetoutofhere.”

“AreyouCarlySaint?”Ayoungnursewearingpinkscrubsranuptoher.Carly

noddedassherosetoherfeetwithalittlehelpfromherdad.“Thispackagecameforyou.
Haveagreatday,”shesaid,handingherawhiteplasticcourierbag,beforetakingoff
downthehall.

CarlyrippeditopenandfoundthreeticketstoTheo’snexthockeygame.Theaway

gamethatwastakinghimawayforthenextfewdays.Behindthose,werethreereturn
planeticketsandaboxofchocolates.Shehuggedthecontentsagainstherchest.His
generosityblewheraway,butitwastoomuch.

“What’sinside?”Herfatherleanedoverhershoulder.

Shecouldn’tcontainherdelight.“Ticketstotomorrow’sNHLgameforallthreeof

us.InNewYork!”She’dbeseeingTheosoonerthanexpected.

Herparentsweretakenabackbyhiskindnessandtheyspenttheshortcabridetothe

hoteldiscussingtheupcominggameandTheo’shockeyprowess.Themanhadmany
talentsandCarlywaseagertoexplorethemall.

Whentheygottothehotel,herparentschangedintotheirbathingsuitsandheaded

downtothehottubforsomerelaxationtime.Carlyfiguredtheywereleavingtogiveher
sometimetorest,butshewastooexcitedtosleep.

Themomentthedoorclosedbehindthem,shepickedupherphoneandcalledTheo.

Hisclean-shavenfaceappearedonherscreen.Helookedhandsomeasalways,butshe
missedthescruff.“Youareamazing!”

Hechuckledathergreeting.Hisbrownhaircoveredhislefteyeinadisheveledyet

sexyway.“YougotmygiftItakeit,oramIamazingforanotherreason.”Hewaggledhis
thickbrows.

Oh,thereweremanyreasons,butshedidn’tneedtoinflatehisego.“Ilovemy

present,andmyfolksareexcitedtocatchthegametoo.Theycan’tstoptalkingabout

playoffsandhowthisisgoingtobetheyear.Butyoudidn’thavetodothis.Imeanit’s
waytoomuch.Oncetheycomebackfromthepool,we’lllookintohotels.Ibet—”

“Don’t.It’salltakencareof.Myassistantlookedaftereverything;acarwilltakeyou

totheairportfirstthingtomorrowmorningandanotherwilltakeyoutomyhotel.Ilike
thatyourfolkshaveconfidenceintheteam.Playoffsarestillmonthsawaybutifwekeep
playinggoodwe’vegotashot.Iknowit’salittlemuch,butIcouldn’twaittillNewYear’s
Evetoseeyouagain.Pleasedon’tthinkofthisasabigdeal.Thisismywayofgettingto
knowmyfuturein-lawsandspendingtimewithmygirl.Howareyoufeeling?”

Hewassodamnthoughtful.Andhesaidin-laws?

Carlycouldn’twaittobewithhimagaintoo.“Ifeellikekissingyou.That’showI

feel.”

Theolaughedagain.Thesoundtickledherinsides.Then,hecoveredhisscreenasshe

overheardhim,excusinghimselffromthosearoundhim.Aminutelater,thingsgotquiet
andhishandsomefacereappeared.“Sorryaboutthat.I’mattherink,waitingtoseeoneof
thetrainers.Therewastoomuchnoisetohearyouproperly,butI’malonenow.Canyou
tellmeagainhowyoufeel?”Hisvoicetookonthatdeeptimbershelovedandhisblue
eyessparkledwithdesire.

“Youheardme.Iwanttobekissingyourightnow.Imissyou.Isthatstrange?”She

chewedherlip,waitingforhisresponse.

“Areyoualone,Carly?”

ShetiltedherphonetoshowTheohersurroundings.Thebeigewallsandbrown

bedspreadweren’tfancy,butthehotelwascleanandhadallthemodernamenitiesyou’d
expect.“Yes,I’minmyparent’shotelroom,lyingonthebed.”Sherolledontoherside.

Hegrowledandherinsidesquivered.“IwishIwasinthatbedwithyou.Ifyou

haven’talready,putthephonedowncauseyou’regoingtouseyourhandsforme.”

Shelikedwherehewasgoingwiththis.“Okay.”Hervoicesoundedbreathlessasshe

proppedthephoneonthepillow.

“Takeyourclothesoff.Iwanttoseeyourgorgeousnakedbody.Areyouwet,Carly?”

Hisvoicealonemadeherpantiesdamp.

“Yes.Whereareyou?”Sherantothedoorandusedthechaintolockitincaseher

parentscametocheckonher.ThenshemadesureTheogotagoodviewofhertakingoff
hertopandbra.Herakedhisteethoverhislowerlip,andoverthesmallscarsheloved.
Sosexy.

Carlyremovedtherestofherclothesandlayfacinghimonthebed.Shedrapedher

armoverherside,tryingtocoverthebruises.Whenshelookedintohiseyes,sheobserved
nothingbutpassionandlove.Shemovedherarmandlethimseeallofher.Shehad
nothingtohide.

Hemovedtheangleofhisphonesoshesawmorethanhisface.Theowasinaprivate

bathroomstallandhisjeanswereopen.Shewatchedhimreachinsideandpullouthis
thick,longcock.Itwashard.“Ifyouwerehere,I’dhaveyouonyourkneessuckingthis

rightnow.”Hestrokedhislengthashespoke.“Instead,I’llusemyhandandwatchyou
useyours.You’resodamnbeautiful.Pickupyourphoneandshowmehowwetyour
pussyis.”

Carlywouldhavelikednothingmorethantobewithhim,pleasinghim.So,shedid

asheaskedandmovedthephonebetweenheropenlegs,givinghimaperfectshotofher
arousal.Hedidthattoher.Shewatchedhiseyeswiden,anditturnedheronevenmore.

“Youaresodamnhot.IwishIwastouchingyourightnowandlickingthatmoisture

fromthetipofyourcock.Whatelsedoyouwantmetodo?”Shewaspantingalready,and
she’dbarelydoneanything.

Hesmiled.Adevilishgrinthatmadeherlegsquiver.“Youlikemycock.Don’tyou,

Carly?”Hishandmovedfasterasshenodded.“Good.Useonehandtopinchyourpretty
pinknipple.IfIwerethere,itwouldbeinmymouthalready.Thenuseyourotherhandto
makeyourselfcome.Diptwoorthreefingersinsidethattightlittlesliceofheaven.”

Carlyfollowedordersandmoanedwhenshefeltherarousal,coatingherfingers.

“That’sperfectandIcanhearthesuctionofyourpussybeggingformore.Pumpthose

fingerstothesamespeedasmyhandanduseyourthumbagainstyourclit.Myballsare
tightening,rememberinghowgooditfeelstobeinsideyou.”

Thefastersheworkedherbody,theclosershecametothebrinkofecstasy.Carly

rememberedhowgreatitfelttobefilledbyhimtoo.“Iloveyou,Theo,”shesaid.Those
words,andthesightofhimnearinghisreleasethrustherintoanorgasmicstateof
happiness.

Theyspentthenextfifteenminutestalkingaboutthemostdeliciouslynaughtythings.

Hemadeherblushinplacesshehadn’tdreamedcouldturnred.Andbestofall,hemade
hercomeagainbeforeheshothisloadalloverhishand.

Shedidn’twanttolethimgo,buthehadpeopletoseeandhockeytoplay.

“I’llseeyoutomorrow,sweetheart.Iloveyou.”TheohungupandCarlycountedthe

hoursuntiltheywouldbetogetheragain.

Phonesexwasnewtoher,butshehadafeelingtheywouldhavemanymore

momentslikethatinthefuture.TheowouldbebusytryingtowintheStanleyCupbutshe
knewhe’dmaketimeforher.Histeamneededhimbutsodidshe.

Itwasfunnytothinkabouthavingafuturewithahockey-superstarbecauseCarlyhad

beenadamantaboutstayingawayfrommenwhoplayedthesport.Butaswithmostthings
inlife,shecouldadapt.Carlywasasmartgirl;toointelligenttoletthebestmanwalkout
ofherlife.Theowasakeeper,andsheintendedonmakingtheirrelationshipwork.

Lovingahockeyplayerwouldhaveitsshareofdrawbacks,butastrongwomanlike

Carlycouldhandleanysituation.Inhockey,there’snosuchthingasaperfectseason.
Whenshelookedintothefuture,shecouldseeherhappilyeverafter,anditwasdamn
closetoperfect.

AUTHORNOTE

ThankyouforreadingHolidayFace-off.Ihadablastwritingit,andIhopeyouhadfun
readingit.

Ifyoudidn’tgetenoughofTheoandCarlythenheadovertomywebsiteandcheckout
thebonuscontentareawhereyoucanclaimyourextendedepilogue.It’sexclusively
availabletomembersofmymailinglist.Subscribeandgetaccesstoallthebonuscontent.

Iwouldbehonoredandgratefulifyouchosetoleaveareview.Ireadallmyreviewsand
enjoygettingfeedbackaboutmywriting.Ifyouwantmorehockeystoriesthenplease
leaveareview,andletmeknowyoulovetheseriesandcan’twaitformore.

BookTwo,PokeCheckingiscomingoutsoon.FollowmeonamazonandFacebookso
youdon’tmissout.Curiouswhatkindofwomancancapturetheteamcaptainsheart?
Whatifit’stheonegirlhecan’thave?

FlipthepagetofindoutmoreinthePuckBattleSeriesBookTwo—PokeChecking.

SNEAKPEEK

POKECHECKING

PuckBattleSeriesBookTwo

PokeCheckingisaNewAdultSportsRomanceandisintendedforamatureaudience.A
changeofunderwearmayberequiredastheteamcontinuestheirpursuitoftheStanley
Cup.

Lovingahockeyplayerisagainsttherules.Butsomerulesweremeanttobebroken.

Carolinewasusedtogettingherwayandtakingallkindsofrisks.Whenshetoldher
fatherthatshewantedtoquitUniversitytobecomeamusician,hesupportedherand
landedherbandagigonNewYear’sEve.Hisonlyconditionwasthatshecouldn’tdatea
hockeyplayer.

Easy.

Exceptonefoolishgameturnedherworldupside-down.

Oneperfectlysinfulnightcausedhertobreakalltherules.

Nicolaswasn’tjustanyhockeyplayer;hewastheteamcaptain.Aleaderontheiceand
betweenthesheets.Shecouldn’twalkaway.

Theirsecretrelationshiphadthepowertoruinmorethantwolives.Herdecisionshadthe
powertodestroyherheartandanentireteam.Butdamn,hewasworththerisk.

EachbookinthePuckBattleseriesfeaturesadifferentcoupleandcanbereadasa
standalone.HEAguaranteed.

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

KristenEchoisaloverofromancestories.Shewritespassionatelovestoriesthatareboth
sexyanddirty.Herbookswillmakeyoufeelmorethanalittlenaughtyinalltheright
places.

ShelivesinManitoba,Canadawhereshespendsanyfreetimewithhertwolovelylittle
girlsandtheloveofherlife.Whenshe’snotwriting,youcanfindhercontemplatinglife’s
mysterieswithherhandswrappedaroundacupofcoffee,orwithhernosestuckina
sizzlinghotromance.

ThePuckBattleSeriesisasportsromanceseriesandasmentioned,she’saCanadian,so
ofcoursesheloveshockey.TheWinnipegJetsareherhometeamandwillforeverholda
specialplaceinherheart.Buthertrueloveisfootball.Sorry,CanadianFootballLeague—
she’sadiehardNFLfan.Blueandorangearehercolors.

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Getthelatestnews,firstlookatteasers,andgiveawaysjustforsubscribing.

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Email:kristenecho@echoromance.com

OTHERBOOKSBYKRISTENECHO:

Standalonebook:

DeceptivePeople–ARomanticSuspenseStory

PuckBattleSeries:

PlayerSubstitution-PuckBattleSeriesIntroductionNovella

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ThankstoallthenewfriendsI’vemadeduringmyforayintopublishing,especiallythe
folksintheonlinewritergroupsI’vejoined.Thewritingcommunityisfullofamazing
peoplewhoarewillingtosharetheirknowledgewiththeminnowslikeme.Thishockey
seriescontinuesbecauseofallthehelpandadviceI’vereceivedalongtheway.

Aspecialthankyoutomystreetteamforyourfabulousfeedbackandforbeinginmy
corner.Eryn,Cynthia,Linda,andLaurette,yourwordsmeanmorethanIcanexpressand
Iamtrulygrateful.

Iabsolutelylovemybookcoversandtheywouldn’tbesobrilliantwithoutRebeca’s
talent.Shesawmyvisionandmadeithappen.Rebecacovers,youareamazing!

ThisbooktookacompletelydifferentdirectionthankstoMichaelPilgrim.Thankyoufor
givingmethehardtruth.Ivaluedyourfeedbackandfeellikethisbookisstrongerand
hotterthankstoyourfeedback.

Asalways,mythankstomyfamilyfortheirenduringsupport.Iloveyouwithallmy
heart,forevermore.

BigHugs

Happyreadingtoall!