Page 3 of Ice-Cold Obsession

I take a deep breath and head for the door.

The party is waiting, and so is Gabriel.

Chapter 2

GABRIEL

I SHOW UP TO TAJ’Splace around ten, and the party is already going strong. I can feel the shift in energy the second I walk through the door. Someone calls my name from across the room, and a group near the kitchen raises their cups in my direction.

Being the captain of the hockey team means a lot at Northstone, and I’ve gotten used to the attention. More than used to it, actually. I’ve learned how to use it.

Taj pushes through the crowd and claps me on the shoulder. “Finally. I thought you weren’t coming.”

“I had to finish some stuff,” I say, even though I didn’t.

I just like making an entrance when the party’s already going and when everyone’s loose enough to be entertaining but not sloppy yet.

“The keg’s in the back, but I’ve got the good stuff in the kitchen if you want it.”

I nod and follow Taj through the living room. People reach out to touch my arm or shoulder as I pass, and I give them the smile they want. Easy and confident, as if I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

In the kitchen, Taj pours some vodka into a cup and slides the bottle toward me, but I grab the orange juice instead and pretend to add some vodka. I learned this trick during my freshman year. Nobody asks questions if you’re holding a cup and acting as if you’re drinking.

The truth is I don’t touch alcohol during the season because nothing can mess with my performance on the ice. But I’m not about to explain that to everyone because then they’d think I’m some uptight asshole who can’t have fun.

I take a sip of my juice and scan the room. The usual crowd is here. My teammates, puck bunnies, and the girls from my classes who’ve been trying to get my attention all semester. It’s predictable, but that’s fine because predictable is easy.

“Gabriel!”

I turn and find Ashlyn moving toward me. She’s blonde and eager, and she’s been flirting with me for weeks. She stops too close, her hand landing on my chest as if she has a right to touch me.

“Hey,” I say, keeping my tone friendly but not too interested.

“I was hoping you’d show up.” She leans in, and I can smell whatever sweet perfume she’s wearing. “So, would you fight for me on the ice? Like if someone said something about me... would you throw down your gloves?”

I laugh because the question is so fucking stupid I can’t help it. “Maybe.”

She grins as if I’ve just promised her the world, but the truth is I’d never fight on the ice for a girl. I don’t fight at all if I can help it because fighting is what guys do when they lose control, and I don’t do that. I’m too smart for it. Throwing away my career because some asshole chirped about a girl I’m barely interested in would be the kind of dumb shit that ruins everything.

Ashlyn keeps talking, but I’m barely listening. She’s an idiot, and I’m already considering whether it’s worth sleeping with her just to get her off my back. I don’t do relationships, second dates, sleepovers, or any of that bullshit. One night, and then I’m done. It works for me and keeps things simple.

But even as I’m thinking about it, I’m already scanning the room for someone more interesting. Someone who’ll actually be worth my time.

My gaze lands on a girl.

She’s standing near the wall, holding a cup and looking as if she’s not quite sure what to do with herself. Her dress looks more like something to wear to church rather than to a party. But her long, dark hair, big dark eyes, and curves make me stop and stare for a second longer than I should.

She’s gorgeous. And probably new, since I haven’t seen her around before, and I’d remember.

I tune out whatever Ashlyn is saying and focus on the girl instead. She looks sweet, a little awkward, and completely out of place. She seems like the kind of girl who probably grew up going to Sunday school and has no idea what she’s gotten herself into.

A smile spreads across my lips.

I like a challenge, and she looks like an easy target. Sweet girls always are because they think guys like me are charming and exciting, and by the time they realize what’s actually happening, it’s too late.

I put on my best grin and excuse myself from Ashlyn, ignoring the disappointment on her face. She’ll get over it.

I make my way across the room, weaving through the groups of people until I’m right in front of the girl. Up close, she’s even better. Soft features, full lips, and something about her screams innocent.