Collision (14 page)

Turning away, she forced herself to swallow as James rubbed
her back. After she’d finally gotten herself back under control, she reached
into her clutch for a tissue and wiped gingerly underneath her eyes.

“Are you all right?”

“Fine,” she lied. “Is my makeup okay?”

James studied her face. “Yes, you’re beautiful.” In a lower
voice he asked, “What happened?”

Leah glanced over her shoulder and James followed her gaze,
letting out a very low whistle. “That’s him, all right, though I hardly
recognize him without the ten-gallon hat, which was surprisingly hot.” Brady
was standing with David Nelson and shaking hands with the head of the
Association, Rex Johnson. “Girl, you have got
good
taste.”

“Don’t I know it?” How was she going to face him after
running out the way she had? “I need to leave.”

James looked at her, the surprise clear on his face. “Honey,
we can’t leave yet. You know that.”

Her “Ice Queen” façade slipped over her like a glove. “I can
do whatever the hell I want. I don’t answer to this Association.”

James pulled her aside until they were out of earshot of other
patrons. “Yes, you do. Look, this is your last year skating, in all likelihood.
You know it, I know it, and most everyone else knows it. Do you want to start
what could be the most important season of your career on a bad note because
you’ve pissed off the Association?”

Leah sighed, squeezing the bridge of her nose. “No,” she
admitted.

James put his arm around her shoulders. “All right then.
Let’s go back out there and you paste a nice, bright smile on your face. If you
really don’t want to see Brady I’ll do what I can to run interference.”

Nodding, Leah turned away from the wall and promptly met
Brady’s angry stare from only a few feet away. He looked from her to James and
she realized he must be wondering who her date was. Had she ever mentioned that
James was gay? Biting her lip, she realized she probably hadn’t. Why would she?
But as his gaze followed the curve of James’ arm around her, Leah knew he
wasn’t happy. Closing her eyes briefly, she prayed he wouldn’t cause a scene.

When she forced them open again, though, he pivoted and
headed toward the bar without a word to her. Nelson followed like a puppy dog
and Leah let out the breath she’d been holding. Maybe everything would be all
right.

James steered her into another conversation and she forced
herself not to keep checking on Brady. Downing the rest of the contents of her
glass, she turned to place it on a passing waiter’s tray when it was taken out
of her hand and replaced with a full flute. Looking up, she saw Brady standing
in front of her.

“Hello, Leah.”

“Hello,” she stammered, her heart beating wildly in her
chest as she caught a whiff of his familiar scent.

He jerked his head toward James, who had stepped up beside
Leah. “Gonna introduce me to your boyfriend?”

James smirked and Leah glared at him. Returning her
attention to Brady, she said, “This is James, my manager. You remember me
talking about him.”

Brady nodded. Focusing on James, who was still trying to
hold in a chuckle, he held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

James took his hand and winced the slightest bit. She
frowned at Brady as she heard James reply, “A pleasure to finally meet you. I’m
gay.”

Leah’s head snapped around and she gaped at James. Brady
looked shocked for a minute, but then he began to laugh. “Is that a warning or
an invitation?”

James looked him up and down and then winked. “Whichever
you’d like…”

Brady flashed his perfect smile and Leah’s sex clenched.
She’d missed those smiles being turned on her. Her hand cramped and she saw she
was clutching the delicate crystal flute with a white-knuckle grip. She consciously
relaxed her fingers. When her gaze rose again Brady was staring at where her
hand was wrapped around the stem of the glass. He looked up at her and cleared
his throat.

“Can we go somewhere and talk after this shindig is over?”

She blinked, a thousand thoughts vying for her brain’s
attention. “Um, sure, if that’s what you want.”

“Oh, darlin’, you have no idea what I want.” Her nerve
endings sang as his lazy, sexy voice floated around her. He walked away with a
brief touch of two fingers to his forehead, as if he was tipping an invisible
hat to her.

The rest of the party passed slowly. Leah surreptitiously
checked her watch again as things began to wind down. “Go,” James told her.

“What?” She was beyond distracted and knew she’d been lousy
company for the past hour, but James rolled his eyes, an indulgent smile on his
face.

“I said, go. Brady looks like he’s about to climb out of his
own skin.”

She glanced up. Brady was pulling at his collar while he
nursed a beer. Smiling, she said, “Thanks. I’ll call you later.”

“You’d better,” James answered, a smirk playing across his
face.

Making her way over to Brady, she noticed another female
skater sidle up to him, stroking a hand down his sleeve. An immediate, violent
urge to throttle that woman took Leah by surprise. She’d never been the jealous
type.

Brady took a half step away and Leah’s lips curved in
amusement. He’d moved enough that she wasn’t touching him, but not enough as to
be rude. His gaze swept the room until he spotted her, and he smiled. That smile
took her breath away.

The other skater turned and followed Brady’s eyes, scowling
when she saw Leah approaching. “Hello, Anne. Brady.”

“Hi,” Anne answered, immediately turning her attention back
to Brady. “So what do you say? Would you like a tour of the city while you’re
here?”

“That’s a real nice offer, ma’am.” Leah began to shake with
silent laughter as Anne’s mouth dropped open. She’d be willing to bet no one
had ever called the nineteen-year-old ma’am, and she knew in that moment that
he’d done it on purpose. “However, even though I’m from a lil’ town in Texas,
this isn’t exactly my first time in the big city. It was lovely to meet you,
though.”

He strolled away, leaving Anne obviously fuming. Leah
excused herself and followed. They went to the coat check area and then Brady
said, “I’m at the Marriot Marquis. Why don’t we go back there and have some
dinner and talk?”

“That would be fine.” The atmosphere felt very formal all of
a sudden, and Leah wasn’t sure how to regain the easy camaraderie she and Brady
had once shared. She wasn’t sure they ever could.

Brady hailed a cab and opened the door for her. Scooting in,
she slid to the far end of the seat as he got in and gave the cab driver the
hotel name. Neither spoke as the car made the short trip. Excitement and dread
warred within her.

When the cab arrived at the hotel, Brady paid the fare and
helped Leah out. The first touch of his hand in hers sent shock waves up her
arm. Her head snapped up and she saw the same heat in Brady’s eyes that was no
doubt present in her own. His jaw was tensed and she had to resist the urge to
cup it in her hand.

They made their way to the hotel restaurant on the top
floor. The hostess seated them at a table against the windows, but Leah
couldn’t concentrate on the spectacular view. Not when she was still wondering
why Brady had asked her here. The waiter came by, and after ordering Brady sat
back and studied her. She tried not to squirm under his scrutiny. “You look
gorgeous. You always look gorgeous, of course, but that dress is a great style
for you.”

She’d been right when she’d picked it out this afternoon.
“Thank you.”

Leah wasn’t sure if she should say something else, but Brady
made it unnecessary as he began to speak again. “So I’m guessing you’re
wondering why I asked you to dinner.”

“The thought had crossed my mind.”

Brady ran a hand through his hair, tousling it adorably.
“I’m tired of lying to myself.” He reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling
her closer. His thumb ran over the sensitive skin on her palm and Leah shivered,
barely holding in a whimper. “I’m in love with you, Leah. I don’t know when it
happened, but I am. I don’t wanna let this thing go. I know you’re scared,” he
continued as she began to speak, “and I know I’m not good enough for you, but
if you could see your way clear to giving us a chance, I promise you I’d do
everything I could to make you happy. I can’t just give up, not without a hell
of a fight.” He paused for a second and then said, “What do you think?”

She chewed her lip for a moment as she considered his
declaration. She was miserable without him—she might as well admit that to
herself. “I think sometimes a collision is a good thing,” she told him,
referring to the slogan Nelson Motors had come up with for their promotional
tour. She had said that she wasn’t good enough for him before.

Brady laughed and the sound was like music to her ears. “So
will you give me a chance? Hell, there’s not a man on earth who’s good enough
for you, but I’ll do anything to be with you. I already talked to Nelson about
going on tour with you guys for a few months before my season starts back up.
He seemed pretty interested.”

“A tour? With the figure skaters?”

Brady raised a brow. “You don’t think I can handle a few
itty-bitty figure skaters?” An indelicate snort escaped before Leah could stop
it and she clamped her hand over her mouth. “Don’t hide that beautiful mouth
from me, sugar.” He looked away, blowing out a breath before turning back at
her. “You still haven’t answered me.”

“Oh!” Leah’s face flamed. “Yes. I want this too. I want to
be with you. And by the way, you’re plenty good enough for me. Brady, you’re
the best man I’ve ever met. You’re kind, considerate, loving.” Brady grinned
and she continued. “You’re the type of man every woman wants to be with.”

“I’m sure your parents won’t agree with you,” he mumbled.

“I don’t care what they think. I’m in love with you and
that’s all they need to know.”

“Y-you’re in love with me?” The hope shining in his eyes
further melted the ice walls she’d built up around her heart these past weeks
without him.

“Yep. There’s no getting rid of me now.” With her free hand,
she twisted her napkin in her lap. “I was an idiot, Brady, and I’m so sorry. I
didn’t want to hurt you, but that’s exactly what I did. I’m not sure how to do
this, Brady. No one’s ever loved me.” Tears began to well up and she blinked to
try to hold them back.

“Aw, darlin’, don’t cry. I can’t handle it.”

“I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“Shh.” Scooting over to the chair next to her, he gathered
her in his arms. “Shhh…none of that, now. You’re gonna give me a complex.”
Gently pushing his hand into her hair, he brought his lips to hers. The kiss
ignited like a wildfire in a dry forest as he licked at her lips with his
wicked tongue. She surrendered immediately, welcoming him into her mouth.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she drowned in the onslaught of pleasure as
his masterful mouth moved over hers. Just in time, she recalled where they were
and pulled back.

“We can’t do this here.”

Brady looked around, slowly pulling away. “Seems like we’re
always saying that, but you’re right.” He sighed. “As soon as we finish eating
I’m taking you back to my room so I can spend the rest of the night making love
to you. Fair warning.”

Her heart beat a staccato in her chest. She couldn’t believe
how much she wanted him. Her sex was slick with juices and her breasts were
swelling, her nipples peaking.

Their food was delivered and both rushed through their
meals. Leah was sure it was delicious but she didn’t taste a thing. Brady paid the
bill and they practically sprinted out of the restaurant. As soon as the doors
closed in the elevator Brady dove for her mouth, parting her lips so his tongue
could snake inside. His hand slid under her dress to cup her mound, a low moan
escaping when he stroked his finger along her damp panties. Pulling back, he
bit down gently on and then laved the riotously beating pulse point on her
neck. Her head fell to the side to allow him better access. “I can’t wait to
get my cock inside you,” he said with a growl and she groaned in response.

The doors opened and he pulled his hand out from underneath
the dress, pushing her out of the elevator. As soon as they were inside his
room he lifted her up, carrying her to the bed. Laying her down, he immediately
followed, only stopping long enough to remove his suit coat and toss it in the
general direction of the chair nearby.

As his weight came down on top of her, she reveled in the
feel of his body sliding on hers. The air was so thick it felt as if their
attraction was a tangible, breathing thing, and she thanked her lucky stars he
wasn’t as stubborn as she was and had the courage to come here to fight for
them.

He sank into her mouth and kissed her until she couldn’t
breathe. She wiggled underneath him and he finally released her. “Help me get
this dress off.”

Brady grinned. “With pleasure.” He slowly and carefully
pulled it over her head, leaving her in a skimpy thong and strapless bra, which
he removed without hesitation. Standing up, he began to unbutton his shirt. She
rolled onto her knees to work at his pants, her fingers pulling clumsily at his
belt. Once she’d finally managed to shove his pants down she reached for him,
but he grabbed her hand.

“None of that. Though I adore it when you touch me, right
now I want to make love to my woman.” Now gloriously naked, he climbed back
onto the bed and parted her thighs, sliding in deep, his cock stretching her.
She gasped as her sex contracted around him and he purred, “That’s right, baby,
we’re gonna take this nice and slow.” He moved slowly back out and then in
again until he was buried to the hilt. Bracing his weight on his forearms, he
stared at her. His eyes held so many emotions, so much more than simple lust.

“I love you,” she told him, wrapping her arms and legs tightly
around him as he pulled out of her again.