Free Stay by Jennifer Sucevic Page B

lose- wrong) and then they have to shower and change.
    Brooklyn squeals as her guy saunters out of the locker room with a big smile lighting up his face.  And just like I suspected- hot and athletic.  In true Brooklyn fashion, she runs and jumps into his outstretched arms before wrapping her legs around his waist.  A good number of his teammates hoot and holler in response.  As if that PDA isn’t shocking enough, she then proceeds to kiss the hell right out of him.
    Watching the pair of them is a little like gawking at a horrific traffic accident.  You don’t necessarily want to keep staring… but you feel helpless to tear your eyes away.  No matter how much you might want to. 
    “Huh.  So I guess the tables have turned and you’re the one doing the stalking now.”
    My heart skips a beat as I spin towards the deep male voice filling my ears.  Although I don’t have to turn to know exactly who I’ll find standing beside me.
    Cole.
    “Damn… I guess you caught me.”  I almost cringe as the words fly out of my mouth.  My heart starts beating in overdrive.  Yeah… the last thing I need is for him to think that I’ve turned into one of his little fan girls.
    Because I am so not a fan girl.
    Clearly not taking me seriously, he chuckles.  And yep, there are those gorgeous dimples of his coming out to play.  As has been previously mentioned, they seriously drive me to distraction.
    “You know you kind of suck as a stalker, right?”
    “Sorry, I’m still trying to get the hang of it.  Remind me to ask you for some tips. You seem to be a real pro.”
    My belly dips as he continues to grin happily down at me.  I almost wince realizing that what is currently taking place between us is totally counterproductive to what I need to happen.
    Which is for me to distance myself from him.
    “Well, for one, you’re supposed to stay out of sight.  You know- hide in bushes, peek around corners, wear disguises, follow discreetly from a distance.  That kind of thing.  Maybe we can get together later on and I can give you a stalker one-oh-one crash course.  Stalking for dummies… or something like that.  Totally free of charge, of course.”
    Dimples.
    Again with those damn dimples.
    If he’s trying to wear me down, those dimples are the way to go.  And he must know it.  Because he flashes them at me rather ruthlessly.
    I blink my eyes trying to shake myself free of the thick fog that always seems to settle over me when he’s near.  “No, I don’t think that’ll be necessary.  You’ve given me quite enough to go on already.”
    He steps just a bit closer, invading my space.  My heart clutches almost painfully at his nearness.  At the fresh clean smell of him.  “I don’t want to brag or anything but I’m one of the best.”
    “Great,” I point to an area about twenty feet away, “I think I’ll just go stand over there for the time being.”
    His eyes continue holding mine before he asks, “So, did you enjoy the game?”
    And that’s when it hits me.  Like a ton of bricks.  “Oh my God,” I gasp in surprise, “you played!”  Then I shake my head.  What a stupid thing to say.  I mean, duh… of course he played.  His hair is all shiny and wet and he smells… well, he smells damn near edible.  All masculine and…
    I really have to stop thinking like that.  I’m supposed to be distancing myself from him not trying to inhale him.
    Thankfully unaware of the diabolically dangerous thoughts renting space in my head, he winks, a smile still curving his generous lips upward.  “See, you’re way better at this whole stalker thing then you give yourself credit for.”
    My eyes flare wide before I shake my head.  Because the last thing I need is for him to think that I’m some newly turned Cole convert.  “I’m totally serious- I didn’t come here to see you!  I didn’t even know you played hockey.”  Almost desperately I point to Brooklyn who is still wrapped around number