She stared at him for another heady moment. Someone, maybe Slater, maybe Celek, called her name. Biting her lip, she withdrew her hand. "I need to get back to work."
Dylan blew out a breath he hadn't realized that he'd been holding, and watched her walk away. He sank further down, grateful for the cold and its ability to temper his body's reaction. He'd need at least a few more minutes before he could walk away.
CHAPTER THREE
THE TEAM'S HOTEL IN Tampa Bay was beautiful. Blair meandered down the hallways to the elevator. They'd arrived at the hotel too late for her to do anything except sleep the first night, and the following day and night had been spent at the arena, getting players ready for the third game of the series, which they'd won.
Tonight was an off night, but she'd still spent a full day at the rink working on chart notes and preparing for the day's treatments and therapy sessions in the morning, then working out with the injured players, and then helping the rest of the team once they'd arrived for practice: stretching, taping, treating any previous injuries, and evaluating new injuries. As soon as practice ended she'd returned to the training room and worked with the players who needed to finish treatments, therapy, and workouts.
A long, long day.
But a shower had helped, as did dinner, and comfortable clothes.
She stepped inside the car, craving fresh air after being stuck indoors most of the day. After a brief debate, she skipped the rooftop pool and hit the button for the lobby and the walking path that lay just outside the hotel's doors.
The elevator doors opened. Dylan stood on the other side in a black polo shirt and gray jeans. He did a double-take, and then his smile lit up the room. "Hey."
Surprise mixed with pleasure, jolting her heart into a faster beat. "Hi."
She stepped into the lobby wishing she'd changed into something nicer than her faded jeans and favorite red shirt, its soft material worn thin from so many washings.
Rather than getting into the elevator, he moved closer to her. "You're wearing your hair down. I don't think I've ever seen it like that."
She brushed the strands over her shoulder. When she wore it down, it was long enough to reach her lower back. "I always pull it up for work or working out so it won't get in the way."
"I like it. Up or down." His hand reached toward her as if he wanted to touch her hair, paused, and then he lowered it back to his side. "Where are you headed?"
"The Riverwalk. I want to get outside for a bit."
"Want some company?"
His words, spoken at the practice facility days earlier, echoed in her head. I need to get a game or two under my belt, and then we'll... talk. Since then, he'd gotten through three games, and a few full-contact practices and his head seemed to be fine. Daring herself to take the chance, she nodded. "I'd love it. Where were you coming from?"
"I just came from there, but it's a nice night so going back is a good idea." He dipped his hands into his pockets as they walked. "I just needed a walk to clear my head. I was a little keyed up with all of the preparation for tomorrow's game."
She noted the slight lines fanning from his eyes. "Stressed?"
He shrugged, and his brows drew together. "I think it's more like experiencing information overload. I've watched a lot of video on strengths and weaknesses for both teams. When we're at home, it's different. I have things to distract me or allow me to shift focus. Hell, Rod alone is one big distraction. He always has something going on at the house."
"Speaking of Rod, where is he?" The brothers weren't usually too far apart.
"Last I checked, he was on the phone with Arielle."
"They're very cute together." She'd met his fiancée a handful of times over the past season. Rod and Arielle balanced each other out well.
They reached the door, and Dylan's hand grazed her back when she passed in front of him. The touch sent a shiver over her skin.
She lifted her face to the sky when they stepped outside and breathed in deep. The stress of her day faded. They walked for a few minutes until the hotel was out of view. She looked out over the water. "It's pretty here."
"From where I'm standing too." He stood a few steps away, his gaze intent on her face.
Heat flushed into her body. She moved closer to him and leaned on the iron railing that separated them from the bay. Wind whipped all around them in playful gusts, ruffling clothes and hair. She tugged her shirtsleeves over her hands and wrapped her arms around her torso.
"Cold?" Dylan slid his arm around her shoulder. Strong and warm, it held her snug against his side.
Her skin tingled at his nearness, at the touch and the closeness she'd thought about for so long. She relaxed against him and leaned her head on his chest. She was too short to reach his shoulder. The lights reflecting off the water and the palm trees wrapped in tiny white lights made her smile. Romantic, given the company.
He brought his other arm around her, enclosing her in the circle of his embrace. She lifted her head and tilted it to meet his gaze.
His expression a study in seriousness, he shifted his hold. Blair wet her dry lips. Pulse thrumming a steady beat, she traced the dark stubble covering his jaw. His eyes closed as she explored. When they opened, they were darkened with desire.
"I like this. It's softer than it looks." She
