Page 6 of On Thin Ice

“You were incredible, Livia,” he whispered. “Trust me, after what happened yesterday ... that was all I could think about. But this is wrong. And dangerous.”

He gently lifted my chin, making me look at him. He probably read the incredulity in my eyes because he assured me again how good he had felt with me.

“It’s just ... I’m your coach, Livia. You should focus on the Olympics. It’s your chance to show everyone what an amazing skater you are, not waste time with an old man like me. Not to mention how bad things could get if anyone discovered what happened between us.”

So it wasn’t me being bad at sex, it was him being worried about his reputation. Somehow, that realization helped me regain some of my confidence, but also ... it made me feel worse. The last thing I wanted was to threaten his career. And also ... was he afraid I might tell anyone? Didn’t he trust me?

“Livia.”

His voice was soft, and a shudder of pleasure rushed through me as he caressed my face and neck.

“I’m not going to tell anyone about us, Bryce. I would never do anything to hurt you.”

He sighed and placed a kiss on my hair.

“I’m not worried about you saying something. But someone might catch us. Even yesterday, it was stupid of me to put you at such risk. I’m going to retire after the Olympics, Livia. You’re the last skater I’ll train. But your career is just starting, and you don’t want the reputation of fucking your coach dragging you down. Not to mention, you might not even be allowed to compete in the future. You know the policies against relationships between coaches and athletes due to the inherent power imbalance. This could easily be seen as a conflict of interest or an abuse of authority. Don’t let a fleeting moment of lust affect your future.”

He what!?

I stared at him, unable to say anything. He had never mentioned any plans of retiring before. I knew he was older than me, but why this sudden decision? And fuck the rules, the policies, and whatever else. I didn’t care about them.

And damn, calling what happened between us a fleeting moment of lust hurt like hell.

Even if that was exactly what it was.

I mean ... it was, right?

I was physically attracted to him. That had been obvious since we met. And he found me hot, too. And yet, now that he had explicitly put a name on it ... it felt like more.

But it didn’t even matter! Lust or not, I wanted him. I wanted this. And most importantly, I didn’t want to lose him.

“It can be our secret, Bryce. Neither of us would tell anyone, and no one would ever know. And maybe you’re not going to retire. If you don’t want to work with me further, I can ...”

“I want to work with you. And more. I ...”

He ran his hand over his face and through his hair. I nestled into him as he tightened his hold on me and rested his head on mine.

“You should focus on the Olympics. We can talk about all this later.”

“I’m focusing on the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do what I want with my life. Or be with whom I want.”

I felt his muscles tense, and even his energy shifted. He played with my hair but didn’t say a word for a few moments.

“Of course, you can fuck whoever you want. You’re intelligent, talented, young, and beautiful. But don’t do something stupid and reckless. I know you must have a lot of guys who are crazy about you, and I bet you’re going to meet even more at the Olympics, but try to focus on your career. A few moments of lust don’t deserve a ruined reputation.”

His voice was strained, sounding more like a mix between a growl and a hiss as he spoke. I gave him a curious look. Was he jealous? Really? I’d been daydreaming about him for months,attracted to him like a moth to a flame, and he imagined I was interested in others?

I couldn’t hold back a small, playful smile.

“Is this Bryce the coach, or Bryce the guy who fucked me senseless, talking?” I teased, caressing his arm.

Fine, I was crazy for doing this, but he was the one making me lose my mind. This damn silver fox was making me feel things in such shameless, filthy ways I wouldn’t have even imagined I could. And yet, here I was, unable to keep my hands off of him.

His breath quickened as I brushed my fingers lower and lower, toward his crotch. Bryce checked the surroundings again, and when assured no one was noticing what we were doing, he spread his legs, granting me access.

“You’re playing with fire, little slut.”

Oh, yes!

---