Page 42 of The Fall

“Today is just a warm-up. Yes, the other pairs will likely be watching you, but their opinion doesn’t matter. And honestly, the routine we have is so good, they’re probably going to be a little scared watching you skate.”

I chuckle. He’s really going for it, and I hate to admit that it’s actually working. Instead of running off to hide, I want to get out there and show everyone that we mean business this year.

“I don’t think anyone is going to be scared of me and Max.”

Logan’s hands stop rubbing, and he comes in front of me and squats down. He hooks his finger under my chin and makes me look at him. Then, with complete seriousness, he says, “They are scared of you, baby. Trust me. They were scared of you before, and they’re sure as hell going to be scared of you now. So get out there and show them that you came to win.”

I swallow, my throat suddenly incredibly dry. Not only is his mouth inches from mine, but he just called me baby. Baby? And now he’s expecting me to just move past it like it’s nothing?

His eyes fall to my lips. We’ve been here before. I know this time he wants to kiss me. I want it too. Dammit.

But it would be terrible for me to kiss him right now. I have to focus on skating.

I lick my lips, and his eyes follow my movement. He’s not making this easy.

“Well,” I say, barely above a whisper. “If this coaching thing doesn’t work out for you, you’d be a damn good motivational speaker.”

He smiles and drops his hand from my face. I miss his touch instantly. “Good to know I have options.”

We both stand.

“You good now?” he asks.

I take a few steps as if I’m going to pass him but stop once our shoulders are touching. “Yes, sir. Good and wet.”

I don’t know where the confidence to say that came from, but I know he knew what he was doing to me. Neither of us is an idiot. His breath hitches, but I don’t wait for him to say anything else. Nope. I’m going to leave him with that. Let him be the one stewing for once.

Yes, he helped me overcome my nerves, but now I’m horny, and what am I supposed to do about that?

I find my skates in the corner where I left them and take them to the ice. I lace up quickly and meet Max on the ice. As I’m doing a warm-up lap, my eyes find Logan because, of course, they do. They always seem to find him, no matter where we are. He smirks at me when I skate past him, and I spin and stick out my tongue.

“What was that about? Did he knock some sense into you?” Max asks as we get ready to practice our routine.

I huff a laugh. “You could say that.”

“You have a weird look on your face.”

“Uh, thanks?” I say, settling down in front of him on the ice for my starting position.

“It’s not a bad thing. You look happy or something?”

“Or something? Damn, you really know how to make a girl feel good.”

He laughs. “I have no problem making you feel good, Sav, and you know it.”

I turn to face forward so he doesn’t see my smile drop. Max and I have a routine. We always sleep together the night before a competition. It’s what works for us, so I know he’s expecting it tonight. Why wouldn’t he? But he has no idea that I’m having inappropriate thoughts about our coach. He has no idea that I’d rather be in Logan’s bed tonight than his.

But this is tradition. If I don’t do it, it might ruin everything. Right?

And if there’s one thing athletes unreasonably lean on, it’s superstitions.

FIFTEEN

LOGAN

It’s been a long day.

From the early morning flight to catching up with everyone to giving myself blue balls, I’m exhausted.