Slow, Hard Puck: A Sexy Winter Games Romance Read online

  Table of Contents

  Epilogue

  Also by Adele Hart

  Foreword

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Take Me-Sneak Peek

  My Toy Boy-Sneak Peek

  About the Author

  Slow, Hard Puck

  A Sexy Winter Games Romance

  Adele Hart

  Copyright © 2017 by Adele Hart

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Also by Adele Hart

  Foreword

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Take Me-Sneak Peek

  My Toy Boy-Sneak Peek

  Also by Adele Hart

  About the Author

  Also by Adele Hart

  Thrill Me

  Take Me

  Tempt Me

  Choose Me

  Kiss Me

  Devour Me

  Alphas and Virgins Volume One

  Alphas and Virgins Volume Two

  Make Me Wet

  Make Me Crazy

  Make Me Yours

  Make Me Wild

  Make Me Happy

  My Toy Boy

  Make Me Volume One

  Foreword

  Hey Girl,

  I don’t know about you, but I LOVE watching the Olympics. Love it. Summer or winter. So much that I wanted to write a story about it. I mean, what’s not to like? The passion, the glory, the human body achieving what most can only dream of. Plus, all those freaking hot men. I mean, seriously, those are some hard bodies. All those muscly muscles covered with more muscles…mmm. Muscles. I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m actually salivating a little.

  Anyway, with the 2018 Winter Games coming up, I hope this will get you in the mood to cheer on the world’s best athletes as they ski or skate or play hockey with all those rock-hard muscles.

  Okay, anyway, I hope you enjoy this story. It’s about a cocky hockey player and a cute, little figure skater who doesn’t want to want him...

  Enjoy the happy ending (wink wink),

  Adele

  One

  Danika

  “I’ll be fine, Mom.” Fighting a big sigh, I try to hold my patience. I’m on a shuttle bus with the rest of the figure skating team and I speak quietly so the other teammates won’t hear. “See you in two weeks.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to come? I could change my flights and meet you there in a day or two. I’m sure my boss will give me the extra time off if you need me.”

  “I need to do this on my own. It’ll be all right, I promise. The whole team will be with me. Besides, I’m not a teenager anymore.”

  “But you’ll always be my baby, no matter how old you get.” Her voice goes up two octaves and I know her bottom lip is quivering. “I’m just so proud of you, Dani. I don’t want to miss a minute of your time in Korea.”

  I roll my eyes at my best friend and fellow figure skater, Tasha, who just got off a similar call with her mother. We’re on our way from the rink to the airport. Even though all of our parents dropped us off less than half an hour ago, we’re all getting the same call from panicky parents who want to change their plans and come now. Our coach, Pierre Rondeau made it very clear that no family members are to come until the start of the Winter Games. He needs us to concentrate on nutrition, discipline, and perfection for the next fourteen days. He needs us to get away from the tiger moms and the doting dads who think they know better than the coach himself. In my case, I hope that this will be the difference I need to finally achieve my life’s goal of being the best figure skater in the world. Every competition I come so close, but never make it onto the podium which is hugely frustrating. I have all the parts needed to make it, but somehow, I never quite manage to pull it all together to win the gold.

  My dad’s voice comes on the line. “Pumpkin, it’s me. Your mom and I just want you to know that if you need us, we’ll be there in a heartbeat.”

  “Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it, but I’ll be okay.”

  “All right. Now, you remember what we told you about Athlete’s Village. It’s full of young men with bad intentions.”

  Oh, God. Not this again. “Relax, okay? I’m not going to end up in some orgy or something. I’m there to win gold, not let some idiot jock distract me.”

  “Good, because we’ve all worked so hard to get to this moment. I’d hate to see you waste this opportunity.”

  My shoulders drop under the weight of his words. We’ve all worked so hard. My parents aren’t like the other skating families. We don’t pull into the parking lot of the rink in a shiny new Lexus, my mom hasn’t had a nip and tuck, my dad didn’t retire early so he could play more golf. Instead, he’s still pulling double shifts at the water treatment plant to pay for my extra ice time, coaching, physiotherapy, massage therapy, sport psychologists, skates, and costumes. “I won’t let you down, Dad. I promise.”

  “I know, Pumpkin. It’s just that everything’s going to be completely new to you and there will be about a million distractions to throw you off your game.”

  “I’ll stay focused. I know what to do.”

  “Good girl. Just remember, we believe in you. We always have.”

  “I know. Thanks. We’re just pulling up at the airport.”

  “Okay, have a safe trip. Text us as soon as you land.”

  “I will. Love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Two

  Clint

  “Wake up, you dumbass. I refuse to let you make me late for another flight.” My teammate and roommate, Hunter, flicks on my bedroom light.

  “Fuck off,” I groan, lifting my pillow and tucking my head under it. “You just killed a very fun moment I was having with a hot stewardess.”

  “Well, if you get your lazy ass out of bed, you might just meet a real hot stewardess in the flesh.” He kicks the foot of my bed. “Twenty minutes. Do not make me late for the fucking Winter Games.”

  I yawn loudly. “Is that today?” I ask, knowing it’ll get a rise out of him to pretend I forgot.

  “Are you fucking serious? Of course it’s…oh, you asshole. You knew all along, didn’t you?”

  “Now that you mention it, it rings a bell. I should probably start packing, right?” I scratch my two-day old whiskers on my jaw and try to fight a smile.

  Hunter, who has been packed for over a week now makes a grunting noise then walks out into the hallway muttering, “Prick.”

  I chuckle to myself as I drag my ass out of bed. There’s nothing easier than upsetting a goalie. They’re all fucking nuts to begin with. Hunter’s the worst of them all. A total control freak, type-A, needs to line up his fork and knife when he sets the table, kind of guy. I, however, am the complete opposite. First off, I don’t set the table. I eat on the sofa while balancing my plate on my lap and surfing through the sports channels. Second, I play center, which means I jump in and go wherever the moment takes m
e. In my case, it’s taken me to the pros at the tender age of seventeen and now, at the ripe old age of twenty-three, it’s taking me to the Winter Games for my second attempt at a gold medal. That fucker Sydney Crosby is not going to beat me this time. Canada is going down.

  When we arrive at the airport, we’re greeted by a throng of girls who have come to see us off. Hunter gives them a quick smile and a wave and keeps walking toward the security check-in, but I stop to say hello and pose for some pics. By the time I work my way through the crowd, I hear my name being called over the loud speaker, “Clint Sullivan, report to gate G-52 immediately for boarding.”

  “Sorry, ladies, that’s me. Make sure you cheer loud enough so I can hear you in Korea. And meet me back here when we get home. I’ll be the guy with a gold medal around his neck.” I wink at an especially hot brunette and the look on her face tells me she’ll be waiting.

  Three

  Danika

  So, we’ve been sitting on the plane waiting for one fartknocker who has clearly decided he’s more important than the rest of the people flying today. One of the flight attendants picks up the phone, then after a minute hangs up, then turns to her colleague. “Tell the captain that our straggler has just passed security. He’ll be here in two minutes.”

  I slide on my neck pillow and position my Hello Kitty eye mask on top of my head so I can go to sleep as soon as the security briefing is done. I’ve decided to get on Korea Standard Time right away and it’gs already night time there. I tap my foot, getting ready to glare at whoever it is that is making us late. I have a Garade A glare. I perfected it in middle school and now I’m glad I’m at the front of the plane so I can use it.

  I turn to complain to Tasha but she’s engrossed in a conversation with the hottie sitting beside her. He got the window seat and she’s taking full advantage of having a captive audience for the next twelve plus hours. The way she’s fawning all over him, I’m pretty sure they’re going to join the mile-high club by the time we land.

  “Hi, there.” A deep voice sounds from the door of the plane, and even though I can’t see who the voice belongs to, I know by the flight attendant’s reaction that he’s hot as sin.

  She blushes and says, “Welcome aboard Mr. Sullivan. I’m a big fan of yours.”

  “That makes me a lucky guy…” He pauses and she fills in the blank for him.

  “Ginny.”

  “Ginny, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Giggling like a school girl, Ginny says, “I’ll show you to your seat.”

  “Thanks.”

  She turns and starts down the aisle, letting him come into view. And holy heck! It’s like the entire plane stops and has to catch their breath at how freaking gorgeous this man is. He’s what would happen if Thor and Wonder Woman had a baby then raised him on nothing but protein.

  I’m ready with my glare though because I do not tolerate a disrespectful jerk, no matter what he looks like. His eyes land on me and an amused look crosses his face. “Well, hello, Kitty. Let me know if you need some help getting to sleep later. I have a technique that works every time.”

  I fold my arms across my chest. “Oh, is it making people wait for you to show up? Because that was a little boring…”

  “Oh, you’re a feisty kitty. Nice.” He winks at me and my mouth drops open in shock as he follows the giggly flight attendant.

  Tasha, who has temporarily forgotten seatmate hottie in favor of late guy hottie, grips my arm with her hand.

  I turn to her and say, “What an ass, right?”

  “I can’t see from this vantage point, but I’m guessing you’re right.”

  Seatmate hottie, who turns out to be a sports reporter, leans across Tasha and says, “That’s Clint Sullivan, captain of the US hockey team. Don’t get sucked in by him. He goes through women like they’re paper napkins.”

  “Oh, I have no intention of going anywhere near him.” I purse my lips. “Believe me.”

  My plan to sleep is ruined by the fact that, apparently, I’m on the party airbus. As soon as the seatbelt sign is turned off, people all over the plane get up and gather in groups wherever they can. Pretty soon, it’s more like a cocktail party than a flight. I sigh, tugging off my mask and giving up.

  Tasha looks over at me. “Giving in to the fun?”

  “This is insane. The pheromones are so thick on this plane, it’s a wonder you can see out the windows.”

  Tasha laughs. “Relax, sweetie, when we land, we’ll have two weeks until the opening ceremonies. How about taking a break from being perfect for a few hours?”

  “I’m not—”

  “Sure, you are. There is not one person on this plane with a tighter…schedule than you. Now, why don’t you let yourself take a dip in all the man candy we’re swimming in? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and no matter whether you win gold or silver, you’ll always regret not taking advantage of this moment,” she says, standing up and climbing over my legs to get to the aisle. “Which is exactly what I’m going to do. The ski team guys are at the back of the plane and I have got to meet them. You coming?”

  “No, thank you.” I bend at the waist and shove my eye mask and pillow into my carry-on, then pull out my Sudoku puzzles. They always manage to relax me, no matter how stressed I am.

  “Suit yourself, Grandma,” Tasha says before she disappears.

  I take a moment to move over to the window seat for more privacy now that both my seatmates are gone. I flip to my page and get started on the first puzzle.

  “Sudoku, huh? I figured you for a National Enquirer sort of girl.”

  I freeze at the sound of his voice, the timber of it vibrating straight to my lady bits. My eyes rake over him hungrily and I order them to stop that before they make their way to his chiseled face.

  When my gaze finally meets his, he’s grinning down at me. “Couldn’t sleep? Don’t forget my offer, kitty.”

  “I’m not really sure you’d have all that much to offer.” I glance down at his crotch and wrinkle my nose a bit, trying to force my eyes not to go wide at the bulge he’s sporting in those jeans. Good lord, that’s quite the intimidating package.

  Late guy hottie laughs and holds out his hand. “Clint Sullivan.”

  “Feisty kitty.” My hand shoots out without my permission to shake his hand and when we touch, my knees go weak. Thank goodness I’m sitting down.

  “Pleasure to meet you, kitty.” He doesn’t let go of my hand right away and I can’t help but notice the electrical charge going through me. “Let me buy you a drink.”

  I let go of his hand and try to unscramble my brain. What was I doing again? Oh, yeah, my math puzzles. “No, thanks. I don’t drink and Sudoku.”

  Clint laughs at my little joke, and the sound he makes is deeply satisfying, as I’m sure he would be. No! Stop that, Danika. Keep your eye on the prize.

  He flags down the flight attendant and orders a beer and a glass of champagne, then sits his very fine ass next to me. The middle seat, too. Not the aisle seat which would be preferable because it would feel a whole heck of a lot safer if my arm weren’t touching his. I seriously need to get rid of this guy right now. If I don’t, I have a terrible feeling that I’m about to kiss my dreams goodbye along with those of my hard-working parents.

  “I hear you’re quite the talent on the blades.”

  My cheeks heat up with the complement as well as the thought of him asking around about me. I force a bored look onto my face. The flight attendant appears with our drinks, saving me from trying to think up a clever response. Clint takes them, flashing her what I’m sure is his trademark smile before handing me a flute of champagne.

  He holds his beer up to me and says, “To new friends.”

  I clink my glass to his beer can and laugh reluctantly.

  “I’d say these drinks are a good metaphor for the two of us. You’re fine wines and crystal glasses and I am Bud all the way.”

  My chest tightens with shame at my wrong side of the
tracks background. “You also figured me for a National Enquirer girl.” I tap my Sudoku book with one finger to make my point.

  Clint nods his head. “Is that your way of trying to tell me you didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in your mouth?”

  I take a sip of champagne, feeling the bubbles on my tongue as I stall on giving him an answer. He’s not exactly the type of guy I’d ever feel comfortable exposing myself to—and I don’t mean getting naked. I mean making myself emotionally vulnerable. The look on my face must say more than I intended to because Clint’s sharp features soften for a moment.

  “I get it, Kitty. I have a feeling we both grew up on the same side of the tracks.” He takes a long swig of his beer and when he pulls the can away from his mouth he smiles a little. “You’ve probably got a lot more riding on this trip than most of the people on this plane.”

  I stare into his eyes a lot longer than is advisable because something about the expression on his face makes me give him my name. “I’m Danika.”

  “I know, I asked around about you, remember?” He bumps his shoulder to mine. “But I think I’m going to have to call you Kitty anyway.” His gaze drops to my lips for a brief second and my entire body warms at the thought of him kissing me.

  I’ve only had two boyfriends before. One was in high school and I didn’t let him get past second base even though we were together for most of junior year. The second one was a Russian skater who came to train with our club in Santa Monica. Things were more serious with Sergei and I right up till I found out he had a wife waiting back home. Thinking of Sergei causes my stomach to clench a little and reminds me why men are a terrible idea for a girl like me.