Page 39 of An Irresistible Force (Vancouver Vice)

“Now you’re going to have to strap me in,” his muffled voice commanded.

Damn. I took off my jacket and laid it on the desk. Then I took a deep breath, crouched down, and slowly stood up inside the cube. It was very dark inside. All I could smell was Chris—warm, musky, masculine. I tried to stand back, but there was no way I could avoid brushing up against his body. I pulled one Velcro strap over his shoulder. I could feel the firmness of his chest and arms. Was the guy made out of titanium? Warm, sweaty titanium.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” Chris said.

I swallowed. “No kidding. You’re sweating so much, it’s like a sauna in here.”

“I can’t help it. I’m hot. Apparently you think so too.”

Well, there was no denying that, but at least I wasn’t showing any physical signs of excitement like someone in this cube. “Me? What about you? Is that a banana in your spandex suit, or are you happy to see me?”

He laughed. “Hey, I’m a normal red-blooded guy who’s trapped in a fuzzy cube with a woman. What do you expect?” He chortled some more. “Besides, it’s bigger than a banana.”

I determinedly continued to attach straps but my moist palms weren’t helping. “Oh for heaven’s sake, it’s already crowded enough without your ego taking up all the space.”

“That’s okay, I like it tight.”

I ignored that remark. But now my thigh was rubbing against his, and his leg muscles were incredible. “Ugh, done. Just one more strap around your waist and we’re done.”

Of course, this meant I had to wrap my arms around his waist. As I was struggling to fasten it, I could make out the expression on Chris’s face. He was looking down at me with an amused expression, but then he frowned. His lips parted, but he didn’t say a word. It was weirdly intimate.

Finally the straps were attached.

“Done.” I ducked out of the cube and took a deep gulp of fresh air. I looked back at Chris. Of course, all I could see was a blank cube with a sewn-on smile.

“I think you’re going to have to lead me around too. I can hardly see through these eye things.” He held out his hand, and I took it. His grasp was warm and not sweaty like the rest of him. His big hand enveloped mine, and I tried to ignore the completely adolescent thrill I was getting from this.

As I led him to the door, I wondered, “So, you trust me not to lead you into the nearest dumpster?”

His laugh was muffled and echoed. “There’s a lot I’d trust you with, Mandy.”

We went out into the office. I released his hand, and Chris made a little bow. There was some initial giggling and then whispering. Nobody wanted me to hear whatever NSFW remarks they were making. I looked at V-Ice. The cube part looked stupid, but there was no denying that—even encased in white spandex—Chris’s legs looked amazing.

“Well? What do you think of your new mascot?” His voice was muffled and echoed inside the cube.

“You need to do something,” Nancy suggested. “Give us a little shake.”

Chris obligingly shimmied from side to side. The cube went back and forth, but the best part was that he was flexing his thigh muscles. There was more giggling and applause.

Tori jumped up and down. “Go V-Ice!” I was willing to bet that she had been a cheerleader in high school.

“You’re pretty hot,” Brenda said. “For an ice cube.”

Nancy fanned herself. “I pity the next man who has to fill out those tights.”

“Okay, show’s over,” Chris declared and turned back towards the boardroom. “Amanda, come and help me get this outfit off.”

“Like we all haven’t been waiting to hear those words,” Nancy sighed.

Oh boy, round two? This was either the highlight of my day or the reason I’d have to slip into the arena shower room and turn on the cold water full blast. Or both.

17

Gamesmanship

Amanda

I invitedCynthia and her family to attend a game in our private box. She accepted happily, and then I suggested she bring her little sister along. I was curious to see the former ugly duckling who had bloomed into a beautiful swan. And who had inadvertently broken the heart of my assistant and every other female fan of the Vice.

---