On the Surface (In the Zone) (15 page)

Claire read quickly. “If no one scores, they have a shoot-out. Three players on each team get a free shot. One at a time, they start at the red line and go for it. Whoever ends up with the most points wins.”

“That sounds exciting,” Erin said. “Remember that Padres game dad took us to that one time that went on for five hours?”

Claire made a face. “That’s when I officially hated baseball.”

“Me too, but even if Tim weren’t playing, this is fun.”

“And there haven’t even been any fights yet,” Claire said. “There was that little pushing match before, but that’s all.”

“Yeah, and I thought hockey had this reputation for fighting all the time.” Erin wondered if she’d wrongly accused Tim of participating in an über violent sport.

When the players came back to start the third and last period, Erin looked for Tim. He sat on the bench, shoulder to shoulder with his teammates. He wasn’t smiling, but that was probably because it was do-or-die time.

The score was 2-2. The excitement in the arena ramped up. Erin’s heart rate doubled whenever Tim was on the ice. When he had the puck, it tripled, and no matter what was going on elsewhere in the game, her eyes were on him. He was, she found, truly beautiful to watch. That trite phrase “poetry in motion” pretty accurately described him when he was out there doing his thing, the way he could spin and stop and switch directions, all so quickly it left her breathless. She couldn’t get enough of watching him interact with his teammates, passing them the puck and receiving it from them in turn.

He took a shot. Missed. The Kings tried a couple of times and missed. Scuffles took place along the boards to get control of the puck. Penalties were called and players sat in the box. Time flew and before she knew it, the clock had counted down to the last remaining minute with the score still tied.

The action was approaching the Kings’ end of the ice. Tim and two other Barracudas skated toward that goal with single-minded determination. Erin realized if Tim got one more goal, he’d have a hat trick.

And then, as if her thought had triggered something, he scored.

Calder Griffin, number fifteen, had passed the puck to Tim on the opposite side of the goal. Tim played with it briefly, saw an opening and shot it right above the goalie’s right shoulder.

On her feet, jumping up and down, Erin shrieked. Tim’s arms shot up into the air in triumph. His teammates sped over and slapped him on the arms and shoulders as hats rained down onto the ice. Huddled up against the boards with their arms around each other, they bumped their helmets against his and Erin’s eyes actually welled with tears.

Over a hockey game.

Chapter Twenty-One

“You are the fucking man!” Alex exclaimed. “You’re the Mad Fucking Hatter!”

In the dressing room, the rest of the team echoed that sentiment with roars of approval and jubilant laughter. The men all talked over each other about the high points of the game, some of the great saves their goalie, MacDonald, had made. When Coach Marchand came in, the noise died down. The coach praised their outstanding passes, plays and assists. As he touched on Tim’s hat trick, he cracked a smile and gave him a nod, and the guys standing next to Tim pounded his back again.

“But don’t let this win go to your head,” Marchand went on. “I don’t have to remind you this is preseason. It’s a great way to start things off, but winning only means you used to be good. We have eighty-two games ahead of us that count. I’ll talk about what we need to work on at tomorrow’s practice. Ten a.m.”

Marchand left and several reporters crowded around Tim to ask all the usual questions. He fed them the usual answers, giving credit to the guys who’d assisted and commenting on the team’s focus on the future and how they were going to take it one game at a time. He could do this type of interview in his sleep. Finally, he escaped them by going to the cold tub, then to the shower. When he got out, he saw a message on his phone from Erin.

Can
you
ride
back
to
San
Diego
with
me
?
Vic
had
a
town
car
in
the
area
with
no
fare
back
home
.
Claire
is
taking
that
one
,
so
we’ll
have
the
limo
all
to
ourselves
...

He speed-dialed her number.

“You’re still here in L.A.?” he asked. The game had ended over an hour ago.

“Yes. I’m so glad you called. I was just about to give up. Are you done? Can you come home with me?”

He grinned. “I just have to get dressed.”

“Oh my God. Are you naked?” she asked, whispering that last word.

“I have a towel on.”

“Just a towel?”

“Yep.” He turned his back on the guys in the dressing room. “Are you getting hot?”

“You having phone sex, Holly?” Calder Griffin yelled. “Put her on speaker!”

Tim flipped the guy off without turning around. “Sorry about that,” he said to Erin. “And to answer your question, sure I can ride back with you. I just have to notify transportation that I won’t be going back on the bus.”

Fifteen minutes later, he found her leaning against a black limousine, parked on South Figueroa. The sight of her in the Barracuda shirt and hat gave him a perverse feeling of satisfaction, as if anyone seeing her would instantly know she belonged to him, which was archaic and ridiculous. It was clothing for fuck’s sake.

Still, he smiled at the sight.

When she spotted him, her whole face lit up and she ran and jumped into his arms.

“I am so proud of you!” she said into his ear.

Damned if his chest didn’t swell up with emotion as she told him how well he’d played. Another part of him swelled up when, clinging to his body like a spry little monkey, she gave him a hard openmouthed kiss. He became aware of her breasts squashed up against his pecs and the heat of her pussy even through her pants and his dress shirt.

He set her on her feet and nodded a greeting to the driver who had come around to the sidewalk.

Erin tugged her shirt down. “Sam, this is Tim Hollander. Tim, this is Sam.”

They shook hands.

“I think we’re just going to the CityView apartments,” she said as Sam helped her into the car.

“No problem.”

Tim stalled a moment as he pulled two twenties out of his money clip and handed them to the driver. “Dude, we’re going to need some privacy.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Hollander,” Sam said with a nod and a smile. “Great game, by the way. It’s a real honor to be driving you.”

“Thanks, Sam. I appreciate it.”

“I’ll get the privacy screen up right away for you.”

Tim got inside and sat next to Erin as Sam started the car.

“There’s an intercom there on the panel in front of you, Mr. Hollander, Ms. Collier. Just let me know if you need anything.”

As the partition slid closed, Tim leaned forward and pressed the button. “Gotcha. Thanks, Sam.”

Erin turned to him, one eyebrow raised. Tim smiled.

“What’s with that smile?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Nothing. It’s a perfectly innocent smile.”

“Oh no it’s not. It’s full of nefarious intent.”

He laughed. “Nefarious. I don’t think I’ve ever been called nefarious before.” He kissed her lightly on the mouth. “Did you like the game?” he asked offhandedly, as if he didn’t much care one way or another.

She cupped his cheek. “You were magnificent.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been called magnificent before, either.”

“I mean it. I’m so glad I got to see you play. Now I understand why you love it so much. I can just imagine how amazing it must be to have all that skill at your command. The way you skated...your reflexes. It’s all so fast. And all the goals for your team were yours. You won the game for them. A hat trick, Tim. That’s huge.”

Admiration shone in her eyes, even in the darkened car. That and her words filled him up so completely he took her into his arms and kissed her hard. Her mouth opened under his and he filled it with his tongue. He needed to be inside her as soon as possible.

She responded like a wild woman. She grabbed at his head and ears as she straddled his lap. She licked and sucked and bit at his mouth, his jaw and neck as if she wanted to eat him alive.

He was okay with that.

As she grabbed the knot of his tie and yanked on it to loosen it, she said, gasping, “Oh my God, Tim, are we really going to do it in the limo?”

“That’s my plan.” He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it on the seat opposite. He’d had sex in limousines before. Knowing the whole world was on the other side of those darkened windows and the driver knew exactly what was going on in the back heightened the excitement.

Erin looked at him for a moment, then nodded and started on the buttons of his shirt. “It’s a good plan. An excellent plan.”

She pulled off the Barracuda shirt. Her bra quickly followed. When her breasts were bare, he put his hands on her waist and lifted her slightly so he could latch on to one of her nipples. It hardened his mouth as he sucked.

“God, Tim that feels so good.”

When both breasts were wet from his attentions, she slid off him onto the floor of the limo.

“Your turn,” she said, reaching for his zipper and pulling his cock out.

“Oh, baby, that’s what I’m talkin’ about.”

Feeling like a king, he watched her smile as she closed her lips over the head. The Neanderthal in him loved seeing her on her knees with his cock in her mouth. He didn’t even have his pants off. To the world Erin was a respectable nurse who looked after little sick children, but tonight with him she was a wild sex goddess who couldn’t wait to get her mouth on his dick.

“Erin, sweetheart, that’s incredible,” he said, taking in long, deep breaths.

She slid her hands up his thighs then drew back and stroked him with her hand. “By the way,” she said, “you clean up real nice.”

“You mean the suit?”

“Yes.”

“We all have to wear them on game days, to and from the games.”

“I love it.” She bent her head again.

“Oh, fuck. Not as much as I love
this
.”

He caressed her head as she sucked on him and tried not to come. Unfortunately, he was still revved up from the game. He felt the orgasm approaching fast. When she swirled her tongue around the head, he got dangerously close.

“Ah, Erin...” He touched her shoulder.

She put a hand on his stomach and increased the suction and intensity. He took that as a signal that he was free and clear to come at will. Moments later, he did, and it was fucking glorious. Icing on the hat-trick cake. And God bless her, she swallowed every drop.

* * *

“Feel good?” she asked, opening a bottle of water she took from the beverage compartment and taking a swig.

“Better than good.”

She smiled and offered him the water. He drank half the bottle.

“As soon as I recover, it’s your turn.”

He let his head fall back and he closed his eyes. He heard some rustling. He hoped she was taking her clothes off. When he cracked one eye open, she was naked except for the Barracuda hat he’d given her. He allowed himself the pleasure of admiring her beautiful body, starting with the tips of her toes, which were painted a sassy red. Inch by tantalizing inch, his gaze traveled upward over the lush curve of her hips, her mouthwateringly tempting breasts, her graceful collarbone, up to her large blue eyes.

Their gazes met. She gave him a vampish smile as she crossed her legs. The contrast between the prudish action and her nudity excited him. His cock wasn’t cooperating yet, though. Fucking couch potato. He decided to take his clothes off. Shoes, socks, pants and briefs. After tossing his shirt, the last item, onto the floor, he made a move as if to cross the space between them, but she stopped him with a slight frown.

“What? What’s the matter?”

“Just stay there.”

“Why? I want to touch you.” Yeah, he was whining like a baby, but the situation totally warranted it.

“Because I’m calling the shots right now. Stay over there until I say so.”

Okay, she wanted to play the teasing game. Fine. That was fine with him. He fucking rocked the teasing game.

She put her hands on her stomach and slid them up to her breasts. He watched her pinch her own nipples and smile at him. God, she was sexy. She uncrossed her legs and parted them. He craned his head so he could see better. She was so goddamned gorgeous down there. All he wanted to do was dive down and gorge himself on her. He’d fantasized about her coming on his face, feeling her clit pulse hard against his lips as she convulsed with pleasure. His cock hardened again just thinking about it. She was rubbing the insides of her thighs restlessly by now.

“You’re wet,” he said.

Her breath hitched.

“Your body’s ready for me.”

She pressed her lips together. He might have heard a small whimper. Fuck, he loved the noises she made. He told her that.

“I’m not kidding,” he said. “All those moans and gasps and shit. That makes me crazy hot. Can I touch you now?”

She thought about it. “Yes. But you can only use your mouth. No other part of your body can touch mine.”

“Now we’re talking.”

He mentally rubbed his hands together. Payback time.

After crossing the space between seats, he knelt in front of her. “You’re going to beg me for it, you know.”

“He gets a hat trick and suddenly and he thinks he can do anything.”

He bent over her breast and flicked the nipple with his tongue. “I can.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Erin was panting in anticipation. Tim wasn’t the only one worked up from the game. She felt as if her adrenal glands were working overtime. Or maybe that caramel-and-chocolate-covered popcorn she’d eaten was laced with a potent aphrodisiac that made women go into sex mode an hour after eating.

Or maybe Tim was just the sexiest man on the planet.

She gasped in pleasure as, his arms braced on either side of her, he sucked hard on her nipple and then immediately let go. She wanted more of that, but he refused. He brushed his lips against her skin so softly she could barely feel it. His warm breath made her shiver. He nibbled on her breast, circling the tip, but not touching it. One time he moved over it and hovered, and she held her breath, waiting and wanting. She needed him to suck hard again or maybe even nip her, but a deep chuckle came out of his chest and he moved away.

“Close your eyes.”

She complied. He rubbed his cheek against hers. She gasped. “You shaved. I saw you during the game and you had bristly face.”

He chuckled. “I did shave. I wanted to be smooth as a baby’s ass for you.”

“Oh my God, Tim.” She laughed. “Babies don’t have
asses
.”

He frowned. “Then where does all their baby shit come from?”

“Their butts or their bottoms.”

“Same thing,” he said.

“It’s not the same thing at all,” she said as he kissed her between her breasts. “You don’t get an ass until puberty.”

“Is that a medical fact? They teach you that in nursing school?”

“Yes,” she said, still chuckling.

She wasn’t chuckling when he finally circled her nipple with his tongue. She sucked in a shuddering breath. Heat and desire pooled between her legs. He drew back slightly and teased her with featherlight kisses and dabs of his tongue so light she could barely feel them. It was like being attacked by butterflies and it was driving her crazy. Moving away from her breast, he continued south over her stomach, around her mound until he was nibbling her upper thighs. She parted her legs and gave a soft sigh of encouragement, but he refused to put his mouth where she wanted it.

When she couldn’t stand it anymore she said, “Tim, I changed my mind.”

“About what?”

“You can touch me now. Use whatever part of your body you see fit.” She rose up on her elbows to look at him.

“I’m fit everywhere, baby, but I don’t think you’re ready yet.”

She frowned at him. “Oh my God, Tim, I’m totally ready.” She was wetter than she’d ever been in her entire life.

He straightened and stretched as best he could, considering he was six-foot-plus of man inside a car. His erection was enormous. “I think I’ll be the judge of that.”

After getting her to turn over onto her stomach, which was puzzling, he began by massaging her legs. Lord, that felt good. She realized he must have had his share of post-game massages as well. He paid some attention to her thighs, moved past her calves to her feet. She moaned. Erin decided the way to a man’s heart might be through his stomach, but the way to a nurse’s heart was via her sore and tired feet.

“God, Tim, that’s amazing.”

“I just got started, baby.”

He moved his hands from the back of her knees to the tops of her thighs slowly and with just the right pressure, over and over and over. It was relaxing and erotic, and every time his thumbs got close to her sex, she felt a little twitch from her clit.

Then he put his hands on her ass and kneaded and squeezed. Those strong thumbs teased her so effectively, her legs parted of their own accord. She heard a low chuckle, the rat bastard. She sensed movement behind her, then felt his warm lips on the small of her back. She shivered.

“Are you cold?”

Her reply came on an unsteady exhale. “No.”

The pressure from his hands gentled and the massaging motion slid into a caress. His mouth roamed up her spine as he pressed his lower body, then his chest against her. He was hard. His cock fit right into the crease of her behind. Her skin prickled as he tugged on the wispy hairs at her nape with his lips, nibbled on her ear, kissed her neck as if he had all the time in the world.

Rising up, one knee between her legs, one foot on the floor of the limo, he dragged his thumbs along the indentation in the middle of her back. The closer he got to the base of her spine, the slower he went. She arched her back as he reached her behind again.

He paused.

She held her breath. Her anticipation level was sky-high.

He put his hands on her hips and lifted her so her ass was in the air and her legs were apart, but her cheek still lay against the car seat.

“Stay open for me,” he said. His breath was hot between her legs.

She bit her lip, excited, afraid, so turned on she could barely stand it. She waited for the touch of his mouth, but all she felt was butterfly strokes from his thumb. How could a man so forceful on the ice, who slammed opponents against the boards as a matter of course, be so gentle with her? He was petting her so softly she could barely feel it.

“Is that nice?” he asked.

“Yes,” she whispered, shifting her hips slightly for more pressure.

He kissed her where he’d been stroking with his thumb. “How’s that?”

“Nicer,” she said, starting to get impatient.

He flattened his tongue and lapped at her, carefully avoiding her clit. She let out a low sound, something between a moan and a sigh. He paid a great deal of attention to her behind and inner thighs, using his lips, his teeth, his tongue, his fingers. It became difficult for her to keep still. Just when she was about to tell him to
do
something,
anything
besides tease her to within a millimeter of her life, he said, “Turn over.”

Literally trembling with desire, she got onto her back, one foot on the car seat, the other on the carpeted floor, while he settled himself comfortably between her legs. As he gazed down at her, the expression on his face made her feel beautiful, desirable and when you got down to it, just plain lucky. In a way, she owed Alana a debt of gratitude. If Alana hadn’t been so supremely annoying that day, Erin might never have gone to Q Burger and met Tim.

He again brushed a thumb over her thatch of hair and made her shiver. He smiled and rubbed his “baby-ass smooth” cheek against her inner thigh, then hooked one arm under her leg and laid a hand on her belly.

Oh
,
God.
She closed her eyes. He kissed her over and over on those plump outer lips. Her clit remained in hiding, still shy but curious. She felt his tongue next, much lower, right at her entrance, a brief taste. Then she heard a prolonged male groan.

“God, you’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.”

He explored her gently, reverently with his mouth and tongue. It felt heavenly. And like she’d expected, he was as good as his word. He read her responses and desires as if she’d spray-painted them on a wall. If she wanted more clit contact, all she had to do was shift her hips and, yes...mmm, perfect. When it got to be too much, she tensed and he immediately pulled back and dialed it down a notch. Gradually, deliciously, the sensations built. He went at her more intensely. Pushed her a little harder, a little farther.

“God, Tim, please...don’t—don’t stop.”

She couldn’t breathe right. Her breath kept hitching. She felt like all six hundred and forty-two muscles in her body were clenched right now, every single one of them waiting for the release.

And it came.

All it took was a tight, focused suction, timed perfectly, to send her over. Her entire body arrested. Brain function ceased and her heart stopped. Everything was raw pleasure, waves and waves of it, measureless and intense. Tim stayed with her throughout, holding her there on the plateau until the last soft pulses died away and she collapsed limp and gasping onto the leather seat.