Four. Nick
Four
Nick
“I go to as many hockey games as I can. I am absolutely obsessed,” the brunette with the just-next-door-to-squeaky voice said, putting her hand on his arm.
Nick pulled his hand away and picked up his glass. It was empty. Setting it down, he scanned the crowd while the woman who’d cornered him told him his stats. He hated when people just listed information about him like it would impress him. Fans, he loved. He wanted to talk to people who loved the game. That was awesome. This was different. This wasn’t how anyone had a conversation.
“Am I right?” She laughed.
He’d missed the last thing she said so he tried to smile wider and just nodded. She’d stepped closer without him realizing it. The reception was in full swing, and Nick had just about reached his limit with socializing. People, including the bride and groom, danced and chatted. The room was filled to vibrating with a happy, wistful energy. Twinkle lights and organza hung from every available surface, transforming the room into a fairyland. His sister’s wedding had been gorgeous. Nick was so happy when she’d agreed to let him pay for the wedding of her dreams. She could be funny about him sharing his money, but he’d made sure to tell her that if the situation were reversed, he’d make her buy him several high-priced items. She’d laughed, which was one of his favorite sounds to hear. But this wedding? It was next level.
The woman tapped his arm with the tip of her nail.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear you,” Nick said, looking down and refocusing. She was pretty. Probably a very nice woman.
She laughed again, tipping her head back before looking at him again. “Maybe we should go somewhere quieter.”
Nick’s spine stiffened. “I’m just here for Hailey and Wes.” Even if he was interested in getting to know someone better, his brain refused to allow room for anyone other than one gorgeous, raven-haired, sarcastic photographer. He hadn’t seen her in a bit. He’d caught glimpses of her flitting around, chatting and laughing, like a magical, wingless fairy. Not that he’d been actively looking. Just scanning the crowd. He did it again, hoping she hadn’t left.
Even as he thought it, his gaze caught on Maisie, who was shaking her head no to a man giving her a “come here” gesture with his hand.
She put her hand on his arm. “Well, sure. Me, too. But maybe we could—”
Nick didn’t want to be rude but he shook his head, removed his arm. He couldn’t help that his smile was likely tight and not all that friendly, but he worked to keep his tone even.
“I’m really sorry to cut you off but I need to talk to my friend. Have a great night.”
Her lips settled into a flat line but the shrug told him she’d be okay. “Oh. Yes. Okay, thanks.”
He left, heading straight for Maisie. Weaving through the crowd was like a dance all on its own. When he reached the edge of the dance floor, the tall guy in his boring black suit looked like he was trying to convince Maisie to dance. He wasn’t sure why the thought of her dancing with someone else, anyone else, grated on his nerves.
“One more dance. Come on, we were so good together. Let’s have some fun.”
Nick rolled his eyes. The guy clapped his hands together in a prayer pose and Nick had to fight the urge to knock him sideways. What the hell? He wasn’t a fighter. He was aggressive on the ice. Full stop. He should keep walking. Run in the other direction. But Maisie had some sort of magnetic pull he couldn’t resist. The surprising part was, he didn’t want to.
“No thanks,” Maisie said, inching backward.
“You don’t mean that,” the guy said.
Nick stepped into the guy’s line of sight. “Pretty sure she wouldn’t have said no if she didn’t mean it, pal.”
The guy started to protest but then his mouth dropped open and Nick saw the recognition in his gaze. He nodded, eyes wide. “Right. Yeah. Okay. Of course. Have a nice night.”
Maisie tipped her head back. Nick wanted to run his index finger down the sexy column of her neck, starting at her chin and ending in her cleavage. He couldn’t remember a woman ever having such an instant visceral effect on him.
Maisie shook her head. “You cast some sort of spell on people.”
Not you. He held out a hand, surprised at the nerves churning in his gut. “Want to dance?”
She frowned, shaking her head. “You don’t actually have to dance with me. I appreciate the assist. I wouldn’t have picked you out as a knight in shining armor.”
Nick gave a gruff laugh of his own. “No one would. And I actually want to dance with you. I wouldn’t make it on Dancing with the Stars , but I won’t step on your feet.”
She gave him a wry smile, slipped her hand into his, and let him lead her onto the crowded dance floor.
His breath caught when she turned in to him and let him hold her close. She fit against him like she was made for that purpose. That thought had never crossed his mind.
About anyone.
The music was slow and sultry and Nick’s body buzzed with awareness. “Are you having fun?”
She nodded, staring up at him. “It’s a great party. I’m happy for them. But I think I’m going to call it a night once they head out.”
“Hot date?”
She tipped her head back and laughed. The sound was better than any song they could play. “Yeah, sure. Something like that.”
He slid his hand up from the base of her spine, his palm touching the skin of her back. She sucked in a sharp breath, and he felt like she’d stolen his air. Her skin was warm and silky soft.
“You’re a very intriguing woman, Maisie.” He could be honest if she was walking away.
“You’re pretty interesting yourself,” she said, burrowing just a little closer as he turned them.
Bodies pressed closer around them as more people filled the dance floor. The air was thick with the scent of flowers and perfumes. Glasses clinked and people laughed. There was a lightness to it all that Nick realized he’d been missing. He spent so much time training, pushing toward something, working his ass off on the ice, that he had little time for living in the moment; absorbing it without anything pressing in on him. Holding Maisie, even in a crowded space, was the kind of moment he could get lost in.
“Interesting. Charming. Funny. Good-looking,” he said, hoping to make her smile.
“Insecure,” she added.
Nick laughed. “Yeah.”
Maisie’s hand flattened on his chest, softly moving back and forth in a motion that could lull him to sleep and turn him on in equal measure.
“I suppose you’re decent looking. I’m not sure about the charming or funny.”
His arm around her waist tightened. “I’m compelled to change your mind.”
“That might take a lot of effort,” she said, her voice low and seductive. The most seductive part about it was he didn’t think it was intentional.
“Have you seen the roof of this place?” he asked.
Her brows scrunched, her lips pursing into an incredibly tempting pout. “No. I’ve never been here.”
The song finished up, and Nick shuffled them off the dance floor, keeping one arm around her waist. A waiter with a tray of champagne walked toward them. Nick grabbed a glass, handed it to Maisie, then grabbed another for himself.
“The roof is open?” Nick asked the guy.
“Yessir. It’s a closed party for the wedding so please feel free to wander and enjoy your evening.”
Nick paused when the guy left and looked down at Maisie. “Want to see an amazing view?”
“Other than your pretty face?” She smirked at him.
Laughter rumbled out of his chest. “Yes, smartass. In fact, it might be even better.”
As he took her hand to lead her to the elevator, it occurred to him that he liked the feel of her touching him. In any way. Her thigh brushing his pant leg. Her palm against his. His hand on her back. She smelled like sunshine and flowers, and he knew, long after tonight, anytime he caught a hint of the scent out in the world, his mind would travel back to tonight. To Maisie.
They waited quietly for the elevator, their hands linked. She kept stealing glances at him and he knew this because he was doing the same.
A dark-haired man and a blond man broke apart when the elevator doors slid open. Both of them smiled widely at Nick and Maisie, their grins making it obvious that they were well aware of their disheveled appearance and the fact that they’d been caught making out. Weddings. They got to everyone.
Nick grinned at them as he stepped in and pulled Maisie in as the doors closed. They rode the elevator in near silence; just the sound of their breathing and the quiet laughter of the guys behind them.
The ride to the top was quick. Nick had a hand on Maisie’s waist, champagne clutched in the other. When the doors slid open, Maisie gasped at the view, making him smile quietly. He had to bite back his own gasp when she stepped back into him, her body softening as his surrounded her perfectly and unintentionally. Surprise and desire rocketed through him, making him grit his teeth. He felt like a teenager. His thoughts and feelings were all over the place.
She looked back over her shoulder as she straightened and stepped forward. “Sorry.” She offered a sheepish, adorable shrug. “It’s so pretty.”
Nick couldn’t stop looking at her. Something weird happened in his chest; a tightening like when he laced up his skates and cinched them. His words, and maybe his breath, were trapped. Finally, he forced both free.
“Yeah. It’s really fucking gorgeous.”
He didn’t give a shit about the city view. All he could see was Maisie smiling at him.