Chapter 6
“Again, Gracie.” Chelsea clapped and nodded to the ice. The fourteen-year-old turned and skated back to her spot on the ice surface and assumed her stance.
Chelsea signaled the cue to begin the routine.
Every time Gracie performed, it triggered memories and emotions in Chelsea. At one time, that was her. Every now and then, she felt a twinge of regret that she hadn’t been able to compete in the Olympics, as well as continue to build her career.
Her thoughts turned to raising her siblings and how much she loved them. She had made the right decision. She still missed the sport, but at least she could coach.
“She looks so beautiful on the ice.” Gracie Chen’s mother, Mindy, had pride in her voice. The kind of pride Chelsea’s own mom had expressed for her daughter when she was alive.
Chelsea nodded without taking her gaze off Gracie. “She’s gifted.”
“You have made all the difference, Ms. Dunn.” Mindy’s sincere words sent warmth through Chelsea.
“I live vicariously through your daughter.” She flashed Mindy a smile before looking back at Gracie. “I loved competition—training in Colorado Springs was the best thing that happened to advance my career.”
“We can’t wait for her to start.” Mindy hurried to add, “Of course, Gracie will miss you.”
Chelsea almost laughed as she watched the girl perform her routine. “I love Gracie to pieces, but going to the Broadmoor Arena is going to do fantastic things for her career. As long as she keeps working as hard as she does, she has the skill and talent to make it onto the Olympic team.”
“I know you wouldn’t say it if you didn’t mean it.” Mindy drew Chelsea’s attention briefly from Gracie. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for trusting me with her training, Mrs. Chen.” Chelsea smiled.
“I feel blessed to have even a small part of working with Gracie.” She moved her gaze back to the young athlete.
“She is fortunate to have parents like you, who are willing to move to Colorado so she can have this opportunity and still be with her family.”
Gracie came to a perfect ending to her performance. Chelsea clapped, Mindy echoing with enthusiasm.
“Great job, Gracie.” Chelsea motioned for Gracie to come to her. “I think you’ve had enough for the day.”
“I still want to skate.” If she could get her own way, Gracie would never get off the ice.
Mindy shook her head. “Time for a good meal before you do your homework and then get to bed.”
Gracie rolled her eyes. “Mom. You’re such a—a—mom.”
Both Chelsea and Mindy laughed. “That’s because I am. Now get your skates off, and we’ll head home.”
Gracie gave a few good-natured grumbles. She was probably tired, but her competitive spirit never wanted to stop. Chelsea knew the feeling well.
As Gracie and Mindy walked away, a male voice captured Chelsea’s attention. “Hello, beautiful.”
Chelsea gave a broad smile as she turned to face Grady, who was decked out in full hockey gear. A happy feeling bloomed in her chest. “Hey there.”
He took her by her upper arms and brushed his mouth over hers. It was such a sensual touch of their lips that she shivered with pleasure.
She rested her palms on his shoulder pads. Why was it that a man in uniform turned her on? Yeah, he was so good-looking in his hockey outfit, and she’d bet anything he was equally yummy in his firefighting gear.
“What time is the game this evening?” She slid her hands down the front of his jersey as she took a step back.
“Seven.” He took her by the shoulders and pressed his lips to hers. “I can’t get enough of you.”
“Same here.” Her words came out husky and maybe even a little needy as tingles curled through her belly. She had to rein herself in. She cleared her throat. “I should let you warm up before they start letting in fans.”
“I’m warming up already.” He grinned as she playfully slapped him on the shoulder.
“You know what I mean.” She shook her finger at him. “Now run along.”
“Yes, teacher.” He brushed his knuckles along her cheekbone. “I had a great time last night. How does Saturday work for you?”
“I had a fabulous time, too.” She felt almost giddy at the prospect of a second date. “What time?”
“I’ll call you, and we’ll figure out where we are going and what time.” He glanced at the ice, where his fellow league teammates were gathering. “I’d better go. Are you staying to watch?”
“Of course.” She gently pushed him toward the arena. “Go on now. They’re waiting for their ringer.”
He snorted. “I’ll see you after the game.” He eyed her. “You are waiting until I get out of the locker room, right?”
“If you insist.” She pretended to be put out even as she wanted to say abso-freaking-lutely-yes.
“Good.” He kissed her and headed for the ice.
It was a grueling game, yet Grady didn’t think he’d ever felt so energized and invincible as he did tonight. He couldn’t miss. His team, the Ice Hawks, fought for each goal for the win. Somehow, when he had the shot, Grady took it and made it every time.
Something about knowing Chelsea was in the arena, watching as he played, made him feel as if he could do anything.
It wasn’t that he wanted to show her what a great hockey player he was.
No, it was more about not wanting to let her down.
If he could dedicate a game to someone in his life, like an author dedicating a book, this game would be for Chelsea.
Grady’s teammates congratulated him on his performance. He insisted it was a team effort, which it had been. He couldn’t have made the goals if he hadn’t had a good team backing him up and creating opportunities.
Sweat dripped down his face as he took off his helmet. He grabbed a water bottle and squeezed it over his face and hair before shaking it off, water droplets spraying around him.
“Great game.” David Hanley stood a few feet away from Grady and sprayed water on his own face and hair. He shook his head. “Damn, that feels good.”
Grady chucked David on the shoulder. “You’re one hell of a goalie, David.”
“I’m good for a league.” David shrugged. “But I was right about you, Grady. We have a ringer in you—you’re damn near a professional. Talk about unstoppable.”
Grady snorted. “Go take your meds. You’re having delusions.”
David grinned and shoved his fingers through his soaking hair. “Shower then food. Want to join us at Johnny’s Bar after?”
Grady started stripping out of his gear. “I already made plans, but thanks for asking.”
“Hot date, huh?” David asked with a laugh.
“You betcha.” Grady rushed through taking a shower and getting dressed, hoping Chelsea had stayed like she said she would.
As he was tying the laces on his athletic shoes, David walked up again. The man had showered and had dressed in a T-shirt and jeans. “See you at practice on Tuesday, Grady, unless you change your mind about Johnny’s tonight. In the meantime, enjoy the win, champ.”
“Meds, David.” Grady waved him away as he shook his head.
David laughed as he headed off.
When Grady was ready, he grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder before walking out of the locker room. Most of the fans had left the skating arena by now.
His heart thumped hard when he saw Chelsea leaning against the barrier and smiling as he walked toward her.
When he reached her, he dropped his bag, then caught her by the waist and pulled her to him. “Hi, gorgeous.”
She couldn’t catch her breath as she laughed and grabbed his shoulder for balance. “Aren’t you being a little familiar, Mr. Donovan?”
He swooped down to give her a hard kiss. “Now that was familiar.”
“Yes, it was.” Her cheeks flushed. “What am I supposed to do about it?”
“Kiss me again.” He lowered his head.
“I think I can do that.” She moved her mouth to his, her warm breath feathering across his lips.
Her kiss was tentative and sweet as he let her set the pace. He kissed her with gentle nips and sucked her lower lip between his teeth. She sighed with pleasure, and their kiss grew in intensity until he was sure he was lost forever.
She was the one to draw away, but he kept his hand on her lower back so she couldn’t leave. She looked at him shyly from beneath her lashes. “Fantastic game. You’re the best right winger I’ve seen. You could be in the pros.”
He shrugged. “You were my good luck charm.”
She placed both hands on his shoulders. “Is that right?”
“That’s right.” He kissed her smile, before raising his head. He loved the expression that told him she’d enjoyed the kiss as much as he had. Being with her made him feel like he could do anything he set his mind to. “Wanna grab something to eat? I worked up an appetite.”
“I’ll bet you did. I worked up one of my own during practice, so I can imagine after that game you’re starving.” She glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt. “If it’s takeout, I’m appropriately dressed. Otherwise, it doesn’t work.”
He laughed. “You’re beautiful, and I would be proud to be with you anywhere you wanted to go. But if it will make you feel more comfortable, how about we grab burgers in King Creek? We can take everything to my house, and you can meet Spot.”
“I’d love to meet him, but…” She hesitated, looking uncertain.
He smiled at her, loving the touch of innocence in her, and took both of her hands in his. “You have my word, I will be a total gentleman.”
She studied him and, after a moment, nodded. “I believe you.”
“Damn, I’m good,” he said with a teasing expression. “Now you’re mine.”
Her laughter was sweet. “Nah, I’ll take you at your word.” She picked up her bag and started hitching it onto her shoulder. “You’re just naturally a gentleman.”
He grabbed her bag from her grasp while he picked up his own. “Let me prove it and carry the bags.”
“You don’t have to prove anything.” She shook her head but smiled. “But if you insist on carrying them…”
“No question.” He had both bags—one over his right shoulder, the other in his right hand. “Time to eat.”
His stomach rumbled loud enough that she laughed. “Wouldn’t dream of keeping you away from food.”
“Good thing.” He kissed her. “Now let’s go get those burgers.”