Love and Other Games (9 page)

As if on cue, Sven stepped in front of her and took her shoulder. “Go ahead. I’ll cover here.”

“Um … ” She scratched her cheek and pulled a hair behind her ear. “Really?”

Sven grabbed her shoulder, something Ty didn’t like to see, but the guy was helping him, so he’d put up with it. “Really. Ty needs to talk to you.”

She gazed at Ty and he tried to give her his best charming smile, the one that had once caused a female fan throw her bra at him. It seemed to work. “Okay. Five minutes.”

He shrugged and grabbed her hand. “Come on. We need some privacy.” He dragged her down a hallway, past her boss’s office. He tried one door, but it was locked.

“Where are we going, Ty? I’m serious. I need to work.”

“Just a minute.” He tried another door and it opened. He pushed her into the room, which happened to be a small storage room with metal shelving units up and down the wall. Perfect. “In here.”

“This is the storage closet.”

“I want to talk to you.” He shut the door and took her chin in his fingers. “Alone. Out there we have prying eyes.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked around the room, anywhere but at him.

“You’ve been on my mind for the past days, you know that? I’ve actually missed you.”

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

“I am. You’re like a drug. An addiction.” His hand reached around her waist and he rubbed the softness of her back, even under that damn volunteer vest.

“What do you want to talk about Ty?” She still wouldn’t look at him, her body squiggling around at his touch, and she inched away – too far away for his liking.

Taking that as his cue to set his plan in motion, he reached into his pocket with a smirk on his face. She wouldn’t like this, but he had to talk to her, without her running out on him again. The cold metal object in his pocket almost burnt his fingers as he pulled it out, whipped it behind her, grabbed her wrists and shackled her to the storage unit. A jangle echoed throughout the tiny room as his action finally settled onto her face. First a frown formed, then her jaw clenched and her faced reddened. Yep. She was mad.

“What is this? What are you doing Ty?”

“We need to talk without you running away. Anytime I try to mention a future, and us, you turn your back. I’m not having that. You’re going to listen to what I have to say.”

“So, you handcuff me? Real mature.”

“I told you I still had them. I fight for my woman, even if that fighting is with the woman herself.” He rested his hand on the shelf behind her, smiling down at her sweet face, those appealing pink cheeks.

She huffed out a sigh and stared him down with squinted eyes. “Talk. You have three minutes before I scream.”

He reached for her cheek, caressing it with his thumb. Her eyes softened as he leaned in and placed his forehead on hers. “Babe, you’re hot as hell when you’re mad.”

Her breath tickled his ear, and if he didn’t get his words out now, he’d never do it, because he wanted to take her right there, handcuffed and all. “Don’t,” she whispered.

“Nadia, I really want to try out this thing between us.”

“How, Ty? In a week the games are over. You’ll be in the states and I’ll be here. Can’t you see that’s impossible? We can’t do this thousands of miles apart.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. She had no clue, did she? “What if we find a way? What if I found a way?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I heard you got the promotion already. I talked to Sven yesterday.”

“Wait. You talked to Sven? Since when did you two become buddies?” She jerked her hands, trying to move them forward. “That traitor.”

“He’s your friend, so I had to ask for his help. Anyway, I’m really proud of you, babe. You did it.”

She looked down at her toes and peeked up under her eyelashes. “Thanks, but you’re changing the topic. What did you figure out?”

He inched away, rubbing the back of his neck. “When I was in Zurich, I did other things besides sightseeing.”

“Okay.” Damn. He wanted to kiss that confusion off her face.

“I’m looking at opening a Madsen’s Mittens store in Zurich. I met a contractor and the deal is already in motion.”

She tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips. “Wait. Are you serious?”

Ty smiled. He could see the wheels turning in her head. “Yea. Serious. I talked to my brother, and I’ll be staying on in Switzerland for another month at least.” He couldn’t hold himself back anymore. He stepped closer and fingered her collarbone. “I kind of like this place.”

She cleared her throat and peered at him intently. In a little above a whisper she said, “In six months they want to transfer me to either Canada or the U.S. to work at another Committee headquarters.”

He stopped stroking her and held his finger up in the air. “You’re shitting me. The US headquarters is in Colorado Springs. I’m in Boulder, only an hour away.”

She smiled. “Yeah? Odd.”

“There’s no odd about it. This is meant to be.”

“Or the lucky torch is still working.”

“It’s not the lucky torch. It’s the Lucky Lady.” He fanned his hands around her waist and grabbed her butt. A squeal fell from her lips as he kissed her. His lips exploring every crevice of hers, opening her mouth with his tongue. She kissed him back with a hunger, as if she had missed it the last few days as much as he did. He couldn’t stop the smile from spreading, so he trailed his kisses up her neck and nibbled at her earlobe.

She inhaled, rubbing her cheek against his. “Take these cuffs off now so I can touch you.”

He let go of his grasp on her, running his palm up her cheek. “I have one more thing. Adam told me he overheard you on your phone with your dad.”

“Great. Spies everywhere.”

“They’re just looking out for us. It’s the man code. Anyway, I get the impression your dad doesn’t approve of me.” Her head fit perfectly into the hollows of his shoulder and his neck. He let her rest there for a minute until she answered.

“He was an Olympic skier. You know how skiers and snowboarders get along.” She smiled up into his eyes. “But he’ll just have to get used to it.”

“Does that mean what I think it means?”

She paused and for a moment, just a moment, he thought she’d refuse him. But when a smile formed on those sexy lips, he knew he had her. “Yes, Ty. Let’s try this thing out.” She jerked her hands and clanged the metal against metal. “Now take the cuffs off.”

In a rush of emotion, his hand fumbled into his pocket. “Let me find the key.” He never thought he’d feel like this, but his heart swelled and beat as if he were up on that hill again, about to begin the race of his life. “Here it is.” He held it up in front of her.

Before he could undo the handcuffs, the door slammed open and Mr. Sorensen stood next to them. He stuttered and his head flinched back as he realized there were two people in the tiny room. “What are you two doing in here? What’s going on?”

They all stood motionless, staring at one another.

Ty released Nadia’s hands from her cuffs. She rubbed her wrists and then smiled sweetly at her boss, all while secretly grabbing a box from the shelf behind her and shoving the red, white and blue package into her back pocket.

Ty couldn’t help but smile. This was
his
Nadia. People might think she was no fun, but he knew better. She was the embodiment of pleasure. Last week, she would’ve been shaking from fright.

Tonight she stared Mr. Sorensen down, then crooked her arm through Ty’s, leading him past her boss. “Nothing but Trouble, Mr. Sorensen, nothing but trouble.”

Mr. Sorensen’s eyebrows formed a straight line as he shut the storage room door and asked behind them. “Do you have something to do with that snowman built in the center of the Community Center, Mr. Madsen?”

Ty widened his eyes and shook his head. “No, sir. I’d never do something like that.”

Nadia giggled and pulled him by her side, faster. “Let’s get out of here.” She tugged his arm and led him into the night – full of hope, dreams and a future of them together. A future with Gold —in more ways than one

Kara Leigh Miller

Brenna pinched her thigh, praying to God that this was just some twisted nightmare. Unfortunately for her, she was wide awake. Her gaze was locked on the television. She wanted to look away, but she couldn't. It was like watching a car crash—her common sense told her to stop staring, but her body wouldn't obey.

The video started with a still shot of an ice hockey rink; then it panned out and scanned the crowd. Moments later, LMFAO's
I'm Sexy and I Know It
overpowered the screams of the hundreds of men and women who'd paid to watch this atrocity. That song segued into
I'm Too Sexy
by Right Said Fred, and then the screams and shouts doubled in volume, not because of the change in music, but because of the man who'd skated to the center of the rink. He did some fancy skating tricks, and then shook his hips in a sexually suggestive manner.

Brenna's jaw hung open, and the corner of her lip curled up in a look of utter disgust. "You have got to be friggin' kidding me."
Oh shit! Did I just say that aloud?
She looked up and noticed her boss staring at her.
Yup, apparently I did. Well, ain't that a kick to the teeth.

Frank paused the video and tossed the remote on the small conference table. "Tell me how you really feel," he said.

She smiled. Frank was the best boss she'd ever had the pleasure of working for. He was a big bear of a man, standing at a little over six and a half feet tall, with a gut that would make Santa Claus envious. With eyes darker than the night sky; a thick, bushy beard and mustache; and a bald head, he could intimidate the toughest man with a single look. But, despite his imposing physique, he was a softie at heart, and all of his employees adored him—except when he lost his temper. Then everyone took cover. Thankfully, he didn't lose it very often.

"I'm sorry, but what's with all the theatrics?" Brenna asked.

"That," he pointed to the man on the television, "is Colton Campbell and he's the starting center for the U.S. Olympic Hockey team. He's all the rage, as you young kids say."

She rolled her eyes. First of all, she wasn't that young. She was pushing twenty-six. And secondly, who said "all the rage" anymore? "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because we've been hired as the official photographer for the team," he said with a grin.

"That's great, Frank." Brenna was genuinely happy for him.

He'd worked so hard to build his business. Frankly Photos had started out as Frank and his wife traveling and taking pictures of whatever they could—children's birthday parties, weddings, retirement parties. Two years later they managed to land a contract with a local school to do sports photos. It was shortly after that when they'd hired Brenna as a photographer. The business had grown exponentially from that point on, and now it was thriving with over a dozen photographers. Securing a contract as the official photographer for an Olympic team was huge.

"I'm glad you think so," he turned off the television and stood, "because you're going."

"What? No!" Brenna stood and put her palms flat on the table. "I mean, wouldn't you rather go?"

"What's an old man like me gonna do at the Olympics?" He laughed, and then he shook his head. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, Brenna. Take advantage of it."

Her stomach did somersaults. She was probably the only person on the planet who didn't want to go to the Olympics. "Maybe you should send Luke or Jennifer. They'd love to go, and they're both great photographers."

Frank shook his head again—Brenna had learned over the years that it was a nervous tic of his. "No. I want you to go. I'm sure I don't need to tell you how important this job is. As the only senior photographer on staff, you're the only one I trust to handle this."

Brenna groaned. "And if I refuse?" It wouldn't be the first time she'd refused a job. Normally, Frank would try to convince her, and then he'd just give up and assign someone else. She had a feeling it wouldn't be that easy this time.

"Not this time, Jessup. If you refuse to do this; then you might as well start looking for a new job."

Brenna's eyes widened with shock. Frank had never threatened to fire anyone before, especially not her. But the look on his face was clear. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"You have a meeting with the team manager in two hours. Go home and pack. You're going to Switzerland." He put his glasses on and walked toward his desk—a clear sign that the meeting was over.

"Two hours! Nothing like giving me a little notice," she muttered, yanking her purse strap up on her shoulder with a disgusted sigh. She stormed out of Frank's office.
You'd think being the only senior photographer on staff; I'd have gotten a little more respect in there.
Opening her own studio was looking better by the moment.

***

The feel of something warm and wet oozing down Brenna's chin woke her. She snorted, wiped at her mouth, and then she licked her lips. The realization of where she was and what was happening dawned on her. She was on an airplane headed to Switzerland with the U.S. Olympic hockey team. As if that wasn't bad enough, she'd fallen asleep and … drooled.
Oh. My. God!
Brenna quickly turned her face toward the window and tried to discreetly wipe the saliva from her chin before anyone saw her.

"Hey there, Sleeping Beauty."

She froze save for the shiver that worked through her body at the sound of that deep, rich, husky voice. Her heart thundered in her chest, and the tips of her ears burned hot. She had no doubts that she was blushing redder than a beet. Taking a deep breath, she slowly turned in her seat and came face to face with dazzling green eyes that stared back at her with curious interest.

Her gaze swept over him, taking a quick inventory: oval shaped face with a high forehead; dirty blond hair that looked like fresh silk; a strong, square jaw; full, plump, kissable lips; and the broadest, muscular shoulders she'd ever seen. It wouldn't surprise her if he could single handedly stop a Mack truck with those shoulders. Despite her best attempt not to, her gaze shifted back to those lips. Would it be completely unprofessional to kiss a client?
Don't be a dipshit. Of course it is.
She mentally groaned.