Crossing the Line (The Baltimore Banners Book 1) (4 page)

     "Between the legs, I know." AJ winced at the sharpness of her voice. Ian was only trying to help her. He had no reason to realize she knew anything about ice hockey, and not just because she liked to write about it. She offered him a smile to take the bite from her words then slammed the butt of the stick down against the door latch so it would swing open. Two steps later and she was standing on a solid sheet of thick ice.

     AJ breathed deeply several times then slowly made her way to the other side of the rink, where Alec was nonchalantly leaning against the top post of the net talking to Nathan. They both watched as she skated up to them and came to a smooth stop. Alec's face was expressionless as he studied her, and she wondered what thoughts were going through his mind. Probably nothing she really wanted to know.

     Nathan nodded at her, offering a small smile. She had to give the guy some credit for not laughing in her face when she asked his opinion on her idea. "Well, at least it looks like you've been on skates before. That's a plus."

     AJ didn't say anything, just absently nodded in his direction. The carefree attitude she had been aiming for was destroyed by the helmet sliding down over her forehead. She pushed it back on her head then glanced at the five pucks lined neatly on the goal line. All she had to do was get one of them across. Just one.

     She didn't have a chance.

     She pushed the pessimistic thought to the back of her mind. "So, do I get a chance to warm up or take a practice shot?"

     Alec sized her up then briskly shook his head. "No."

     AJ swallowed and glanced at the pucks, then back at Alec. "Alrighty then. A man of few words. That's what I like about you, Kolchak." AJ though he might have cracked a smile behind his mask but she couldn't be sure. She sighed and leaned on her stick, trying to look casual and hoping it didn't slip out from under her and send her sprawling. "So, what are the rules?"

     "Simple. You get five chances to shoot. If you score, you win. If you don't, I win." Alec swept the pucks to the side with the blade of his stick so Nathan could pick them up. She followed the moves with her eyes and tried to ignore the pounding in her chest.

     She had so much riding on this. Something told her that Alec was dead serious about being left alone if she lost. It had been a stupid idea, and she wondered if she would have had better luck at trying to wear him down the old-fashioned way.

     She studied his posture and decided probably not. He had been mostly patient with her up to this point, but even she knew he would have reached his limit soon.

     "All or nothing, then. Fair enough. So, are you ready?"

     AJ didn't hear his response but thought it was probably something sarcastic. She sighed then turned to follow Nathan to the center line, her heart beating too fast as her feet glided across the ice. She shrugged her shoulders, trying to readjust the bulk of the pads, and watched as Nathan lined the pucks up.

     He finished then straightened and faced her, an unreadable expression on his face. He finally grinned and shook his head.

     "I have no idea if you know what you're doing or not, but good luck. You're going to need it."

     "Gee, thanks."

     Nathan walked across the ice to the bench and leaned against the outer boards, joining a few of the other players gathered there. AJ wished they were gone, that they had something better to do than stand around and watch her make a fool of herself.

     Well, she had brought it on herself.

     She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, pushing everything from her mind except what she was about to do. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was on the first puck. Heavy, solid...nothing more than a slab of black rubber...

     Okay, so she wasn't going to have any luck becoming one with the puck. Stupid idea. AJ had never understood that whole Zen thing anyway.

     She swallowed and began skating in small circles, testing her ankles as she turned first one way then another, testing the stick as she swept it back and forth across the ice in front of her. Not too bad. Maybe she hadn't forgotten—

     "Sometime today would be nice!"

     AJ winced at the sarcasm in Alec's voice, and wished she had some kind of comeback for him. Instead she mumbled to herself and got into position behind the first puck. She didn't even look up to see if he was ready. Didn't ask if it was okay to start, she just pushed off hard and skated, the stick out in front of her.

     This was her one shot, she couldn't blow it.

     AJ surprised herself with how quickly she gathered speed. The net loomed ahead of her, getting closer as she skated. Her mind focused on the net, on the puck cradled against her stick as she moved forward...

     And on Alec standing oh-so-casually between the pipes, acting as if she was no threat at all. The jerk.

     She took a deep breath and crouched lower, then pulled back on the stick and shot forward with it in one quick move to send the puck flying...

     Too wide, it hit the outside of the net and harmlessly bounced off, sliding to the edge of the boards.

     "That was one." Alec's voice sounded bored, but AJ was gratified to see that at least he was paying a little more attention. She had pulled back and shot too soon, irritated at his stance. Maybe she didn't really have a chance, but she wasn't completely hopeless, either.

     AJ returned to center ice and puck number two, shooting a little better this time and actually hitting the post. The third time was even more gratifying because Alec had to reach out and stop the puck, neatly pulling it into his glove and cradling it against his chest. She skated around the back of the net and could have sworn she glimpsed an expression of surprise on his face as she went by him.

     AJ had to aim lower, go for the five hole like Ian had suggested. But she wasn't sure she could control her shot that well. Her last three passes had succeeded in bringing her comfort level back up, but it had literally been years since she played hockey with her brother.

     Never that great to begin with, she was pretty sure she didn't have the skill necessary now. Her legs had turned into rubber, her breath was coming in short gasps, and her body was covered in sweat. A dull throb was building at the base of her skull, and she was very much afraid that it wasn't from the helmet. Now would be the worst time for one of her migraines to strike.

     Two more shots, that was all she had. All or nothing, AJ knew it came down to this.

     Just two more shots.

     She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then skated up to the fourth puck and took off. No more straight shots, they were too easy for Alec. Instead she skated back and forth, cutting side to side, hoping she could at least catch him off guard enough to...

     One last deep breath and she lunged forward with her stick, hitting the puck with all the strength she could muster to send it flying. She lost her balance at the last minute and fell with a jaw-snapping thud, sliding toward the net on her back at break-neck speed.

     For as fast as she was going, everything else moved in slow motion. AJ's eyes followed the puck as it flew through the air, straight toward the back of the net. Alec's catching hand reached out for it, barely tipping the edge of the puck as it sped past him, his eyes focused more on her. She kept sliding toward him, unable to stop and not really caring as the puck hit the back of the net with a soft whoosh.

     AJ would have jumped for joy if she hadn't still been sliding. The puck made it past Alec! She won!

     Her enjoyment only lasted a brief second before she careened into Alec's legs, sending him tumbling across her lower body as they both crashed into the net. A flash of pain throbbed through AJ's back and shoulder as she slammed against the outside post but she ignored it.

     "Yes! Yes!" Her voice was muffled but she didn't care—she wasn't yelling for anyone else but herself.

     "Holy shit, are you okay? AJ? Are you hurt?" Alec clambered from on top of her, sliding toward her head on his knees. His helmet and gloves were gone and his brown eyes were wide with concern. AJ waved off his worry, still flat on her back, and lifted her stick in a little victory shake.

     "I did it! I actually did it!"

     "Never mind that, are you hurt?"

     More voices surrounded her, the words jumbled so she could only make out a few here and there. AJ started to push herself up then winced slightly at the pain in her left arm and fell back to the ice. Instantly Alec was beside her again, his strong arms coming around her as he helped her stand, then steadying her as she wobbled slightly on the skates.

     Her breath caught in her throat at the look in his eyes and she quickly stepped backward, almost sending them both back down to the ice. His hold tightened around her and for that quick moment, it was just the two of them on the ice by themselves.

     AJ swallowed then allowed herself a quick smile, not knowing exactly what the look on Alec's face meant. There was a very real possibility that he wouldn't be pleased with the fact that she had actually managed to score. And she knew he couldn't be pleased with the prospect of having to give her an interview.

     Alec's hand reached toward her, and she braced herself for some scathing or sarcastic remark. Instead, he just continued looking at her with those dark eyes as he gently removed the helmet from her head. AJ ignored the throbbing at the base of her skull and held her breath as Alec brushed her sweat-soaked hair off her forehead. The air around her grew suddenly warmer and she was almost afraid to move, let alone say anything. But the silence worried her, and she decided it would be better to just get everything over with now while she could still stand.

     "So does this mean I won?"

     A few long seconds went by before Alec finally gave her a brief smile.

     "Yeah, you won."

     "Cool, because I think I'm going to collapse now."

**

     AJ pulled the towel off her head and shook out her wet hair, only half-heartedly finger-combing it before turning her attention to the bruise that spread up the back of her arm to her shoulder. An ugly combination of dark blue and purple, it ran along the back and side of her arm from her shoulder to just above her elbow. It was almost the exact shape of the goal post and hurt like hell.

     AJ couldn't stop the smile that crept across her face. She still couldn't quite believe it. She had actually scored against Alec Kolchak! She was going to interview him and get her story!

     Her mind was already planning the course of her interview with Alec. Who was she kidding? She had been planning this since Tim had put the challenge out there! It was going to be extensive and in-depth, giving him the attention and recognition he deserved as a goalie.

     And giving her the chance at the staff spot at the paper.

     Her thoughts of making Gerry Brown crawl back under his rock as she put him in his place were interrupted by the doorbell. AJ winced as the echo bounced around the inside of her skull, and she made a mental note to finally go and get her migraine prescription refilled after she got rid of whoever was at the door.

     She threw on a pair of loose gym shorts and a sports bra then walked the short distance from her bathroom to the front door. She wasn't expecting company and wasn't in the mood for any, not when all she wanted to do was lie down and relive her victory from a few hours ago. Her mouth dropped open in surprise when she opened the door and saw Alec standing there. She smothered a laugh when he quickly turned his back to her.

     "Shit AJ. Do you always open the door half-naked?”

     "Uh..." AJ snapped her mouth closed and glanced down at herself, wondering if maybe she forgot something important, like her shorts. No, she was completely dressed. "I have clothes on."

     "You're missing your shirt."

     "Oh, get over it Kolchak. It's a sports bra. I'm in my own apartment!"

     Alec glanced at her over his shoulder, and AJ was surprised to see a faint blush tinge his cheeks. It amazed her. What on earth did Alec Kolchak have to blush about?

     "Yeah, well...you shouldn't walk around half-naked."

     "Uh..." Hearing the word
naked
coming from Alec's mouth suddenly made the room seem smaller and hotter and for once in her life AJ couldn't think of anything to say. Which was probably a good thing.

     "Actually, for this it's probably better. Come here." Alec grabbed her hand as he walked by her into her living room, tugging her along. AJ swore her heart stopped beating. She held her breath in anticipation then let it out silently when he none-too-gently led her to the sofa and pushed her down. "Sit and let me look at your shoulder."

     "What?"

     "I said, let me look at your shoulder," he repeated. AJ was stunned into silence as he gently pushed around the bruise, twisting and turning so that she was directly facing him as he bent over her. She swallowed as her eyes rested at his waist-level. Well, not exactly his waist, a little lower...

     AJ swallowed again. The jeans he was wearing were old and worn, snug in just the right spots so that her imagination caught fire...

     "Ouch! Hey, that hurt!" AJ twisted away from him, the burning pain in her shoulder putting an effective stop to her completely uncharacteristic thoughts. She placed her hand up to protect herself from anymore of his prodding, and hissed in surprise when his own hand covered hers in a gentle touch.

     "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it worse. Here, let me see it again." Alec laced his fingers through hers and moved her hand away. Instead of releasing it, though, he kept it loosely held in his as he continued to examine the bruise. AJ sucked her breath in again, but it had nothing to do with the pain her shoulder.

     In fact, she could barely feel the pain. All she could feel was the warm caress of his touch as he gently massaged the bruise, the strength of his fingers laced with hers as he continued to hold her hand. AJ turned her head away in case he could see her face, then immediately closed her eyes. He was standing so close to her, his hips only inches away from her face. All she had to do was...

     AJ bit back a moan and willed her breathing to return to normal. There was no way Alec should be affecting her like this. No way. Yeah, he was attractive...well, no, actually, he was gorgeous, but...No, she was
not
attracted to him. She couldn't be.

     "You can open your eyes now, I'm done."

     "Huh?"

     "I said, I'm done. I'm not going to poke you anymore."

     "Oh. Uh, okay." AJ bit back another moan as he released her hand and stepped away. At least she could breathe normally now. Sort of. "So...what are you doing here, anyway?"

     "I came to pick you up. Are you packed?"

     "What?"

     "I said, are you packed? Are you sure you didn't hit your head this morning?"

     "No I didn't hit my head!" AJ stood up, hoping for any small advantage to help her out. For some reason, she was having trouble understanding anything Alec was saying. The feeling was disconcerting and left her more than a little rattled. "Why would I be packed?"

     "Your interview. You won the bet, right?"

     "Well, yeah, but...what do I have to pack for?" AJ knew she sounded dim-witted and she hated that, hated playing into the perception too many people had about her based on her appearance, but she honestly had no idea what Alec was talking about.

     "The bet was that if you won, you had me for a month, twenty-four/seven. So unless you plan on wearing...that," he motioned at her from head-to-toe, the expression on his face almost comical, "for the next month, you should go pack."

     "But pack for what? Where is it I'm supposed to be going?"

     Alec took a step toward her, an unreadable expression in his eyes. For a quick second, looking down at her like that, he seemed so much taller, so much bigger. But it was just an illusion, gone when AJ blinked. He had turned away already and was strolling down the short hallway to her bedroom.

     "You're going home with me. How else did you expect this to work?"

     AJ's mouth dropped open at his words, but thankfully he couldn’t see how off-guard he caught her—he was already in her bedroom, out of her sight. She stood frozen for a few seconds then raced down the hallway after him, his words not making any sense.

     "But...hey! What are you doing?" AJ closed the distance to her dresser and pulled the clothing from his hand, inwardly wincing when she realized he was going through her underwear drawer. She stuffed the lace undergarments back in the drawer and slammed it shut, trying hard to keep her mind focused on something
other
than Alec Kolchak's large hands caressing her lingerie. Not that he had been caressing them, but still...

     "I am not going home with you. Don't be ridiculous."

     "Then how were you going to accomplish this thing?"

     "Thing? Thing? It's an interview, Kolchak, not a 'thing'. And I was going to do it like every other interview: by asking you questions. That's how these 'things' usually work."

     Alec raised one brow at her then slowly smiled and nodded. Before she realized it, he was sitting on the edge of her bed, his hands loosely clasped between his spread legs as he stared up at her. The sight of him on her bed, of his lopsided grin and the day-old stubble on his jaw, sent more crazy thoughts through her mind, which made her wince. What was with her lately? This was Alec Kolchak, her annoying roadblock to her fantasy job. Since when did she look at him as anything else?