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On Thin Ice

By: Pussyrider



My name's Nick Rossi, and I'm a 24-year old figure skater based in South London. Well, to be precise, I'm part of a pairs skating partnership. We were a highly successful team, finishing in the top three in the British Championships two years running. That was until the day I walked in on my partner – and fiancée – with a rival's cock in her mouth, and her tits in his hands. Not surprisingly, that ended my interest in the engagement, the skating partnership, and the entire sport for a while.

My coach, Sue Friedrichs, coaxed me back onto the ice. Sue's a veteran of skating, with a considerable reputation. She represented East Germany at the Olympics several hundred years ago, she's an international judge, and over the years she's coached loads of champions. She's knocking on in years now, semi-retired from coaching, but she made Lesley – my slut partner – and me her special project, and she was devastated when we split up. For a while I thought about carrying on solo, but my heart just wasn't in it. When you skate with a partner, and it works well, it's incredibly intimate: it's like you meld into a single entity. You know each other's thoughts, your hearts beat in unison, you breathe at the same time...take the partner away and it's as if part of your body has been cut off. That's partly why Lesley's betrayal had hurt me so deeply.

Sue and I were sitting morosely in the café at Streatham Ice Arena after one training session when she laid her hand over mine on the table, and said, "There's only one thing for it liebling – I'm just going to have to find you a new partner." I was torn by the idea. I love skating, and I would have hated to walk away from it like that. But Lesley and I had been skating together since we were 14, I wasn't sure if I could build another professional relationship with a new partner, just like that. Sue was adamant, though and three days later, when I arrived for training, she waved me over with a huge grin. "Nicky, I want you to come and meet someone." Taking my hand, she dragged me into the café, and towards a table where a small figure was hunched over a glass of cola. The girl stood as she saw us approaching. I'd noticed her gliding and pirouetting around the ice on occasions, but never actually met her. Sue put her arm around the girl's shoulders and said, "Nicky, this is Donna Hamilton. You two start getting to know each other while I get you a coffee." I sat, and the two of us nodded shyly to each other, then sat silent and embarrassed as Sue bustled off.

I surreptitiously studied Donna as she gazed down through the window of the café to the ice below, where the public session was just coming to an end for the day. She had very blonde hair, cut so that the ends curled inwards at just about the level of her jaw. Her face was kind of elfin: slightly arched eyebrows, one shade of blonde darker than her hair, eyes the colour of jade, cheeks which tapered inwards to a narrow chin with a dimple. She looked up and smiled at Sue as she returned, and thin lips parted to reveal sparkling teeth straight out of a toothpaste ad. We talked for a few minutes, and I learnt that Donna was 19 and had been a successful junior skater, but her career had stalled a bit and she was looking to move in a different direction. I started to tell her my background, and she interrupted, "Oh, I know all about you, I've even got a poster of you in my bedroom." She must have realised it made her sound a bit of a dork, because she immediately blushed bright scarlet, and became fascinated by the straw in her cola glass.

After a couple of minutes Sue took us down to the ice and told us to just fool around together a bit. As we stood side by side I realised we must look like a very odd couple. I'm six-feet-one, slim with dark Italian looks, whereas Donna was only five-two, pale and, although not chunky, had a decent pair of boobs sticking out under her pink jumper. We skated around each other for a while, then Sue got us to try out a few basic moves together: a couple of lifts, a few spins, that sort of thing. I didn't feel like we'd really clicked, but I recognised it was early days. After that we started practising together on the ice, but in my view things weren't getting any better. I frankly didn't think Donna had much personality and, basically, she just wasn't Lesley. Off the ice we did our fitness training separately, and we never spoke or saw each other outside our ice sessions. It didn't help that she still had a regular day job. I had been lucky in having a wealthy father who owned a chain of fruit and veg shops and, together with Sports Council sponsorship Lesley and I had received, it meant I could be a full-time skater. Without that sort of backing, Donna had never been able to give up her nine-to-five.

After a couple of weeks I told Sue I didn't think the partnership was working out. She disagreed. "Look, you don't have to be in love with the girl, you just have to skate with her. Technically you're quite good together, and that will improve. The only thing you're not doing between you is generating any warmth. That's all we need to work on." I wasn't convinced, but I grudgingly agreed to keep trying. Looking back now, I can see that it was all my fault – frankly, I behaved like a complete shit towards Donna. She regularly asked me if I'd like to have coffee together after our skating sessions, but I always told her I had to rush off. A few times I went for drinks with a group of the other regulars at the arena, male and female. Donna always hovered in the background, looking hopeful, but I never invited her. A month or so after we started training together she even invited me to her 20th birthday party and I lied that I had a prior engagement. At the time I was resentful at having been saddled with her, as I saw it, and I had no idea how much I was hurting her.

A couple of months into our partnership, Donna and I took part in a local competition, sort of an early warm-up for the season in earnest. It was an absolute disaster. For a start, neither of us were really happy with our music. Donna had suggested we go for a romantic theme, whereas I wanted something more upbeat, Fifties rock 'n' roll that we could really zing across the ice to. In the end we had compromised and included a bit of both. Rehearsals to the music seemed to go okay, but on the night Donna was so nervous I could almost hear her teeth chattering before we went out on the ice. I was wearing my usual billowing white shirt and tight black pants, while she wore a rather outdated sparkly pink dress, pretty much identical to those of several of the other competitors. The routine itself went reasonably well until a lift close to the end. I was slightly out of position, as a result of which Donna mistimed her jump into my arms. Instead of catching her, I got whacked in the face by her arse, and we landed in a crumpled heap on the ice. After that neither of us were concentrating, and the last couple of moves just fell apart. Other than the wild applause of our ever loyal parents, the half-filled arena was pretty much silent as we glided off the ice as quick as we could.

We went straight to the changing rooms, not waiting to hear our embarrassing scores, and ignoring the sympathetic looks from our fellow competitors. The error had been as much my fault as Donna's; we both knew that. But, when she started to apologise to me, tears in her eyes, I whirled to face her and snapped, "Don't even talk to me. Jesus Christ!" and stormed into the men's room, slamming the door. Then I slumped onto a bench, feeling as guilty as hell. Later that evening, in a café across the road from the venue, Sue brought us together to survey the wreck of our performance. Donna and I pointedly ignored each other, but I couldn't help noticing that her eyes were red-rimmed from crying, and her make-up was tear-streaked. She never seemed to smile much around me, but I had never seen her look more miserable than she did then.

Sue gave us both a long hard stare, then said, "The fall I'm not too worried about. We all know what went wrong, and that can be fixed. Until that you were the best. What worries me more is that the two of you were colder out there than the ice. You looked like two strangers who'd just met and decided to have one dance together. How can you expect the judges to warm to you if you don't generate any warmth? You both have good technical skills.  What you have to realise is, technique only thirty per cent of success – at the top level everyone can pretty much do everything. The rest is what you put across to your audience." She reached across the table and took my right hand and Donna's left in hers, and gave us a smile. "Look at the greats – Rodnina and Zaitsev, Gordeyeva and Grinkov, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo. They didn't just skate together – they caressed the judges, and each other. They made love on the ice. That's what set them apart from their rivals. That's what you have to try to find if this pairing has any future. And I believe it has."

What I realised was that all the pairs Sue had mentioned had been lovers – literally. My eyes flickered momentarily towards Donna, to see if she had also appreciated the implied suggestion from our coach. Yup, she was blushing as red as I was. On my way home that night, I resolved I would try to get to know Donna better, and to like her. The idea of anything more than that was beyond a joke.

My resolve lasted about 24 hours. At our next practise, Donna seemed morose and withdrawn, and terrified of making any mistakes in case it annoyed me. Consequently she held back on the ice, and things just didn't work. I did start to get angry, Donna became even more tense, and Sue started snapping at us. All in all, it was a lousy evening. Afterwards, to my total surprise given the way things had gone, Donna asked me if I'd like to go for a coffee. I told her I'd arranged to go to the pub with the usual crowd. With forced casualness, she replied, "Can I come?" I snorted a laugh and said I didn't think so. I started to walk past her, when her face creased up into a ball, and she burst into tears. Then she stamped her foot and squealed, "It's not fair!", before turning her face to the wall, sobbing.

I was stunned. Like a lot of blokes, I tend to feel uncomfortable around crying women. Hesitantly I put a hand on her shoulder and said her name. She shrugged me off angrily, and, in a muffled voice through hands covering her face, she said, "Go on, fuck off with your friends. It's pretty obvious I'm not one of them." 

Suffused with guilt, I placed both my hands on her shoulders and turned her to face me. "God, Donna, if it means that much to you, you can come to the pub."

She sank into a convenient chair and, gradually calming down, gave a huge sigh. "Oh for Christ's sake, Nick. How the hell are we supposed to generate passion in the ice, as Sue would put it, if you don't even want to spend a minute with me off it? I don't know you, you're just this bloke I used to have a crush on, and who I skate with for a couple of hours a few nights a week. I don't want to go to your rotten pub, I wouldn't go now if you paid me. Go on, sod off, arsehole." She stared at me, her face red and angry. Feeling even more guilty, but not sure what to do, I turned and left. Somehow I'd lost interest in the pub though, and I made my way straight home.

Training over the next few days was understandably quite tense, yet somehow, both fiercely concentrating on our moves, the routine started to come together rather better. Nevertheless, I felt my dreams had been shattered. The oncoming winter was the big one in the four-yearly skating cycle – not only the European Championships and the Worlds, but the Olympic Games too. Only a year before I had imagined Lesley and myself winning the British title, and representing the country on the biggest stage in our sport. Now, I didn't really believe I was even going to make it to the British champs.

It was a few nights after our big row that, as I was leaving, I spotted Donna getting into a car. Previously she had taken the bus home, but on that evening a young guy, about Donna's age, met her outside the arena, gave her a peck on the cheek and opened the passenger door of his car for her before getting in and driving off. The next evening as I arrived for training he was dropping her off. I told myself he must be her brother, although I wasn't aware she had one. When he picked her up though, I soon revised that view. They sat in the car for several minutes before driving off, kissing, clearly with their tongues down each other's throats. I told myself it didn't mean a thing to me; after all, there was nothing whatsoever between Donna and me. I couldn't understand, therefore, why I lay awake for hours that night thinking about it, or why I woke up the next morning feeling furious, with the image of them snogging still in my mind.

It happened for the next few nights as well. Donna always made sure she left the arena about the same time as me, and they always sat eating each other's faces in laddo's car. The funny thing was, a couple of times as I walked past, pretending not to notice, I was aware that, even as she kissed the bloke, Donna's eyes were focussed over his shoulder, fixed on me like tracker beams, watching for a reaction from me.

The following night, during a break in training, I casually asked Donna who the guy was. Still panting slightly from the exertion of the routine we'd just done, she said, "Oh him, that's my boyfriend. His name's Michael." I told her I didn't know she had a boyfriend. She looked at me out of the corner of her eye. "I didn't know you were interested in my personal life. Anyway, I didn't until last week – have a boyfriend, I mean. But Michael works with me, and he's asked me out a few times. Last time I just said yes. After all, it's about time I had a bit of passion in my life." She seemed to be waiting for a reaction, but just then Sue came waddling round the arena, clapping her hands at us and clucking for us to stop slacking. That night, as Donna snogged Michael in the car, the cheeky cow actually raised her hand from his shoulder and gave me a wave with her fingers as I passed.

I had never felt more confused about my feelings. I didn't think I even liked Donna; yet I felt a burning jealousy of this Michael bloke. I had to talk to someone about it, and I finally chose my older sister. She's a married teacher, and talks more commonsense than anyone I know. After I'd explained the situation to her, she sat staring into space for a good thirty seconds before nodding and beginning to speak. "It could be that you're just jealous because Lesley did the dirty on you, and now Donna's got someone and you haven't. Or, it could be that deep down you think you'd really like Donna if you gave yourself the chance to know her, but you're scared to risk getting hurt again. And being a big macho Italiano, like Dad, you can't admit that to yourself. You said she's stopped asking you out for coffee; well, you ask her, see how she reacts. Even if she says no, at least it'll tell her you want to know her better, and she might think about it."

What Maria had said made sense to me, but I was more nervous at training the next night than I'd ever been for a competition. I couldn't understand why – after all, it was just coffee. As we warmed up on the ice I glided over to Donna, and casually asked if she fancied a drink after training. I felt my face flushing as she gave me a strange look, then said, "Michael's s'posed to be meeting me tonight, but...well, I suppose I could put him off, if you really want me to." Too nervous to speak, I nodded. Shrugging, Donna reached over onto a seat beside the ice and plucked her mobile phone out of her bag. She speed-dialled a number, then explained that Sue had asked us to stay late to discuss something, and would then run Donna home in her car.

All through training I watched Donna closely. She seemed to be preening, more self-assured somehow, and she kept giving me quirky little smiles. Afterwards, we went to a coffee bar in Streatham High Road. We talked about the routine, really talked about it for the first time, just the two of us, and I found I was enjoying myself. I cracked a little joke at one point, and Donna laughed as if it was the funniest thing she'd ever heard. Afterwards, I insisted in paying for a taxi for her. As she was about to get in, she rose up on her tiptoes and gave me a peck on the cheek. I felt myself flushing again as the cab disappeared into the night.

The next evening it was Donna who asked me for coffee. As we were sitting across the table from each other she told me hesitantly that she had an idea to change the routine. That took me by surprise, but as she drew pictures on a paper serviette, and talked through her idea, I started to get excited. It was a bit of a risk, changing things so close to the national champs, but it might just work. We arranged that the next night I would meet her out of work. I went with her to her home and her mother, who was a skilled seamstress, took measurements of my arms, chest, inside leg and so on. A few days later, Donna turned up at training wearing a woolly Bolivian hat, the flaps of which completely obscured her hair. She had a big bundle under her arm, wrapped in brown paper. She told Sue we wanted to experiment with something new. Our coach placed her hands on her hips, cocked one eyebrow, and said, "Oh yes? And this is something you didn't think you should maybe discuss with me first?"

Donna tried to look apologetic, but didn't really pull it off. "Sorry Sue. Look, just let us try it, and if it's rubbish we'll go back to the existing routine. Okay?" Sue agreed with ill grace, mumbling that at least the two of use seemed to be working together now. Even if it was behind her back. Donna and I rushed off to change. I emerged first, in my new costume. It was a cream coloured shirt, slit to halfway down my chest, covered by a low-cut brown leather jerkin. My legs were swathed in brown tights. All I was lacking was a bow and arrow, and I could just have emerged from Sherwood Forest! Sue gasped when she saw me, and we both stared at the passage to the changing rooms, awaiting Donna's entrance with interest.

It was well worth the wait. I immediately saw the reason she had hidden her hair from us. It had been styled very short and spiky, making her look even more elfin than before. Her costume was the green of the forest, a plunging V in her top showing just the amount of cleavage she could get away with in competition. She looked simply fabulous. Sue was beginning to look very interested in our idea – well, Donna's really. Donna glided over to the boom box we played our music on, and inserted a tape. We took up our usual starting positions, and Sue visibly jumped as the opening notes of the William Tell Overture blared out. That segued into a dreamy passage from Sheherazade, before returning to the breakneck pace of William Tell. We did our usual routine to it, and by the end Sue was on her feet, face flushed, clapping in time to the racing music! The standard moves didn't quite work to our new score, but we all knew with a bit of tweaking it could be a real success. That evening all three of us went to the coffee bar to celebrate what promised to be an exciting new development in our careers.

On the Thursday of that week Donna came in looking a bit down. I asked her what was up, and she said, "Michael's dumped me, because I spend so many evenings here. And because I wouldn't open my legs for him." The level of commitment our sport requires is one reason why so many people in it date each other, rather than outsiders. 

I felt sorry for Donna; but I also saw an opportunity for myself. I had started in the last couple of weeks to acknowledge the feelings I was developing for my cute pixie partner. I slipped my arm round her shoulders, pulled her head to my chest like a sympathetic uncle and, as casually as I could manage, asked, "Well, d'you fancy doing something together this weekend? To cheer you up, sort of thing."


On Thin Ice Ch. 01



Thank you again to everyone who has sent me such kind and supportive emails and messages over the past few months. I've been hard at work on many things but here I am, posting another "Ice" story. I warned you: I can never leave this series behind. So here's the latest and have fun reading and, as always, guessing who the star is.

Oh, and a Happy Belated Birthday to Meg from Nikki.

Happy Reading!

MugsyB ;)

****

Even though she knew she should be focused on packing and organizing, Meg couldn't help herself. She turned the TV to the NHL channel and let out a contented sigh when she saw that a replay of a New Jersey Devils game was on. After settling on the couch with a mug of tea, she turned the volume up.

"And we're back for the second period." The first announcer had a dry tone and sounded almost bored with the game.

Meg ignored him as she often ignored the announcers. It took her a minute but she soon caught on to what game they were showing and she winced at the memory.

The Devils had made the playoffs last spring only to be upset by the Flyers in the first round. This was game two and if Meg recalled correctly, it was the Devils' one win of the series.

The score flashed across the top of the screen and Meg smiled as the announcers started to recap the first period stats. New Jersey was trailing by one but Zane Pritchard had rallied the team and crowd with a short-handed goal a couple minutes into the first period.

The puck dropped for the start of the second period and Meg held her breath without realizing it. She didn't let it out for a minute, not until the phone rang and startled her.

"Hello?"

"So I'm sitting here in a suit, sweating my balls off and wondering what the hell I was thinking."

Meg laughed at her friend's familiar voice.

"And you're laughing at my pain. Thanks, Meg. Glad you care."

"Oh come on, Zane. You're at an autograph signing, not a charity ball." Meg kept her eyes on the TV screen as the red jerseys flew across the ice. "Why didn't you wear something light? It's still August, for goodness' sake."

"You could have suggested that earlier," Zane grumbled.

"You didn't ask me earlier. And anyway, you can't still be sitting out there or you wouldn't have called me."

"That's true. They allowed me to go cool off inside the building."

"So go to the bathroom and douse yourself with cold water."

"And go back out with a wet shirt?"

"Are there girls in the audience?"

There was a pause before Zane replied, enough to make Meg start laughing, no matter how it made her feel like she'd been sucker-punched. Never mind that she'd never liked to talk to Zane about women.

"Who am I kidding? There are always girls in the crowd when you're out in public, Z."

He snorted and Meg could picture him rolling his eyes. "What are you up to, Meg?"

"I'm not telling you." Meg let out a short laugh. "You'll just make fun of me."

"It can't be any worse than signing autographs at Busbee's Auto World."

"No. I can't tell you."

"Meg, come on. How long have we been friends?"

"Ah...since you were in diapers?"

"Both of us, thank you very much, and how much have we learned about each other in all those years?"

"Oh, God help me, way too much, Z." Meg laughed as memories of their fun childhood and wild adolescence washed over her.

Over the line, Zane's deep chuckle stirred her insides. "Yeah, like that time I caught you in the basement making out with Joey Hardwicke?"

"Damn you! You swore you'd never mention that again!"

Zane laughed. "I lied!"

"You're a snake, Zane. I can't believe you'd bring that up."

He just kept laughing. Meg scowled and wracked her brain for something equally as embarrassing to mention.

"Oh! That's not as bad as the time you needed me to cover for you when Eloise thought you were at hockey camp."

Zane's mock gasp made Meg giggle.

"Then you couldn't leave my basement for two weeks because she wanted to hang out with my sister all the time."

"Stop it, Meg."

She laughed even harder at his annoyed tone. He grumbled on the other end of the line until she relented and promised - again - that she'd never bring it up. He did the same.

"So really, what are you doing?"

Meg sighed. "I'm watching reruns."

"Oh yeah? What's so embarrassing-"

Meg cringed when he stopped short.

"Wait a second. Don't tell me you're-"

"Yes! All right, yes. I'm watching hockey reruns."

Zane howled with laughter.

"I don't think it's that funny." Meg eyed the TV and smiled. "I'm only on game two of the Devils playoffs series."

Zane's laughter died. "You're joking."

She snorted. "It's what's on. I can't help it."

"I really don't think you need to watch that again."

"If it makes you feel any better, it's the game you won."

"Considering that it didn't help in the long run, it doesn't make me feel better at all, Meg."

Meg winced again, this time from the wounded tone in his voice. "Zane, I'm sorry. You need to get over it though. What is this? Late August? And you're still stewing over the loss from April?"

"Your point is?"

Meg blew out an annoyed breath and adjusted her seat on the couch. "My point is that you need to forget all the boneheaded mistakes you made in the spring and focus on what you're going to do right this fall."

"Did you just call me a bonehead?"

Meg giggled. She knew he was just playing along and humoring her but she didn't mind his diversion. "If the shoe fits..."

"Well! This has been fun, Meg. Thanks for the pep talk."

Meg burst out laughing. "God, Zane. You're too easy."

He snorted. "Don't let word get out."

"I'm sure all those Jersey girls know by now."

This time Zane laughed. "As if I even have time for women. Did I tell you about the benefit I'm going to tomorrow night? Then there's another signing on Friday all day at the Prudential Center. And of course there's development camp and practices starting next week. Nowhere in there do I even have time to sleep in, let alone dote on some needy chick."

Meg burst out laughing. "You're such a modern man. Not every woman is a 'needy chick,' you know."

"You're the only person of the female persuasion who isn't demanding."

"Again, with the modern outlook. Who are you kidding, Zane? 'Female persuasion?' No wonder you don't have a girlfriend."

"I told you. Don't have time, don't need one, don't want one."

Meg scoffed.

"And you're one to talk, Meg. When was the last time you talked to a guy above the age of sixteen?"

"I don't need a man."

"You're just saying that because Trent was such a jackass."

Meg giggled. "He's not the only reason I'm saying that."

"I still can't believe you put up with him for as long as you did."

"I put up with him for about as long as you put up with Candy."

"God, don't remind me."

"Hey, you started it."

Zane chuckled. "Fine, fine. Truce, all right?"

"Agreed."

"So what else is new?"

"Not much. Just contemplating packing some of my kitchen stuff." Meg bit her bottom lip and waited to see if he could figure it out.

"Packing? Are you finally leaving that one-room shithole behind?"

"Hey! I'll remind you that this 'shithole' was once good enough for you to crash in."

"Well, that was before."

"Yeah, yeah, before you were a big, multi-million dollar earning bonehead."

"I thought we'd let the bonehead thing go?"

"Well, you dissed the apartment. You should be more careful."

Zane laughed. "You'd think I'd have learned after all these years."

"You'd think so."

"Come on, Meg. Are you moving to a new place?"

"Yup. Last week of August."

"Awesome. Is it closer to work?"

"Definitely."

A pause.

"OK, are we going to keep playing twenty questions or are you going to tell me where your new spot is?"

"Let me grab the address." Meg stifled another giggle as she pretended to look. She didn't need to consult her notebook to know her new address. Ever since she'd accepted the position, she'd been beyond excited and had memorized her new address as soon as she'd secured the place. "Here we go...apartment 302, Newark City View Lofts."

"Newark? I don't remember that area in Minneapolis."

Meg rolled her eyes. "That's because it's not in Minneapolis."

There was a brief pause and then she heard Zane's sharp inhalation. "No fucking way."

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"You're moving to Jersey? You'd better not be messing with me, Meg."

"No messing, Zane. Starting next month, I'll be teaching at West Forest High School."

"No fucking way."

Meg laughed. "You've got to stop cussing, Zane."

"I can't believe it! How long have you been planning this?"

"I didn't plan to move to Newark specifically. You know I've been looking for a new post and when this one came up, I applied. I just found out last week for sure. Apparently one of the teachers went on maternity leave at the end of last year."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted everything to be finalized first. I didn't want to jinx it."

Zane laughed. "Jeez, Meg. You're not supposed to be the superstitious one. That's me!"

"Just because you're an NHL player doesn't give you sole ownership of superstitions. And anyway, it worked, didn't it? I move in three weeks!"

"I can't believe this!" Zane gave a wild whoop and Meg laughed. She could hear shouts in the background. "Shut the hell up, Dave! My best friend is coming to town and she'll kick your ass!"

Meg laughed even harder.

"Meg, this is fantastic. Tell me you're not joking around here."

"I'm not joking, Zane. I'm moving to Newark."

"I can't believe it."

"Neither can I, sometimes."

"This is great. Right? This is great for you, isn't it?"

"It is. It's an amazing opportunity and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't totally excited about being close to you again."

Zane laughed. "I always knew you had a thing for me."

Meg scoffed and flipped her hair over her shoulder, even though he couldn't see the dismissive gesture. "Don't flatter yourself, bonehead."

"Bite me."

Meg laughed.

They talked on the phone for another few minutes before hanging up. After the conversation, Meg turned off the TV, knowing she couldn't avoid packing anymore. She hadn't been lying when she'd told Zane about packing her kitchen stuff. She didn't have a lot but now that she was moving out of state, it seemed like she had far too much.

With a sigh, she poured herself a fresh tea and started to load one of the boxes.

****

"Is she hot?"

Zane narrowed his eyes at his teammate before switching knees and stretching his other leg.

"What?" Mike Forsythe gave Zane an innocent shrug and grinned.

"How would you like it if I asked if your sister is hot?"

Mike shrugged again and then lifted his stick over his head to stretch. "I'd probably tell you to shove it."

"Exactly."

"I'm not asking about your sister, Zane. Your best bud, Meg, is she hot?"

"She might as well be my sister, Mike. So...shove it."

Mike laughed just as Adam Griffiths skated over.

"What's going on?"

Mike turned to Adam and pointed a gloved hand at Zane. "I'm trying to find out if his friend, Meg, is a hottie and he won't tell me anything."

"Oh?" Adam turned a wide grin on Zane who scowled in return. "Why not? Is she a total dog?"

"Shut it, Adam."

"Ha!" Mike laughed and slapped his thigh with one hand. "She is! She's a barkin', hairy, ass-faced dog, isn't she?"

"She's gorgeous and you'd be lucky if she even said hello to you, jackass," Zane couldn't stop himself from snapping at his teammate.

"So she's a hottie!" Now it was Adam's turn to laugh. "No wonder you don't want to tell him anything. You want her all to yourself!"

Zane gritted his teeth and reminded himself that his teammates were only trying to get a reaction out of him. It wasn't like this was the first time his male friends had grilled him about his best friend.

What's the big deal? Zane shook his head. It's not like we're the only people who have friends of the opposite sex.

Zane had mentioned Meg to his teammates before and none of them had given more than passing interest, probably because she didn't live in the area. Now that he'd explained about her new job and move, they were giving him the gears. Most of the time he'd be able to shrug it off but right now, he wasn't in the mood for Mike and Adam's bullshit.

Ever since Meg had told him about moving to New Jersey, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her being so close. They'd be able to hang out like they used to and laugh over the same jokes that no one else in the world understood. The tight feeling in his chest got tighter when he thought about taking her out and introducing her to all his friends and teammates. It was a feeling somewhere between excitement and apprehension and the fact that he couldn't quite figure it out was what made him snap at Adam and Mike.

"Can we practice, please?" Zane skated away without waiting for a response.

Mike and Adam hollered at him for a minute before the coaches hit the ice and rounded everyone up.

Zane focused along with the rest of the team. They were in the midst of their training camp and the preseason would be starting in a few weeks. There were more than a dozen new faces; young guys called up from the minors for a shot at a spot on the regular roster and rookies drafted back at the end of June. There were also several more experienced guys, acquired during the off-season through trades.

Zane hadn't spent much time getting to know anyone but that wasn't a conscious decision. He was just distracted these days and it had nothing - and everything - to do with the fact that Meg was going to be in Jersey in less than two weeks.

****

Two weeks later, Meg felt like she was about to cry. She stood on the sidewalk out front of the apartment building and wanted to bury her face in her hands and sob like a child.

"So you're telling me that there never was an available apartment?"

The building manager shook his head and gave her a sympathetic smile. "You're the fifth person in two weeks that I've spoken to."

"Why couldn't anyone contact me sooner?"

The manager shrugged. "We didn't know it was happening until the first guy showed up here two weeks ago. I've contacted the authorities and they're working on tracking the scam artist down but for now, we don't know how many people he's taken in. Even if we did, we have no way of getting a hold of anyone."

Meg drew in a deep breath, barely holding herself together. "So you're telling me that I've paid my security deposit and first month's rent to someone who has no connection with this building."

The manager nodded, still giving her that insipid smile.

"And you also have no available apartments to rent, which in the end, doesn't matter, because I wouldn't have the money to pay you anyway."

"I'm sorry, miss. I can recommend a good hotel nearby for you until you get things sorted."

Meg stared at him. "A hotel? I can't afford a hotel! I could barely afford the move and the down payment on this hole!"

The smile on the manager's face disappeared and he crossed his arms over his chest. "I understand that you're upset, but there's no need to get angry with me."

"There's no one else for me to be angry with right now." Meg knew she was being irrational but she was broke and homeless. She was in no mood to be kind.

"Well, maybe next time you should check into who you're paying before you shell out that kind of money." With a glare, the manager turned and walked into the building.

Meg stared after him and fought down the urge to stamp her feet and scream at the top of her lungs. She was about to turn around and kick her car's tires just to relieve some of her frustration when she saw another vehicle pull up to the curb.

Zane popped out from the driver's side. "Hey! I heard someone here needed help moving today!"

Meg took one look at him and burst into tears. His jaw dropped in shock but he didn't hesitate to run around and pull her into his arms.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong? What happened?"

Meg shook her head as she clung to him, soaking the collar of his jacket. He squeezed her tighter and rubbed her back as he held her, letting her cry.

After a few minutes, she stopped sobbing and pulled back. Zane smiled and palmed her cheeks, gently wiping away the moisture.

"Hello, best friend."

She gave him a weak smile and drew in a deep breath before she started to explain what had happened. He looked as flabbergasted as she felt when she finished.

"That's unbelievable."

"Tell me about it." Meg sniffled and rubbed her nose. "Now I have nowhere to live and no money to even get a place."

"Don't worry about it, Meg."

She snorted and pulled out of his arms. "Easy for you to say, Zane. You didn't have to scrimp and save for a month to afford this move."

"I said, don't worry about it." Zane leaned back and looked into her face. She was a few inches shorter than him and he didn't have to bend far to meet her eyes. "You'll come live with me."

Meg laughed. "What? I can't live with you."

"Why not?"

"Please, Zane. We couldn't even take a weekend holiday together without biting each other's heads off."

"That's because you snore and hog the covers."

"Yeah? Well, you leave your shit all over the place and never wash the dishes."

Zane scoffed and gave her a firm squeeze. "Come on, Meg. You don't have a lot of options, you said so yourself."

Meg stared at him, drinking in the sight of his boyish grin and the glint in his chocolate brown eyes. They hadn't seen each other in a month and she felt like a jerk for breaking down on him first thing.

"I'm sorry, Zane."

"For what? This isn't your fault."

"I'm sorry for ruining this. I was so excited to see you."

"Well, here I am! And if you accept my offer to room with me, you'll get to see even more of me." He grinned and gave his eyebrows a suggestive wiggle.

She laughed and socked him in the shoulder. It felt so good to be with him again and maybe she could accept his offer, just until she could get back on her feet. Hey, she was an adult. She could put aside her jumbled feelings for a few weeks and he'd never know otherwise.

"All right, fine. I'll live with you." She pointed a finger at his nose to stall his hoot of joy. "But only until I save enough to find another place to live."

He gave her a solemn nod and then swept her into a hug. They were both laughing and smiling when he set her back on her feet.

"Meg, you'll never want to leave once you see my place."

Meg snorted. "We'll just see about that."

****

"This place is fantastic, Zane!"

Zane grinned, feeling inordinately pleased that she was so impressed with his house. It wouldn't have mattered to her if he lived in a one-bedroom bachelor pad but her opinion was one of very few that mattered to him.

"Yeah, it's a good place to lay my head."

Meg rolled her eyes and shoved him. Zane had to resist the urge to pull her into his arms. He was so happy to have her in New Jersey and now she was going to be staying under the same roof. Christmas was still a few months away but he felt like he didn't have anything else to ask for.

Except for maybe this feeling he'd been carrying around to be reflected in her eyes. He watched her looking around with interest and felt his heart give a wicked thud against his ribs and had to clench his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her.

In all his life he'd never denied himself anything.

"So where's the couch you're going to make me sleep on?"

Zane laughed and waved a hand. "The bedrooms are up here."

He led the way to the second floor and pointed out his room, the office and the guest room.

"Holy shit! I even get my own bathroom?"

Zane grinned. "Damn straight. I don't want any of your girlie crap getting in my way."




On Thin Ice Ch. 01



"As if! Your hair products take up way more space!" Meg tossed her purse on the bed and wandered around the room, checking everything out. "This is great, Z. Thank you so much."

"Don't thank me. I expect you to do all the cooking and cleaning and laundry."

"You can just try that, mister, and we'll see how long it lasts."

Zane laughed and gave in to one of his urges. He scooped her up in his arms and swung her in a tight circle. Meg laughed and hugged him back.

"I can't tell you how glad I am that you're here, Meg."

"What? In your house? I didn't plan this, you know."

Zane turned his head and pressed his nose to her brown hair. He'd always loved the way she smelled, like fresh rain and fabric softener. "I know. I'm just so glad you're in Jersey."

"Zane, you've been here how many years?" She pulled back to look into his eyes, still dangling in his grasp. "You've never needed me around."

He gave her a solemn nod. "Sure I have. I've just never admitted it."

She blushed a pretty pink. "When did you get into the flattery?"

He grinned. "Is it working? Does this mean you will do all the cooking, cleaning and laundry?"

"Throw in a 'you're the most beautiful woman in the world,' and you've got yourself a deal, pal."

Zane laughed and hugged her close again. He didn't even need to lie for that. "You are the most beautiful woman in the world, Meg."

"Oh, now you're asking for it." She drew back her foot and tried to kick him but he dodged the blow.

They squirmed and flailed around until Zane dropped her and she tumbled onto her backside with a shriek.

"You did that on purpose!"

He started laughing and kept laughing until Meg lunged to her feet. Then he spun around and raced from the room, Meg close on his heels. He darted into his bedroom and Meg caught him around the waist, taking them both to the floor.

"What are you doing?!"

"Payback!" And she started to tickle him.

He howled with laughter and caught her wrists in his hands. Using his heavier body weight, he rolled her over onto his back. "You're twenty-seven years old! Isn't that too old for wrestling on the floor?"

"Never!" She laughed and tried to buck him off. He was too heavy and had her hands in too firm a grasp. "Aren't you too old to be trapping women on your bedroom floor?"

He lifted his eyebrows and smirked. "I'm a year younger than you, Meg."

"Ugh. Don't remind me." She smiled up at him, her chest heaving from the exertion. "Are you going to let me up?"

Zane narrowed his gaze and swept his eyes over her flushed face and the open V of her top. He was sitting across her thighs and had her trapped with her hands over her head. His mind went right away to all the things he could be doing with her trapped beneath him like this.

"I could let you up..."

"Don't be a jackass, Zane."

"You were the one chasing me like a four-year old."

"I was just following your example."

Zane grinned. "God, this is going to be so awesome having you here."

"Let me up!"

He laughed but didn't let her go. She struggled, whining and cajoling in turns but he wouldn't relent. He liked having her at his mercy. In the early years of their friendship, she'd been bigger than him and older and had enjoyed tormenting him. Now, he was the bigger, stronger one and it had been what felt like ages since they'd horsed around like this.

Its probably been ten years, not since we were teenagers, at least. The memory made him smile. Their parents had caught them rolling around together on his basement floor and they'd both been grounded for a month. Apparently they'd been too old for that sort of fun. Or rather, the sort of fun their parents assumed they'd been having.

Meg caught him off-guard with a sudden move and he toppled sideways. So he did the only thing he knew that would weaken her. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and blew his breath out as hard as he could.

The sound and sensation made Meg shriek and squirm beneath him. He ignored the push of her thighs against his and let his weight settle over her. Her breasts connected with his chest at every breath and Zane blew against her skin again.

He wanted to stop and kiss her instead, the sudden overwhelming urge almost erasing his decision not to give in to his urges. All he could do was keep his head down, the raspberry keeping her in the dark about what he really wanted.

"S-stop!" Meg's cry was halfway between a cry and a laugh.

Zane could have stayed there for days, breathing her in and feeling her body under his, but the doorbell rang.

At last he lifted his head and gave Meg a wry smile.

"Are you...expecting...someone?" Her words came in between quick breaths.

Zane shook his head, his eyes sliding over her flushed cheeks and brilliant blue eyes. He hadn't been lying earlier when he'd said she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Next to her, most other woman paled in comparison.

But we're just friends.

The doorbell rang again and he sighed. He got up and helped Meg to her feet. They walked downstairs and he opened the front door to the curious faces of Adam and Mike.

Mike took one look at their matching rosy cheeks and burst out laughing. Adam rolled his eyes and gave Mike a shove.

Adam was the first to speak. "We came by to meet your lady."

Zane glanced at Meg and shrugged. "Here she is. Now see you guys later." He started to shut the door but Meg stopped him with a laugh.

"I'm Meg and I doubt very much Zane called me his lady."

"You're right about that." Adam held his hand out for her to shake. "But we knew the truth without him saying it."

Meg shook his hand and glanced sideways at Zane who ignored the looks his teammates were giving him.

"I'm Adam and this is Mike."

"Nice to meet you." Mike recovered from his initial outburst and extended his hand to Meg as well. Mike turned his knowing smile on Zane. "Are you going to invite us in?"

"I wasn't planning on it."

"Zane, don't be an ass. Come in." Meg punched Zane in the shoulder as she turned around and he reluctantly let his teammates into the house.

Zane rolled his eyes as the guys followed Meg and he was left to shut the door. This wasn't what he thought would follow their wrestling match on his bedroom floor. But then, he hadn't exactly planned that either.

Don't be an idiot, Z.

Shaking his head, Zane went into the living room with the rest of them. The three of them were sprawled across his couch and chairs like they'd all been living there for years. Meg sat in his favourite chair, pulling all her dark hair into a ponytail.

"I'm really looking forward to the new season." She looked up at Zane and winked as she spoke.

"Yeah, so are we." Mike slumped down on the couch with a groan that made it sound like he wasn't looking forward to any of it.

"I think you guys have a great shot this year."

Zane took a seat on the couch beside Mike. "Yeah, all it takes is some name-calling on your part."

Meg laughed and smoothed her hands over her hair. "I like to contribute however I can."

Mike and Adam exchanged a look and Zane glared at them.

"Have you settled into your place then, Meg?" Mike asked, throwing a smirking glance at Zane.

"Uh, not exactly."

Zane shook his head, hoping she'd take the signal and not say anything about their situation. She frowned at him and shrugged.

"Turns out I paid my first month's rent and security deposit to a scam artist."

"Are you kidding?" Adam sat forward in his chair, a look of shock on his face.

Meg shook her head. "I got to the apartment building in Newark and the manager told me they had no vacancies."

"What did you do?"

"Well, I stood there like an idiot for a while until Zane showed up."

Mike and Adam's eyes swivelled around to stare at Zane.

He shrugged. "I was there to help her move in."

"I get it!" Adam laughed and slapped a hand on his knee. "He offered for you to stay here when he found out about your apartment?"

Meg nodded. "But I'm only staying until I can find a new place."

"You're staying as long as you need to, Meg." Zane turned his narrow look on his best friend. "I don't want you picking another dump like that one."

She made a face. "It wasn't that bad. And it was close to work. God, do you know how long it'll take me from here to get to the school?"

"Public transit's not bad," Mike added with a grin.

"She's not taking the bus through Newark!" Zane had to struggle to keep his voice low. He didn't know why he was so agitated anyway.

Meg raised her eyebrows at him. "I think I can figure things out for myself, thank you."

Mike and Adam exchanged another look and Zane wanted to tell them both to give it up.

With a sigh, Zane stood up. "Does anyone want a beer?"

Meg followed him to the kitchen. "Why are you in such a foul mood all of a sudden?"

He wanted to say that it was because he'd just had an amazing woman underneath him and his friends had interrupted. Somehow, he didn't think that answer would work.

"The guys have been razzing me about you moving here for weeks."

Meg grinned. "Oh yeah? The 'if-she's-hot-why-haven't-you-tapped-that' argument?"

"Something like that." Zane opened the fridge. "It gets old fast."

"Why do you let it bother you?" Meg took the two bottles he handed her. "It's nothing we haven't dealt with before."

Zane popped the cap on one of the bottles and took a generous swig. He couldn't tell himself for sure why he was bothered by it so much more now, so how could he explain it to Meg?

She gave him a wink and cuffed him on the arm with one hand. "Come on. I want to get to know your teammates."

"Why?"

"Because you're the only hockey player I know and whatever you may think about it, I'm a little starstruck here."

Zane didn't like the sound of that but he followed Meg back to the living room. An hour later, he still didn't like it. Meg laughed and chatted and answered Mike and Adam's questions like they'd been friends for years. She also grilled them about their skills and their chances for the season.

Later, as the sun was setting, Mike suggested they order pizza for dinner.

"We can go on a beer run and help you move all your stuff in," he added with a grin for Meg.

Meg responded with a smile that had Zane clenching his teeth. "Thanks for the offer, Mike. I hadn't even thought about that."

"Well, you've got that car packed to the teeth." Mike jerked his chin towards the front of the house. "And I bet Zane hasn't mentioned it once."

Zane scowled at his friend and Mike laughed.

"Come on, Meg." Mike jumped to his feet. "Let's go unload your car and Zane and Adam can go get the beer."

"How late are you planning on staying?" Zane didn't move as everyone else got to their feet. This was definitely not how he'd imagined spending the first night with Meg in New Jersey.

Mike tipped his head towards Meg. "As long as the hostess lets us stay."

Zane opened his mouth to protest but stopped himself from saying something stupid when he saw the look Meg was giving him. Fine. He could be friendly and congenial for tonight. But there weren't going to be many more 'drop-ins' once this was over.

Zane followed Adam out to his truck and stewed for the first couple blocks as Adam drove. He didn't even realize he was doing it until Adam made a disgusted noise and reached over to punch him in the shoulder.

"What the hell was that for?" Zane frowned and rubbed the spot Adam had hit.

"Why are you being such a douche?"

"What are you talking about?"

Adam scoffed. "Come on."

Zane wanted to protest but he knew there was no point. He had been acting like a jerk. "I was kind of hoping to have Meg to myself for the night and then you guys showed up."

Adam arched a dark eyebrow at him and grinned. "All to yourself, huh? I thought you guys were just friends."

"We are! I wanted my friend all to myself. I'm not going to see her a lot, even though we're living together, and we haven't seen each other since July anyway! So yeah, I wanted her all to myself before she started getting hit on by my teammates." 

Adam didn't say anything for a moment, giving Zane a moment to replay his own words in his head. He'd sounded like an obsessive boyfriend.

"Well, she's a big girl, Z. I'm sure she's capable of telling Mike to piss off if she wants to."

That's the problem. Zane scowled as he stared out the windshield. She may not want to.

****

"You teach biology?"

Mike sounded so amazed that Meg couldn't help but laugh. "And history. Don't forget that."

"Jeez. I barely made it through high school and now you're spending the rest of your life there?" He shook his head and set down the box he was carrying. As he straightened, he stretched his arms over his head and smiled at Meg. "I don't know how you can deal with a bunch of adolescents."

Meg shot him an amused look. "Isn't that what you do every day, too?"

Mike laughed and nodded. He moved around to perch next to Meg on the bed. "This bed isn't yours, right?"

"No. I couldn't bring my bed with me. I was going to buy one when I got here." Meg blew out her breath. "Now that's something else that'll have to wait."

"Chin up, darlin'. Zane won't let you live in a slum."

"Oh, well, thank heaven for my big, strong man-friend then!"

Mike blinked, taken aback by her tone. "That's not what I meant."

She rolled her eyes and stood up. "I know. And I also know that Zane wouldn't let me do that. I just don't want to be a burden."

"A burden?" Mike chuckled. "He'd never think of you as a burden."

Meg shrugged, focusing her attention on arranging her clothes in the closet. "He might not, but I would."

They fell silent then and Meg continued to shake wrinkles out of her clothes and hang them. Her thoughts drifted to Zane and his offer to have her stay with him. She hadn't wanted to but not because she didn't want to be a burden. It was because they'd never been able to spend more than a night or two in each other's company. No matter the situation or how many other people were around, a certain tension would creep between them and they'd start to fight.

They'd never talked about it and Meg had her suspicions on why she was bothered after spending so much time alone with Zane. She didn't think he suffered from the same problem and she was content to let things be. Even if it meant she stared at him when he wasn't looking and fought to control inexplicable butterflies in her stomach when he thought everything was fine.

"Well, I think he's thrilled to have you here." Mike's voice brought Meg back to the present.

"I'm pretty thrilled to be here." Meg glanced over her shoulder in time to see Mike flash her a dazzling smile. Her stomach flipped and she looked away.

Oh, there was no denying that Mike was a handsome guy. He had smooth, dark skin and brown eyes that sparkled when he grinned at her. His body was athletic and he was a few inches taller than Zane. From their conversation so far that afternoon, he seemed intelligent and had a great sense of humor. Meg would be lying if she said she didn't find him attractive.

She just didn't know how to react to his flirting. She hadn't dated in a couple years, other than a few casual outings and she felt woefully out of practice. For the most part, she wanted to focus on her new job and Mike would be a distraction. Mike and his flirting and the way Zane reacted to it.

Very distracting.

To distract herself from her aimless thoughts, she turned from the closet. "I think I hear the guys. You hungry?"

Mike lifted his dark eyebrows and shrugged. With an ease that seemed out of place with his large frame, he stood up and crossed the room towards her. "After you, Meg."

She flushed and hurried from the room ahead of him.

Zane and Adam were just coming in from the garage when they hit the main floor. Meg caught the scent of pizza and her stomach gave a resonant growl. She stopped short across the kitchen from Zane who gave her a knowing look. They burst into laughter a second later and Meg moved forward to take the big pizza box from him.

The four of them gathered plates and napkins and then took their spots around the living room. With all of them together again, Meg felt less out of sorts when Mike flirted and laughed with her. She moved around the room and ended up next to Zane on the couch, where she felt much more at ease.

It was very late when Mike and Adam decided to leave. They moaned about having to wake up early for practice and Meg just shrugged.

"You shouldn't have suggested beer and pizza then."

Zane laughed and threw an arm around her shoulders. She looked up and leaned against him, glad that whatever foul mood he'd been in before had dissipated.

Mike scowled at the two of them. "Don't laugh, Z. You still have to get up early too, you know."

Zane shrugged. "I'll live. You boys drive safe now!"

Mike and Adam waved as they crossed Zane's front yard and Meg breathed a big sigh.

"Tired?" Zane gave her a squeeze.

She nodded. "It's been a long day."

Zane agreed and they moved back into the house. They cleaned up the living room and kitchen and then made their way upstairs. Meg was just setting her alarm for the following morning when Zane knocked on her open door.

"Why are you setting your alarm? I thought you didn't start work until Monday?"

"I know. I want to get an early start." She set the clock down and smiled at Zane. "I need to start looking for a place to live plus a zillion other things."

Zane smiled and walked over to sit beside her on the bed. "You'll sort through it all and there's no hurry to find a new place, Meg. You know I won't make you leave."

"I know." Meg sighed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I can't believe my first day here was so shitty."

"It wasn't all bad, was it?" Zane gave a soft laugh and put his arm around her. "At least you're here and we can be together again."

Be together...

It had always been an innocent phrase between them and Meg knew he didn't mean anything by it. Even now, with his arm heavy and warm across her shoulders and his fingers giving her a comforting squeeze. She reminded herself again that they were friends - best friends - and that was a good thing. It was the best thing about her life.

"This certainly wasn't how I thought we'd be spending our first night together," Zane commented after a few minutes of silence.

Meg tilted her head back to look into his face and smiled. "What? Going to bed early?"

He laughed. "It's past midnight. That's not early."

"No, you're right."

"But I was talking about tonight, with the guys showing up." He let out an annoyed sigh. "They ruined my plans."

Meg laughed and pushed away from him. "Your plans? What were you planning then?"

"I was going to help you unpack, then take you for dinner and drinks."

"We did all that."

Zane rolled his eyes. "Yeah, with company."

"Zane, your friends are fun. I had a good time and I don't feel like such a moron for being taken advantage of." Meg smiled and clasped his hands. "And you're right. We're together now and we can have fun anytime we want."

"Yeah. Well, at least when I'm in town."

Meg nodded. "Exactly." She leaned forward to hug him and kissed his cheek. "Now you have to go because I'm exhausted."

He laughed and stood up. "All right. Good night, Meg."

"'Night, Zane."

She watched him go and let her breath out as her door clicked shut. Then she flopped backwards on her bed and pressed her palms to her stomach, trying to calm the fluttery sensation there.

Just friends.

****

Meg's first few days in New Jersey were busy, to say the least. She set out to find a place to live, something harder than she would have thought or at least finding something in her price range was harder. Still, she devoted her first couple days to checking the newspaper and on-line listings and then visiting several places.




On Thin Ice Ch. 01



Zane offered to help her with that and to help her find her way around but he was too busy with practices and the approaching preseason. She was all right without him. Between driving around checking apartments and running errands, she gained her bearings well enough.

On the third day, she drove to her new school. The commute wasn't as bad as she thought it would be and as she drove around, she realized taking the transit would eat up more time than it was worth in gas money.

At the school, she stopped at the main office to check in and introduce herself. Lucky for her, the principal and several of the teachers were there, prepping for the upcoming week. Meg met the principal and was shown to the staff lounge room, where she was introduced to some of the other teachers, including a friendly woman named Nikki. 

"I can show you around the school if you like," Nikki offered.

Meg accepted gratefully and walked out into the quiet hallway with Nikki. They were about the same height but Nikki had long blond hair as opposed to Meg's darker locks.

"This is a bigger school than my old one," Meg commented as they turned a corner.

Nikki smiled. "Where are you from?"

"Minneapolis, but the school I taught at was in a rural community not far from the south end."

"That is a bit different." Nikki led the way down the hall towards the library.

Meg glanced around, feeling a little overwhelmed. "Yeah. It only had about four hundred students for all twelve grades."

They chatted for another hour. Nikki showed Meg around the rest of the school and even though Meg's head was spinning by the time she left, she felt comfortable enough to find her way around.

She said good-bye to Nikki at the main office and promised to call the woman if she needed help the next day. Meg would be back to the school to do her own prep work. She'd only have two days before the weekend and the following Monday, the start of the school year.

Meg drove home thinking about Zane's upcoming season. Meg didn't know how she'd deal with spending so much time alone in his big house while he left on road trips but she comforted herself with the knowledge that it would only be for a few nights at a time. There'd be a few longer trips but hopefully she'd have her own place by then.

For now, they had a lot of time to spend together. The first few preseason games were populated by all the young hopefuls so Zane was going to be around for most of September. Meg might not say it out loud, but she was grateful for his presence as she navigated the first few weeks at the new school.

She loved her job and she enjoyed new challenges but even her positive outlook could be tested when surrounded by unknown fifteen and sixteen-year olds. The first day wasn't so bad; roll call, introductions to the subjects, and so on. The rest of the first week was all right with minimal outbursts from the students. Meg maintained her calm exterior even when confronted by the worst of her student's attitudes. After that first week, the kids all seemed resigned to their fate in her room and she became the undisputed leader.

When she tried to describe it to Zane following the second full week, he gave her a blank stare. She shoved him and he laughed as he leaned sideways on the couch to get out of her reach.

"Is this how you keep the students in line?"

Meg snorted. "Hardly. Even if I could get away with that, there aren't any kids I want to hit." She smiled as she pictured their faces; some indifferent, some blatantly defiant and a few with eager interest in their eyes. "They're good kids."

Zane smiled and nudged her with his elbow. "I'm happy for you, Meg."

Meg flushed as she met his dark gaze and shrugged. "Thanks, Z."

"I may not understand the appeal behind teaching a bunch of degenerate teenagers, but I'm glad you're settling in so well."

Meg laughed at his wording. "'Degenerate teenagers?' They're no different from the way we were in school."

"Please! I was too busy with hockey to give any thought to school."

"Tell me about it." Meg rolled her eyes and tucked the blanket around her legs. It was only mid-September but she could feel the chill of fall creeping up on them. "I remember all those nights trying to get you to study for one test or another."

Zane groaned at the memory and covered his face with one hand. "Don't remind me! I think I seriously considered never speaking to you again after you kept me from going out with the team to study for that one English exam."

Meg recalled the night he was talking about. "Oh yeah! There was some kind of party for one of the guys, wasn't there? You were all going to get drunk or something."

Zane dropped his hand and narrowed his eyes at Meg. "We were not going to drink. We weren't of age yet."

Meg howled with laughter and kicked her foot against his thigh. "Liar! As if your age ever stopped you from doing something stupid, Zane."

He gave her an unrepentant smile and caught her foot in his hand before she could give him another soft kick. "You have a point." He cocked his head to one side as he studied her. "You know, if it wasn't for you, Meg, I probably would have flunked out."

"Oh please." She blushed, pleased more than she should be by the compliment. "You're smart, Zane. You didn't need my help."

He shrugged and gave her foot a squeeze. The caress sent a jolt right up her leg and settled low in her abdomen. Meg swallowed and told herself to just stay still. Yanking her foot away would just raise questions.

"I might have been smart but I didn't care about going to class as much as going to hockey practice. I could never keep track of the exams and schedules." He shook his head and smiled at her, still squeezing her foot. "If it wasn't for you, I don't know what would have happened."

"Zane, we didn't even go to the same high school all the way through." Meg felt herself growing warmer with each passing moment.

"You still knew when I needed to study and when I could have time for hockey."

Meg shrugged. "I just wanted to make sure you had some balance in your life."

Zane chuckled and stopped squeezing her foot. His hand relaxed and she felt him start to stroke her over the sock in a warm caress. "I don't know if I ever did find a balance. The only reason I was at the school was for the game."

"Zane, what does it matter? You graduated and you're in the NHL. You didn't need me for that."

Zane met her gaze and gave her a slow nod. His hand stopped moving on her foot and Meg felt her breath catch. It felt very warm in the room now and she didn't know how to calm the butterflies in her stomach that started winging around as soon as Zane gave her that look.

"I'm so happy you're here, Meg."

His quiet voice and the conviction behind the words made Meg's throat feel tight. And this time, it had nothing to do with the physical response in her body or the light in his brown eyes. She sat up and wrapped her arms around him.

"Me too, Z. Me too."

****

Zane almost couldn't handle the anticipation leading up to the start of the season. It was always the same for him. Training camp and preseason served only to whet his appetite for the game. He wanted to get out there and make every point count and he wanted to finish every game on top.

When that first game approached, he couldn't sit still. After suiting up in the locker room, he paced the hall just outside. His teammates left him alone to his thoughts and didn't try to calm him down. By now, they were all used to his habits.

The only thing that was different about the start of this season was that Meg had called him from school that day. She'd known when he was going to the arena before the game and wanted to wish him luck on the season opener. It had fired him up even more, if that was possible and as much as he wished she could come to the game, he was almost grateful that she wouldn't be there to distract him. He was wound up tight enough as it was without knowing she'd be watching him.

So Zane paced along the hall outside the locker room, twisted his stick in his hands and pictured the patterns on the ice. He watched the puck zinging around and imagined the smack of it against his stick. His mind conjured images of the opposing goalie and the white net behind him. By the time his teammates started to file out of the locker room around him, he was ready.

The game was fast. Both sides were eager for the start of the season and the crowd was electrified. Zane put up two points but didn't have a goal and that was all right. The Devils won, and that was what mattered. In the back of his mind, he'd wanted to win because he knew who was watching at home.

Meg had promised to come to some of the games but she'd also said she didn't want to be overwhelmed with season tickets and keeping up in her first year at West Forest. He understood and knew without asking that she'd be watching the game tonight on TV.

He wasn't going home that night and he didn't call before the plane left for their game the following night in Washington, knowing Meg would already be in bed. In the first month at her new post, she'd been exhausted more often than not and he didn't want to disturb her chance to get a good night's rest. He'd see her again on Sunday.

The first month of the Devils' schedule was hectic. They were gone from New Jersey almost every other game until the end of the month when he'd be gone for two weeks on a road trip through the West coast teams.

Zane would never say so to Meg, but he worried about leaving her alone for so long. As he boarded the plane with his teammates, he thought about what he could do to make the trip easier for her. Then he smiled and shook his head. He wasn't worried about Meg so much as he was worried for himself.

She'd been living with him for less than two months and already she'd become such a part of his daily routine that he wasn't sure how he'd deal without her there every night to keep him grounded. It didn't hurt that he had the privilege of seeing her shuffling around in shapeless pajamas and fuzzy slippers on the weekends when he was home. Somehow, her dishevelled morning appearance stirred him up more than any other look. Then again, he was coming to enjoy seeing her anytime, anyway.

Before the plane took off, Zane pulled his cell out and stared down at the display. His fingers ran over the numbers to his house and he had to remind himself that Meg was already in bed, and very likely asleep. With a sigh, he turned the phone off and made himself comfortable in his seat.

One night. I'm only gone for one night.

****

The first few nights Zane was away from home were strange for Meg. Not because she was left alone in his empty house, but because she'd become so accustomed to hearing him come in late at night when she'd already be in bed. The Devils' schedule was odd for the first month and the upside was that he'd only be away for a night at a time until the big road trip out west at the end of the month.

She tried to plan other activities for the nights when he was away. She did more apartment hunting and went for coffee a couple times with Nikki. The recreational women's league she joined was very relaxed with games played only once a week on different days, so she'd often have nearly ten days between games. She didn't mind that, as her workload at the new school was more than she'd anticipated.

Above all, she made time to watch Zane's games. Now that she lived in New Jersey, there was a bit more access to the Devils games and she intended to watch as many as she could. In Minnesota, other than the odd game or highlight reel, she rarely got to see Zane in action. Watching the games now, she recalled how much she'd enjoyed it, even growing up together.

He had a natural ease on the ice that she envied and loved to observe. He was quick and commanded attention whenever he skated off the bench. His point count so far this season was low, with only a few goals in the first six games. Still, he was a playmaker as well as a shooter and Meg could watch him skate for hours.

Not that she'd ever admit that to him or anyone else. Her messed up feelings over living with him and seeing him nearly every day were confusing enough to her, never mind trying to explain them to someone else. And she'd die before she'd ever say anything to Zane about it. He'd probably crack a joke and she'd go back to hiding her increasing attraction to her best friend.

Meg watched one particularly gruelling away game as she graded some tests one evening mid-week. The Devils were playing in Montreal and the Canadiens were dominating. Meg winced a few times as she watched and knew without being near him that Zane was getting very frustrated. The Habs' goalie had managed to block every one of his six shots in the first two periods and so far, the teams were tied. The way the Devils were playing, Meg figured they were lucky to be holding on to that tie.

"And that's another blown opportunity by Pritchard."

The announcer's voice grated on her nerves. Meg scooped the remote control up and hit the mute button. The sound disappeared but it didn't change the boneheaded play Zane had just completed.

Giving a low whistle, Meg turned back to her paperwork. She was just about finished and in another few minutes she could devote all her attention to Zane's less-than-stellar performance. She glanced up again in time to see the official gesturing at her friend while Zane protested with what looked like some choice words.

"Zane! What is going through your head?" She shook her head and focused her attention on the work in front of her. A few more marks and she was done. She stacked the paperwork together and filed everything where it needed to go.

With a sigh, she flopped down on her couch to watch the remainder of the game. Zane was back on the ice following his penalty and the score remained tied.

Not for the first time, she wished they were in the same room so she could sock him in the shoulder. She couldn't understand why Zane was having so much trouble tonight. He was letting the other team get to him somehow and his play was suffering for it. His passes were sloppy, he was missing opportunities to shoot and taking useless penalties because of his rising frustration.

Meg was already planning what to say to him when he called her later. Something along the lines of 'you dumbass' and 'stop letting your temper get the better of you.'

She watched the rest of the game, exclaiming or shaking her fist at intervals until the teams left the ice for the final time. How the Devils managed to eke a victory out of that chippy game, she'd never figure out.

The game announcers came on following the game and Meg listened with half an ear. She picked up her dog-eared copy of 'Pride and Prejudice' to pass the time until Zane's phone call. He didn't always call after a game, since it was often so late when they finished but she'd texted him earlier and told him to call her anyway. When the phone rang, she didn't even look at the display before answering.

"What were you thinking?"

The only response was a long-suffering sigh.

"I mean, honestly, what did all those penalties accomplish? Hm? Nothing, that's right. Nothing!"

"God, it's good to hear your voice, Meg. I'm great, how are you?"

She ignored him. She wasn't done reading him the riot act. "You could have been hurt with some of those moves you tried! And that stupid little fight? What if you'd hurt yourself then? What would you do with a couple broken or dislocated fingers? How many goals would you be able to score like that?"

"Yeah, I am pretty tired, thanks for asking. But I don't mind staying up after a gruelling game like that to talk to you."

"Don't sass me, Zane Pritchard."

"Oh, silly me for thinking I could call and have a normal conversation with my best friend."

"And don't you try and sweet talk me!"

"That wasn't sweet talk, Meg. Sweet talk was what you were doing."

Meg paused and scowled. "I was berating you for your boneheaded moves."

"Oh baby, when you talk like that, you know what you do to me?"

Rolling her eyes, Meg slouched back on the couch and set her novel on the table. She ignored the immediate reaction her body had to his low tone, reminding herself that he was only teasing her. It was all he ever did, after all.

"I make you realize that you really are a bonehead and shouldn't be playing in the NHL?"

"Oh, you did not just say that."

Meg bit her lip to stifle a giggle. "Didn't I?"

"Please! You're hardly the one to be criticising my game when you don't play at all."

"What the hell are you talking about? I've been playing in that women's league for a month."

He scoffed and Meg couldn't help but grin as she pictured him rolling his eyes. "That's so not the same as playing in the NHL, and you know it."

"Really? Are we going to argue about our sexes? Again?" Meg happened to agree with him but she loved the playful argument.

"I don't want to argue about anything!" Zane barked out a laugh. "You're the one who started in on me the second I called."

"Because it was warranted. You were being reckless, careless and acting like an undisciplined goon tonight, Zane. Seriously, what were you thinking?"

Zane blew out an annoyed sound. "I was thinking I wish all these red-sweatered jackasses would get out of my way so I could score a goal."

Meg tsked at him. "So shallow. Shouldn't you have been thinking about helping the team instead of your own point count?"

"We won the damn game, didn't we?"

"Barely. You may have scored more points, but it wasn't a moral victory."

"A moral...? I can't believe I called for this!"

"Oh, get over it, Zane."

"Get over it? Get over my best friend cutting me down?"

Meg rolled her eyes. "It's not like it's the first time or anything."

"That's very true."

They both fell silent for a beat.

"Congrats on the win, Zane."

"Thank you!" He sounded relieved.

"Even though you didn't help your team at all because you were acting like a complete bonehead."

"Thanks, Meg. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you around to keep things in perspective for me."

Meg laughed. Her body had stilled after her initial reaction to his call and now she felt like she could relax. It was always easier with him on the phone. At least then she wouldn't have to worry about hiding her facial expressions or the color in her cheeks at some of the things he said.

"I'm always here for you, Zane, you know that."

He sighed. "Don't I know it. So how has your week been? God, I haven't even talked to you since Monday."

"My week's been all right. I had a game on Tuesday night so I was pretty useless at school yesterday."

"You didn't let it show in class, did you?" Zane chuckled, the sound stirring her insides up again. "Those kids, they're like wild animals. You show a hint of weakness and they'll attack."

Meg laughed at the analogy and shook her head. "I was fine. They didn't attack. I just plugged in a movie in the history classes and gave them a pop quiz in biology."

Zane gave a low whistle. "You're a cruel woman, Meg."

"Only sometimes."

There was a sound in the background and Zane moved the phone away as he called back in reply.

"I've got to go, Meg. The guys are all getting on the bus."

"All right. I'll see you tomorrow night then."

"For sure. Hey, have you got any plans?"

"No."

"You want to rent a movie and stay in?"

"Sure. Don't you have any other plans?"

"No, thank God. This has been a crazy month already and I could use a night off from everything."

Meg smiled. One of the perks of her move was just hanging out with Zane at home. "Sounds good to me. Do I get to pick the movie?"

Zane groaned and it made Meg laugh.




On Thin Ice Ch. 02



Most of his teammates steered clear of Zane during the first week of the road trip. Adam tried to bring him out of his funk but all he got was a dark look for his efforts. After Zane twisted an ankle trying to score during a practice, his mood took a turn for the worse. Lucky for him, the injury wasn't bad. He was just sore for a couple days. He wanted to blame Meg for the move, but she wasn't around and he knew it was foolish anyway. They hadn't even talked since their last night together before he'd left.

That night when he'd wanted to do more than breathe on her. When she'd felt so soft and warm and she'd smelled so good. He'd wanted to breathe her in and taste her.

He shook his head and looked around. The team was waiting to board the plane to Vancouver and the guys had left him pretty much on his own in one row of seats.

I guess I have been a jerk lately. He smirked as he recalled his short conversations with Adam, the only guy who'd been willing to approach him. He sought out the other man and moved to sit beside him. Adam glanced up from his newspaper and lifted an eyebrow at Zane.

"I'm sorry," Zane said.

"For what?"

"For being an asshole this week."

Adam chuckled. "That's putting it mildly."

"Fine. I'm sorry for being a major asshole."

"I forgive you."

They didn't say anything for a moment but Zane felt a little better sitting next to him.

"So you and Meg must have had a fight?"

Zane tensed at Adam's question and clenched his jaw. "Why would you say that?"

"She seems to be the only one able to turn you into this major asshole you've been." Adam folded up his newspaper and tossed it on the seat next to him. "At least, you've never been this cranky before she moved to New Jersey."

Zane let his breath out on a frustrated sigh and rubbed a hand through his short hair. "I thought it was going to be great having her here."

"And it's not?"

"No, I mean, yeah, it is pretty awesome but...we've never lived together." Zane knew even as he spoke that he was telling a gigantic lie. The problem wasn't living with her. It was living with her and not throwing himself at her every chance he got. He still didn't know what he'd been trying to accomplish that night but he knew it had felt good.

Adam smiled and nodded. "Spend some extra time at the arena or let Mike ask her out like he wants to and then you'll see less of her."

Zane tensed at the mention of Mike taking Meg out. That would not be a good idea. He already wanted to crunch the man against the boards and they were on the same team.

Adam's low laugh brought Zane's eyes back to his face. "Well, whatever you do, Z, you'd better make your mind up quick. Women like Meg don't sit around waiting for the prince, you know?"

Zane felt the heat creep up his neck. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Adam gave him a pointed look but their conversation was cut short. They rose with the rest of the team and walked together to board the plane.

****

They showed some improvement in the game against Vancouver. They meshed better as a team and Zane managed to pull his head out of his ass to score a goal. As he skated past the bench, high-fiving his teammates, he imagined Meg's voice in his ear, telling him it was about time. It made him smile and it earned him a few odd looks from the guys nearest him as he sat down.

When he got home early in the morning a couple days later, Meg was gone. Even though he knew she was at work, Zane was disappointed that she wasn't there to greet him. Then he shook his head and dropped his bags in the hall before heading into the kitchen. There, in the middle of the otherwise bare fridge, was a note from Meg.

Congrats on the game, Z. Order pizza for dinner tonight and I'll bring dessert home to celebrate you pulling your head out of your ass at last! M.

Zane grinned at her words and pulled the note off the fridge. At least she wasn't pissed at him anymore. Now he couldn't wait for her to get home and tell him about the last two weeks at the school and to remind him not to be such a jerk on the ice.

He guessed the time she'd be home and ordered the pizza early in the evening. The front door opened just as he hung up the phone and he hurried down the hall to find Meg walking in with a bakery box in her hands.

She looked up and their eyes met. She grinned and Zane felt something zing through him at the happy expression on her face. It was obvious that she'd forgiven him, or at least decided not to dwell on what had happened that night before he'd left.

"Hey you! Come take this pie so I can get my boots off."

Zane rushed over and took the pie but before he moved away, he bent down to give her a noisy kiss on the cheek.

"Whoa, you're cold!" He drew back with a smile. "I'll go turn the fireplace on and get you a blanket."

Meg laughed and shoved him away. "I'm fine. It is chilly out there but nothing I can't handle. We're from Minnesota, remember?"

He laughed as he carried the bakery box into the kitchen. He set it down on the counter and peeked inside. Lemon meringue, his favorite.

Just as he dropped the lid back down, Meg came up behind him and threw her arms around his shoulders. He straightened, his body tensing as she gave him a familiar squeeze. Her scent rose to his nostrils, mingled with the chill from outdoors and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from groaning.

"I missed you." Her voice was muffled and he could feel her breath through the back of his shirt.

Drawing in a fortifying breath, he turned and put his arms around her. "I missed you, too. I'm sorry for...before."

She shrugged but didn't look at him. "It's fine. I'm just glad you're back." With a laugh, she pulled away and smiled at him. "You know, I think your house is haunted."

Zane laughed and dropped his arms from her. "What?"

Meg shuddered and moved around him to open the pie box. "There were weird noises at night when you were gone. I started to sleep with my hockey stick just so I'd have a way to defend myself."

"What are you doing?" Zane watched as she pulled the pie out of the box.

"I'm starving."

"I ordered pizza. It should be here in twenty minutes."

"I can't wait that long." She reached into the drawer and pulled out two forks. "Here. Congratulations on the win against Chicago last night." She clinked her fork against his and then sliced a bite of pie for herself.

Zane laughed. "We can't eat dessert first!"

Meg rolled her eyes. "Who are you? The dinner police? Live a little, Zane." She slid the pie across the counter towards him.

Well, he didn't need to be told twice. He scooped a bite of pie for himself and joined Meg. They didn't say much as they picked away at a quarter of the pie. The doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of the pizza and they both looked down to survey the damage they'd done to the pie.

"There's still enough for more later." Meg gave him a sheepish grin as she set her fork down.

He laughed as he walked away to answer the door.

They sat in front of the TV with their plates and drinks and chatted in between mouthfuls.

"I can't believe how great the school is, Z. I feel like I've finally settled in and the teachers and kids are great."

Zane lifted his eyebrows. "You expected the little punks to give you a hard time?"

She laughed and nudged his thigh with one foot. "Don't be mean. I didn't expect it, but they're teenagers. Giving adults a hard time is part of being a teenager. Don't you remember what you were like in school?"

Zane thought back over the years and nodded. "I guess so. I was always too busy thinking about hockey to bother with the teachers though."

"That's true." Meg sipped her drink and smiled. "Well, there were some real smartasses in my classes."

"I'm glad your first few months have been so great. Why didn't you call and tell me about it?"

Meg laughed. "Please! You needed to focus on hockey."

Zane couldn't argue with that. He still didn't feel like he was out of this funk he'd been in, but he knew he was getting better.

They fell silent as the sounds of gunfire and explosions rose on the TV. The pizza gradually disappeared between them and they lounged on the couch, stretched out with their feet on table.

"You'll come to my game on Friday, right?"

"Of course. You got me those tickets a while ago." Meg turned to smile at him. "I thought I'd ask if Nikki wanted to come with me. She seems to be into hockey."

"As much as you are?"

Meg laughed. "No, but I like her anyway." She gave him a speculative look. "You know, you might like her. She's really pretty and I think she's single."

Zane could handle a lot of things but right now, he could not deal with her trying to set him up. To cover up his discomfort, he scoffed and looked away. "I don't have time for women right now."

Meg laughed but didn't mention it again. She talked about the hockey league she'd been playing in. She enjoyed the games but sometimes felt like she needed to get more of a workout in between.

"You should come to one of my practices, Meg," Zane heard himself suggesting.

"What?" She sat up and gave him an incredulous stare. "Would I even be allowed on the ice?"

"Not during the actual practice but we could stay late and work on some stuff if you want."

Meg's eyebrows shot up and she smirked. "You think you could coach me, or something?"

Zane grinned. "You know it. There are a ton of moves I could show you."

Meg looked away with a nervous laugh. They fell silent again and Zane forced himself to stay where he was and not reach for her. It could be all right, holding her. They'd often lain together while watching movies but something had changed since she'd moved into his house and he didn't want to upset the balance.

Not tonight, anyway.

A little while later, Meg went to bed and left Zane alone in the living room. He stared at the empty spot on the couch and clenched his teeth.

Whatever had possessed him to ask her to live with him? Why didn't he just skate over his own toes? That'd be less painful than the untouched member in his pants.

With a groan, Zane took himself to bed.

****

The Prudential Center was noisy and crowded and messy but Meg loved it. She loved all hockey arenas and loved the anticipation before a game started. Tonight she was excited because it was the first time she'd be seeing Zane play since moving. In fact, she hadn't seen him in a live game since early in the previous season, when she'd managed to get tickets to a game in Minnesota.

Nikki had agreed to come along and Meg was glad for the company. She would have enjoyed the game on her own but she was happy to have made such a good friend so soon after moving.

"I can't remember the last time I went to a game," Nikki commented as they made their way down the steps to their seats.

As they sat down, Meg looked around and grinned. Zane had outdone himself with these seats. They were just to the right of the home team's bench and had an amazing view of the ice.

"Yeah? I didn't get to see a lot of Wild games either."

Nikki grinned. "Is this like cheating on your team then? Are you going to cheer for the Devils?"

Meg laughed and nodded. "I have to. Zane won't let me get away with anything else."

"Zane?" Nikki stared at her and then turned her head as the players began to file out onto the ice. "Zane Pritchard?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Meg blushed as she saw the big white #9 take to the ice. "He's my best friend."

"You're kidding me."

Meg shook her head and watched the guys start to skate around their zone.

"No way are you friends with Zane Pritchard."

Meg laughed and glanced over at Nikki. "I promise. I'm even living with him right now."

"No way!" Nikki all but shrieked at her. "I can't believe it."

"Sometimes, neither can I."

They laughed together and Meg suspected that Nikki still didn't quite believe her. At least, not until Zane stopped in front of their section and pounded on the glass with one hand until they looked up. He waved, a big grin on his face and Meg waved back.

"Holy cow." Nikki's tone was one of shock. "You do know each other."

Meg laughed and nodded. "We grew up together in Minneapolis. When he got drafted to Jersey, we stayed in touch and he was the first one I called when I got the job at West Forest."

"That's unbelievable."

Sometimes, Meg had to agree that it was. Most of the time, she was just grateful that he was such a great friend and such a good guy.

"You know, he's single."

Nikki laughed and shook her head. "That's a surprise."

"Why? Don't tell me you don't think he's cute."

"Oh, he definitely is one of the cuties, especially since he still has all his teeth."

The women laughed at that.

"You're telling me that you're not seeing each other?"

Meg flushed and gave a nervous laugh. "What? No, why would you say that?"

"You just told me you live together." Nikki gave her a sly smile and shrugged. "Usually that indicates a closer relationship than friendship."

"Well, we're not." Meg hoped she sounded firm. "We're just friends, really."

"You've never dated? Not once?"

Meg shook her head, her mind flooded with images and memories from their childhood together. They'd never dated, never done more than kissed cheeks or hugged, and until recently, never lived together. Anytime they even got close to the question of being together, neither of them was willing to have the discussion.

"I'm surprised."

Meg sighed. "I know it's hard for people to understand that we're just friends but it's true. He's great and I can admit he's handsome but we just don't think of each other that way." Well, I do but I'm pretty sure he doesn't. Not often, anyway. Meg didn't think she needed to share that much with her new friend.

"I don't have a problem believing you're friends just because you're a woman and he's a guy." Nikki shifted in her seat and brushed her blond hair back off her face. "I've just noticed that you never really look at other guys."

"What? When?" Meg laughed and nudged Nikki's shoulder with hers. "We've only been out together a few times."

Nikki grinned and nudged her back. "True, but I see you at school every day and there are quite a few good-looking guys there. And even tonight, we came right to our seats and you've barely taken your eyes off of him."

Meg blushed but couldn't stop looking at Zane in spite of Nikki's words. She liked to watch him skate, so what? He was talented and was so at ease that you'd think he'd been born at center ice.

Nikki didn't mention it again and Meg was grateful. The players skated off and the ice cleaners came out to smooth the ice before the start of the game. Meg and Nikki chatted while they waited for the game to start but Meg's mind kept drifting back to their conversation.

Was it really so obvious that Meg liked Zane? That sounded too juvenile but there was no way she'd admit to anything stronger. Sure, they were best friends and she loved him that way but there was no way she'd let herself feel more.

She knew Zane too well. She knew he wouldn't feel the same way.

The lights dimmed and a few minutes later, the game was underway, allowing Meg to push aside her confused thoughts at last.

****

"Can I stick around with you guys?" Adam skated alongside Zane following their practice the next afternoon.

Zane glanced at him and then over at where Meg was checking her skates on the visitor's bench. "Why?"

Adam laughed. "Relax. I won't hit on her, Z."

Zane scowled. "I know that. That's not why-"

"I think she's cool, all right. I just want to hang out with you guys." Adam scooped a puck onto the end of his stick and bounced it once before losing control of it. "Besides, I could use the extra work."

With a laugh, Zane nodded his agreement. "All right. She'd probably like it if you stayed anyway."

"Cool."

"Hey, Meg. You ready yet?"

She looked up and grinned. She looked so different with her hair tied back and all her hockey gear on. She was even wearing one of his old junior hockey jerseys and that made Zane grin. He couldn't believe she'd kept it all these years.

"Sure am." She reached for her helmet. For practice, she had just a basic helmet without the face mask.

A few of the guys who'd lingered after practice looked over as she glided onto the ice. Zane looked back at them and groaned when he saw Mike break away from the group to skate towards them.

"Meg! What are you doing here?" He scraped to a stop before her and laughed. "And all geared up?"

Meg smiled. "Zane invited me to skate after your practice was over."

"You play?"

She narrowed her eyes and Zane stifled a laugh. He knew how she hated that some men thought hockey was only for guys.

"Is that a problem?"

Mike glanced from her to Zane and Adam and then back again. Meg was waiting for his reply. He laughed and it sounded a little apprehensive. "No, it's cool."

"Good." She skated around him and went for a few of the loose pucks.

Zane watched her go for a second before pushing off to join her. Adam and Mike followed at a slower pace and the rest of the players filed off the ice, having had enough work for the day.

"What do you want to work on?" Zane asked as he approached Meg.

"I don't know. I haven't done drills in a long time." Meg slid a puck out from the bunch near the boards and skated up towards the empty net at one end.

"Really?" Zane grabbed a puck and followed.

"Hey, Meg!"

They slowed and turned to see Mike gesturing at them.

"You want to play a little two-on-two?"

Meg laughed and Zane shook his head with a frown. "Don't mind him, Meg. He's just being a show-off."

"It's fine." She raised her voice to call back down the ice to Mike. "Not right now, Mike. Maybe after I've warmed up."

"Awesome! You can be on my team!"

"Fuck that!" Zane's response was swift.

Meg glanced at him with a grin and reached over to give him a push. "Don't be stupid, Zane. You know I'm always on your side."

Her words, casual as they were, still warmed Zane right down to his bones.

They ignored Mike and Adam for the next little while. As they skated a few laps and took shots at the net, they talked about everything and nothing. Meg told him she'd enjoying spending time with Nikki at the game and was happy to have a girlfriend here. Zane talked about how glad he was that his game was improving. He'd scored twice in the game last night and had been a major contributor in their win over the Rangers.

After warming up, Zane explained some of the drills their coach liked to put them through. Meg went through them with Zane and Mike and Adam joined them for a few. When Meg was sweating and panting for breath, she figured she'd had enough.

"You can't stop now!" Mike exclaimed with a laugh. "We have to have a shootout."

The other three glanced at each other before looking down the ice at the unguarded nets.

Zane rolled his eyes. "Can't have a shootout without a goalie, Mike."

"Oh, right. Well, how about the two-on-two?" Mike's grin was all for Meg and Zane wanted to push him down on the ice. "First team to score nine?"

Meg looked at Zane, as if to gauge his reaction. He shrugged, leaving the decision up to her.

"All right, Mike. Let's play."

Mike hooted in excitement and claimed her for his team in his next breath. Zane didn't even have a chance to protest before they skated off towards center ice.

"Relax, Z. You know how Mike is."

Even Adam's reasonable words didn't stop Zane from glaring at Mike as they followed to face off.

It was a light-hearted, fun game, in spite of Zane's mixed up feelings. It went fast since they didn't have any goalies and blocking shots was tricky with only two on each team. Still, it was a good game and Zane found himself laughing more than frowning as it went on.




On Thin Ice Ch. 02



Somehow, they ended up tied and they all took their time circling back for the final face off. Zane moved next to Meg and poked her with one elbow.

"How you doing?"

Meg gave him a tired smile. "I'm good but I'm glad this is nearly over."

Zane chuckled. "Didn't think you'd be so out of shape, huh?"

She laughed with him. "Something like that."

"Hey! No fraternizing with the enemy, Meg!"

"Can it, Mike!" Zane shouted back.

The four of them laughed and took their places. Play picked up and there was a frantic scramble until the puck shot out towards the penalty boxes. Zane rushed for it, Meg behind him. As he stopped and twisted to shoot the puck along the boards, she rushed forward and blocked the shot. Zane gave her a little bump with one glove and Meg bumped him right back.

Grinning, Zane reached for the puck again but she turned and blocked him with an elbow. Mike beat Adam to their side and scooped the puck from them. Zane would have stayed there, his arm around Meg but she shot off after her partner. They sailed down the ice, Adam between them, trying to block any passes. Zane followed and got to Meg's side just as she accepted a neat pass from Mike.

As they both went for the net, Zane grinned, loving how hard she skated to try and keep up with him. He moved an extra foot ahead and swung his stick to steal the puck but Meg anticipated his move. She drove an elbow into his side as she handled the puck with her stick hand and Zane was thrown off balance by the unexpected move. She shot forward as he stumbled on an imperfection in the ice and she scored the winning goal.

Zane caught his balance and looked over just in time to see Mike skate into Meg and lift her into his arms. Zane moved forward, heading right for them, his only intention to break them up but Adam stopped him with a light check. Zane looked over with a scowl and Adam shook his head.

"It was just a game, Z. Don't do anything stupid."

It sounded reasonable and Zane knew deep down that Adam was right. That didn't stop him from skating over as Mike set Meg back on her feet.

"This was supposed to be no contact, Meg," he said.

Meg laughed until she met his hard gaze and realized he was serious. "What are you talking about? That little push I gave you?"

"No, I mean that illegal elbow you threw."

She gaped at him. "Zane, come on. It wasn't like that."

"Yeah, Z. What gives?" Mike cuffed him in one shoulder with a gloved hand. "It was just a friendly game."

Zane looked back and forth between them, taking note of how close together they were standing and the way Meg almost leaned into him. He couldn't stop his next words from coming out, even though he regretted them the second he spoke.

"It's only a friendly game until someone cheats."

Meg huffed out an annoyed sigh and put one hand on her hip. "Come off it, Zane. You're just being a sore loser."

"Because you cheated!"

"I didn't cheat!" She moved a foot closer and shoved him in the chest. "You're just pissed that you lost to me - a woman!"

He scoffed, dismissing her with a wave. "You know that's not true. I've never had a problem playing with you."

"Then what's your problem? You asked me to come here and practice with you and now you pull this temper tantrum because you lose? Grow up, Zane."

"You can forget about me ever inviting you back, Meg."

Mike moved forward in an attempt to break it up. "Come on, Z. You don't mean it. Let's just all hit the showers and cool down."

Zane pushed him away and Mike made a noise of protest.

"Zane, that's enough." Adam moved close and laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. "Let's get off the ice. We're done for today."

"I agree. We're done." Meg glared at Zane and shook her head before skating away, heading for the visitor's locker room.

Zane watched her go and ignored Mike's pointed look as he skated away as well. He shrugged Adam's hand off and circled away from where they'd been standing.

"That wasn't cool, Z."

"Sorry." Zane sounded like he was anything but sorry.

"Whatever, man. You'd better get over this before the game Wednesday. We don't need you pissed at Mike and the world before facing the Sabres."

Zane scowled at Adam as the other man skated away. He lifted his stick in both hands and brought it down against the ice in frustration. It splintered and broke apart on contact. He swore and stared at the broken pieces before cleaning them up and heading for the locker room.

****

Meg didn't wait for Zane to come out before leaving the Prudential Center. She showered in a rush and dressed while her skin was still damp. She was vibrating with anger and frustration. She'd never been so embarrassed to be Zane's friend. Even if he hadn't thrown out that comment about not inviting her back, she wouldn't return if this was how he was going to act.

She'd driven herself to the arena so she hurried to her vehicle and peeled out of there before there was any chance she'd run into him. It was bad enough she'd have to face him at home.

"God, I need to find another place," she muttered and rubbed her forehead as she sat at a red light.

She didn't know what had got into him and at the moment, she was too pissed off to care. They'd have to talk about it eventually but she didn't want to face him just yet. So instead of heading straight home, she went to a mall and wandered around for a while. Then she stopped in at a trendy little cafe attached to the independent bookstore in their neighborhood. She browsed the books and sipped her coffee, feeling her anger dissipate.

When she felt she'd calmed down enough, she dumped her empty cup in the garbage and went home.

Any hope Meg had of making it to her room without confronting Zane was dashed when she saw him standing in the front hall.

She gave a weary sigh and didn't look at him as she put her coat and boots away. "I really don't feel like talking to you right now, Zane."

"I didn't feel like being embarrassed in front of my teammates but that happened anyway," he retorted.

Meg turned to him with a glare. "You did that all on your own."

He glared right back at her. "Why'd you have to do it?"

"Do what, Zane?" She brushed past him as she walked into the house. She thought about going to her room but she knew Zane would just follow her up there. She walked into the living room and sank onto the couch, figuring they might as well just have it out here. "I thought we covered this at the arena: you invited me."

Zane followed and paced around the room in front of her. "I didn't invite you to see you flirt with my teammates and try to injure me in order to win."

Meg gaped at him a moment before letting out an incredulous laugh. "I never knew what a baby you are! My God, Zane, it was just a game. Get over it."

Zane stopped pacing and whirled on her. "That doesn't explain the way you were throwing yourself on Mike the entire time."

"I wasn't throwing myself on him at all. And who are you? My father?"

Zane snorted and turned away.

"You're being ridiculous, Zane. You need to calm down and talk to me like an adult." Meg watched him pace a bit more before she stood up and shook her head. "Fine. I'm going upstairs then. Let me know when you've matured enough to have a real conversation."

She got two steps before Zane spoke up.

"Meg, wait. Don't go."

She turned around and raised her eyebrows at him. He stared at her and blew out a heavy sigh. "Sit down. Please?"

She shrugged and sat down again. Zane moved around and sat down on the other end of the couch.

"I'm sorry I'm being such a jackass, Meg."

"At least you're acknowledging it."

Zane winced at her tone and she didn't feel even a little sorry for that. He had been acting like a jackass all day.

"I don't know why." He rubbed his hands together and looked over with a half-smile on his face. "I guess I haven't been the best of friends since you got here."

Meg shook her head. "No. You haven't."

Zane shifted over on the couch and reached for her hands. She let him take hold of her without hesitation. They'd been friends for so long that it wasn't in her to pull away now.

"I'm sorry, Meg."

Meg heard the sincerity in his tone and sighed. She squeezed his hands and he smiled. The look on his face made her stomach clench and she swallowed with some difficulty. She had to look away before she could even form a sentence.

"Look, Zane, you did me a huge favor by letting me live here but we both know it's only temporary. If you want me to go, just say so and I'll move out." She shrugged one shoulder at his surprised look. "Money will be tight for the first couple months but I'll manage. I'd rather struggle with that than risk ruining our friendship."

Zane nodded at her words and let out his breath on a slow exhale. "You living with me isn't the problem, Meg."

She blinked, taken aback by the words, spoken almost under his breath. "Then what is the problem?"

His hands tightened around hers a fraction and heat flashed from her fingers all the way up her arms to her neck. She felt the color wash over her face and looked away.

"Meg, look at me."

She swallowed around her sudden dry throat and drew in a deep breath before turning her gaze back to his. The dark intensity in his face was nearly unbearable and it confused her like nothing in her life ever had.

"I love having you live here but it's also...difficult."

"Difficult?"

"Being around you all the time."

She gave a short laugh. "You just said you don't mind be being here!"

"I don't. Let me finish, please."

Meg fell silent and couldn't help smiling in response when she saw the glint in his eyes.

"I don't even know how to finish this," he muttered and shook his head. "Meg, we've never really talked about this...that is, about the possibility that...that we could...be together..."

Meg's eyes popped wide open as she listened. Even as he stuttered to a stop, she knew exactly what he had been trying to say. He stared at her eyes, his own dark and comforting like always but instead of friendly neutrality, she saw something hotter there.

Zane swore under his breath and moved closer. He released her hands and put his arms around her shoulders. Meg sat still, frozen with shock as his face moved closer to hers.

"I think you've been driving me crazy by being so close these past couple weeks because I can't touch you."

His breath washed across her lips as he spoke and Meg trembled within his grasp. She couldn't look away from his dark eyes and pinpricks of heat tickled her back and legs where his body touched hers.

"I don't want to not touch you anymore, Meg."

Her eyelids felt heavy and she felt his warm exhalation on her lips a second before he made contact. The shock of that was enough to stir Meg from her petrified state.

She leapt out of his arms and off the couch with a gasp. Zane watched her go with a stunned expression on his face and Meg had to turn away or she'd throw herself back into his arms in a heartbeat.

"Zane, you can't...we can't..."

"Why not?"

Meg whirled on him and her breath caught when she saw him rise from the couch. In all their life, he'd never been that much taller or seemed that much bigger. But now, with all her emotions in a twist, Meg had never felt so intimidated by her best friend before.

"Our relationship doesn't work that way," she managed to get out as she kept herself out of his reach.

Zane stopped moving and stared at her. "Well, why don't we see if it could work that way before you dismiss it completely."

Meg gaped and threw her hands up in the air. "We can't! Why do you think we never have before? It would ruin our friendship."

"You don't know that. And why would it?" Zane spread his hands out in front of him, as if searching for a way to demonstrate what he wanted to say. "If it's...if it's no good between us, then we'll go back to being friends."

"And if we can't? If we do...something and it gets weird, then what?"

"It won't, Meg. We won't let it." Zane tried to pull her close but she darted out of his reach.

"Zane, I can't." She faced him from across the room and felt tears spring to her eyes as she stared at him. He was her best friend, her sole comfort through the hell of her adolescence and the one person she could be entirely herself around. All that he was talking about, even this very conversation would change things so much that she was afraid of losing all of that. All of that was why she'd never brought the subject up before either.

"I can't," she repeated and drew in a breath to keep from bursting into tears. "I love you too much to take that chance."

Zane's eyes widened. "You love me?"

Meg let out a weak laugh at his amazed tone. "Don't be an idiot, Zane. Of course I love you. And you love me. That's not the problem."

Zane eyed her for a second and she didn't notice how close he'd moved to her. He reached out and grabbed her before she could move away again. "You're right."

She blinked, the question dying on her throat when she saw the look on his face. This time when she felt his breath on her lips, she didn't move.

"You're right, Meg. That's not a problem at all."

Then he kissed her.

Meg let out a surprised gasp as Zane's lips touched hers. As her lips parted, his tongue swept into her mouth. Then she was kissing him back. Her tongue tangled with his and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

When their bodies aligned and touched from chest to knee, Zane made a low growling noise. Meg felt the vibration of it all through her body and a responding sound escaped from her. With his lips sliding over hers, Zane dropped his hands from her waist to cup her bottom. With a groan, he hauled her right up against his body.

That was when Meg felt the rigid length of him against her lower abdomen and reality ripped through her.

She broke away from him only to bite her lip as Zane ran hot, wet kisses down over her chin. His lips clamped onto a sensitive spot on her neck and he sucked. Meg didn't realize that she began to move her pelvis in a rhythm against him; a rhythm that matched the suction of his mouth on her skin. Then Zane's fingers tightened on her ass and she moaned.

Zane lifted his mouth from her neck and Meg felt his warm breath wash across her skin. For a long moment, neither of them moved. Meg was all too aware of the pulse of Zane against her stomach and his big hands on her butt. The longer they stood there, the more self-conscious she became. Then Zane started to kiss her throat again.

When one of his hands slipped up and under her shirt, Meg gave a strangled gasp. She shoved him hard in the chest and broke out of his grasp. She moved a few steps to one side, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Zane stared at her and when he took a step towards her, she fled.

She ran upstairs to her room without stopping and without looking back. Only with her door closed did she stop and stand, trembling, in the middle of her bedroom. She wasn't sure how long she stood there. It might have been minutes or hours. A noise behind her brought her head up and she saw Zane standing in her doorway.

His expression was serious, his eyes very dark. His lips parted and he took a step into the room. Meg sucked in a breath, equal parts shocked and elated by his sudden appearance. Zane took another step, and another.

That was when Meg felt something release inside of her, like a dam breaking.

"Zane..."

He didn't say anything. After that, she didn't say anything else either.

There was nothing left to say.

Zane crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. Meg lifted her face for his kiss and he didn't disappoint. His mouth came down hard on hers and a surprised moan rose in her throat. Then she was clinging to him, lifting to her toes to press the full length of her body against his. His arms closed around her waist and tightened like a vise. She whimpered and Zane eased his lips from hers.

For a long moment, they stared at each other. Meg's eyes flicked back and forth between his and she felt her heart give an involuntary stutter when she saw the intense desire in his. She opened her mouth but no words came out. Zane's lips curled up at the corners and an entirely new feeling rippled through Meg. Heat and longing bloomed low in her belly and this time, she kissed him.

He didn't hesitate like she had. The muscles in his arms flexed around her body and he opened his mouth over hers. When she touched her tongue to his, she felt her knees start to shake. By the time he'd finished his lazy exploration of her mouth, Meg couldn't feel her legs or arms.

As if sensing the weakness in her body, Zane lifted her off her feet and backed her towards the bed. They tumbled down together in a flurry of limbs and startled gasps. Before Meg could recover, Zane moved over her, covering her body with his. His lips teased hers before sliding across her cheek to nuzzle her ear lobe.

Meg couldn't help it; a giggle escaped her at the sensation. Zane lifted his head and raised an eyebrow. She bit her lower lip and tried to look contrite. Zane's grin turned wicked and Meg felt the smile like a tug deep inside herself. Then he lowered his head to nuzzle her ear again. This time, Meg suppressed an outright giggle but Zane must have felt the tremor in her body from holding it back.

His lips stilled on her skin and he moved his mouth lower. Meg froze, afraid that he was going to blow a raspberry on her skin and destroy this fragile intimacy they'd just created.

He didn't blow on her skin. At least, not in the way he always had in the past.

His breath was warm and teased the tiny hairs drifting from her nape. Meg shuddered at the first soft brush of his lips on the skin just below her ear. When his tongue slid over her skin and he pressed a moist kiss there, Meg eyes closed and she let the last of her insecurities fall away.

She lifted her arms to circle Zane's broad shoulders. One of her hands drifted up to slide tentative fingers through his hair. Zane's mouth moved over her skin, pressing hotter and hotter kisses as he travelled down the side of her throat. She turned her head and let him do what he wanted, even as she wanted desperately to feel his lips on hers again.

Like he could read her mind, Zane's mouth left her throat and he rose above her. She felt his lips on hers and opened her mouth as a rush of hot lust washed through her. Her body rose to meet his and she lifted a leg to wrap around his waist. A low growl left Zane's mouth and he lifted his head again. Meg's eyelids fluttered open to see him giving her such a dark, intense look that she couldn't stop the breathy moan that escaped her.

Then Zane kissed her again, taking her lips in a hard, passionate claiming that left her breathless. His hands moved down her sides until he jerked at the bottom of her sweater. At the first touch of his hand on her bare skin, Meg jerked under him. Their lips separated by the barest space and their eyes met.

Zane held his hand against her belly, both body parts rising and falling with the pattern of her erratic breathing. Zane's eyes slid from hers to take in the flush of her cheeks and the breath whooshing from her parted lips. He pressed a light kiss to her chin and then the sensitive skin just beneath. Meg's eyelids drooped again and she shivered as his fingers started to slide up over her stomach. He paused at her ribs and Meg tensed for a brief moment. Zane lifted his head from her throat and kissed her on the mouth, his eyes on hers as he pushed her shirt out of the way and cupped one breast.

Meg knew in some distant part of her mind that she should be freaking out right now. This was Zane pressing her down into the bed and stirring her blood like no other man ever had. Maybe that was just it; because it was Zane, this had never felt so right.




On Thin Ice Ch. 02



But she pushed the thought from her head. No more doubts, hesitation or self-recrimination.

Meg pulled him down, sandwiching his hand between them, and kissing him with every bit of passion she felt at that moment. He made a low noise and kissed her back. His hand slid from between them and around to her back. Rolling to one side, he pulled her against him and they clung together, lips teasing, tongues tangling.

Zane's hand slipped under her sweater again and pushed the whole thing up and over her breasts. She rolled to her back and lifted her arms as he hauled it over her head. Her eyes dropped to his chest and she tugged at the front of his shirt.

Zane kissed her, his tongue sweeping inside her mouth. Meg forgot for a second that she was trying to undress him as Zane's kiss turned her brain to mush. She fisted her hands in his shirt and arched under his body. When Zane shifted over her, she remembered and began to tug upwards. With a groan, Zane pulled his lips away from hers and rose above her. He jerked the shirt off and threw it over his shoulder.

Meg reached for him, pulling him down to her. She felt the hardness of his stomach against hers and moaned as their lips met again. This time, the kiss was slower but no less urgent. Zane took his time in turning Meg's brain to pudding. She ran her hands up his chest and around to his shoulders. She felt his muscles bunching and moving beneath the skin and slid her hands down his back.

As she slipped her hands between his pants and the boxers underneath, Zane's kiss intensified. Meg moaned into his mouth and twisted her tongue around his. She pressed her chest to his and shuddered when she felt the subtle thrust of his hips between her thighs. Zane lifted his head to stare into her eyes and she clenched her hands over the curve of his ass.

When she flexed her fingers again, Zane narrowed his eyes and pushed his hips against hers. Meg's breath caught at the rigid heat she felt even through the remaining layers of their clothing. She arched beneath him and a ragged breath escaped his lips. He lowered his body to hers and wrapped his hand around one of her thighs. As he thrust his body up to her again, she felt all that heat and hardness right where she was damp and aching for him.

Her head fell back to the bed as he continued to move against her and she let her eyes close. She savored the feel of his hard, muscled body moving over hers and her hands fell away from his backside. He pumped his hips a few more times and then moved away. Meg opened her eyes to see him kneeling between her legs with his eyes gazing at her bare torso. She had a brief flash of self-consciousness but then Zane licked his lips and reached for the button at the waist of her jeans.

He pulled her jeans open and slid the zipper down. Meg lifted her hips to help him as he pulled them over her hips and down her legs. Left in nothing but her bra and panties, Meg shivered at the cool air in the room before Zane flicked open his own pants. Heat washed over her, searing her, and she watched as Zane rolled away to push his pants off. He left the boxers on as he gathered Meg close to him but she didn't mind.

For a long minute, they held on to each other, not speaking and not kissing. Zane's warm hands slid up and down her back and sides as she pressed one palm to his chest. She spread her fingers out and dug the tips into his flesh. When she felt the ripple of his muscle beneath the skin, her eyes flicked to his face.

His chocolate brown eyes locked onto hers and held her trapped. Her breath came out in a long exhalation and she went without a struggle when he rolled her onto her back again. His eyes danced over her face and down her neck. She felt the heat of his gaze everywhere and shuddered when he ran one palm down between her breasts. He tugged at the front of her bra and the look on his face turned fierce.

Meg bit her lip to hold back the giggle. Even without words, she knew what he was thinking and what he wanted. She could almost see the words forming on his lips - take it off. Arching her back, she reached under and opened the clasp. Zane let out a sigh as he peeled the bra away. Meg didn't even have a chance to be worried about his reaction before he lowered his head to lay a line of hot kisses from her collarbone to the very edge of one taut nipple.

Meg arched again, unable to help the breathless moan that left her. Zane's arms went under her back and held her up as he did the same thing to her other breast. He circled each nipple with his mouth, taunting her and refusing to kiss her where she wanted it so badly. Her hands lifted to press into his shoulders, urging him down to her but he resisted. When she felt his wicked laugh rumble through both their bodies, she threw her hands to either side of her body in frustration.

Zane chuckled as he lifted his head. She could see the delight dancing in his eyes and wanted to punch him in the arm. He knew it, too. So he kissed her, keeping her frustration bottled up, and his hands closed around her breasts as his tongue slipped between her lips. Meg groaned when his fingers closed around her nipples, teasing them into even tighter points.

Even if she could have spoken, her words wouldn't have made any sense. Her thoughts were senseless as it was and all she knew was that Zane was setting her on fire. It was a slow burn that threatened to turn into an inferno. All it would take is a single touch, of that she was certain.

One of his hands drifted from her breasts as his lips left hers. She sucked in a breath and twisted to continue to feel his touch on her skin. His breath washed over her skin as he moved lower until she felt him breathing on her chest. She was about to speak then, to beg him to please, please kiss her there, when he did it.

His lips closed around her nipple and she let out a strangled moan. Sensation rocketed through her body, ricocheting from her chest to her stomach to the warm space between her thighs.

Zane's lips slid across to her other nipple and Meg moaned again, arching and pressing more of her body against his. He bit down on her breast, gently, and she cried out, the feeling tipping her dangerously close to something she hadn't felt in a long time.

As Zane continued to caress her and torture her with his mouth, Meg twisted beneath him. She didn't know anymore what she wanted, except that she didn't want him to stop. His hands tickled her bare ribs and she gasped. He sucked her other nipple into his mouth and Meg rose right off the bed, as if his kiss controlled her movements. Her thighs scissored together, brushing against his bare legs with every move. Zane's hand swept over her hip and between her thighs.

The first brush of his fingers over the damp fabric covering her gave Meg a shock. She made an inarticulate noise and dug her fingers into his shoulders. Zane lifted his head to look into her eyes and she met his gaze. He didn't move for several seconds, like he was waiting for her consent.

She felt a rush of affection for him, one that almost brought tears to her eyes. But she didn't want him to stop. If nothing else, she was sure of that.

So she moved her hand between them to circle his wrist and she pulled up. Zane's eyes widened and he still didn't move. Meg smiled and drew his head down to hers. As she kissed him and teased his lips apart with her tongue, she felt his fingers move on her. Then he didn't need her encouragement any longer.

He took hold of the scrap of fabric and yanked them down. Meg wriggled under him, keeping their mouths together as Zane remove the last shred of clothing from her body. He wrenched his lips from hers and laid a gentle hand on the inside of her thigh. In the next moment, he gave her thigh a gentle nudge until she parted for him.

His eyes stayed there, low on her naked body and Meg felt her temperature spike at the way he took her in. He stroked his palms up the insides of her legs and stopped just short of her moist core. Meg let her head fall back with a groan. It was apparent he was intent on torturing her further.

She felt the bed shift as Zane moved and when she looked up, Zane had removed his underwear. She watched him toss the boxers to the floor with the rest of their clothes and swallowed around the sudden tightness in her throat. Her body thrummed with heat and sensation and he wasn't even touching her at that moment. She knew when he did, she'd probably explode and she couldn't wait.

Zane moved over her again, slowly lowering his body to hers, letting her feel every bit of him. She met his dark eyes and slid her hands over his body, glorying in the feel of his naked skin against hers. As Zane brushed the hair back from her face and pressed gentle kisses to her nose, cheeks and closed eyelids, she slid her hands down his back to cup his ass. She let her legs fall open until that hard length of him was cradled in all her warm softness.

Zane's head jerked up and he stared into her face as she gave her hips a little wriggle until he was settled more fully against her. His lips flattened into a straight line and he reached one hand down to still her movements. He opened his mouth to say something but Meg shook her head.

She already knew what he'd wanted to say but she gave her head a little shake. No more waiting.

When she gave her pelvis a little thrust, Zane gritted his teeth and let his weight press her down into the bed. She could see the answering thought in his face, as if he'd spoken out loud.

Fine. I'll give you what you want.

He reached between them to cup her. She moaned and started to pant as he stroked her. He parted her damp folds and slid two fingers inside. Her gaze grew hazy but she could still see his dark eyes trained on her face as he pumped his hand against her a few times. Her hips bucked up as he touched his thumb to that single spot and she cried out as sensation washed over her.

Her entire body throbbed in time with her heartbeat and Zane stroked her again. She struggled to keep her eyes wide open as he did it once more. Zane lowered his head to kiss her, their eyes never leaving each other. His tongue slid over her lips until she parted them on a gasp and then he swept inside.

While she was distracted by his intoxicating kiss, his hand moved away from her and she felt the heat of his erection pushing in. She sucked in a surprised breath and dug her fingertips into his shoulders. He lifted his head and they froze for several seconds.

Meg struggled to keep breathing as Zane stared at her. His eyes darted across her face, from her hair to her lips and back to her eyes. When their gazes locked on each other again, Zane pushed with his hips.

Her breath caught in her throat. Zane stopped and that was when Meg noticed how hard he was breathing. They stayed still for another long moment, just staring at each other. Meg saw her own sense of wonder and surprise reflected in Zane's eyes and that uncertainty gave Meg the reassurance she needed.

She thrust her hips up, drawing him further into her body. Zane's eyes widened a fraction before narrowing to slits. Then he gave a low groan and pushed hard, joining them completely, at last. Meg's eyelids fluttered and she moaned. Zane dropped his head to touch his forehead to hers and he drew his body back before thrusting deep again.

Another moan escaped Meg as fiery sensation swirled low in her belly. She panted for breath as Zane moved again and her hands skittered over his shoulders and back. She couldn't stay still as he started to move in a rhythm. She clung to him, their stomachs brushing with each undulation of their bodies and in seconds, she was undone.

She arched under him, her fingernails digging into his shoulders as he increased his pace. A ragged cry ripped from her throat and she panted for air as he kept moving, drawing out each burst of sensation. Stars dotted her vision and Meg squeezed her eyes shut as she rode the waves of her climax.

Before she could even come down from the high, Zane thrust his hand between their bodies to circle and rub her just where they were joined. She made a weak mewling noise and tossed her head from side to side. Leaning down, Zane dragged his tongue up the exposed skin of her neck until he latched on just below her ear.

He didn't blow air on her and didn't tease her anymore. He stroked her skin with the flat of his tongue and nipped at her as he rocked their bodies together. Meg couldn't think, couldn't see anything through the fog of her desire. As Zane started to suck on her neck, Meg felt his pace increase. He drove himself into her with increased urgency. His fingers stroked and plucked at her body until she felt the coiling pressure building to a breaking point again.

When his movements grew erratic, she felt him stop kissing her throat. He lifted his head and kissed her lips, his tongue driving inside her mouth without asking. She kissed him back, clinging to him as he pumped hard into her. Their bodies moved in a matching wild rhythm until she felt her body release again.

She moaned and bucked under him and her movements seemed to spur him to his own climax. Zane made a growling noise low in his throat and thrust faster until he tensed and shuddered over her. Meg clung to him as they rode the high together. He let himself relax and cover her body.

They didn't speak and didn't move for a few seconds. Then Zane rolled to one side, carefully keeping them joined. Meg went with him, wanting to hold onto this feeling for as long as she could. Already, she could feel reality seeping through their embrace and tears pricked the back of her eyelids.

Zane brushed a weary kiss to her forehead and gathered her close to his chest. Meg stifled her sniffles and hugged him back, trying to ignore the thoughts swirling through her head.

What now?

****

They must have dozed off. When Zane opened his eyes, the room was darker and he couldn't believe they'd slept away the rest of the afternoon. It couldn't be very late and he glanced at the clock to confirm. He stifled a groan when he saw that it was just past seven.

Damn early autumn sunsets. He exhaled and rubbed a hand down his face as his eyes adjusted to whatever dim light was filtering into the room.

His side was still warmed by Meg and he smiled as he tilted his chin to look down at her. Her eyes were closed and the dark lashes made half-moons on her pale cheeks. His gaze slipped to her lips and he felt his heart begin to pound as he recalled the way she'd kissed him, the way she'd tasted.

Perhaps they had slept for a few hours but she was awake. Zane knew it. She just didn't have her eyes open. He could be patient, so he waited. For Meg, he'd wait forever.

It should probably freak him out, what he was feeling after what they'd done. He should be hiding behind closed eyelids like Meg was, worrying about how drastically his universe had altered.

The thing was, he wasn't worried. He didn't want to hide.

A smile spread across his face at the realization and stayed there when Meg's eyes fluttered open. She met his smiling face and blinked. He watched the play of emotions and thoughts across her face and felt a tug in his heart that he didn't even have to ask to know what she was thinking, how she was fretting about what had just happened.

Because he knew her so well, Zane didn't let himself just blurt it out to her. Instead he tried to make her smile.

"Am I still your best friend?"

And he failed miserably.

Meg's face crumpled and tears spilled over her lower lashes. Horrified with himself, Zane pulled her close, forgetting about their nudity for the moment. Meg resisted his embrace for a second but then collapsed against him with a muffled sob.

God help him, he didn't know what he could say now to make it better. How he felt was definitely off the table, at least for the time being. It was obvious she was freaked out and he hated that she was sobbing against his chest because of something he'd done. It wasn't a reaction any guy wanted from a woman but he'd always hated Meg's tears and hated anyone who made her cry. That put him in a new, awkward position.

Gradually her tears dried up and she caught her breath. Zane kept holding her, not speaking, just rubbing his hands up and down her back in a comforting embrace. It was familiar, all but the nakedness. Just as the thought occurred to him, Meg let out a soft sigh and the warm breath brushed over his bare chest.

He gritted his teeth and ordered his body not to respond. She hadn't done it as a seductive move and if she felt him growing hard against her thigh, he'd have another ten seconds until she turned from him in disgust.

As always, Meg was full of surprises. Tonight was no exception.

She opened her mouth on his skin and he jerked when he felt the wet swipe of her tongue over his chest. She trembled and Zane angled his head down to look into her face. She wasn't crying; this time she was shaking with laughter. Her eyes danced and he watched with his breath held as her tongue darted out to stroke him again.

Well, if she wants to play...

He used his body weight and greater strength to roll her to her back. She giggled again and Zane silenced her with a lengthy kiss. When he lifted his head, her face was flushed and her breath was coming much faster. So he kissed her again. And again. And again until they ran into one long, drugged kiss and their bodies started to move together.

Meg gave a little gasp and Zane groaned into her mouth. Her legs slid apart and he felt himself cradled next to her silken heat. He lifted his head and stared into her face. It was so familiar, as familiar as looking into a mirror. The only thing that was different was the fog in her eyes and the flush in her cheeks.

Then he shifted his hips and sank into her. Their eyes held on to each other as he moved deeper and then pulled back. She sucked in a surprised breath as he plunged deep again. Zane lowered his mouth to hers and breathed the same air as her as he began to move faster.

Her next breathless sigh was more of a moan and she let her head fall back to the pillows. Zane dropped his lips to her exposed neck and swiped his tongue along the length of it. She shuddered in his arms as he did it again, adding a swift thrust of his hips at the same time.

"Ooh..." Meg tossed her head back and forth as Zane thrust his hips again.

He grinned, his lips curving against her flushed skin and she gave another full-body shudder before coming apart. He didn't stop at that. He held himself over her and buried himself in her over and over until he thought he might lose his mind.

Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he let out a bellow as he came, his body tensing and then shuddering over hers. She clung to him, turning her face to press hot kisses to his face and neck. After a moment, Zane turned his head to meet her questing lips and they kissed.

Maybe they dozed again after that. All Zane knew was that he was warm, sated and almost unable to contain his joy. Then there was a loud rumble from his stomach and Meg laughed. Zane grinned and reached down her sides to tickle her.

"No! Don't!" She tried to push his hands away.

They rolled around, laughing and tickling and then Zane's stomach protested again.

He groaned and let her go. "I need to eat. Are you hungry?"

Without looking at Meg, he hopped off the bed and grabbed his discarded pants from the floor. After pulling his shirt on, Zane turned to see Meg lying on the bed, the covers pulled up and around her body. He smirked and lifted an eyebrow at her. A blush spread across her cheeks and the knuckles on the hand clutching the blankets turned white.

Zane drew in a deep breath, reminding himself that he was going to be patient and not push her. "I'll see you downstairs. I'll make sandwiches."




On Thin Ice Ch. 03



Zane hated himself for making love to Meg like he had on the couch. He'd just been so upset by her suggestion that they be nothing more than friends with benefits that he hadn't known what else to do. He'd used her idea to take her like he wanted to, some primitive part of his mind telling him that he was staking his claim.

Now, in the dim pre-dawn light of her bedroom, he watched her sleeping and asked himself why he hadn't just refused. He'd wanted to tell her that he wanted all of her or nothing but he'd stopped himself, knowing that that for sure would kill any relationship between them, friends or otherwise.

In the end, he'd decided that this way, he was getting all of her. It was perhaps a little more convoluted than that and his tangled emotions told him it wasn't the way he wanted things to be. For now, he would take it. He would be with her how she wanted it, as a friend and part-time lover and in the meantime, he would figure out a way to convince her that he loved her.

Stifling a sigh, he moved from the bed and gathered his clothes. He didn't want to leave her but he knew that when she woke in the morning, she'd be disconcerted with his presence, to say the least. It was also a Monday and she needed to get ready for school without him hovering and making things difficult.

So he took his stuff back to his room and flopped onto his bed. After a few minutes, he picked up his cell and checked his schedule for the next week or so. He was home for another week and then off to Boston, Toronto and St. Louis. Not exactly a smooth road trip but short, nonetheless.

He had no way of knowing how Meg would be this week. She might ignore him or pretend nothing had happened. He allowed himself a grim smile and his groin stirred as he thought about using his 'privileges' to stay close to her at night, even if she wanted to ignore what was happening between them during the day.

Zane closed his eyes and ordered his mind to more mundane topics so he could get his body under control. He was just starting to doze when he heard the faint tinkle of Meg's alarm clock. A second later, it was off and then in another minute, the water in her bathroom started. Zane rolled over with a groan and buried his face in the pillow.

I will not think of her naked in the shower, he told himself. I will not think of the water running over her perfect breasts and the soap bubbles tickling her skin.

Of course, he grew hard and didn't know how he'd make it through another day without seducing her every chance her got.

****

Lucky for him, the week was busy. There were practices in between the games on Wednesday and Friday and a few team functions that he was obligated to attend. With all that going on, he didn't have much of an opportunity to spend time alone with Meg. Either he was out later than she was, or vice versa.

They didn't avoid each other on purpose and when they did see one another, they laughed and talked like nothing had changed. In the back of Zane's mind, he knew it was how Meg wanted things for now but it grated on his nerves to smile and act like he didn't get hard at the mere sight of her. At the same time, he didn't want her to think he only wanted her sexually. He loved everything about her, he always had, long before he'd ever seen her as a woman.

In the locker room, things were still tense between him and Mike. Neither of them said anything but they both knew things weren't right. Adam never brought it up either and Zane knew Adam was avoiding the topic of Meg altogether. Zane was grateful to his friend for not probing but he was feeling the urge to talk to someone about it. He pushed it off for a couple days, telling himself that guys weren't like chicks. They didn't need to analyze every little nuance of a relationship.

Then at practice on Friday before the game, Zane couldn't hold it in any longer. He asked Adam if he wanted to get something to eat for lunch after practice. Adam looked surprised but nodded in agreement.

"So what's up, Z?"

Zane gave Adam an innocent stare that made the other man snort with laughter. They were seated at a local pizza parlor and they'd just ordered their shared pizza.

"What makes you think something's up?"

Adam rolled his eyes and leaned his elbows on the table. "Please. You've hardly spoken to me since the weekend."

"I can't just want to have a slice with my buddy?" Zane hoped he sounded casual but knew he'd failed when he saw the knowing look on Adam's face. He heaved a sigh and rubbed his face with one hand. "All right, fine. I needed to talk to someone."

"If this is about Mike hitting on Meg, you need to deal with it and move on, Z."

Zane's eyes snapped back to Adam's face and narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Look, I like Meg, I think she's great. And maybe you two are meant to be together or whatever. But if not, you need to let it go and be a proper teammate to Mike."

Zane had to tamp down the urge to spit in rage even though he knew what Adam said was perfectly logical.

"We can't have this tension between you guys. We have a real shot at making it this year and no one wants to give it up because you're acting jealous." Adam paused and raised an eyebrow at Zane. "Even if you do have some reason to be jealous."

Zane pressed his lips together and nodded.

"Well?" Adam prompted.

"Well, what?"

"Do you have a reason to be jealous? All this time I assumed you and Meg were just friends and she could date whoever she wanted, Mike included. But if there's something going on-"

"There is," Zane blurted and flushed at Adam's answering chuckle. "I mean, there wasn't before this weekend."

"But there is now?"

Zane nodded and avoided Adam's pointed look by guzzling his iced tea.

"Why don't you look happy about it? I've seen the two of you together." Adam grimaced. "At the risk of sounding like a chick, you do seem to be made for each other."

Zane's lips twitched and he almost smiled. "It's not that simple."

"It never is." Adam waited until Zane caved.

He glossed over the details but managed to tell Adam about what had happened after their Saturday practice.

"Really? It was her idea?"

Zane nodded.

"Why didn't you tell her that you wanted more?"

"Because it would have just freaked her out and she'd have said no. That would have ruined everything between us."

"How do you know? Maybe she just wanted to hear you say it first."

"Say what first?" Zane was being childish but he didn't want to face the fact that he might have been wrong in agreeing so quickly to Meg's terms.

"I'm not going to be the one to tell you, man." Adam chuckled and sat back, waving his hands in front of him. "No way, no how. We're definitely not chicks."

Zane met his gaze and started to laugh. It felt good and he didn't feel as torn up inside. Adam was right, even though he hadn't come right out and said it. Zane let it go for now. He dug into the pizza and forgot for the moment about his troubles with Meg. He even vowed to himself to make things right with Mike when they all arrived at the Prudential Center for the game later.

Nothing would be easy but Zane had never been one to back down from a challenge. And he was still willing to be patient for Meg.

****

Meg felt sick to her stomach as she watched the poor showing from the Devils on TV Friday night. She'd turned down dinner with Nikki and some other women from the school that night, deciding to go home and watch the game instead. She felt guilty for missing his game on Wednesday and even though he hadn't said anything when she'd confessed that she'd missed it, she knew it had bothered him.

Tonight the Devils were facing a Western Conference team - the Edmonton Oilers - and they'd started out well. The team captain had scored off an assist from Mike and they'd had plenty of power play opportunities. Then something had happened in between the first and second periods and now, as they started the third period, they trailed the Oilers by two.

"Come on, guys," Meg muttered as she clutched her blanket close to her chest.

No one could hear her, least of all Zane, who didn't seem to have shown up for the game at all. He was playing with a distracted air, missing passes and making almost no shots. Meg ached for him and wished with all her heart that she had nothing to do with it.

At last the game ended. No points for Zane and a loss for the entire team. They'd managed to score once in the third but in the end, it hadn't been enough. Meg shut off the TV and went to bed. She was tired from the whole week and watching the game had drained her more than she'd expected.

She was asleep a minute after her head hit the pillow and she didn't wake up until she felt the bed dip beside her. She jerked awake with a start and almost screamed until she heard Zane's familiar chuckle in her ear.

"Goddamnit, Z. You scared the life out of me!"

Again, his warm chuckle brushed across her ear and she shivered. Zane's body moved closer and she felt his hands pushing away the long shirt she had on. She opened her mouth to protest when his cold hands brushed her skin but his mouth found hers in the dark and she was helpless to do anything.

Zane must have sensed her acquiescence and whisked the shirt off over her head. She spread her legs when he pressed his knee between them and he kissed her senseless as he rose above her.

"God, I need you, Meg."

Meg shivered at his unexpected words and jumped at the first contact of his body against her core. She was afraid for a moment that he would take her then, before she was really ready but he shifted and she felt his fingers plying her. She moaned and lifted her hips to meet the play of his hand.

His mouth clamped onto her neck and he sucked as he drew out her arousal almost to completion, then he backed off. Meg made a frustrated noise and thrust her hips up, desperate for him to finish. Then he surged into her, silencing her cry of surprise with a deep kiss. She drank him in as she felt him moving inside her, thrusting with deliberate care.

It wasn't until she arched under him that his pace increased. She moaned into his mouth as he began to lose control and cried out when his fingers clamped hard on her hips. He pumped his body a few more times before giving a deep groan and shuddering over her. As he rolled off her, Meg felt her body still humming from what he'd done and bit her lip when he absently stroked her bare stomach.

"I'm sorry, Meg."

His apology was soft and Meg blinked back sudden tears. "For what?"

He let out a breath and rolled onto his side to look at her. She turned her head and could just see the outline of his face. "For that. I had such a terrible game and I just wanted to feel something besides the loss."

Meg closed her eyes and swallowed around the lump in her throat. So that was it, that was why she felt so used: because she had been.

"I'll make it up to you."

A light laugh escaped her and she shook her head. "Don't worry about it, Zane. This is what we agreed to."

Silence greeted her words and she bit her bottom lip to keep from taking it back. It wasn't all right but she didn't know what else to say.

Zane shifted beside her and she looked over to see him sitting up on the edge of the bed. "I didn't agree to use you this way."

"Where are you going?"

"To bed. I didn't think you'd want me to stay."

There was hurt in his tone, something Meg couldn't figure out. Wasn't she the one who should be hurt right now?

"Good night, Meg."

She opened her mouth to stop him but no words came out. His shadow moved across her room and he left her with a snap of the door.

Meg lay back on her bed and let out a shuddering breath. When had everything gone so wrong? They'd been fine all week, when they'd seen each other, laughing and talking like they always had. They hadn't repeated the events of the previous weekend since they'd both been so busy but Meg hadn't thought their next time would have been like this.

Tears blurred her vision again and she wiped them away with an angry motion. Blowing out another frustrated breath, she rolled over and tried to sleep.

****

Their road trip through Boston, Toronto and St. Louis did not go well. They lost two of the games and barely squeaked into a shootout for the third, which they also lost. Gaining one point out of a possible six was about as much fun as a massage from a cheese grater. They could do better. Zane knew he could do better and he wanted to do better.

He told himself that individual points didn't matter but he also knew that he was expected to produce results for the team. He'd been held scoreless for the entire first game against the Bruins and then again in the third against St. Louis. Since getting back to practice in their home arena, Zane still couldn't find the back of the net. Sure, it was just practice but if he couldn't even handle it in a scrimmage game, what would he do when they faced off against another team?

He told himself that it had nothing to do with Meg and the distance that had sprung up between them before he'd left on this last road trip. They hadn't had a chance to talk since he'd come home and he was only home for a couple more nights anyway. He wanted to talk to her and reassure her that he didn't feel any different about her but he didn't know how. Every time he thought about what he wanted to say, all that wanted to come out was 'I love you.' She might accept it, she might even say it back - they had been saying those words to each other for years, after all - but Zane was most afraid that she'd deny him.

In the few months since she'd moved to New Jersey, Zane had felt his heart get so wrapped up in her, that he didn't know how he'd function if she ever left. He had no idea if she felt the same sort of attachment, platonic or not, and the worst part was being unable to talk about it. They'd always been able to talk about everything.

Zane faced his teammates in the arena and tried to push it out of his mind. The coach instructed their next drill and Zane shot off with his linemates when the whistle blew. For the next hour, he devoted himself to practice.

After, in the locker room as he dressed, he caught Mike's eye and gave his teammate a tentative smile. Mike's dark eyebrows rose but he smiled as well. Zane nodded his head to one side and Mike met him near the door.

"I've been meaning to talk to you, man," Zane started, feeling awkward.

"Have you?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry about what happened with Meg at practice that day."

Mike stared at him and laughed. "Oh, come on, you're not still stewing about that, are you?" He cuffed Zane on the shoulder and led the way out of the locker room. "It's in the past, Z."

"You're not mad?"

"Of course not. I knew you'd pull your head out of your ass and put the moves on Meg eventually and then you'd talk to me again."

Zane gaped. "Does everyone know?"

"Know what? That you've wanted her ever since she moved here?" Mike shrugged as they started to walk down the hall. "Sure. It was pretty obvious."

Zane shook his head. Considering that he hadn't even known what he felt until a few weeks ago, it was amazing to him that his friends seemed to have guessed before him.

"Well, in any case, I'm sorry for acting like such a jackass, Mike."

"Come on, Z. Let's just get you scoring some goals and you'll forget all about it."

Zane nodded. He did need to score some goals. If one thing in his life started to go right, maybe the rest would follow.

Well, he could hope.

****

Zane got home after the game on Monday night and crawled into bed completely exhausted. The Capitals were an intense team led by one of the hardest hitting players in the league. Zane didn't like to admit that another player intimidated him but tonight, Oborotenski had intimidated. He groaned and covered his face with a pillow, determined not to think about it. He'd managed to get two points and even though neither were outright goals, he still felt good about it. The Devils had won the game in the end and that's what mattered.

He was just dozing off when he heard his bedroom door open. Rolling over, he saw the silhouette of Meg as she approached his bed.

"Meg? What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She slipped between the covers with him and snuggled up close to his side.

Zane got over his surprise in a hurry and put his arms around her. After that grueling game, he could use a little downtime with Meg wrapped around him. He stroked his hands down her naked back and smiled into her hair when she shivered.

"What are you doing here?"

She leaned back to look into his eyes. "I wanted to congratulate you on the win." She put a hand behind his head and drew him down for a kiss. He let her pull him close and enjoyed the way she swept her tongue into his mouth. Then she fell back against the pillows with a sigh and smiled at him. "Congratulations."

Zane laughed and rolled over her. He lowered his head and brushed her lips with his in a light kiss. "You didn't have to get out of your warm bed to do that."

She shrugged as she ran her palms from his shoulders down his chest. "I wanted to. The game got me all fired up."

"Fired up?"

"Oh yeah. All that hitting and the crowd was insane tonight. It was a great game, Z."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

If that's what had brought her to his bed for the very first time, he wasn't going to argue. Zane dropped his head to kiss her chin and down the side of her throat. She let out a contented sigh and arched so he could have more space. He obliged, his tongue sliding along her skin.

God, she tasted just like she smelled, all fresh and clean and feminine. He could do nothing but inhale her for hours. He nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck and she shivered.

"Cold?" He looked into her face and grinned when he saw her biting her lower lip.

She shook her head and gave him a weak smile.

"Are you sure? Because I could probably warm you up." Zane stroked his hands down her sides, biting back a groan when he didn't even feel the presence of underwear on her body.

"I'm not cold," she whispered.

"Too bad. I can be very creative when it comes to warming up."

He shifted and pressed her hip to the bed with one hand. He traced light circles over her stomach, fascinated with the jumping pulse he saw there and the way goosebumps rose all over her skin.

"Zane..."

He glanced back to her face and could have let out a primitive growl at the way she was already twisting beneath his touch.

"You're sure you're not cold?" He slid his hand over the top of her thigh and grinned at the way she tried to follow his touch. "That's really too bad."

"Zane, please!"

"I mean, I can't really help you if you're already warm enough." He continued to tease her, stroking the insides of her thighs and stopping just short of the very center of her. He wanted to touch her, wanted to find out just how 'fired up' she was but he was having too much fun playing with her.

After another minute of taunting strokes and near misses, Zane felt her hands clench on his arms. Her body was trembling all over and her breath was coming in quick pants.

"I'm c-cold, Zane."

He stopped touching her and stared at her face. She met his look and he was gratified to see her desire even with the shadows lining her features. Her bottom lip was trembling and her fingers on his arms were shaking.

"You want me to warm you up?" It didn't surprise Zane when his voice came out raspy.

She nodded, her eyes never leaving his face.

So he slipped a hand between her legs and cupped her, letting his groan of appreciation out when he felt how slick she was. He stroked her a few times before the erection he was sporting gave a painful throb. With another groan, Zane rolled away and shoved his boxers off. When he rolled back over Meg, she held her arms open and lifted her mouth to his.




On Thin Ice Ch. 03



They kissed, tongues tangling and lips sliding together. Meg scratched his shoulders and bucked her hips up against his. Zane pressed her down into the bed, fighting for control. He didn't want to just plunge into her like last time. He wanted to savor every moment but Meg's little noises and writhing body were making it hard for him.

"Zane, please..."

Her moaning plea was too much.

Zane brought his thigh up under hers, spreading her open for him and then he broke from their kiss to look down at her. She met his gaze and slid her hand down his chest and stomach. He reached for her wrist to stop her but she was too quick. Her fingers wrapped around him and he almost choked on his next breath.

She stroked him, her palm hot on his skin and still he couldn't look away from her dark eyes. She held him captive and the smile playing around her lips made him want to kiss her. But while she had hold of him below, he didn't want to move. It was a sweet dilemma and he'd happily stay in this very position for hours if she let him.

Even as the thought crossed his mind, she was lifting her hips and guiding the head of his cock towards her opening. Zane groaned and brushed her hand out of the way. He held himself still just inside her and gave her a wicked grin when she started to breath harder.

"Still cold?"

She narrowed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. "Yes. I'm freezing."

Zane sank into her with a joyful laugh. God, he loved this feeling, this sensation of being enveloped and accepted. Meg wrapped her arms around his shoulders and arched under him, drawing him even deeper inside. Zane turned his head to kiss her and she met his lips with an eager passion that stunned him. Then he propped himself over her on his elbows and brushed the hair back from her face when he kissed her again.

She moaned into his lips when he moved his hips against hers and he felt her hands slip over his shoulders to cup his butt. She urged him forward, begging silently for him to go deeper, to move faster.

But Zane remained in control. He was over that first burst of sensation that came with their joining and now he was ready to make her crazy.

He broke away from their kiss and trailed his lips and tongue down her neck. He moved his hands to cup her breasts and lifted his head to watch the swift rise and fall of her chest. She wasn't looking at him. Her head was pressed back into the pillows and she was biting her lip as he continued to move so slow inside her.

Stroking her full breasts, he teased his way closer to the tips. Another helpless moan fell from her lips and Zane lowered his head. He traced the outline of her nipple with just the tip of his tongue. She arched under him, pressing her body to his and he parted his lips to suck the entire peak into his mouth.

Meg scratched at his shoulders again and Zane growled against her body. She stilled at the sound and he felt her body trembling as she fought to catch her breath. All the while, Zane kept his pace the same and he knew it was driving her insane. She moaned and clawed at him, arching and bucking in turns.

Zane lifted his head to watch her face as he increased the speed of his thrusts. She caught her breath and her mouth opened on a silent cry. He drove deep with one stroke and then gave her a few shallow strokes. Her fingers clenched on his shoulders and then fell from his body. She scrabbled for purchase on his bed sheets and Zane grinned.

Mission accomplished.

Now he could give in to his raging desires. He buried his face in her neck and reached down to hook an arm under her knee. He drew her leg up alongside him and angled his hips for a deeper thrust. She cried out and shuddered and Zane opened his mouth on her neck to lick her. He pushed again, going deeper and he nipped her skin when he did it again.

"Oh God, Zane!"

Her cry was accompanied by the wild pulsing of her body and Zane crowed in triumph. He knew he could make her crazy, he knew he could make her feel what he was feeling.

He dropped her leg and started to move faster. He couldn't control himself any longer, not with her body clamping down around him and draining all his will power. He pumped hard and fast, planting wet, open-mouthed kisses to her throat, chin and mouth. She kissed him back, her arms coming back to circle his shoulders and they rode the high together for what felt like hours.

At last, Zane lay himself alongside her and tucked her against his body. She made a move as if to get up but Zane grumbled in his post-coital haze and a breathless giggle came out of her.

"You're not going to let me go?"

Never. Never, ever going to let you go.

"Sleep," was all he said out loud.

Meg tensed at first and then relaxed. Zane let his breath out, not having realized until then how afraid he was that she would leave him. He wanted to sleep with her, through the night, just once. Even if she wasn't ready to admit that what they shared, and what they'd just done, that wasn't just friends with benefits.

****

Meg felt more than a little guilty when she snuck from Zane's bed before he woke up the following morning. Her body was still warm from his touch and all they'd done the previous night. After falling asleep the first time, he'd woken her sometime during the night and made love to her again. She shivered as she recalled the sensation of waking up to his questing fingers and the erection pressing into her backside.

She crept across to her bedroom and rubbed her face as she tried to reorient herself. It was a few minutes before her alarm was set to go off and it really was a miracle that she'd woken up anywhere close to it. After waiting up for Zane after the game and then waking up in the middle of the night, she was exhausted.

It's going to be a long day at school.

She pushed the thought from her mind and gathered her clothes for the day. As she climbed into the shower, another stab of guilt pinched her. Between her week, with school and the last hockey game before the Thanksgiving weekend, and Zane's full schedule of practices and games, they probably wouldn't see each other before she flew home to Minnesota.

Her parents had surprised her by sending a plane ticket so she could fly home for the holiday weekend. She was grateful but her first thought had been of leaving Zane alone. Of course, he wouldn't be entirely alone. He'd mentioned a while ago that the team captain liked to invite all the guys on the team who didn't have family nearby over for Thanksgiving and they had games all weekend anyway.

Still, this would have been the first holiday they'd have spent together and she felt guilty for sneaking into his bed last night instead of telling him the truth.

Maybe I could call him from work tomorrow, she thought as she rinsed her hair out.

Later at school, she was still worrying about what his reaction would be. She was distracted in class and Nikki asked her what was bothering her when they had lunch.

"Nothing's wrong."

Nikki gave her a pointed look and leaned forward. "I think I know you well enough by now to know that look on your face."

Meg gave a nervous laugh. "What look?"

"That look." Nikki pointed and grinned. "Like you've just realized something and you don't know how to let yourself believe it."

Meg's heart skipped several beats and she caught her breath. Nikki lifted her eyebrows and Meg could feel the heat wash over her face as she considered her friend's words.

Was that it? She was feeling guilty because she knew deep down that this thing between her and Zane was more than what she'd made it out to be?

She shook her head and picked at the straw sticking out of her juice box. "I don't know, Nikki. I don't even think I know my own name most days."

Nikki laughed and patted her arm in comfort. "Don't worry. You're a smart lady. I'm sure you'll figure it out." She leaned forward again and glanced around before speaking in a lower tone. "Just don't wait too long or you might miss out."

Meg narrowed her eyes at her friend. "Miss out on what, exactly?"

"Do you really need me to tell you?"

Meg held her gaze for a moment before caving. "God, you're right. I'm so pathetic!" She dropped her face in her hands with a melodramatic moan.

Nikki laughed again and moved closer to give Meg a hug. "You're not pathetic. I told you before that I have never even come close to your situation before. I think you're doing remarkably well, considering."

"Considering what?" Meg lifted her head.

"Considering that Zane Pritchard is one fine piece of a-"

"OK!" Meg threw a hand up to stop her friend. "I get it. You don't need to say anything else."

Nikki's eyes danced and she gave Meg another squeeze before sitting back. Their conversation picked up again and they discussed their plans for the holiday. Meg was looking forward to going back to Minnesota, in spite of her worries over Zane's reaction. She missed her family and knew they were excited to hear all about her new job and living with Zane.

****

All too soon, Meg found herself frantically flying around the house as she gathered what she needed before Nikki drove her to the airport. Her flight left late on Wednesday night and she hadn't even had a chance to check in on the hockey game before she threw the last of her clothes in a bag.

The doorbell rang just as she was carrying her bag downstairs. She hurried over and flung it open to a smiling Nikki.

"Come in, come in. I'm not quite ready." Meg darted away. "I just need to find my heavy winter jacket and then we can go!"

"Relax! We have plenty of time to make it to the airport." Nikki stepped inside and shut the door behind her.

Meg hurried into the front hall, hauling her jacket on over her arms and threw Nikki a harried smile. "Almost ready."

"Relax, girl." Nikki laughed and stepped out of the way as Meg stumbled while putting on her boots.

"All right. I think I'm done." Meg straightened and glanced around one more time. Then she picked up her bag, grabbed her purse, and double-checked for her wallet and the plane ticket. "Let's go!"

They chatted on the drive to the airport and Meg had almost managed to push Zane out of her mind when Nikki brought him up.

"Can I ask why Zane isn't driving you to the airport?"

"He's playing tonight."

"Oh, that's right." Nikki shook her head. "I'm no good with schedules. Well, did you guys say good-bye last night then?"

Meg averted her face to hide her blush but Nikki caught her.

"Meg, please tell me you said good-bye to him."

Meg bit her lip and turned guilty eyes back on Nikki, who gaped at her.

"Oh Meg! You didn't even tell him you were leaving, did you?"

"I didn't get a chance to." Meg twisted her hands in her lap. "We've both been so busy for the last couple weeks and every time we have seen each other, we've...uh, we haven't been talking."

Nikki burst out laughing. "Right. I don't need details on that. I can't believe you're just running away."

"I'm not running away."

"Whatever you want to call it. He's going to be pissed that you just took off with no notice."

Meg groaned. "I know, I know. I'll call him when I get in later."

Nikki shook her head. "I won't say anything else about it then."

Meg was grateful for that. For the remainder of the ride to the airport, she couldn't get her mind off Zane. She thanked Nikki and hugged her good-bye at her terminal then hurried off to catch her flight.

The whole time, she tried to tell herself that she wasn't running away.

And even if I was, I have to go home on Sunday. It's not like I'm leaving the country.

It didn't do any good. As she boarded the plane, Meg knew she was making a mistake. But like everything else that had been happening lately, she felt like she was being swept away by something beyond her control.

****

The second Zane stepped into his house following the game, he knew something was wrong. It was quiet, which wasn't unusual, but it was a different sort of quiet. He stood in the entrance for a minute, just listening and then shook his head at his own dramatics. He shrugged out of his jacket and locked the door before heading upstairs to sleep.

It had been a brutal game and he wanted nothing more than to curl up next to Meg and sleep. He went to his bedroom, his mind replaying the worst highlights from the game. He recalled the crushing hit he'd taken early in the second period and cringed at his lack of scoring opportunities following that. Not that he'd been a scoring whiz in the first period either.

With a sigh, Zane stripped out of his clothes and tossed them in the corner before heading back across the hall. Meg's door was open and he frowned as he stepped inside. The room was dark, so he couldn't see anything until his eyes adjusted to the dim light coming in from the street light. That was when he saw her bed was empty.

Damn.

He wondered if she'd gone out with Nikki. Maybe to a bar to watch the game. He smiled and then climbed into her bed anyway. It smelled like her and he pressed his face to the pillows before making himself comfortable. His last thought before drifting off was to wonder how Meg would react to come home and find him in her bed.

He'd never know.

The following morning, Zane woke up feeling chilled. Reaching out, he hauled the blankets over his body and let out a deep breath. Then he recalled where he was and smiled before stretching an arm out to grab Meg. When he encountered nothing but empty bed, he opened his eyes.

What the hell...?

He sat up and looked around. The bedroom door was still ajar and there was no discarded clothing or any sign that Meg had come home. Throwing back the covers, Zane got up and checked his bedroom, where he threw on some sweats and a t-shirt. Then he walked downstairs to look around.

Still no sign of Meg.

"O...K..." He stood in the empty kitchen and looked around. That was when he spotted the note attached to the front of the fridge.

'Z, sorry I didn't tell you earlier but I just didn't get a chance to talk to you -- it's been such a busy week! My mom and dad surprised me with a plane ticket home for Thanksgiving. My return flight is on Sunday afternoon. Hope your games go well, I'll be watching! M.'

Zane stared at the note in his hand and clenched his jaw. Then he crumpled the piece of paper and chucked it across the room before stalking back upstairs.

She just left? Without a word, she just up and left the entire state?

OK, he'd known things weren't perfect but he didn't think that warranted running away to Minnesota. It pissed him off more and more the longer he thought about it. She'd left on a night when she knew he wouldn't be home and hadn't even bothered to call him. Sure, if the tickets were a surprise from her parents, she wouldn't have had a say in when the flight left, but she could have at least called.

Zane went into his room and changed. He had practice this morning and a game the following night. The captain and his wife had invited several of the single players over for Thanksgiving dinner that night, since so many of them didn't have family nearby. Zane had been ready to tell him no, thank you, and he would have spent the night with Meg, finally telling her how he felt about her.

Now, he wanted to go to practice and stay away from his empty house and the reminder that she obviously didn't care as much about him.

****

"I'm so glad to hear that your job is going so well, Meg."

Meg smiled at her mother, Joanna, as they stood next to each other in the kitchen. It was Thursday night and Meg was helping her mother with dinner. The house echoed with the sounds of the football game and Meg's father's cries. Mother and daughter exchanged a knowing look just as Meg's younger sister walked into the kitchen.

"Mom, can you make Dad shut off the TV?"

"Wendy, you know you could just ask him." Joanna turned to her younger daughter with a smile.

Wendy rolled her eyes and pulled out a chair at the kitchen table. "I would if I thought he'd listen. You know what he's like when football is on."

"Do I ever." Their mother's exaggerated weariness had the sisters exchanging knowing looks. "You girls have no idea what I went through in our early years. You're lucky to be alive-"

"-Because Dad spent so much time watching football-" Meg interrupted.

"-He almost forgot to come to bed at night," Wendy finished.

Their mother gave them both a narrow look that made them laugh. Joanna curled up the towel in her hands and snapped it in Meg's direction. The younger woman shrieked and darted out of reach while Wendy looked on, still laughing.

"Just you wait, child." Joanna wagged a finger at Meg and tossed the towel back over her shoulder. "Your turn will come when Zane is too busy with his hockey to pay you much mind."

It was on the tip of Meg's tongue to say that Zane had never deliberately ignored her in favor of hockey but then her mother's words sank in. A fiery blush stole over her cheeks and she looked away.

"Whoa, Meg, you look a little shellshocked." Wendy tilted her head to one side as she gazed at her sister.

"Do I?" Meg touched her cheek as her mother's words echoed in her head.

"Holy shit!"

Joanna whirled around. "Wendy! Watch your language! You're not too old for me to take a wooden spoon to your backside."

Wendy ignored her mother and gaped at Meg who scowled in return. "You're freaking out over Zane!"

Now Joanna's attention turned to her elder daughter. "Zane? Did something happen?"

"Nothing happened!"

"Liar!" Wendy pointed one finger at her sister.

"Wendy, shush!" Joanna took a step towards Meg. "Sweetheart, did you and Zane have a fight?"

Meg's jaw dropped. "What? No! I mean, we did, sort of, but it's not what you think."

Joanna reached out and patted Meg on the shoulder. "Don't worry, sweetie. I'm sure whatever it is, you guys can work it out. I mean, you've been together this long, what's one little fight?"

Now both Wendy and Meg looked amazed. Joanna glanced back and forth between her daughters. "What?"

"Mom, you know Meg and Zane aren't actually together, right?"

Meg opened her mouth to say that wasn't true but stopped herself just in time. Not that it mattered. Wendy caught the expression on her face and hooted with laughter as she slapped her thigh.

"You guys are together?! That's fantastic."

"I don't understand." Joanna held up her hands to stop Wendy from carrying on. "You just said you had a fight?"

"Mom, really. Keep up!" Wendy rolled her eyes.

"Don't sass me, child."

"Wendy, take it easy." Meg sighed and moved around to sit across from her sister. "Mom, Zane and I have never dated."

Joanna frowned. "But you're living together."

That made Meg smile at last. "We live together, yes, but only because the place I found in Newark fell through. I told you about that."

"I remember." Joanna frowned and Meg recalled the way her mother had ranted over the phone when she'd explained about the scam. Joanna had been ready to call the FBI and demand that they investigate. "I remember what happened but I also thought Zane came to his senses and invited you to live with him because you two have been in love for years."

"Wh-what?"

Wendy started to laugh at Meg's expression. "Mom, they've never been together. They were always just friends."

Now it was Joanna's turn to roll her eyes. "I am aware of that, dear. That doesn't mean they can't also be in love." She faced Meg and laid a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Sweetheart, do you mean to tell me that you didn't know?"

Know that I'm in love with Zane? Hell, no. Meg shook her head, unable to speak the words out loud.

"Oh, Meg." Wendy shook her head and reached across to pat her sister's hand. "You must have been the only one who couldn't see it."




On Thin Ice Ch. 03



"See what?"

"How much Zane loves you. I mean, come on! Jeez, you guys went to prom together, you were practically joined at the hip until he left for New Jersey, even though he went to a different high school. He's also never had a serious girlfriend and you're the first person he calls for everything, never mind that he probably had dozens of women who were closer before you moved."

That was all true. Meg hung her head in her hands. She'd really messed up big this time.

"Don't worry, sweetheart." Joanne leaned down and planted a kiss on Meg's forehead. "Whatever happened between you two, I'm sure you can sort it out."

A loud holler from the living room startled the three of them. They exchanged identical looks of exasperation just as the man of the house walked into the kitchen.

"It smells fantastic in here," Gerald boomed, a broad grin on his face. "Does that mean dinner's ready?"

The women laughed and they all gathered in the dining room a few minutes later for Thanksgiving dinner.

Later that night, after eating way too much food, Meg lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling. She glanced at her clock and sighed. It was only an hour later in New Jersey and she guessed that Zane would probably still be out for the night.

Still, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep until she spoke to him. Squeezing her eyes shut, she reached for her cell and dialled his number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Zane."

A silence.

"Zane?"

"I'm here."

Meg winced at his tone. "Happy Thanksgiving."

He gave a short laugh. "Is that what you called for? To wish me a happy Thanksgiving?"

"No. Well, yeah, that and I wanted to...I wanted to say I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For leaving without telling you. I didn't want you to worry."

"Yeah, well, I got your note. Thanks."

Meg bristled at his sarcastic tone. "I am sorry, Zane. This has been hard for me, all right?"

"Has it? You could have fooled me."

"Stop it. I'm trying to apologize."

"So apologize."

Meg felt tears spring to her eyes. Zane had never spoken to her this way, not even when she'd broken his prized autographed hockey stick. Had she ruined everything for good?

"I'm sorry, Zane."

She heard him let his breath out. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"

"I was afraid you'd talk me into staying."

"Would that be so terrible? Spending the holiday with your best friend?"

He was making her feel worse by the second. "Zane, I-"

"Listen, forget it. I'm at Jonnie's right now and the guys are getting ready to go out."

"Go out?"

"Yeah, there's a new club downtown that Mike mentioned. We thought it would be fun to go out for a change."

Meg didn't know what to say to that. Zane was one of the last guys to jump on the bandwagon for partying, especially in the middle of the season.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? You guys have a game tomorrow night."

"Thanks for the tip. We'll be fine."

Meg was torn between her guilt and irritation at his sarcasm. "It's just, I know you've been having a hard time and all and I wouldn't want you to try to play hungover tomorrow."

Zane laughed. "Oh please. When did you appoint yourself my bodyguard?"

"Don't be like that. I'm just trying to watch out for you."

"Well, don't. You're not my mother."

Meg blinked, taken aback by his tone. "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with you? Why are you even calling me? You're the one who took off."

"For Thanksgiving, jackass!" Meg snapped, at the end of her rope. "It's not like I moved across the country."

"You may as well have."

"I just might if you keep talking to me like this."

"Like what?" Zane barked out a short laugh. "I'm just being honest, Meg."

"So am I. Apparently you can't deal with that."

"I can't?" Zane's laughter died. "I can't deal with it? That's the biggest load of crap I've heard all week!"

Meg stiffened. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Zane sucked in a breath and Meg braced herself for another tirade. Instead, he let out a sigh. "Nothing, Meg. Forget it."

"I'm not going to forget it. You don't get to talk to me like this."

"I could say the same thing to you."

"I haven't changed the way I treat you, Zane. You're the one who's being a jerk right now."

"I have my reasons."

Meg didn't know what to say to that and a silence fell between them. Meg could hear the sound of Zane breathing and the background noise of a full house. Her heart ached and she wished she could see Zane. She'd probably break down and beg for forgiveness and not stop until he took her in his arms. It amazed her how weak he made her feel even though for all these years he'd been the one to make her feel confident.

Maybe I have been in love with him for longer than I thought.

"I should go."

Meg squeezed her eyes shut. "OK. I'm sorry, Zane. I wish...I wish things were different."

Another silence filled her ear.

"Do you?" His voice sounded rougher than before.

"Zane-"

"Forget it. Just...forget all about it. I wish things were different too, I wish I'd never put myself out there so far." He gave a short laugh. "I can't believe I screwed things up."

Meg's heart was pounding hard and she swallowed around the thickness in her throat. She opened her mouth to say something, to tell him that he hadn't been the one to screw things up.

"I guess I'll see you when you get back." Zane didn't even give her a chance to reply before he ended the call.

Meg stared at the phone in her hand until it blurred from the tears in her eyes. Then she curled up under her covers and fell into a fitful sleep.

****

Zane felt like an ass before he'd even ended the call. He'd known even as the words left his mouth that he was being more of a jerk than he deserved to. No matter what had happened between them in the past, they'd never spoken to each other like that before.

With a sigh, he tucked his phone away and turned to see Mike standing at the end of the hall, giving him a knowing look.

Zane scowled. "What?"

"You know what."

Zane shrugged and walked past him but Mike wasn't about to leave him alone. His teammate followed him back into the living room where the rest of their teammates were gathered. Jonnie had a big house - probably because he had three kids - and a kick-ass video game system. Right now, the team had commandeered the video game and were holding an impromptu tournament.

Zane stopped behind the couch and stared at the big flat screen without really seeing the characters being shot up and dismembered.

Mike nudged him with one elbow. "Don't be an idiot. If you keep it up, you'll lose her for good."

Zane shot Mike a pointed look that his friend chose to ignore.

"I may not have known Meg as long as you, but I know you well enough to know that you're torn up over this."

"Over what?"

"Don't make me kneecap you, Z. You know exactly what I'm talking about."

When Zane still didn't turn to face him, Mike grasped his shoulder and made him turn. Zane glared but Mike wasn't about to back down.

"You think I ever had any real interest in her?" Mike's dark eyes narrowed. "You think I'd actually do that to you?"

Zane looked into Mike's face and felt ashamed that he had thought that about Mike.

"Whatever, Z. I'm over that. I just want you to know that I could tell right away that she wasn't available."

Zane felt the heat creeping up his neck. "She's not dating anyone."

Mike cocked an eyebrow at him. "No. But she's in love with you."

Zane shook his head. His recent conversation with Meg had all but convinced him that that wasn't the case. "She's not."

"You don't think so?"

"I know so. Meg's not the type to keep things bottled up." Zane smiled as he thought of all the times she'd let him have it, good or bad.

"It's a little different when it comes to telling your best friend that you love them."

Tell me about it. Zane couldn't shake the feeling that he should have confessed before now. That if he had, they'd have figured things out. Instead, when she'd offered to do the friends with benefits thing, he'd chickened out. And now he was miserable.

They both fell silent and watched the game on the big screen until the battle ended and everyone roared with laughter. In the hubbub, Mike moved closer and nudged Zane's shoulder again.

"Meg is a great woman, one of the most confident people I've ever known. But maybe even she's worried that the man she loves doesn't feel the same way."

Zane faced Mike with wide eyes. He'd never heard his friend speak this way and instead of making him uncomfortable, he understood the logic. It didn't relieve the hurt he felt over Meg taking off for Minnesota without telling him, but it made sense.

"When did you turn into such a sap?"

Mike's face split into a grin. "I'm not. I just don't want to watch you miss anymore shots."

Zane's jaw dropped and he punched Mike in the arm. Mike laughed and stepped back. Then the group around them moved and some of the guys jostled Mike and Zane. They all laughed and got a fresh round of drinks before settling back down for the remainder of the video game tournament.

****

Meg didn't get up until almost noon the following day and she spent much of it in her pajamas with a mug of coffee in hand. Wendy took one look at her haggard appearance and shook her head.

"Just call him."

Meg glared at her sister. "I did. Didn't do any good." She sighed and slumped on the couch next to Wendy. "In fact, I think I made things worse."

"So you probably don't want to watch the game this afternoon, do you?"

Meg groaned and covered her face with one hand. "I totally forgot about it. Something else for him to be pissed about."

"What?"

"I always wish him luck. Didn't even say a thing about it this time."

Wendy rolled her eyes. "Oh please. Now you're just being overly dramatic, Meg."

That may be, but it didn't make Meg feel any better. She sighed and sipped at her coffee without tasting it. Wendy turned the game on and Meg winced when she saw the familiar #9 pass in front of the camera during warm-ups.

As the game progressed, Meg tensed more and more. She could tell Zane wasn't focused and was playing with a sluggish energy that was not like him at all. Guilt pricked at her and she tried to tell herself that it wasn't her fault. Zane was a grown man who made his own decisions and he'd been struggling with his game for a while now.

Still, as he took another penalty, she couldn't help but shake her head.

"I don't think I can watch this."

Wendy glanced over as Meg stood up. "Suit yourself."

Meg wandered the house for a few minutes before crawling back into bed. She picked up her cell phone but there was no change; no calls, texts or messages. With a sigh, she buried her face in her pillow and didn't move until her mother spoke from the doorway.

"Dear, what are you doing? It's after three."

"I know." Her voice was muffled by the pillow.

The bed dipped beside her and Meg lifted her head to give her mother a weak smile. Joanna placed a gentle hand on Meg's leg.

"Meg, why are you so unhappy?"

"I'm sorry, Mom. You guys haven't done anything." Meg sat up and brushed hair off her face.

"Is it because of your quarrel with Zane?"

Meg had to smile. Her mother had a way of making things seem less worrisome than they were. "Yeah."

"Sweetheart, you guys have always managed to work through things in the past. That's how you've managed to stay friends for so long." Joanna shook her head with a smile. "My goodness, you've been friends longer than most people have been married!"

Meg laughed. "I know that. Things are just...different with Zane now."

"Why? What's different?"

Meg shrugged as heat flooded her cheeks. She'd never been able to have those conversations with her mother before and she wasn't about to start now.

"Do you love him? Has that changed?"

Meg's eyes snapped back up to her mother's face and she shook her head. "Of course not. I'll always love him. He's my best friend."

"Then stop hiding out in your room and tell him that. Pick up the phone and call him."

"Mom, he's playing a game right now."

"So leave him a message. Or, what is it you kids do nowadays...text? Do that."

Meg laughed and leaned close to hug her mom. "Thanks, Mom, but I think Zane and I had better talk face to face and I'm not back there until Sunday."

Joanna nodded. "Well, why don't we call the airline and see if we can get you on a flight tonight. Or tomorrow morning."

"What?" Meg gaped. "No, Mom. I just got here."

"And you're miserable. You can't enjoy yourself until you sort this thing out with Zane."

Meg hung her head. "I don't mean to miserable, Mom."

"Oh, sweetheart, I know that." Her mother pulled her close for a hug. "I'm not blaming you. It's never easy to be apart from the one you love and add whatever fight you had to that, well, I understand."

Meg let herself sink into her mother's familiar and comforting embrace for a few minutes. Joanna rocked her a bit and stroked her hair back from her face, just like she used to when she was a child. Then Meg let her breath out and straightened.

She wasn't a child anymore and her relationship with Zane had changed. But she'd be damned if she was going to let one stupid fight come between twenty-five years of friendship.

"You've decided what to do?" Joanna grinned.

Meg nodded. "I have. Starting with a shower."

Her mother laughed and stood up. "I'll leave you to it then. Just let me know when we need to take you to the airport."

****

The game on Friday afternoon was rough and Zane had only himself to blame. He and the guys hadn't gone clubbing like he'd told Meg they would but they had all stayed up way too late playing that ridiculous video game. Zane wasn't the only one dragging his ass across the ice the next day. The coach let them have it during the first intermission and there were numerous hand gestures and curse words thrown around.

Zane hung his head from where he sat between Mike and Adam and took the coach's words to heart. They were playing like juniors and they did need to pick up the pace. Zane was still struggling with shots on goal but that was minor compared to the turnovers his line had been a part of in the neutral zone during the first period.

The second period was slightly better but by the middle of the third, they were all exhausted. Zane had managed to put a couple points up but his shots still couldn't find the back of the net. During the post game interviews, he was asked about it and couldn't do anything but shrug and shake his head.

"I don't have any excuses," he said and wiped the sweat from his brow. "I'm taking shots and my line is setting up some fantastic opportunities but I just can't make it go in."

"You've been without a goal for eight straight games now."

Zane stared at the reporter, feeling the man's words like a knee to the groin. Has it been that long?

"Are you finding that the longer you go without a goal, the harder it is?"

"I don't know about harder and until now, I didn't realize it had been eight games."

"Do you struggle with the mental aspects more?"

Zane frowned and shrugged. "I don't think so. I mean, today was a rough game for all of us. It wasn't just me out there struggling. We were having trouble finding chemistry as a whole team."

"So you'll keep working on your scoring opportunities?"

"I don't ever stop working on it."

"Do you feel added pressure since you're one of the top scorers in the league and you're expected to produce for the team?"

"I've never thought of it as pressure. I certainly don't get that feeling from my team and my coach. They just want me to do what I can. I've had a few points and I set up plays and that's been working for the most part."

The reporter nodded and made another few comments before sending things back to his counterparts in the studio. Zane nodded and thanked the man before heading off to join his teammates in the locker room.

After changing and making himself comfortable on the bus, Zane pulled his phone out. He was surprised to see a message waiting and he was even more surprised when Meg's voice filled his ear.

"Zane, it's me. I know you're playing and that's fine. It's probably better because when I actually talk to you, I forget myself and say stupid things." She paused and gave a little laugh. "Not that you make me stupid but I've been saying and doing stupid things ever since...well, you know. Anyway, I tried to apologize last night but you were being a jerk so I don't think you believed me. I am sorry I took off without telling you. I should have made time to at least call you or something but this had been hard for me. I didn't think you had any expectations of me and I thought I didn't either. I was wrong." She paused again and Zane heard her draw in a breath. "I shouldn't be saying all this over the phone. I'm trying to catch an early flight back to New Jersey so I'll hopefully see you tomorrow night. Oh shoot. You'll be in Philly. Well, whatever. I'll see you when you get home then."

Zane listened to the message twice more before putting his phone away. He didn't realize he was smiling like a fool until Mike nudged him with an elbow and pointed at Zane's face.

"What's with the goofy grin?"

Zane turned to his teammate. "What?"

"You're smiling like someone just handed you the Rocket Richard trophy."

Zane laughed and shook his head but he didn't respond to Mike.

"Oh come on, Z. You're just gonna leave me hanging?"

"I think I am."

Mike sulked for a minute as the bus rolled over a bridge. "Well, it must be something to do with Meg."

Zane whipped his head around to stare at Mike. "Why do you say that?"

"Because lately, you've only had that look on your face when Meg is mentioned."

"Really?"

Mike just raised his eyebrows before plugging the earbuds in and turning his music on. Zane turned back to look out the window and smiled as he let his thoughts wander.

Meg was coming home early. She was coming home early just to see him. Why wouldn't he be smiling?

****

Zane had never been so eager for a game to be over. They were playing hard to keep up with the Flyers in Philadelphia and Zane was getting more shots on goal in the first period than he had in the entire last game. Still, he knew his mind was focused on his desire to get home to Meg. It was foolish and he'd never allowed himself to be so distracted before. If he wasn't careful he'd end up sandwiched against the boards or worse.

"Z, man, you have to pull it together." Adam was breathing hard on Zane's right side following their first shift of the second period.

"What do you mean?"

"You're playing like...I don't know, like you're looking over your shoulder for something."

Yeah, for the time to wind down so we can get the hell out of here. Zane frowned and berated himself for even thinking that. He needed to focus and give it his all. It wasn't fair to the team that he was letting himself be so distracted.

When he swung his skates over the boards for his next shift, he vowed to do better. All his teammates had really turned up the intensity for this game and the Flyers were already starting to falter.

Zane took off up the ice with the puck as it slapped into his stick. He took a shot, it was deflected wide and the players from both teams shot after the puck. The Flyers scrambled and the Devils pressed hard. Another shot sailed towards the net and this time, the lamp lit behind the goalie.

"Yeah!" Zane couldn't help but holler as he skated towards his teammates. He hadn't scored but it didn't matter. A goal was a goal.

The game continued and Zane managed to push Meg to the back of his mind. It was a good thing too since the Flyers were getting real chippy. They took a few penalties that had even Zane shaking his head.




On Thin Ice



I almost didn't hear Donna's reply, with her mouth muffled against my chest. "Yes, that'd be nice."

We agreed on a stroll along the Thames. The embankment around Barnes and Richmond is a lovely stretch, and it was a nice day, sunny but with the nip of early winter in the air. At some point, I found Donna's hand holding mine, our arms slowly swinging between us. A bit later still, without realising it had happened, I found my arm around her shoulders. After a while we stopped at a bench, and fed swans with some bread Donna had brought. I'm not sure which of us started the kissing, but we both melted into it, tender at first, then with increasing passion. Her tongue slipped into my mouth and lazily traced around my own tongue. My fingers brushed against one of her breasts. She caught my hand, and wrapped my fingers tightly around her boob. As the evening closed in, I walked Donna to her front door. We held hands all the way back, and stood on the step kissing for a good ten minutes, when suddenly the door opened and there stood Donna's mum! We leapt apart, our faces burning, but Mrs Hamilton didn't seem the least bit put out at catching her daughter necking with her skating partner. She gave me a cheery smile and said, "Hello Nick, would you like to come in for a port of tea?"

For the next few evenings Donna and I trained like demons, before sitting kissing in the café. Unfortunately, with nowhere else to go, we didn't really get beyond that. We had tried not to let Sue know our secret, but she's not stupid. We had our first big competition of the season in Sheffield on the Sunday, and on the Friday evening our coach asked us to arrive early for training, then surprised us with an announcement. "No training tonight, I don't want you two to lose your edge. Wendy and I are going to a show in the West End, so I think you two should come back to our place and, er, watch TV or whatever else you want to do." I wasn't sure I'd understood her meaning properly, but when she got me on my own she left me in no doubt. "Look Nicky, sexual frustration can have a terrible effect on performance – on the ice I mean. I don't want anything taking your minds off the competition on Sunday."

When we reached Sue's apartment in The Barbican she introduced Donna to her partner Wendy, who I'd met several times before. They bustled around getting ready for a few minutes, then left. As she was closing the door behind her, Sue gave us the filthiest of winks and murmured, "We won't be back until after eleven – don't do anything Wendy and I wouldn't do!" The door had barely clicked shut before Donna and I were on each other. We half-sat, half-sprawled on the couch for a while, kissing deeply. I eased my hand up her T-shirt and, for the first time, into her bra. Her breast felt wonderfully soft and silky, the nipple big and spongy. She slipped her hand down the back of my training pants and stroked my buttocks, then suggested we go to bed.

We undressed quickly, shyly with our backs to each other, then Donna bounced into the bed and pulled the duvet up to her neck. I slipped off my underpants and joined her, and we cuddled and kissed for a few minutes, her knees rubbing against my thighs, her boobs squashed against my chest. I stroked my hand down her cool, soft skin, resting it for a moment on her hip. She stiffened momentarily, and we kissed some more before I slipped it into her pubic hair. She moaned and pushed at me, and I moved my hand between her legs, touching a finger to her crack. She gasped and clutched me tightly. I moved my mouth down to her boobs and sucked one of them in, teasing the pale pink nipple with my tongue. I mumbled, "God, you have got such beautiful breasts." I felt her hand scrabbling for my cock, and adjusted my position slightly to allow her fingers to wrap around it. I just started to ease my legs between hers when a devastating thought hit me: "Shit, I haven't got any condoms."

Donna gave me a relaxed smile. "It's okay, I'm on the Pill." As relief flooded through me, I positioned the tip of my cock against her labia. She put a hand on my chest and whispered, "Nick, I've never...this is my first time."  It had never occurred to me that she might be a virgin. I kissed her forehead and asked her if she was sure, telling her there was no pressure. She ran her hands down my back, sending a shiver through me, and nodded. "Yeah, of course I'm sure. I've wanted this from you since I was about 16." As I eased the head of my cock into her she gave a small cry and gripped my shoulders. Worried that I'd hurt her, I asked if she wanted me to stop. She bit her lip and gazed into my eyes. "No – please don't stop."

I pushed the rest of the way in, and she gave a huge sigh of pleasure. I started screwing her, slowly and gently at first. She was boiling hot inside, and felt wonderfully smooth and tight around my rod. As she began to heat up even more, and her knees began to rise either side of me, I gradually increased the tempo and the weight I put behind each thrust. Donna started to giggle at each stroke, a gurgling sound deep in her throat which I found an incredible turn-on. Pretty soon I was slamming my prick into her up to the hilt, and she was wailing with pleasure, her legs wrapped around mine. She came first, with a long scream, and I followed a minute or so later. When we kissed again she had tears in her eyes, and she broke off to murmur, "Thank you. I've imagined that with you so many times. I was keeping myself for you, but I'd begun to think I might as well give up."

We made love once more, then Donna fell asleep on my arm. I thought I'd better wake her, but the next thing I knew I was being woken by Sue gently shaking my shoulder. "Come on lovebirds. We'd better get you home." On the long journey to Sheffield the next day I felt like a million dollars. I couldn't stop grinning, and Donna and I held each other's hands in the back of Sue's car. We had a quick practice to get used to the Sheffield ice, then went to our hotel. Donna and I had separate rooms, but she crept into mine and we made love again. That time she sat astride me and bounced up and down on me, squealing with each downward thrust of her hips, while I reached up and kneaded her boobs. Then I sucked them again – God, they really are gorgeous.

The next day at the arena, as I'd known I would, I ran into Lesley. Only two months after we'd split up she'd accepted her new bloke's proposal, and she was proudly wearing her engagement ring. She'd moved in with him, and Sheffield had become her home ice. She and her partner, Darren, were hot favourites to win the UK title. When I saw them, I fully intended to tear his face off and call her every name under the sun. As we approached them though, Donna clutched my arm and hissed up at me "Be nice." It's a sign of what a good influence she's been on me that I smiled sweetly and asked Lesley and Darren how they were doing.

Lesley smiled back, then turned her eyes to Donna. "Oh, so this is your little friend. We've been hearing good things about you two, haven't we Daz." Patronising cow! Darren nodded smugly. Donna and Lesley exchanged smiles as my new partner told my old how nice it was to meet her. At least, their lips smiled; their eyes shot death rays into each other's hearts. Staring at Lesley, I realised with satisfaction that I'd forgotten what a flat chest she had in comparison to Donna.

As we walked away, Donna, without breaking her smile, growled, "We are not just going to beat those fuckers today Nick. We are going to rub their noses in it." And we did! Our new routine went down a storm, and it happened again at the British Championships. Suddenly Nick Rossi and Donna Hamilton were Britain's representatives for the European, Olympic and World Championships! The next few weeks were a whirlwind of doing press interviews, signing autographs, posing for photos, getting fitted with British team outfits and so on. Naturally, as happens with many male-female partnerships in life, we frequently got asked about our personal relationship. We dodged the questions, while Sue sat off to one side looking like the cat who got the cream.

We did well in the preliminary round at the Europeans, and were well placed for the final. Before we left for the arena, though, I felt sick with nerves. Donna, even though she was far less experienced than me in big competitions, was much the calmer. When she came into my room, shortly before we were due to leave, she took one look at me and said, "You need something to relax you." Then I watched in astonishment as she knelt before me, eased my tracksuit pants down, and gripped my cock! I thanked my lucky stars that my roommate wasn't there as she twirled her tongue around my dick then slipped her lips over it. Even though we were having it away on a regular basis, she'd never done that to me before – or to anyone else, I was sure – but she had obviously thought it through at some point. I sat back on my bed, my eyes closed with pleasure, as Donna slid her lips up and down my shaft, lapped it with her tongue, and pumped the base with one hand, gently squeezing my balls with the other. As I came like a volcano into her mouth, I couldn't help wondering if Irina Rodnina had sat sucking off Aleksandr Zaitsev just before all those World and Olympic titles!

The final skate went like a dream. The event was being held in Zurich, and William Tell was an inspired choice of music. The Swiss crowd loved us, and the entire audience were on their feet clapping along to our routine. We spent a good five minutes picking bouquets of flowers of the ice at the end, and finished a magnificent fifth overall. Just before we'd taken to the ice, Donna had whispered to me, "You can suck me off if we do well here", and she held me to it. I wasn't sure what I was doing at first, but I soon found her clitty and nibbled and licked it while I plunged several fingers into her pussy. She bayed like a hound when she came, and bounced around like a jumping bean. It was pretty obvious that was going to become a regular part of our love play in future!

At the Olympics we again managed fifth place, an improvement as we were the third highest ranked European couple. Afterwards, as we sat in Donna's room, sipping flat champagne, she giggled and said, "I think you deserve something special. I read about this when I was just a kid, and I've always wanted to try it." It's not easy to describe what happened next. I knelt on all fours and Donna lay under me. Then she wrapped her arms and legs around me and lifted herself right off the bed! It only worked because she's so light. I slipped my cock into her, and she began to swing back and forth on me, drawing her pussy right to the very tip of my prick then plunging back down onto it, her nipples rubbing against my chest with each stroke. I started to move with the rhythm as well, and I couldn't believe how incredibly arousing it felt. I gushed into her like Krakatoa, and she screamed like a banshee as she came. When we collapsed into each other's arms, we were so drained we barely noticed one of her roommates enter then rush out again with an embarrassed apology. Donna told me what we did was called the 10th position of the Perfumed Garden, and I'm longing to check what the other nine are!

By the time we got to the World Champs we were feeling a little tired – from the skating and the travel! – and dropped to seventh place. Nevertheless, we had become Britain's most successful figure skaters in years, and suddenly we were being lauded throughout the sport. We've got enough funding now that Donna's been able to give up her job, and Sue's arranged for a legendary coaching friend of hers, Aleksandr Maksimovic, to come over from Canada to help take us to the next level. With plenty of championships to come between now and the next Olympics, the sky's the limit for the future Nick and Donna Rossi.