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Olivia turns her delicate wrist and peers down at her watch "It’s getting kind of late I think we should probably call it a night"

No, I want to screaive her a nod "Yeah…I have an early practice tomorrow, then a team workout"

Olivia stands from her chair and I s it over her shoulder "So, do you practice every day?"

I reach out and take her hand, war es Then we’ll have a few preseason ga excited?" she asks as I lead her through the bar and out the door

"God, yes," I say with a set back into the thick of the co for me"

"I love the passion in your voice when you talk about hockey," she e "You can tell how special it is to you"

Her words touch ame Most people think professional athletes are all about the ood and has provided for me and my family in a way that no other career could have But that’s not why I do what I do I do it for the win, for the thrill, for the fans, and for h--not even theI get whenbetter in the world

"So what are you passionate about?" I ask her as we enter the parking garage and opt to take the stairs to the third floor I slowbehind

"Well, I love ot out of college And I’m passionate aboutwithout them And I’m passionate about on and I don’t get to see her as much as I want to"

"What about your dad?" I ask her as we reach the second flight of stairs

"No clue where he is He’s sort of a free spirit…wanders around the country He and et divorced?"

Olivia snickers "Um…only because they’re not e They’re both sort of like i in free love and lots of pot"

"You’re kidding?" I ask in astonishment My parents have been happily married for al my playboy ways, I think deep down I’ve always respected the sanctity of et sanctified hs, and then stops for a , andcaftan dresses and braids fresh flowers in her hair She listens to the Mamas and the Papas all day and talks drea, I point out, "But your h thatshoulder pads and leg war to the choir," Olivia says after taking a deep breath and letting it out

"You seem a little out of breath," I tease her "Maybe we should have taken the elevator"

She punches htly, and says, "Not all of us can be world-class athletes But I’ht of stairs, but I lean down and sweep her up into led yelp, but I’m immensely pleased when her arms raise up to wrap around my neck

"How about a lift?" I ask her, even as one hand corips her outside leg just under the heertips is a her in closer toup the reht, I set her down gently on her feet, her body sliding along ainstin a deep breath, Olivia places her hands on h heavy eyelashes "Thanks for the ride"

"Anytime," Iher jawline

I watch, entranced, as her eyes flutter closed and a tiny srazerasp on to her and pull her face forward until our lips are mashed A low moan of approval seeps out of Olivia, and that’s all I need to push ue in so that I can kiss her the way I’ve been fantasizing about all evening

God…better than earlier because she steps intoher soft curves toback the instant flow of carnal blood that flows through rip, the other travels around to her lower back, where I pressher in closer to h roan into her ainst o weak and I have to lock theht