“What kind of name is Finlay, anyway?”

“That’s not a yes or a no.”

He runs a hand over his beard and mumbles something.

I crook a finger. “C’mere.”

He regards me with something like chagrin before he unfurls from his seated position. Randy’s a big man. He’s well over six feet tall, broad and weighing in at more than two hundred pounds during the off-season. He has to work hard to keep that weight on during game season because he burns calories faster than he can consume them. He may look intimidating to some, but he’s not to me.

He jumps the seats to stand in the first row. Only the boards separate us. His tongue peeks out to wet his bottom lip as he looks me over. I have to adjust my tights for the eleven-millionth time. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s hard. He likes me feisty.

“I didn’t quite catch that,” I say softly.

Randy grips the boards, his fingertips going white as his gaze lifts over my head, likely to my skating partner, before it settles on me again. “Can you blame me?”

“Blame you for what exactly?”

“Wanting you to smell like me.”

I totally called it. “So you’re aiming for twenty-first-century caveman, now? Is this your version of peeing on a tree to mark your territory?”

He frowns. “Dogs do that, not cavemen. Or evolved cavemen, like me, apparently.”

I prop a fist on my hip. “You know what I mean. It’s the same thing.”

“It’s not even remotely the same.”

He’s being antagonistic on purpose. He knows it gets me hot. Right now I’m legitimately irritated, though. And I’m offended that it seems a lot like he doesn’t trust me. Although, now isn’t really the time to have it out about trust issues. “We’re not arguing about this now.”

“I didn’t realize it was an argument at all. That guy has his hands all over you. We have sex to this song all the damn time. I think it’s reasonable for me to want him to know you’re not available.”

I didn’t even consider how often we get it on to the song. “And you thought the best way to accomplish that was by eating me out in the locker room ten minutes before I had to be on the ice with him?”

“You seemed to enjoy yourself.”

My magic marble agrees. “That’s beside the point. We’ll be talking about this later.”

“That sounds like a good idea. You can tell me exactly what you liked best about my eating your pussy in the changing room and if there’s anything you’d want me to do differently next time.”

“I’m not kidding.”

“Neither am I. I take eating your pussy very seriously.” Randy manages not to crack a smile. “Wanna introduce me to Finlay?”

“So he can run when he sees you coming for him?”

“Pretty much.”

2

GET OFF MY GIRL

RANDY

So maybe I’m being somewhat unreasonable, but I’m also still new at the girlfriend thing. And this guy seems like a dick. Or maybe that’s me being overprotective of what’s mine. Not that Lily is a possession, but she’s my girlfriend, and I don’t want anyone putting the moves on her. Especially not this guy. I did some research before I decided I should stay and watch Lily skate. Apparently Finlay has had a relationship with his last two skating partners. I get that Lily is his instructor, not his partner, but today is a one-on-one session. I want to make sure he’s aware that she’s not a viable dating option.

It’s not that I don’t trust Lily. I do. She’s more than capable of taking care of herself, but I don’t ever want her to be in a position where that’s a problem. She’s gorgeous, and talented. I get a little nervous. I’m also a whole lot stressed about the beginning of the season and being away from her for extended periods of time. I’ve gotten used to being home with her, seeing her every day. The upcoming season is going to be an adjustment.

Lily motions for the guy to come over so she can do the introduction thing. He’s shorter than me by a good four inches, and I definitely outweigh him by at least forty pounds. Based on what his spandex business doesn’t hide, I’m also way more equipped to take care of Lily’s needs in the bedroom.

“Be nice,” Lily hisses.

I extend a hand and smile instead of punching him in the face. I need to get a handle on this jealousy. “Hey, I’m Randy.”

“Hey, hi. Finlay.” He takes my offered palm.

“I’m Lily’s boyfriend. She lives with me. In my house.”

Lily makes a sound like she’s choking, or coughing, or both. I glance at her. I don’t think that was the right thing to say.

“Right. Okay.” Finlay blinks and swallows. “I, uh, I read that somewhere—”

Lily slaps a palm on the boards. “We should probably get back to it.” She gives me an overly sweet, somewhat annoyed smile. “You know what I’d love?”

Judging from her tone, I don’t think it’s another changing-room orgasm. “What’s that, luscious?”

“A tea.”

“You want me to get you one from the concession stand?”

She makes a face. “The tea here sucks. Oh! I’d like a chai latte. There’s a Starbucks down the street. It’s, like, a ten-minute walk. You don’t mind, do you? Finlay, do you want anything?”

Finlay looks uncomfortable. “Uh, no. I’m good. Thanks.”

Clearly Lily’s trying to get rid of me, which means I’ve definitely said the wrong thing. I tried to be nice. Okay, maybe I didn’t try that hard, but I can make up for it with food. “You want anything besides a chai latte? I can get you one of those oat bar things you like.”

“That’d be great.” This time her smile holds less tension.

I lean in to kiss her, but she gives me her cheek. I back off, and when she turns her head, I manage to connect her mouth with mine. The PDA must be too much for Finlay because he says something about it being nice to meet me and skates away.

“Did you even wash your face?” she whispers when he’s out of hearing range.

This time I don’t bother to hold back my grin. “Why? Can you smell yourself on me?”

“You’re unbelievable. What about your hands? Please tell me you washed those.”