Page 33 of Breaking the Ice (Denver Stampede #6)

DANI

I hadn’t gone hiking in a while, and I missed it.

It was one of the things I loved about Denver, being so close to mountains and trails, and Loch Lomond never disappointed.

I couldn’t believe of all the places we could’ve gone, he’d taken me here.

It was one of my favorite spots, and just like those iced snickerdoodles, I tried not to read into that.

I’d done this trail a handful of times, and it was always worth the climb. The views were great and, unless it was the middle of tourist season, usually not super crowded.

I’d been so nervous to spend the day with Gabe.

I knew I’d blown hot and cold since we’d had sex, but my head was a jumble of emotions.

The sex was amazing, but I didn’t want to want him too much.

I didn’t really want to date anyone, especially a hockey player, no matter how nice he was to me.

And I didn’t want to talk about my fucked-up father or ex, even though we were doing this ruse because of them.

I blew out a breath, annoyed with myself and our situation.

But then he kissed me this morning and I didn’t have the desire to tell him to stop. Being fuck buddies with my fake boyfriend wouldn’t be a disaster, right? I snorted. Yeah, I didn’t believe that for a second, but he was just so amazing to hook up with.

“You okay?” he asked, drawing my attention. It truly was unfair how gorgeous he was. That soft-as-hell hair curling over his brow. That stupid dimple when he smiled at me. Those lips that I couldn’t stop dreaming about and ached to nibble on.

Fuck my life.

“Dani?”

“Oh yeah, I’m fine. It’s so pretty here, and hey, we’re almost at the lake.”

He nodded in agreement, then said to Pucks running back toward us, “This is why you’re supposed to be on a leash. It’s the rules, and I don’t know why I let both of you convince me to let you free again.”

I snickered. This man was all about the rules, and yes, dogs were supposed to stay on leash, but the path wasn’t super busy and I’d spotted one or two other dogs running free, so I’d convinced him to let Pucks roam free for a bit.

He turned and quirked a brow at me while Pucks stayed at his feet, giving him some serious puppy-dog eyes. “It’s your fault if we get in trouble.”

“It’ll be fine. He’s obviously very well trained.”

“Stop trying to butter me up.”

I popped up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Rebel, Gabe. It’s good for you.”

“Until he rolls in bear poop or something.”

I laughed. “He would never. So gross.”

“We’ll see. So how many times have you hiked this? Is it boring to hike it again?” he asked.

“Actually, this is one of my favorites.”

His smile widened. “Really? Between that and the cookie, I totally know you.”

I snorted and almost told him to get out of my head. “Pretty sure it takes more than that to know a person.”

He stepped into me, running his finger down my cheek. “I also know how you gasp my name when my tongue is on your clit and that it will sound even better when you’re sitting on my face.”

I gaped at him. Holy fucking shit, this man had just taken it up a notch. He had no business looking all sweet and boy-next-door and then saying that shit to me.

“We haven’t, umm, done that yet. I mean, the me sitting on your face thing.” I sucked in a breath. “I can’t believe I just said that out loud.”

His fingers gripped my chin, tilting my head back up to look at him. “Maybe we can fix that tonight. You know, if you’re up for a sleepover.”

“Holy shit,” I rasped, then fanned my overheated cheeks as he chuckled. “You cannot say that to me while we’re in the middle of hiking.” His words and actions threw me off-kilter.

“Keeping you on your toes is one of my favorite things to do.”

“So rude,” I admonished.

He leaned down and nibbled my lower lip, tugging it into his mouth, and I arched into his body. Dammit, I had zero control around him.

Screw it. I linked my arms around his neck and scraped my nails along the base of his head, knowing how much he liked it. He rocked his hips against me and his cock pressed hard along my stomach. Kissing Gabe was unlike anything I’d ever experienced, and I didn’t want it to end.

“Fuck, I want to take you against a tree or something,” he muttered against my mouth when he broke the kiss. “You feel so damn good in my arms.”

“I thought we came here to hike? Although I wouldn’t mind climbing you like a tree.”

He chuckled, his warm breath washing over my skin and making my entire body zing with desire.

“We’re going to finish this hike and then I’m taking you home so you can climb all over me. Only if you want, of course.”

“I definitely want. Or we could end this right now and just get out of here,” I said, trailing my fingers down his chest.

Of course, Pucks chose that moment to bark.

“I should’ve left you at home,” Gabe grumbled, peering down at Pucks, who was patiently standing at our feet.

“Don’t be mean because your beloved pet keeps cockblocking you.” Why did I have no filter around this man?

Pucks barked again, like he was agreeing with me, and I couldn’t help but laugh as Gabe put him back on the leash.

“Come on, let’s go see a waterfall or something.” He linked his fingers with mine and tugging me back down the path, Pucks following along.

Twenty minutes later, we reached the lake. The scenery always took my breath away. Colorado was filled with awesome hikes, but I loved how serene this spot was. Gabe had his pack at his feet and was already pulling out a blanket and a few bags.

“What did you bring? That’s a lot of stuff,” I said, unclipping Pucks.

“Sandwiches from your favorite deli and some snacks and fruit and veggies to round out the meal. Then I had to grab a few iced snickerdoodles from Anna. It’s hockey season, so I need balanced meals, but I never skimp on dessert.”

I laughed. “Of course you don’t.”

He patted his ripped stomach. “I burn a lot of calories at work.”

“And other places,” I murmured.

“You know I’m starting to think you only want me for my body.” He winked. “Which I have no problem with.”

I laughed softly, shaking my head at him, and ignored the heat spiraling through me again. Maybe I could use the next week while he was on his road trip to figure out what the hell I actually wanted, because apparently it wasn’t just his dick that was constantly scrambling my brains.

“So, what kind of video do you have planned for today?” I asked, finding a spot on the blanket and snagging a carrot stick.

“I don’t know. What do you think, Pucks?” He turned to face Pucks, who was sitting next to me and alternating between eying the food and looking toward the lake.

“Don’t even think about it. It’s way too cold,” Gabe said, but Pucks was already heading toward the water. “I’m not swimming with you,” Gabe called out. “This wouldn’t have happened if he was still leashed,” he said, already moving toward the water’s edge as Pucks plunged in.

I laughed as Pucks trotted up to him and shook himself out. Gabe snagged Pucks’s collar and they headed back toward the blanket.

“I should make him shake all over you just for that.”

“I’m sorry.” My apology was mixed with laughter, which quickly turned to shock when Pucks trotted over to me and started wiggling. “Hey, don’t do that over here,” I exclaimed.

Gabe grinned. “Totally deserved. At least I didn’t have to go in, or you would be in so much trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’d toss you into the lake. Or spank you?”

I sucked in a breath.

“You know. If you’re into that sort of thing.” Then he freaking shrugged like he hadn’t just set my body on fire again.

“Uh, maybe? I don’t know.”

He dropped down next to me on the blanket and cupped my jaw. “You’re going to kill me, you know that?”

“You started it. Should we skip lunch and head home?” I asked.

“Nope, we are going to finish our hike and enjoy the day, and I’m going to tease you until you can’t take it anymore, and then we’ll go home.”

My lips parted and I stared at him.

“Want a strawberry? They’re super juicy.”

I swallowed hard and nodded as he fed me. Holy fucking hell, how was I going to get through the rest of this hike?

TUCKS

“Off the pipes, ouch,” I called out to one of the Carolina players as Dom caught the puck and my boys started heading back down the ice to Carolina’s side.

I tapped each side of my net, thanking the poles as I always did.

“Big help, guys,” I muttered, squaring my shoulders and smacking my stick against my leg pads.

We were six days into our first away trip of the season and that meant six days since I’d had Dani in my bed.

We’d ended our hiking day back at my place and had only left the bed to grab food and take Pucks out.

It’d been fucking amazing. What I wouldn’t give to wake up with her in my arms every morning.

I was so gone for her and I didn’t care.

Well, okay, I did care. I wanted more. But I didn’t want to bring it up, just in case it ended up blowing up in my face.

I wasn’t ready for Dani to walk away from me.

We’d posted a video of hiking with Pucks, with him trotting alongside Dani, and her slipping him some food from our picnic.

She claimed she was a cat person, but she was falling for Pucks—not that I could blame her.

My pup was the best. The video had racked up views, as usual, with mostly positive comments.

Roger had been blissfully absent from the comments on that video, but he hadn’t been able to contain himself when I put a flirty picture of me feeding Dani strawberries on my account.

The guy was pathetic, but Dani still had him blocked on her end and she wasn’t asking to stop our ruse, so I probably needed to send the guy a card or something.

I did wonder if she’d missed me this week as much as I’d missed her. Probably not, but a guy could hope.