Back Check (Aces Hockey #4)(56)

 

She nodded wordlessly and they entered one of the elevators. He pushed the button for the thirteenth floor.

 

"You live on the thirteenth floor?" she asked as they ascended.

 

"Yup. That's why I bought this condo. Lucky thirteen."

 

He unlocked the door and let her enter first, flicking on a light. She stepped into a short hall.

 

"I'll take your coat."

 

She handed it to him, removed her boots to reveal her opaque black tights, and moved farther into the condo in stocking feet, cautious on the slippery hardwood floor. City lights glittered through the big windows on two walls, since it was a corner unit. A big sectional sat in front of the windows, with a thick rug beneath it, two chairs creating a square seating area. Tanner turned on a tall lamp in a corner, and then picked up a remote control and the gas fireplace flared to life.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"This is beautiful."

 

"Have a seat. What would you like to drink?"

 

Somehow she'd envisioned heading straight to the bedroom and she smiled at his courtesy. "I don't really need anything." But she sat on the couch facing the fireplace. "I was curious about where you live."

 

"Do you want a tour?"

 

"Um, sure." She stood again and followed him into the kitchen-with dark wood cabinets, stainless-steel appliances, and black countertops-and dining area-a dark wood table with eight chairs arranged around it. "This kitchen doesn't look like it gets used much."

 

He grinned. "Sure it does. Check this out." He pulled open the fridge door and she saw neatly arranged produce, milk, yogurts, and cheese. And beer.

 

"So you're just very neat, then. Funny, I don't remember that about you."

 

"I have a cleaning lady who comes in once a week. She was here today."

 

"Ah."

 

He led her down a hall to the bedrooms. "Here's one bathroom. That's the laundry room. And there are three bedrooms," he said, showing her one that was nearly empty, a second that was minimally furnished, and then the master suite, which was massive. "This one's mine." A king-size bed sat against one wall and overlooked another big window. A padded bench at the foot of the bed had clothes lying on it, a pair of Nikes beneath it. "And the other bathroom's in here."

 

She followed him into a bathroom tiled in shiny beige stone. A big tub sat next to more windows, and the shower was huge too.

 

"That's my closet." He nodded at another door.

 

"Your master suite is as big as my whole apartment."

 

"I'm a big guy. I need space to move around."

 

"It must be amazing having a bath in that tub." She gestured at the sparkling city view. The soaker tub had taps on the long side of it and was big enough for two.

 

"I don't know. I've never had a bath in it."

 

She gave him a mock horrified look. "What? That's terrible. What a waste."

 

"I'm more of a shower kind of guy." He moved closer to her and slid his hands over her hips and around to her ass. "But I could be convinced to try out the bathtub."

 

A soft breath escaped her, and her belly did a little flip, imagining them naked, together, in that tub. She dragged her tongue over her bottom lip and Tanner's eyes darkened, watching her.

 

"You like that idea," he murmured.

 

"I do."

 

"Do you have to get up early?"

 

"No. I have a meeting at one o'clock. You?"  

 

"Optional skate at noon. Then we leave for Minneapolis."

 

"I didn't bring much with me … "

 

"What did you bring?"

 

"My glasses. And my toothbrush."

 

"Katelyn." His lips lifted into a wicked smile. "Did you actually think you might be staying overnight here?"

 

"I was hoping."

 

"Well, I have to say I'm shocked. Shocked, I tell you."

 

She laughed. "Bullshit."

 

"Okay, okay, I admit, I planned to keep you here all night. And do dirty things to you."

 

"Oh thank God."

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 15

 

 

"It's not that late." Tanner released her and turned to the tub. He cranked on the taps. "We have lots of time for a bath and a glass of wine. Be right back."

 

He strode to the kitchen, where he pulled out two wineglasses. The bottle of red wine in the built-in wine rack had a screw cap, so it was quick and easy to fill the glasses. He paused to grab the bag of kettle chips he'd picked up, remembering they were Katelyn's favorite.