Tending Tara (Alaska Blizzard Book 8) Read online

  “Agreed.”

  They smiled at each other across the table.

  “So, what were you saying about coaching?” she asked, remembering he’d mentioned it before Logan arrived.

  “Oh, yeah. I get the newsletter from the local community college sports association because I do goalie clinics there a couple times a year. Anyway, in the last one that I got just the other day, it said they were looking for an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team. I don’t know what it entails, but it might be right up your alley since you love hockey and you’re looking to get into a school environment anyway.”

  She frowned slightly. “I’d need my visa for that, but yes, that does sound like something I’d like to do. I played for a long time and once coached a team of grade school children… I wonder if it’s a possibility.”

  “Let me forward you the email.” He pulled out his phone and started typing. “What’s your email address?”

  She told him, and he typed it in and then put his phone away. “Okay, you have the info now. It might be worth a phone call.”

  “Yes. Thank you. I may have never known about it otherwise.”

  “Well. That didn’t take long.” His gaze drifted over to the bar and she looked in that direction.

  Logan and his date were making out, and she shook her head, though she smiled. “I have nothing against hook-ups and sex. I just don’t think I could have one-night stand after one-night stand.”

  “Have you ever had one?” he asked.

  She smiled. “Just once. And that’s how I know it’s not for me. It made me feel weird, like something was missing.”

  “But was the sex good?”

  “Mediocre,” she said, wrinkling her nose. “It was okay, but that’s where the ‘something missing’ comes in. As if the lack of intimacy, the lack of at least friendship, wasn’t enough despite the chemistry between us. And then he was gone, of course, and I never saw him again. So while I’m not a prude by any means, I do need some kind of relationship to go along with the sex, even if it’s just friendship.”

  She hadn’t meant to say it that way, but once the words came out, she mentally grimaced. Would he think she was dropping a hint? She really hadn’t been, she was just being honest, but they might not know each other well enough for that.

  “I think guys are wired differently,” he said, taking a pull from his beer. “I could probably do one-nighters without giving it much thought, but I agree that it starts to lose its allure once you’ve done a few.”

  Their eyes met again, and they both chuckled.

  “How did we get on this subject?” she asked.

  “It’s Logan’s fault,” he said solemnly.

  “Absolutely.”

  Donovan dropped her off at Gage’s, pulling into the long, winding driveaway and putting his SUV in park.

  “Tonight was fun,” he said, looking over at her. “I’m looking forward to Halloween.”

  “I am, too.” She turned to him. “I’ll see you after the game, yes?”

  “Yeah. I’ll probably get there about nine.”

  “Okay. See you then.”

  He leaned over and lightly brushed his lips across her cheek. “Good night, Tara.”

  “Good night.”

  She got out of the car and went inside without looking back, though she knew he waited for her to get inside because the headlights of his SUV didn’t move. She shut the door behind her and made her way upstairs to her room. Their impromptu date had been fun, and she was looking forward to tomorrow night’s date more than ever.

  She was also intrigued by the coaching position he’d told her about. As soon as she changed into her pajamas and washed her face, she sat down with her laptop and looked up the link he’d sent her. It was right up her alley, combining women’s hockey, coaching, and an academic setting. Even if there wasn’t any teaching involved, it would put her in a position to network with professors at the college.

  Her first issue was creating a resume. She hadn’t needed one in Finland, since all her jobs had been through word of mouth, but this would require some finesse and a lot of help because she had no idea how to do an American resume. Gage would be willing to help, and she’d have to talk to him in the morning, but for now she scoured the internet for everything she could find about the team.

  Tudor Community College wasn’t well-known, but they had an excellent though often overlooked women’s hockey team that often fed into teams of the bigger universities. In fact, now that she was studying the roster, she knew one of the players. Cassie Lynch sometimes joined them for their Saturday games, though now that hockey season had started at the college, she didn’t show up very often. Tara had known Cassie played for a college team but had forgotten it was Tudor. She didn’t have her number, but it was possible Dani or one of the others did. She would make sure to reach out to them on Monday because the more she read, the more excited she was about the prospect of the job.

  It sounded perfect for her, a job that would keep her active and also involved something she loved—hockey. It probably was a pipe dream because in addition to having limited experience actually coaching, she didn’t know how long it would be until she could legally work. If Gage couldn’t make the visa happen, she didn’t know anyone else who could.

  She pulled out a notebook and made a list of things to do in the morning, including talking to Gage about the visa, working on a resume, and hopefully chatting with Cassie at some point.

  Between a wonderful evening with Donovan and a lead in the job department, Tara fell asleep with a smile on her face for the first time in weeks. Maybe things were finally starting to look up.

  8

  The official news that Aaron would be out for four to six weeks with a groin injury meant a lot of changes for Donovan. Though he was serious about staying in shape and staying sharp, there hadn’t been any pressure on him because he knew he would only play once every six or seven games, when Aaron needed a rest. He’d spent a lot of that time reading, catching up on his favorite TV shows, and the occasional hook-up. He’d told Tara the truth that one-nighters weren’t really his thing, but he did them on occasion because being celibate wasn’t his thing, either.

  With him being the starter for at least the next month, he had to stay focused on nothing but hockey. Okay, mostly hockey with a tiny bit devoted to the hot redhead he had a date with tonight. Luckily, they’d won another game and he could relax a little and enjoy some Halloween fun. From the chatter he’d heard in the locker room, most of the team was going to be there, but the only person he cared about was Tara.

  They’d had fun the other night, and though he’d been tempted to kiss her, he’d opted to keep things friendly. That talk they’d had about sex had been as weird as it had been interesting, but he hadn’t wanted to read too much into it. Whether she was letting him know she wasn’t interested in casual sex or something else, he couldn’t be sure because she was hard to read. He was pretty sure she liked him, but how much and whether or not it would go anywhere was anyone’s guess.

  He’d find out more tonight, he figured, since there would be drinking and who knows what else. The team was a good mixture of older, seasoned veterans who were married with families, and younger, single guys who partied hard. A good portion of the team had settled down over the last two years, but there were enough single guys to make it a good time. From what he’d heard, it wasn’t going to be just a team party, but friends of friends were also invited, so the younger guys would undoubtedly get wild.

  Not that he was interested in anyone beyond Tara, but he hadn’t gotten shitfaced since he’d first gotten divorced, and this might be his last chance for a while. His agent had reached out yesterday to tell him this was his opportunity to shine and show the rest of the league what he was capable of. It might be the catalyst that got him the trade he’d been hoping for, though he certainly hadn’t wished injury on Aaron. But he couldn’t waste this opportunity, so he was going to enjoy tonight before buckling
down and getting into serious hockey mode.

  All thoughts of hockey disappeared the moment he got to Gage’s house. He’d been here at least a dozen times over the last couple of years, but he’d never seen it like it was tonight. Spider webs and eerie lights decorated the front of the house and yard. Costumed employees were parking cars and escorting guests into the house, where the inside was even more decorated than the outside. Gage had gone all out, and Donovan looked around in awe.

  It was a fantastic mixture of haunted house and elegant masquerade ball and he’d just reached the center of the house, where the curved double staircase was the focal point of the room, when he saw her. At the top of the stairs, like something out of a Disney movie, Tara paused and looked down. Their eyes met, and Donovan momentarily couldn’t breathe. She wore a beautiful long blue dress with a full skirt that looked very much like the one from the movie he remembered from childhood. Her hair was up in a messy bun with long tendrils framing her face, and she had long white gloves that gave her a sensual look he couldn’t explain. There was a modest amount of cleavage showing, and the dress accented the indentation of her waist along with her bare, shapely shoulders. But all he could see was those stormy blue eyes.

  Even from the bottom of the stairs, they burned into his, and their gazes stayed locked as she took one step down to him at a time. When she finally got to the bottom, he held out a hand and she put one of hers in it.

  “You look absolutely stunning,” he told her once he found his voice.

  “Thank you. You make a pretty handsome pirate.”

  “I was going to borrow Sara and Aaron’s parrot for the night, but when she told me how often they poop, I opted not to.”

  Tara laughed. “Merlin is delightful. I would have helped you clean up after him.”

  “I hear he cusses like a sailor.”

  “I don’t think anyone would have noticed tonight.” She glanced into the family room, which had been turned into a dance floor, and it was already packed.

  “Would you care for a drink?” he asked softly.

  “I’d love a drink,” she said. She slid her arm through the crook of his elbow, and they walked toward the back of the house where the party was raging.

  “Check out the punch,” Donovan said, motioning with his head to what looked like a cauldron filled with something people were using a ladle to put into cups. There was smoke coming from it, probably an effect created with dry ice, but it looked authentic enough.

  “What’s in the pot?” he asked Logan, who was filling a glass for himself.

  “Something Gage called Halloween Moonshine. I have no idea what’s in it, but it’s sweet with a kick, and I’m probably going to be wasted tonight.”

  “You and me both.” Donovan looked at Tara. “You want some?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She accepted a glass and took a sip, her eyes widening in surprise. “It’s strong,” she said. “But delicious.”

  He filled a glass for himself and tried it, nodding slowly. “I taste a little bourbon, something carbonated like Sprite, and definitely a hint of grenadine. I don’t know what else is in it.”

  “Perhaps it’s better we don’t know,” she said, smiling up at him.

  Damn, she was pretty. Those eyes of hers got him every time, but tonight they were magnificent. Her long lashes were accentuated with mascara, and her lips were covered in something sparkly and pink. Once again, he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her but opted to wait. They were still dancing around each other, so to speak, and he wanted to make sure he wasn’t mistaking her friendliness for something that wasn’t there. He normally trusted his gut when it came to women, but this was his teammate’s sister, so he was going to be careful.

  “Do you dance?” she asked him.

  “I’ll dance with you.”

  They moved onto the dance floor and kept their cups in their hands as they joined a group doing some line dance he’d never heard of. Tara seemed to know the steps, and he managed to follow along, laughing when he messed up and trying to mimic her steps. She lifted her dress since it was too long and full for this kind of thing, and he caught a glimpse of her shoes. Were they actually glass? He leaned forward and grinned.

  “Are you wearing glass slippers?” he demanded, laughing.

  She grinned. “They’re some sort of plastic and acrylic—they were all the rage a few years ago, but I thought they were perfect for tonight.”

  “They’re great,” he agreed.

  “Hopefully, I won’t lose one at midnight.”

  “I’ll keep an eye on you,” he said, laughing.

  They danced for the next two hours, pausing once in a while to refill their cups and occasionally drink some water or use the restroom. Finally, after what seemed like endless fast songs, the DJ played something slow, and Donovan didn’t hesitate to pull Tara close. Despite her bulky dress, she moved against him easily, wrapping her arms around his neck. They swayed in unison, bodies close, and he rested the side of his face on top of her head. Her body was made for his, and he ran one hand down her back, resting lightly on her backside, even though it was hard to feel through the layers of her skirt.

  “You want to go outside for a little bit?” he suggested when the song ended. “It’s a thousand degrees in here.”

  “Sure.” She slid her hand into his, and they walked out the back onto the deck. Gage had put up heaters because it was chilly out, but there was still a nice enough breeze to cool them off after the temperature inside.

  “Having fun?” he asked as they walked to the edge of the deck and looked out onto the grounds. It was dark, but there were twinkling lights everywhere that gave it a romantic hue. There were a few other couples out there as well, but Donovan was far more interested in Tara. He’d never spent an entire evening dancing like this, enjoying the company of a woman he was neither married to nor having a one-night stand with. Had it really been that long since he’d dated? It was a little surreal, but he’d been gun-shy after the divorce. Tonight, he was one hundred percent ready to get back on the dating horse.

  “I’m having a wonderful time. I think I like Halloween.”

  “I think I like you.” He reached for her, gently pulling her against him. “Can I kiss you, Tara?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  9

  His lips were soft, but he took firm control of hers. The moment their mouths came together Tara’s heart rate picked up, and she slid her arms around his waist. She hadn’t kissed anyone in more than six months, since her disastrous post-breakup one-night stand. He’d been a nice enough guy, but there was a complete and utter lack of chemistry; Donovan was all chemistry. His tongue breached the seam of her lips and slowly tangled with hers. He took his time, as if there were nothing else he’d rather be doing than kissing her. Touching her.

  Even as the chilly night air cooled her skin, Donovan’s touch warmed her from head to toe. Their mouths were practically fused together, neither willing to pull away, sensually immersed in what they were doing. They kissed for a long time, exploring and tasting, as if they would never stop. The world seemed to be passing by, but they were oblivious to everything but this first, somewhat magical, kiss.

  Finally, almost reluctantly, Donovan slowly broke the connection, his eyes burning into hers.

  “This isn’t where you turn into a pumpkin and run away, is it?” he asked softly.

  She shook her head. “I’m not going anywhere. As long as you promise to kiss me some more.”

  “I plan to.” He brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “You’re incredibly sweet, Tara. I could kiss you all night.”

  “Same.”

  “We need to stand here for a few minutes, though,” he said, looking down. “Or everyone is going to get a view of my hard-on.”

  She looked down at it too. “What a pity to waste it.”

  He quirked up one side of his mouth. “Be careful what you wish for, baby.”

  “Tara! There you are!”
Sara was waving to her. “Cassie’s here and you’d said you wanted to talk to her.”

  “Oh. Yes.” She cleared her throat and glanced at Donovan. “About the coaching job. Cassie plays for the team…” Her voice trailed off.

  “Go,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to cool off for a few minutes, and then use the restroom and drink some water. I’ll find you.”

  “All right.” She smiled back and then hurried after Sara. She did want to talk to Cassie, and this was the perfect opportunity, though the timing could have been better. She’d left poor Donovan by himself nursing a raging erection that she’d been tempted to do something about.

  “Hi, Tara.” Cassie smiled. She was dressed as a naughty nurse of some kind, with sexy, thigh-high fishnet stockings and really high heels. If Sara hadn’t told her Cassie was here, she wouldn’t have recognized her. She’d never seen her with makeup before, much less high heels, and she looked totally different.

  “Hi! It’s good to see you. You look pretty!”

  “Thank you. You look like a princess.”

  “I’m Cinderella tonight.”

  “You make a beautiful Cinderella.”

  They grinned at each other.

  “So, Sara said you had some questions for me about hockey?”

  Tara nodded. “I saw that your team is looking for an assistant coach and I was thinking about applying, but I don’t know much about the school or the job.”

  “Yeah, Coach Michaelson found a job as a head coach back east, so he left. Coach Azure took the head coaching job, but now we need a new assistant coach. It would be great if you came on board. We’ve been without an assistant for three weeks, and Coach A said no one’s even applied. It’s hard to get people with experience here in Alaska. I mean, there’s lots of hockey players, but I don’t think they pay much so people aren’t rushing to interview for it.”