Taming the Ice: #13 Beckett Storm

Chapter 18

(Elodie)

I pulled at the scarf around my neck, feeling extremely hot despite the chilly weather that now surrounded me. What the hell was with that picture Beckett sent?

I swear it will forever be burned into my mind. Not just because of the fact that he was shirtless... okay, it was mostly because he was shirtless. I have never in my life gotten a picture like that before.

The closest I have gotten was food pictures from Hudson. Yeah, that's why I might be freaking out a little right now. Was this part of the whole fake dating thing? Or did he not even mean to send it to me in the first place?

I reached for the arena door before quickly opening it and slipping inside. This time I made sure to turn on my ear. The last thing I needed was for Beckett to sneak up on me right now. I've had enough surprises this morning.

I quietly walked my way towards the ice rink, trying to make out any sounds as I peered around, hoping no one else was in here right now. It was almost 7:30 so I suspected it would be pretty empty. Apparently I was right... Even Beckett didn't seem to be in here.

I let my eyes settle on the ice below me, noticing only a few lights had been turned on as the rest of the arena was left in complete darkness.

"B-Beckett?" I called out, cursing myself for how frazzled I sounded.

I glanced around, waiting to see if he would respond when all the lights were quickly flicked on, making me jump.

"What took you so long?" Beckett asked, making me swallow hard as my eyes were drawn to his body. Thank god he was fully dressed now. But the way the material clung to his chest, showing every single muscle that hid beneath it had me swallowing hard as I tried to remember how to speak.

"I-I was taking a shower when you texted." I whispered, not even sure he could hear me.

Beckett was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. I could see the hint of a smile pulling at his lips as he locked that icy gaze straight onto me.

"Oh really? Did you think about me while you were in there?" Beckett asked, surprising me as I felt my jaw drop.

"What? No! Of course not. I mean, why would I?" I rushed, feeling flustered as I went to pull on that scarf again. Feeling as if I might just be suffocating.

That's when Beckett seemed to finally notice it. The look on his face hardened as he narrowed his eyes on me.

"Why are you wearing that?" He asked, pushing from the wall before turning towards me.

I swear it was as if the air had changed between us. The way he began stalking toward me felt like some type of carnivorous animal on the hunt, circling its prey. And sadly, I was that prey.

"You know why I'm wearing this." I responded, trying not to stutter as I felt slightly annoyed now. He was the one who did this to me!

"Sunshine, it was part of our lesson. You didn't seem to mind last night-"

"That was before you turned into a jerk and left me up there all alone." I rushed, blurting out my feelings as I tried not to recoil back.

"What? Were you hoping I would take you back to your room? Then What? Would we start our next lesson?" Beckett asked darkly, his body inching closer and closer to me with each word he spoke.

"What lesson? You said you would teach me how to kiss, and you did." I said, feeling my cheeks redden as the sound of my heart beating began to pick up. That's when I went to turn off my ear, not wanting to be overwhelmed.

"No. Keep it on. I want you to hear what I have to say next." Beckett stated, causing me to freeze mid-reach as my breathing began to deepen now. Why did he have to look at me like that?

"Beckett, maybe this isn't a good idea. Perhaps we can just-"

Before I could even finish, Beckett was on me. One hand circled the base of my throat as the other gripped my wrist, holding me in place.

"Perhaps we can just what?" He asked, eyeing me carefully as I felt a shiver tremble through me. Of course the entire time I kept willing myself not to look at his lips... but what was the first thing I did? I looked at his full pink lips.

Those same lips that were fused to mine just last night.

Beckett seemed to know exactly what I was thinking, causing a real smile to pull in the corner of his mouth as he inched closer to me.

"What did you dream about last night Elodie?" He asked, causing my eyelashes to flutter as it took me a few moments to register what he asked.

"W-what? What do you mean?" I muttered, trying to pull my wrist free of his grasp when Beckett suddenly yanked my scarf off, making me yelp.

"Hey! I need that!" I whined, watching as amusement flashed across his stupid handsome face.

"I just want to admire my work. Turn your head." He ordered, pressing on my chin slightly as I let out a frustrated sigh before doing as he asked.

"I don't know why you had to leave so many."

"You will find out soon enough." He said, letting me go as he suddenly reached behind his back, grabbing something.

"Wear this during the game." Beckett instructed, making me frown as he placed a jersey with the number 13 in my hands.

"A please would be nice." I mumbled, seeing his eyes spark with excitement.

"Fine. Please wear this during the game or you are going to get in trouble." He added with a teeth-baring grin, making a chill tremble through me.

"Trouble? What are you my dad now?" I scoffed.

"I didn't think you would be the daddy kink-type sunshine. But if you're into that-" He began as I quickly reached up, slapping my hand over his mouth without thinking.

"Don't even finish that sentence." I rushed, feeling embarrassment creep up my neck as Beckett's blue eyes glanced down to where my hand was.

I was about to pull away, realizing what I was doing when he gripped my wrist once more, holding my hand in place.

That's when he did the last thing I expected... He freaking bit me!

I let out a gasp, feeling my hand start to tingle before traveling down to my core as I stared at Beckett with wide eyes.

His teeth gently released my palm as he pulled back slightly, kissing where he had just bit me before bringing my hand down and studying it.

"Now we're even." Beckett stated deeply, his gaze locked onto the now red indent in my skin as he slowly dragged his fingertips across it.

"See this?" He asked, peering down at my hand as I nodded yes, unsure of where this was going.

"I want you to do the same to me, but here." He added, pointing up to his neck with his free hand as my brow furrowed in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"It's time to go over your lesson from last night."