A Perfect Distraction(48)
It felt as if they were cocooned in this room.
Jake held her jacket so she could put it on. He didn’t remove his hands right away. The warm weight on her shoulders was comforting and a little thrilling.
“We should go.” That husky note was back in his voice.
His breath caressed the back of her neck, sending a shiver of pleasure through her.
“Okay.” She nodded, but didn’t move.
Slowly, Jake turned her to face him.
Her heart started thumping heavily. How could ice-blue burn with such a heated blaze?
The lights in the suite dimmed, startling her.
“Energy-saving timers,” Jake murmured, never shifting his gaze from hers.
“Uh-huh.” Maggie inched a little closer, tilting her chin. “Good idea.”
“Definitely.” His mouth covered hers.
Lightning flashed through her as his tongue parted her lips and swept inside.
She met him stroke for stroke, lick for lick. Nibble for nibble.
Jake tasted as wicked and dangerous as he looked. His dark, delicious flavor was addictive. Her pulse pounded. Desire pooled deep within her core.
His hands slipped from her shoulders to her hips, pulling her flush against him from thigh to chest. Heat seared her sensitized skin through the layers of clothing. His hardness pressed against her.
She wanted more.
Her fingertips traced his jaw, slid into his hair then down his neck. As their tongues danced, her knees began to tingle.
His hands stroked the small of her back, the curve of her bottom. His fingers gripped her hips, drawing her tight against his erection. She couldn’t help but rub herself against him.
Holding on to his broad shoulders, Maggie allowed herself to be swept away in a maelstrom of sensations.
Cold air at the small of her back, where her sweater had parted from her jeans, brought her out of the haze of desire. She took a moment to savor the fiery caress of Jake’s fingers against her bare skin, then slowly broke the kiss.
Jake didn’t lift his head right away. He pressed light kisses along her lips, lingering a little less with each one, until the last was the barest of touches.
A tinny tune echoed through the silent suite.
“Damn it.” Keeping one arm around her, Jake reached behind him with his spare hand for his cell phone. “What?”
“Am I interrupting?” she heard Tru tease.
Jake growled, “Yes. What’s up?”
“You guys coming or what?”
Maggie voted for “or what.” But her blood was already beginning to cool, her pulse to settle. She drew away from Jake and instantly regretted it.
“We’ll see you in a few, bro.” He hung up, the flames in his eyes banked. “Is that okay?”
“Sure. I’m starving.” She flushed.
“Me, too,” he said softly.
For a moment, they stood there, gazes locked. If he’d made even the slightest move toward her, she knew she’d have been lost. And they’d have been very late joining the team.
Instead, he opened the door of the suite. As she walked past, he murmured, “Later.”
She couldn’t wait.
CHAPTER TEN
“ARE YOU sure I don’t know you?”
Juergen’s question made Maggie uncomfortable. She’d like to hold on to the anonymity for a little longer. He’d work out where he’d seen her sooner or later; most Europeans followed football and recognized the well-known players, as well as the WAGs. Even if Juergen was too polite to ask questions, she could do without the pity she’d see in his eyes.
“I must have a familiar face.” She shrugged, hoping he’d drop the subject.
“Those eyes, the cheekbones.” Vlad grinned. “Her face isn’t common, is it, Bad Boy?”
“Definitely unique.” Jake leaned closer. “Uniquely beautiful.”
Unfamiliar with compliments, she wasn’t sure what to say. Thankfully, the food arrived, distracting the hungry players.
Talk turned to hockey: scores from the other games, rumors and gossip. No one seemed upset by the evening’s loss.
“Preseason games don’t count,” Jake explained. “They’re a chance to see how the team’s shaping up, how the young players might fit within the setup.”
“Like a ‘friendly’?”
Ike grabbed a burrito. “Right. The regular season starts in October.”
“Are you coming to opening night?” Tru asked.
That was still a few weeks away. Much as she’d like to see Jake in action, who knew how things would work out between them? Would he even ask her? “I’m not sure.”
“Maggie’s not convinced yet that hockey is the greatest sport in the world.” Jake smiled indulgently. “I’m still working on her.”