Free Heat it Up: Off the Ice - Book One by Stina Lindenblatt Page A

want to kiss him so badly. Maybe things will be different with Kyle. Maybe he can teach me to be a better lover. Maybe he can give me the confidence I’m missing, like he did at the amusement park when it came to my fear of heights.
    I kiss him. Lightly. Hunger gleams in his eyes. Hunger and uncertainty. Before I can speak, his mouth is back on mine and I welcome him in.
    His kiss is as amazing as I remember. Our tongues stroke, glide, feel in time to the music and the swaying of our bodies. Nothing else exists. Just us. And the kiss.
    Kyle’s hands drift from my hips to my lower back and pull me closer. Every cell in my body hums, until I’m positive the vibrations in the floor are caused by me and not the music. Our swaying stops. The kissing doesn’t.
    It’s not until someone bumps against us that I realize the music is no longer slow. Kyle takes my hand and leads me off the dance floor, my breath still ragged. He pauses, looks at a group of girls and the guy from that day in the sauna, then heads toward Maija and her boyfriend.
    His expression looks torn, but I can’t tell what he’s torn about. Is it because he’s with me instead of those girls? If they gave him the chance, would he go home with one of them?
    “Is something wrong?” His thumb slides along my lip and pulls it away from my teeth. Until then, I hadn’t realized I was chewing it.
    “No, I’m good.” I glance over my shoulder at the girls again. I’ve never done a one-night stand before. I’ve only been with Ian. I flirt with guys all the time, but when it comes to taking things further, the art of seduction is lost on me.
    I look back at Kyle. I guess there’s a first for everything.
    I introduce Maija and her boyfriend to Kyle. Kyle and Toivo hit it off immediately, and start talking hockey.
    Kyle’s friend joins us with his three-girl entourage.
    Maija pulls me aside. “Watch out for the girl in the pink shorts. I heard her talking to her friend in the bathroom. She’s very interested in Kyle, if you know what I mean.” I know what she means. The girl isn’t touching him, but she’s close enough that if she shifts slightly, there’ll be a lot of bodily contact.
    “Thanks for the warning.”
    Maija wraps her arms about her boyfriend’s waist. I do the same to Kyle, sliding between him and Pink Shorts. She gives me the death glare but moves back a step. Kyle gives me an amused grin. I almost reach up and kiss him, but decide it might be too much. He’s not territory to be marked.
    Kyle’s not the only one looking amused at the situation. His friend, Nik, keeps eyeing both me and Pink Shorts, as if he expects us to Jell-O wrestle at any second.
    I’m not sure if Pink Shorts thinks we’re in some sort of contest, and Kyle is the prize, but she moves to his other side and rubs the front of her body against his hip. Maybe if I were another girl, I’d kiss him and tell her to back off. Instead, I move away, realizing my plan isn’t working, and toy with the swan charm around my neck. I’m not her. I’m not trained in the art of seduction.
    I don’t get too far. Kyle tightens his hold on my waist. “Where do you think you’re going?” He chuckles against my cheek.
    I lean against him, victory coursing through me.
    With a huff, Pink Shorts leaves to dance with her friends and some guys, and I’m left contemplating the next step in my plan.
    And come up with a blank.
    Not paying attention to Kyle and Toivo’s current conversation, I covertly watch the girl with Nik. She’s wrapped around him, her hand on his butt, her mouth on his neck. Half of his attention is directed at her, the other on the guys’ conversation. He takes a break from listening to them to shove his tongue down her throat and grab her breast.
    Ewww. Lesson plan aborted. I quickly return my attention to Kyle and Toivo.
    Maija and her boyfriend soon say their goodbyes. I’m about to leave with them, so they can walk me to Muumu’s car, when Kyle stops