Page 1 of Snapping the Ice
CHAPTER 1
LUCAS
“How’s my flow?” I strutted to a heavy metal door tucked inside a brick building through the midday sunshine and swung it open, my gaze landing on Evan, my new partner on the defensive line with the Phoenix Firebirds. He was fast becoming a good friend.
“Jesus, Lucas, it’s great as always.” With a tsk, he strolled into the building. “How’s mine?” He stopped just inside a small studio with a concrete floor.
“Good enough.” I chuckled, taking in his brown eyes and dirty-blond hair, cut to frame his face, but shorter on the sides and longer in back. Was he sporting a mullet? Almost. I hadn’t been able to bring myself to try something like that. “Maybe a hair dresser can fix it?” The team was coming here all week in between practices to take photos for a charity calendar.
I ran my fingers through my long, curly bangs, moving them off my forehead, and scanned the space.
Bright lights glowed around mirrors set up in front of desks with make-up brushes laid out and bottles of hair product. Ipointed to the stations, a set of two. “Looks like they’re going to fix us up before the shoot.”
“Good, but they better not put too much makeup on me.” He scoffed. “Like no girly eyeliner.” Planting a hand on his hip, he took in the room.
“If they make you pretty enough, I might want to kiss you.” I wagged my brows at him. Let the teasing begin. We walked further into the room. Off to the right stood a wooden divider with a dragon painted on it. Cool…
“Stop it.” He backhanded my shoulder as he strode in front of me. “Look, White is showing off his biceps.” He freed a sharp laugh. “Idiot.”
I rounded the divider and stared. Not at White, but at the photographer, back to me, dark hair falling over her shoulders in waves…nice round ass in her skinny jeans. Even through her loose black blouse, I could tell she was lean but had an athletic build, because her shoulders were wider than her hips. The way she moved with the camera in her hands…fluid and graceful, turning sideways, falling to a knee. My dick twitched. Yeah, I’d like to tap that. “I didn’t know we had a female?—”
“That’s it. I think we’re done for today.” Her deep voice said as she…fuck no.Heturned around. “You can get dressed.”
“Thanks, man.” White strode from the lights and the backdrop, wearing only his lower pads, breezers and socks, his muscled chest shining with oil.
Holy fuck. I swallowed hard, my breath catching. I had been about to tap a guy.A fucking guy. My pulse pattered into my throat. How the hell had I mistaken?—
“Hi. You must be Lucas and Evan?” He stepped toward us, arm outstretched, his dark eyes sultry in a way, focused on me. A silver hoop piercing glinted in his eyebrow. The top of his shirt, not a blouse, was unbuttoned halfway to his navel, showing off a smooth, lean chest and a smattering of necklaces,some beaded and some dark metal chains. He looked to be mid-twenties, maybe? Not much older than me.
I glanced at the textured background behind the lights with those umbrellas on them. As my gaze flicked to the photographer’s, I forced my hand out. He had plump lips. They looked soft. No smile though. What the fuck was I thinking? I shook his hand, my gaze meeting his, and my stomach tumbled. What the fuck?
“My name’s Ezra and I’m the photographer for the shoot. It’s nice to meet you both.” As his tongue slid along his lower lip, he gave Evan’s hand a firm shake.
“Dudes, it’ll take some time. Just warning you.” With a soft snort, White strolled to a long clothing rack, resting next to the makeup stations.
“Okay, who wants to go first?” Ezra clapped his hands over his chest, his teeth scraping his lower lip as his gaze darted over me from head to toe. “How about you, Lucas?”
“Sure.” My pulse raged inside me. I was nervous. I’d never done something like this. Promo shots in full gear? Yes. But showing off my body for a calendar? No. Who the hell’s idea was this, anyway? Had to be our new PR lady.
“How long before you think you’ll get to me?” Evan shifted his weight.
“Uh, maybe an hour or two? You can stick around and watch so you know what to expect, or there’s a nice coffee shop around the corner.” He peered at me. “I assume you have Evan’s number, so we can text him if he leaves?”
“Y-yeah.” My voice cracked. I cleared my throat and shifted my attention to Evan. “You don’t want to stick around so you can chirp on me?” I lifted the corner of my lips.
“I’m sorta hungry. I think I’ll head to the coffee shop.” His gaze wound to White. “Hey, want to grab a bite with me after you’re dressed?”
White pulled his jeans up his legs. “Yeah, sure.”
“Okay, we’ll text you when we’re ready for you.” Ezra held his hand toward the makeup stations. “First, we’ll get your hair and makeup done.”
With a nod, I ambled toward the stations. “Does it matter which one?” I looked them over. Who would do my hair and makeup? Him?
“It doesn’t matter. Pick one.” Ezra stepped close behind me, his body heat shivering up my spine.
“Let’s go.” After pulling his t-shirt on, White met Evan at the entrance.
“See you later, Lucas.” Evan waved at me. “And try to look sexy, will ya? We’ll sell more calendars that way.” He and White cackled as they strode out the door.
