about it. And did I like it? Not particularly. I love sex—don’t get me wrong. But I like to consent to it first. When you’re both into it, that’s when it’s good.”
After only a moment’s eye contact and a slight frown, she glanced away. He hoped something was simmering between her thighs and that a dozen dirty fantasies were playing out in her head. He also hoped she’d felt something when Remi pulled that move. Judging from Claire’s body language, she seemed a little put out. Whether that was just disapproval of the bunny grope or actual possessiveness, he didn’t know. Maybe a combination of both. One thing was for sure. He was going to find out.
“So, what did you think of the toast?” he asked.
Her demeanor shifted, softened. She laid a hand on his forearm. “Oh, Alex, it was perfect, just perfect. You were very funny, but sincere. I was really touched.”
That flustered him. He felt his face get warm. “Well, maybe you’ll think twice before doubting me now.”
“I definitely will.”
“Then believe me when I say we’d be great in bed together if you wanted to get that post-divorce crazy out of your system.” With her in warm-fuzzy mode, he thought it was worth a try.
“Alex, stop.”
“Come on, Claire. Did you have fun last night getting burgers and eating them in my car?”
“Yes.” Her lips curved upward.
“Did you have fun skating with me?”
Her eyes twinkled. “Yes. It’s not every day I get to see an NHL player harness his inner figure skater.”
He nodded to acknowledge the chirp. “Then think about how much fun we’d have if we went away together.”
“What?” The twinkle disappeared and she got that familiar pinched look on her face. “On a trip?”
“Sure. Why not? That’s the idea I was batting around last night.”
“I...no. No, Alex.”
“Why not? Give me one good reason why not.”
“You just want to sleep with me.”
“And why is that such a crime? You’re a beautiful woman. I bet half the guys here would jump at the chance to sleep with you.”
She frowned at him.
“Don’t believe me? Let’s ask.” He made as if to grab his phone and she squealed as she yanked on his jacket sleeve.
“Don’t you dare!”
“I’m just kidding. I wouldn’t do that. But come on. I don’t see that as a valid reason not to go on a trip with me. We could—” He stopped as the waiter served the salad—no real lettuce, just a pile of multicolored weeds with weird cheese sprinkled on top. On the side of the plate were a couple of midget carrots that looked like they had been detailed. They even had stems and tiny leaves coming out of their tops.
“Shit. I’m calling it. Taco run for sure.”
“Alex, no. Eat the bread. The bread looks good.”
She was right. It was good. He slathered butter all over it and ate it all.
She seemed closed now. She had some shields up. Whatever ground he’d gained with the successful toast had been lost with his bid for the win. Accustomed to overcoming setbacks, he waited until dinner had been served to bring up the subject again. Thank God he got the steak and lobster. And mashed potatoes. He gave Claire his vegetables and she gave him her potatoes.
“So, come on. It’s the off-season, the perfect time to go on a little getaway. You could celebrate your divorce being final.”
Claire rolled her eyes. He was undeterred.
“We’ll get separate rooms. Will you go if I promise not to lay a finger on you unless you ask me to?”
He could tell by her expression that she was still not even close to a yes. Her lips were pressed together and she’d turned her shoulders away from him. Damn it. He was being his most charming. He was providing her with escape routes that he was sure she wouldn’t use for long if she agreed to the proposition. What was the problem? What was holding her back?
“Look, Alex. I won’t deny that I think you’re sexy.”
He grinned.
“But it’s just too risky.”
“I don’t get it.
After only a moment’s eye contact and a slight frown, she glanced away. He hoped something was simmering between her thighs and that a dozen dirty fantasies were playing out in her head. He also hoped she’d felt something when Remi pulled that move. Judging from Claire’s body language, she seemed a little put out. Whether that was just disapproval of the bunny grope or actual possessiveness, he didn’t know. Maybe a combination of both. One thing was for sure. He was going to find out.
“So, what did you think of the toast?” he asked.
Her demeanor shifted, softened. She laid a hand on his forearm. “Oh, Alex, it was perfect, just perfect. You were very funny, but sincere. I was really touched.”
That flustered him. He felt his face get warm. “Well, maybe you’ll think twice before doubting me now.”
“I definitely will.”
“Then believe me when I say we’d be great in bed together if you wanted to get that post-divorce crazy out of your system.” With her in warm-fuzzy mode, he thought it was worth a try.
“Alex, stop.”
“Come on, Claire. Did you have fun last night getting burgers and eating them in my car?”
“Yes.” Her lips curved upward.
“Did you have fun skating with me?”
Her eyes twinkled. “Yes. It’s not every day I get to see an NHL player harness his inner figure skater.”
He nodded to acknowledge the chirp. “Then think about how much fun we’d have if we went away together.”
“What?” The twinkle disappeared and she got that familiar pinched look on her face. “On a trip?”
“Sure. Why not? That’s the idea I was batting around last night.”
“I...no. No, Alex.”
“Why not? Give me one good reason why not.”
“You just want to sleep with me.”
“And why is that such a crime? You’re a beautiful woman. I bet half the guys here would jump at the chance to sleep with you.”
She frowned at him.
“Don’t believe me? Let’s ask.” He made as if to grab his phone and she squealed as she yanked on his jacket sleeve.
“Don’t you dare!”
“I’m just kidding. I wouldn’t do that. But come on. I don’t see that as a valid reason not to go on a trip with me. We could—” He stopped as the waiter served the salad—no real lettuce, just a pile of multicolored weeds with weird cheese sprinkled on top. On the side of the plate were a couple of midget carrots that looked like they had been detailed. They even had stems and tiny leaves coming out of their tops.
“Shit. I’m calling it. Taco run for sure.”
“Alex, no. Eat the bread. The bread looks good.”
She was right. It was good. He slathered butter all over it and ate it all.
She seemed closed now. She had some shields up. Whatever ground he’d gained with the successful toast had been lost with his bid for the win. Accustomed to overcoming setbacks, he waited until dinner had been served to bring up the subject again. Thank God he got the steak and lobster. And mashed potatoes. He gave Claire his vegetables and she gave him her potatoes.
“So, come on. It’s the off-season, the perfect time to go on a little getaway. You could celebrate your divorce being final.”
Claire rolled her eyes. He was undeterred.
“We’ll get separate rooms. Will you go if I promise not to lay a finger on you unless you ask me to?”
He could tell by her expression that she was still not even close to a yes. Her lips were pressed together and she’d turned her shoulders away from him. Damn it. He was being his most charming. He was providing her with escape routes that he was sure she wouldn’t use for long if she agreed to the proposition. What was the problem? What was holding her back?
“Look, Alex. I won’t deny that I think you’re sexy.”
He grinned.
“But it’s just too risky.”
“I don’t get it.
Similar Books
