Whispers on the Ice (13 page)

They had waited so long to consummate their love. Aleksei had shown more patience and restraint than Jordan had actually. Several times it had been Aleksei who had gently left Jordan’s welcoming arms when the need to be together had become overwhelming. Aleksei had given Jordan the time she needed to decide what she wanted in her life, not just the heated passion of stolen moments but the enduring love of a lifetime. Now as he watched her eyes glaze and her skin flush with passion, he knew he had done the right thing in waiting for her to come to him.

“Sweet heaven, Aleksei, this is torture,” Jordan moaned, shifting ever closer to his muscular form, her hands running heatedly up his arms and over his shoulders to delve into his thick dark hair and pull his face up to hers where her mouth could devour his. Deeply she kissed him, her tongue melting against his as he swallowed her groan of pleasure. Slowly their mouths mated, teasing, tormenting, answering each need as it arose, separating only briefly when Jordan’s sweater was swiftly pulled over her head and tossed to the floor, forgotten, as their kiss resumed.

Aleksei slowed their kiss, taking small bites from the corners of her mouth as if sipping fine cognac, getting dizzier by the moment as his own passion increased in tempo with Jordan’s. Wanting to make their time together last a lifetime, he took a deep, calming breath. “You taste of cocoa,” he teased, his voice deep and lush with passion. Licking at her lips and evading her mouth as she sought to draw him back against her lips, he easily caught her hands above her head and laced his fingers through hers as he held her firmly, yet gently, against the pillows.

The friction of his palms against hers brought on new sensations. How often their hands had blended this way while they skated and yet this sensation had never been as full of fire and excitement; had never made her want to melt into oblivion and beyond.

“I want to touch you,” Jordan gasped, her fingers flexing anxiously, her palm pushing against his even as her hips imitated the motion against his own, the movement causing the heat in his loins to burn hotter.

Aleksei closed his eyes against the sweet torture Jordan was innocently inflicting, breathing deeply and looking for strength as he sought to keep control of his raging hunger for her. She was driving him toward oblivion, knowingly, or unknowingly, it didn’t really matter. Their hunger for one another was making his hopes for a slow seduction unrealistic and at this point in time he really didn’t give a damn. He only wanted to insure she wasn’t hurt in any way.

Seconds slowly ticked by as he struggled to slow his racing heart, trying to ignore the bolts of desire that threatened to engulf him each time Jordan moved against him, softly imploring he make love to her; her soft perfume surrounding him with its magical power.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?” he questioned, his voice husky and deep.

“What I’ve wanted to do to you since the first time I saw you,” Jordan answered softly, her eyes widening with shock as she suddenly realized what she’d said.

Aleksei pulled back only slightly, his eyes watching hers closely, noticing the soft flush that crept up her cheeks. “Exactly which meeting would that be?” he asked softly, his breath catching as he watched her tongue moisten her full, pink lips.

Flustered, Jordan tried to think of a tart response, but her mind was empty of everything but the things Aleksei was making her feel. “What do you mean, ‘which meeting’?”

Aleksei’s smile widened, his eyes shining as a sudden thought struck him. “Don’t tell me you’ve had the hots for me since Canada?” he asked quietly.

“You’re crazy. I was only a kid then. Kid’s don’t think about those things at that age,” Jordan stuttered, her eyes trying to look anywhere but into Aleksei’s dark knowing gaze.

Aleksei released her hands, cupping his own around her face, his thumbs gently caressing her cheekbones. His whispered calling of her name brought her shining eyes back to his, dark green and obsidian meeting and holding, all questions asked and answered as they silently communicated. With infinite care, he softly kissed her lips, her cheeks, her eyes, branding her as his alone. “Jordan, I love you,” he whispered thickly, his heart welcoming the feeling that filled him as he finally voiced his desire.

Jordan blinked in surprise, a smile, one of knowing and ecstasy at once, spread across her face. “It took you long enough to figure it out, Rocmanov!” she stated tartly, the happiness she was no longer able to contain bursting forth as bright laughter.

Aleksei returned her brilliant smile, taking in the vision she presented before him. Never had he seen anyone as beautiful as the woman before him. “What do you mean, ‘it took me long enough?’”

“You’ve loved me forever and didn’t even know it,” Jordan answered cockily, her eyes flashing brightly.

“I haven’t even liked you forever. What makes you think I’ve loved you forever?”

“I knew in Canada.”

Aleksei shook his head trying to clear a path through the haze of passion so he might be able to understand her train of thought. “Explain this to me, please. Did I, or did I not, knock you on your butt in Canada?”

“Yes, you did.”

“And this meant I loved you?” Aleksei questioned calmly, his gaze sweeping across her flushed, glowing face.

“Not the part where you knocked me down, specifically. It was the way you treated me afterward.” Jordan explained, brushing her hand down his cheek.

Aleksei wracked his brain trying to remember everything about their encounter so many years before. “I remember something about the ‘Ice Queen’ and calling you a brat…”

“It was the way you called me a brat; the tone you used. You use the same tone with me now,” Jordan ended softly, her hands holding his face. “It’s the same tone you used, just now, when you told me you love me. It’s the same tone that makes me weightless and able to touch the universe. It’s the same tone that told me when I was twelve I would find the way to heaven; a place where I’d be happy and unafraid. I would find my way to you.”

Aleksei could only look at her, afraid to speak for fear his voice would fail him. Slowly he leaned forward, his lips gently meeting hers, blending softly and sweetly. Barely leaving her lips, he whispered “Jordan Jamison, you take my breath away.” Returning to her lips, he lost himself in their sweetness, drowning gratefully as wave after wave of passion reclaimed the pair and pushed them toward sweet oblivion.

There would be no more softly spoken words for now as their need to be one became all consuming, pushing away outside interference and distractions until they existed within the small cocoon of the bedroom. Their clothes magically dissolved beneath questing hands and lips, each piece revealing secrets to the other. Despite their having touched each other in nearly every imaginable way while they skated, the revealing practice clothes had still left them to imagine what lay beneath. Now, there would be no further secrets and both Jordan and Aleksei reveled in their exploration of each other’s bodies. Erogenous zones in the most unexpected places were found, ticklish spots emerged, all under the joy and laughter of discovering each other.

After what seemed an eternity, the playfulness turned into passion and the pair sought their fulfillment, finding the brightly shining stars in the universe they traveled, clinging to one another as they shattered together in a shower of fiery sparks. Trembling, they clung together, as much out of desire to remain locked together in each other’s arms as too exhausted to move. Their chests heaving together as they slowly returned to earth and regained their breath.

“Are you all right?” Aleksei asked softly, pushing aside Jordan’s damp hair and kissing her flushed, damp cheek.

“Is it always like this?” Jordan asked serenely, snuggling closer to Aleksei and smiling softly when he tightened his arms around her.

“Is what always like this?” he asked obtusively, grunting when she punched him lightly in the stomach for his comment. “Ow—what was that for?”

“For the stupid response. Now, I’ll give you another chance. Answer my question,” she demanded, running her hand through the damp curls covering his chest.

Aleksei couldn’t think straight with her touching him as she was. Despite being exhausted only seconds before, he now felt strong enough to run a marathon. Catching her wandering hand and bringing it to his lips, he kissed her palm, enjoying the way her eyes darkened at the intimate gesture and smiled into her upturned face. “No, my love, it’s not always like that. But it will always be that way for us.” he promised, “Nobody leaves, remember?” his lips whispered across hers just before he plundered her mouth, rolling her onto her back and into the deep pillows.

Jordan’s body immediately responded, fires raging anew and she marveled at the sudden overwhelming need to again search the stars with Aleksei. This time, their union was urgent, their ascent swift and savage as they peaked within moments of joining. Their gazes remained locked together, Aleksei’s obsidian eyes filling with fire, Jordan’s deepening from emerald to hunter green; each watching the other as they sought their fulfillment and fell over the edge into oblivion together.

The descent to earth was slow and feather soft, their eventual return leading them into a deep, restful slumber. Aleksei’s arms held her spooned comfortably against the front of his body; her warm, shapely bottom pressed against his lap, his knees resting against the back of her thighs. Jordan held his hands in hers, her head resting on the pillow beside Aleksei’s, copper and deep brown hair blending across the fluffy whiteness of the pillow. Their bodies moved together as naturally as they did on the ice, as if they’d been together forever.

And they slept, the deep, dreamless slumber of lovers well satisfied, knowing when they awoke they would be together—forever.

CHAPTER 9  

The forest was silent, as if holding its breath in anticipation. Jordan found herself alone, in the middle of a clearing, the pine needles silencing her footsteps as she slowly turned in a circle in search of a way out. Suddenly, several yards away, Aleksei stood at the wood line of the forest, his arms outstretched, reaching toward her. Jordan cautiously began walking toward Aleksei. His voice was silent yet inside her heart she could hear him calling her to him. Each step she took toward him, he seemed to melt deeper into the forest, his tall, muscular body becoming more transparent with each passing second. It was as if he was slowly fading before her eyes. But she knew that was impossible so she kept moving forward, her hands reaching out to touch him.

“Jordan, I love you,” Aleksei stated softly, his voice clear in the chill winter air.

“Aleksei, wait,” she implored, trying to run toward him, but stumbling on the uneven earth of the forest. “Don’t leave me. Nobody leaves. Remember?” she cried, picking herself up when the dense forest floor tripped her.

“I’ll never leave you, Jordan. We’ll always be together,” he promised, his body fading further, shimmering in the cold breeze.

“Aleksei, no
…
! God
…
, please, no
…
” she sobbed, stumbling forward and finally reaching the spot where the last vague image of Aleksei’s body shimmered before her. “Aleksei, you promised,” she cried, reaching for him and feeling not the welcome warmth of his body but empty, cold air. “You swore to me
…
Nobody leaves
…
” she whimpered brokenly, collapsing to the ground.

“You’ll always be able to find me, Jordan. I’ll always be with you. Perhaps not the way we want it to be, but I will always be with you. Listen to the whispers on the ice, Jordan. You’ll find me in the whispers on the ice.”

“That’s not enough. I want you next to me. I want to be able to touch you, to hear your laughter and see your smile, to feel your heart beating against mine. Don’t leave me, Aleksei,” she cried brokenly, reaching for him only to see her hands penetrate his barely discernible shape.

“I love you, Jordan
…
never forget. I’ll love you forever
…
” he whispered and gently ran his hand down her cheek, fading away completely to leave her totally alone in the forest.

Jordan awoke with a violent jerk, sitting upright as the last vestiges of her nightmare swirled through her mind, finally fading to leave her empty and exhausted. Touching a hand to her cheek where Aleksei had last touched her, she cringed at the coldness she felt there. Fearfully she looked to where Aleksei had been sleeping, panic surging forth when she found the bed, and the room, empty.

“Aleksei…?”

Silence was her answer. Trying to control her panic, she climbed from beneath the covers, slipped Aleksei’s abandoned T-shirt over her head and inhaled deeply of his scent that still clung to the shirt. Slowly she walked through the doorway into the large room, calling his name, and still she found nothing but silence. Quietly she stood in the middle of the room, unsure of what to do next, fighting the urge to simply collapse to the floor and cry.

The door suddenly opened, it’s frame filled by Aleksei’s enormous form holding an armful of firewood, the snow swirling behind him as he tried to close the door with one foot and still hold the wood.

Jordan launched herself at him, ignoring his warning of being cold and wet with snow, and literally pushed the wood in his arms to the floor, easily sidestepping the falling debris. Without a word she threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly as she tried to melt into him, squeezing the breath from him.

Aleksei’s surprised grunt at her behavior subsided the moment he saw her pale face. Her eyes were wide and panicky, their darkness glazed, tears that still trailed down her cheeks. Her lips trembled as she tried to answer his question. “Jordan, what is it?” he repeated when he wasn’t sure if she’d understood him the first time.

Jordan could only shake her head; afraid to put her dream to words for fear it would give it the power to become fact. “Hold me, Aleksei…just hold me,” she mumbled, burrowing against him.

“Come here, sweetheart,” Aleksei coaxed, walking her to the couch and gently placing her on the soft cushions, wrapping the fleece throw around her shoulders. “Let me get the fire going. I’ll be right here,” he stated, waiting until she nodded in agreement before he left her side.

In short order he had the fire roaring healthily, the heat penetrating even the farthest corners of the room. He had watched Jordan silently watch him build the fire, the panicked look in her eyes slowly fading as she had watched his every move, never speaking aloud but communicating her fear to him clearly.

“That ought to keep this place warm for a while,” he offered conversationally, leaving the hearth and crawling on his hands and knees across the floor to kneel before Jordan on the couch. The throw stayed firmly wrapped around her shoulders, her knuckles white where she held the fabric close beneath her chin.

“Are you okay?” he asked her quietly, brushing wayward curls from her temples and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“I think,” she whispered, leaning her forehead against his and closing her eyes, the deep breath she took still a bit shaky.

“Want to talk about it?”

Jordan’s head popped up, her eyes dark and full of fear at his question,her heading shaking back and forth adamantly. “No,it might come true!” she gasped, pulling Aleksei into her arms, her body trembling. “Aleksei, please…just hold me,” she pleaded.

Aleksei held her tightly, gently stroking her back as he whispered soothing words of comfort. At a loss as to what could have frightened her so much. He couldn’t have been away from her for more than five minutes. The woodpile was just outside the door, not fifty feet away from where she had slept, so he had not idea what any of this was about. “As you wish, Jordan. I’ll hold you all night if that’s what you want,” he whispered into her hair, lifting her easily into his arms and settling comfortably into the corner of the sofa. Gently he set her between his spread legs, her arms releasing the fleece throw to wrap about his waist as she snuggled her cheek beneath his chin, closing her eyes and heaving a deep sigh. Aleksei held her tightly, resting his chin on the top of her head and breathing deeply of her soft perfume.

Slowly, over time, Aleksei felt Jordan relax in his arms, heard her breathing calm, felt her trembling stop. Patiently he waited for her to come to terms with whatever had frightened her, wishing he could chase away whatever had shaken her so, knowing there were some demons she would have to fight alone. Her sudden, quietly voiced, question surprised him after her lengthy stillness.

“Aleksei—nobody leaves, right?”

“That’s our promise to each other,” he answered simply, releasing her when he felt her push against his chest as she moved to sit up, her eyes capturing his and refusing to break contact.

“Swear it! Swear that with the two of us, nobody leaves!” she demanded urgently.

Aleksei’s hands cupped Jordan’s face, pulling her forward until their lips nearly touched. “As God is my witness, Jordan. Nobody leaves!” he stated emphatically, his eyes delving deeply into hers, reaching her soul, and sharing his courage and belief in what he said.

“I’m going to hold you to it,” Jordan promised, covering his hands, where they rested on her face, with her own, her cold fingers absorbing the warmth of his own. Slowly she moved the few inches forward until her mouth met his, their kiss sealing their vow to each other and chasing away her final fears left by her nightmare. Softly they explored the unhurried, gentle side of love, kisses shared simply for the joy of sharing, touching for the simple sake of feeling the wonder of love. When they finally parted, there was no remainder of the fear Aleksei had witnessed earlier, simply his shining, beautiful Jordan.

“Want to come skate with me?” Aleksei asked suddenly, his hands sifting through her copper-toned curls, a mischievous smile curving his lips.

“You brought our skates? Whittaker’s going to kill you if he finds out,” Jordan warned. “Remember, ‘no skating, no skiing, no hiking. Nothing that could land you in the hospital!’” she reminded.

“You could land me in the hospital after the workout you put me through earlier,” he teased, his smile widening as he watched the flush spread across her cheeks as he teased her about their earlier passionate encounter.

“Fine—don’t expect another such threat to your health then. I wouldn’t want to be the one responsible for your withdrawal from the Olympics,” she threatened nonchalantly. Moving to leave the circle of his arms and making it as far as the edge of the couch before he circled her slim waist with one arm, he pulled her backwards, holding her slim back tight against his broad chest.

“Don’t make threats you can’t keep, brat,” he whispered heatedly against her neck, his lips pressing hot kisses between his words to emphasize his point, smiling when he felt her melt against him.

“You just think you’re irresistible, don’t you?” her voice sexily low despite her cheeky response.

“No, you do!” he answered cockily, rubbing his beard-rough cheek gently against hers before turning her in his arms enough to face him.

“Why would I think you’re irresistible?”

“I don’t know. Why?”

“You want me to give you a list?” Jordan teased.

“A whole list, huh? I didn’t know there were so many things about me that were irresistible,” he stated flippantly, pleased arrogance clear in his tone.

“Don’t get so excited. The list is
very
short!”

“You must have forgotten to poll everyone I know,” Aleksei stated, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

“I only polled those females who have actual knowledge of your irresistibility. I was surprised at how willing they were to talk to me. In fact, most of them offered their opinions without being asked.”

Aleksei’s exaggerated cringe startled a laugh out of Jordan, “Touché, brat. Now give me this list.”

“I really don’t think it would interest you,” she shrugged, pushing against his chest as if to leave.

“No you don’t…” he started, tightening his arms and bringing her warmth and softness back against his chest, then leaning forward to give her a quick kiss. “You started this subject, you finish it. The list!” he demanded laughingly.

Jordan heaved a huge sigh, her expression one of ‘if I must’ and began. “Well—everyone agrees you’re easy enough to look at… Ouch!” she complained, slapping at the hand that pinched her bottom. “Fine—you’re gorgeous—too damn gorgeous if you ask me; but then, nobody did—ask me that is. Anyway, you’re fun; whatever that means and I probably don’t want to know, so we’ll go on to the next thing on your
list
. You skate well. That I can generally agree with. Ouch!” another light pinch afflicted her bottom. “Your ass, unarguably, is the best in the business!”

“According to whom?” he choked out, an unexpected blush coloring cheeks.

“The only one who counts—me, of course!” Jordan stated firmly. “Therefore, you look wonderful in tight pants, and out of them, according to some who will remain nameless but can be easily spotted because they’re limping. I won’t say why or how they came to be that way, only that they are and that a certain ex-skater’s ex-husband was happy to get the work,” Jordan teased airily, snidely referring to the Nancy Kerrigan/Tanya Harding debacle.

“Moving on…” Aleksei encouraged, chuckling at her show of jealousy.

“Where was I?” Jordan pondered her face a study of innocence, “Oh, yes, tight pants. Next, there are those who are quite partial to your chest hair,” she stated, pulling smartly on a few and enjoying immensely his flinch of pain. “I, personally, find them okay. All right, more than okay,” she stammered, responding to Aleksei’s smug look and raised eyebrows as he remembered how she hadn’t been able to stop running her hands over his lushly covered chest when they’d made love.

“Ah.” he nodded in understanding. “It would seem, the
list
is primarily about my physical attributes.”

“You’re surprised?”

Aleksei searched her face, looking for censure and found none. “I probably shouldn’t be considering I spent the better part of my early years proving my manhood to everyone. It’s just kind of disheartening to know that my legacy is going to be how many beers I could knock back, how many fights I fought, how many bones I broke and how many women I knew,” he stated, frowning at the memories of his youthful, reckless past.

“So who says that has to be your legacy?” Jordan questioned, smiling lovingly up at him from where she lay against his chest until he returned the smile. “Why can’t your past be chapter one and what we do together be chapter two and what people remember?”

“Because people tend to remember the bad and ignore the good, the bad is typically much more interesting.”

“Only in a wicked, voyeuristic, sort of way. It’s easy for people to say ‘can you believe the wild stuff so-and-so did? I can’t believe he got away with it.’, and still experience the same thrill vicariously without having to take the risk. People are warped enough to scream ‘that’s pushing the envelope too far’ and wish they’d had the balls to think of it themselves, not that most of them would have had the guts to try some of the stuff you have. Still, they may shake their fingers at you and say ‘bad boy’ but secretly hope you keep doing the outrageous things that keep their lives a little more exciting,” Jordan suggested.