Love and Other Games by Kara Leigh Miller Aria Kane Melinda Dozier Ana Blaze Page A

hair and that sexy-as-hell tight jacket and scarf resting against her breasts. Then he answered his last questions to the reporter and she was gone.
    With a brisk walk to the reception desk, he faced a tall, blond dude who cocked his head at him. The same guy who talked to Nadia on the night he met her. “How can I help you?”
    Ty placed both hands firmly on the desk and looked down at his nametag. “Sven? I’m looking for Nadia. Have you seen her?”
    Sven broke eye contact and messed with some papers in front of him. “She’s not here.”
    Ty’s shoulders dropped. Damn it, he really wanted to see her. He ran his fingers through his messed-up hair. “Do you know where she went? I’ve got to find her.”
    Sven’s cold eyes stared at him straight on. “And you are?”
    “Ty Madsen, US Snowboard team.” He pointed to the US logo on his jacket.
    Sven narrowed his eyes and folded his arms across his chest. “Nadia doesn’t have time to play around … sir .”
    Ty stepped back and held his palms up. “Whoa, dude. Why so hostile?” He leaned down to whisper. “Nadia and I are seeing each other. I’m not stalking her or something.”
    This had the opposite affect than he expected. Sven’s rigid body stiffened even more, and he slammed his hand on Ty’s shoulder, pulling him closer. “Listen dude , if Nadia was seeing someone, she would’ve told me. She doesn’t need the likes of Trouble Madsen, anyway.”
    “What the hell’s your problem?” Ty shook off his hand and frowned.
    A movement from the corner of his eye shook his attention away from the over-protective volunteer. Nadia’s long blonde hair swished in front of him and her blue eyes shone like melting ice. “Sven, enough.” She grabbed Ty’s hand and led him to the back of the room. Ty followed like he belonged on her dogsled, not saying a word. Just the touch of her hand had him hard.
    She glanced around the room, as if she were looking for something in particular, then peeked around a corner. The door next to them stated: John Sorensen, Volunteer Director. Opening the office, she jerked him inside and slammed the door, locking it.
    He let out a cocky smile. “I like the idea of being locked in a room with you. What are you up to Nadia?”
    “We need to talk in privacy.” She pushed him against the door. “This is my boss’s office and it’s private.”
    His hand took her face and held it gently. “What do you have in mind?”
    Nadia pulled in a deep breath and exhaled out her nose. “I’m really happy for you.”
    He grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. “The finals. Can you believe it?”
    She nodded, twirling a piece of hair around her finger. “Yes, I can. You’re a natural out there.”
    His hand rubbed lower and caressed the small of her back. “Wanna celebrate?”
    She looked away and tugged at the hem of her jacket, her lashes fanning across her pale cheeks. “First we need to talk.”
    “Oh, hell. I don’t like the sound of that.” He rolled his eyes and regarded her quizzically.
    She threw back her head and placed her hands on her hips. “I have to get this promotion. My dad expects it.”
    He frowned, tracing his fingers up her back to rub her shoulders. “What do you mean? The recommendation?”
    She wrinkled her nose. “Yes. Working in the Committee Headquarters has been his dream since I was in high school.”
    “And what about your dream? Is it what you want?” His finger traced her bottom full lip, pink as a rosebud, and it called to him. If he didn’t kiss her soon, he’d combust right there in the middle of her boss’s office.
    The heavy lashes that shadowed her cheeks flew up. “Of course it is. I’ve worked hard to get to this point, too.”
    “What does this have to do about us … and celebrating?” He pulled her scarf off her neck and threw it behind him; it fell on the corner of her boss’s desk, on top of some bobble head doll, bouncing back and forth.
    “Just that … I don’t know.