Page 10 of Daddies on Ice

“N-no, no thanks,” the woman says and tries to step around me. I take one step to the side, effectively stopping her.

“Don’t drink coffee? No problem. Tell what you’d like and?—”

“Sorry, but I’m in a hurry.”

This time, when she steps around me, I’m too stunned to do anything but let her pass.

When was the last time a woman turned me down? Has it ever happened?

I know it’s not just because of my good looks that has women flocking to me.

They want to share in my fame as a hockey player. There’s no shortage of puck bunnies, but somehow, I get the feeling this woman isn’t one of them.

Then what’s she doing in the clubhouse?

Another thought pops into my mind and I grin a slow grin. She’s playing hard to get. That’s got to be it.

It’s rare when a woman reacts this way to me, but it makes the chase all that much more enjoyable when the inevitable happens and we wind up in bed together.

Or the back of a car, in the gym, wherever works at the moment.

I take two large steps to catch up to her. “Wait, you didn’t even tell me your name.”

“No, I didn’t.”

My mouth drops open for a split second, then I bark out a laugh. Oh, this one’s got spunk and fire. I adore that!

“It’s just a name,” I coax.

She doesn’t even look at me. “Yes, but it’smyname.” Her tone is short and curt, and I find myself completely intrigued. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, as I said, I’m in a hurry.”

“My name is Jake.”

She’s walking a little faster now, but it’s easy to keep up with her.

“Jake Sorenson.”

“I know who you are, ‘Boomer.’” She doesn’t sound particularly impressed.

“Are you a fan, then?”

She stops, actually stops walking, and turns to me with narrowed blue eyes framed by dark lashes. “Of you? The Thunderwolves? Or the game?”

Okay, now I’ve got her talking.

I’m so excited about that I can’t think of an answer right away.

She tilts her head to one side, an impatient frown spreading across her beautiful face.

“All of it,” I finally answer.

Her gaze travels from my head to my feet. It’s a quick perusal, but I swear I can feel those eyes running along every nerve ending in my body.

“None of it,” she answers, then turns on her heel and starts walking again.

Holy shit, this woman is awesome.

I laugh again. Who knew I could have so much fun being rejected?