Whispers on the Ice (7 page)

She couldn’t quit watching his mouth. She felt helpless against the silent sensual calling she felt from Aleksei. Her own tongue darted out, wetting lips in response, a silent yes to his request.

“Jordan,” His voice whispered, huskily, sensuously.

She raised her eyes to meet his, her breath catching at the dangerously, wanting look in his eyes. She held his gaze, unflinchingly, achingly, then slowly closed her eyes in surrender.

Aleksei released the breath he’d held since he called her name, and leaned slowly toward her. A whispered, “Yes,” escaped her lips, mingling with his breath just as their lips met. Their kiss was one of sweetness, one of welcoming, unhurried. Unlike the fiery near-kiss of earlier, this kiss promised more. There was no feeling of urgency this time, no this-is-all-therewill-ever-be. They melted together, becoming one. Magically, strength returned to Jordan’s arms and before she knew how it happened, her hands were slowly sliding up Aleksei’s muscular arms, coming to rest on his broad shoulders. Aleksei’s large hands gently found her face, his palms resting carefully against her high cheekbones.

Slowly they pulled apart. Aleksei placed a small teasing kiss at the corner of her mouth before he fully left her. Jordan shyly opened her eyes. A soft smile slowly spread across her kiss swollen lips as she looked into Aleksei’s dark eyes.

Without a word, she gently pulled him forward, wrapping her arms around his broad, muscular back. Aleksei easily followed her lead and wrapped his arms carefully around her petite form, once again amazed at how small she actually was. With a soft sigh, she laid her cheek against his shoulder, breathing in the scent that was uniquely his own and smiled peacefully as she felt his hand slide into her hair and gently hold her head.

Aleksei’s breath escaped in a hiss as he cautiously stepped into the steaming water, holding the rail for support as he limped down the three steps. “I thought there were medical reasons for keeping the water below the boiling point.” He stated grumpily as the hot water crept up his thighs.

Jordan’s eyes snapped open worriedly at his first words, hoping against hope he was wearing more than the small towel she’d envisioned him in only moments before in her dream. The pair of Speedos he wore lessened her concern only minimally. “It was your decision to share my whirlpool, so don’t complain about the temperature. Beggars can’t be choosers,” Jordan stated, closing her eyes to block out the vision of Aleksei’s broad, muscular chest and the dark swirls of hair that covered all that strength. The washboard stomach, the long, muscular legs that led to a patch of material that was certainly too small to be considered a bathing suit and did nothing but enhance the maleness it sought to cover.

“I don’t beg,” Aleksei answered firmly, continuing to cautiously sink to the seat, grimacing as the steaming water inched up his broad chest.

“Instead you complain or demand until you get your own way,” Jordan stated slowly, her voice soft and drowsy, the heat of the swirling water melting her tensions away.

“I’ve found it’s the best way to get things accomplished.”

“Try being nice. That works too,” Jordan suggested sleepily.

“Not on you,” Aleksei grumbled.

“You’ve never tried,” Jordan countered softly.

Aleksei looked at Jordan, saw the pulse beating steadily against her throat, matching the beat of his own heart. Her head still rested against the rim of the whirlpool, her eyes remained closed, her soft pink lips parted slightly as she breathed slowly. The rest of her was hidden beneath the swirling water and surging bubbles. The urge to lift her from the swirling water and feel her against him was nearly overwhelming. Again he had to remind himself she was only sixteen, a child, but still it wasn’t a child’s body he had held and lifted and carried as they worked together.

“Jordan, kiss me,” Aleksei whispered, his voice so deep it was more his tone than his request that snapped her mind from its mindless floating.

“What?” she gasped, her mind trying to catch up with the blood that now raced madly through her body. Did she really hear him correctly or had she merely wished the request in her dreams and somehow confused the two?

Aleksei cursed himself for even thinking let alone voicing aloud his desire. How had this slip of a girl, who infuriated him at every turn, suddenly have him on his knees and begging for a kiss? He’d never had to beg for sexual favors in the past. In fact, more often than not, he was turning women away. A fact he was not always proud of, but still, a part of his past and something that had kept his name in print. After all, even bad publicity was good, as long as your name was on everyone’s tongue you wouldn’t be forgotten. It was only when they forgot about you your career was over. And Aleksei had made sure his name was never forgotten. Now, with Jordan, he wanted to move on and start a new chapter of his life and career and amazingly enough, it was going to happen because of a slip of a sixteen year old girl. A sixteen year old girl who was wiser than time itself and infinitely more mature than he was himself.

“I said… show me, Jordan,” He stuttered, holding his breath as he hoped she hadn’t heard his original request.

Jordan shook her head slightly, confusion evident in her deep green eyes as they searched Aleksei’s dark, shining ones. “Show you what?”

“Show me how to be a pair. Show me how to skate with you,” He requested huskily.

Jordan raised one eyebrow, her expression expectant.

“Please,” Aleksei growled sardonically.

Jordan’s face lit up, a broad smile gracing her beautiful face and laughing eyes. “Now was that so hard?” she inquired sweetly.

That wasn’t but I could show you something that is!
Aleksei thought silently, shifting his position to try to relieve the building pressure against his Speedo trunks. “Don’t push it, Jamison. I only grovel so many times a year and this year’s quota is almost up,” He stated darkly.

“I’m sorry. I’ll try to curtail my enthusiasm at your groveling to a minimum. I’ve just never had anyone ask me to be their partner before. In the past, I was always the one asking and making the concessions. This is something new for me too.”

“Great, we’ll learn together then. If it’s okay with you?” Aleksei asked, cautiously pushing to his feet and starting for the stairs. “Nobody leaves, right?”

“Right,” Jordan agreed. “Done already?” she then asked, walking to Aleksei’s side.

Standing beside him, the top of her head reached him mid-chest, again reminding him how much his strength could harm her. “I’ll never hurt you, Jordan,” He promised deeply, his words and tone making her raise her eyes to his.

“Do I look worried about that possibility, Rocmanov?” she asked knowingly, a serene, womanly smile gracing her full lips.

“I just wanted you to know that I do take your safety into consideration—despite the times I seriously consider murdering you. I just wanted you to know,” Aleksei stated softly, his deep voice full of conviction.

“Okay, thanks,” She answered quietly. “By the way, how’s the leg?” she asked, nodding toward the leg he favored.

“Skinny, scaly and weak. But give me a few weeks and it’ll be good as new,” he quipped, a happy smile lighting his eyes as he rubbed his hand down his weak leg and felt his own skin instead of the cast he’d come to hate.

“If you say so.”

“I do and the sooner you learn I keep my word the sooner we’ll be standing on a podium collecting gold,” He stated seriously.

“I’m beginning to realize that,” She responded softly, lifting her chin at his sardonic expression and raised eyebrow, daring him to taunt her. “I’m man enough—woman enough—to admit when I may have misjudged someone.”

“Is that what you’re doing? Are you saying you misjudged me?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. I’m just saying the jury is still out and I need more evidence before I make a final determination as to your worthiness,” She concluded, making her voice as snobby as she could and still not dissolve into laughter at Aleksei’s astonished expression.

“I’ve got to get out of here before I overcook—whether from your outrageously snobby opinions or the fire you obviously have going under this kettle,” he called over his shoulder as he carefully limped his way up the stairs and out of the steaming water. “Later,” He offered.

“Okay. Later,” She returned, hoping it wouldn’t be too much later as she watched his tall form make its way slowly to the locker room doors, until he was out of sight and then sank to her knees in the swirling water. “He’s too damn gorgeous!” She growled softly, wrapping her arms around her middle in an attempt to slow the blood roaring through her veins and stop the excitement that threatened to explode from within. Abruptly she rose up, lurching toward the steps and climbing the three feet to the landing. Without a second thought, she loudly announced, “Dee, I’ll be in the shower and there’d better be plenty of cold water!”

Her wet feet barely made a sound as she marched across the floor and into the women’s locker room.

* * * * *

From across the room, unbeknownst to Aleksei and Jordan, Whittaker and Dee had watched the couple. Each of them lost in their own thoughts. Each pondering the wisdom of this unusual attempt to create a pair team out of two such volatile and differing personalities. Each questioning the reasons behind their beliefs that something wonderfully beautiful and magic could be made by Jordan and Aleksei. The silence suddenly broke when Whittaker clapped his hands together and stated without doubt, “Dee, that program’s going to work just fine!”

Dee decided to reserve judgment on Whittaker’s statement and remained silent, sending a simple wish toward heaven that Whittaker was right, and she hadn’t sent Jordan into the lion’s den.

CHAPTER 5  

Over the next three weeks, Aleksei spent the better part of twelve hours a day pushing his body to its limit and demanding his healing leg regain its strength immediately. Over that same period of time, he decided if he had a dime for every time he found himself sprawled on the ice when his leg refused to support him, he could retire now, and forget all this foolishness. Then he’d hear the nearly soundless whisper of sharp blades on ice, feel the spray of tiny particles of ice as Jordan slid to a graceful stop beside him and held her hand out to him in assistance. Looking up into her smiling, concerned eyes, he’d feel her hidden strength as she helped pull him to his feet and was again reminded that he was doing this not only for himself but also for her. Patiently he’d stand still, his body aching with both pain and lust as she’d brush the ice from his legs and back and well shaped bottom, giving the last a final playful swat of encouragement before she skated silently away to continue her own practice session. On occasion, Aleksei was fast enough to catch her before she zipped away and kiss her hand gallantly, thanking her for her support and encouragement. It also gave him a very appealing view of her scantily clad bottom as she skated away from him.

Everyone agreed the pair would learn and perfect their lifts off the ice before they attempted the dangerous moves on it. Aleksei had refused the use of a practice harness, at Jordan’s request, stating it was too easy to get tangled in the long ropes. Jordan’s slight weight wasn’t a problem for him, as he’d been lifting her even when his leg had been in the cast. Aleksei’s quick glance made her realize he remembered their encounter the day his cast was removed, and she flushed a soft pink with embarrassment.

“It’s a matter of balance, timing and gravity.” Whittaker stated, as they watched training films of World and Olympic champions Gordeeva and Grinkov in a small room off the main office. “Watch where he places his hands, the position of his hips and legs as he lifts her. It doesn’t get any better than that,” he murmured, shaking his head in both wonder and sadness at the loss of such a great skater. “Makes you wonder what God’s got in mind when he calls someone that young and talented home.”

“Don’t go soft on me now, Whittaker. We’ve got a job to do,” Aleksei stated firmly, his eyes never leaving the tape as he watched Sergei Grinkov lift his young, beautiful partner through various lifts and throws, seemingly without effort.

Jordan watched Aleksei as he absorbed every nuance of the training tapes, mentally and literally taking quickly scribbled notes on a small pad before him, moving his hands as he imagined the positions of the different lifts. Occasionally she would state her opinion regarding a specific hold or difficulties she had experienced on a specific lift or throw. Aleksei would acknowledge her comments, nodding silently, his eyes never leaving the video screen.

The next day they agreed to try their first lift, a fairly simple platter lift. Aleksei stood facing Jordan, his hands on her waist, listening as Whittaker fired instructions at him.

“If you’re both ready? On the count of two, Jordan, help him out with a small jump, keep your hands on his shoulders and let him get you up and over his head. You know the drill—but this is for his benefit.”

Jordan smiled as Aleksei rolled his eyes at Whittaker’s dig and then winked reassuringly at her.

“One…two…” Whittaker counted off, holding his breath as Aleksei easily lifted Jordan over his head, his elbows locking into position as she arched her back and lifted her legs straight behind her.

“How’s the leg, Aleksei?” Whittaker asked, noting his sudden shift of weight to his good leg.

“Nothing I can’t manage,” Aleksei answered tensely, looking up into Jordan’s concerned eyes.

Jordan’s eyes reflected his pained expression. “Whittaker, get the harness ready.”

“No!” Aleksei refused, determined not to be the one to hold their progress up. Cautiously, he unlocked his elbows and brought Jordan safely to the ground, walking slowly on his healing leg to stop the muscle spasms that shot shards of pain to his hip. “We already agreed the harness wasn’t for us.”

“Then we’d better come up with another idea because I won’t have you ruining your leg for the sake of a stinking medal. It’s not worth it as far as I’m concerned,” Jordan stated hotly, flinging her arm at Aleksei as he limped in small circles. “Have we all lost our minds? He’s risking his career for something he didn’t even want and we’re letting him. I can’t believe I ever agreed to this madness.”

“Nobody forces me to do anything I don’t want to do!” Aleksei growled at Jordan, catching her hand as she tried to stalk past him and pulling her forcefully against his tall, muscular form and holding her arm behind her back to keep her against him when she tried to pull away. “I thought you knew me better than that?” He asked softly, the warmth of his breath stirring the wayward strands of hair at her temples.

Jordan sighed shakily, her forehead coming to rest against his chest, the blending aromas of his after-shave, the earthy seductiveness of well-warmed muscles through his shirt and the spiciness of his soap making her too aware of him as a man. How could she be so torn between wanting to ravish him and yet protect him as a lioness would her cub? When had she lost sight of the Gold medal she had spent her life reaching for? When had her priorities changed from wanting to be the world’s best to wanting what was best for Aleksei, despite what it could mean to herself? “I’m beginning to think I don’t know much about anything anymore,” Jordan murmured softly, her voice falling away to a whisper.

Aleksei released her wrist and folded both arms around her small, shapely form, resting his chin on the top of her head. “You know more than I’ll ever come close to knowing. I need you close just so I don’t come off sounding like a complete idiot,” he teased, hoping to break the tension that filled the workout room.

Jordan’s smile was shaky, but it was a smile. “Not everyone can be smart and gorgeous,” She quipped, pulling back to look into his dark eyes and then wriggling against Aleksei’s hips when his fingers ran down her ribcage.

Aleksei’s eyes flashed darkly at Jordan’s wriggling intimacy, causing her breath to catch and her own eyes darken with passion. If only we were alone, Aleksei’s eyes promised silently. Without his eyes leaving hers, he stepped back from her, his hands a sensuous promise as they slipped from her hips. “So what’s our next option?” he asked his coach.

Whittaker looked from Aleksei to Jordan and then to Dee, who nodded her head in agreement at his unspoken suggestion. “I say we hit the pool.” Without another word, he spun on his heels and headed for the door.

“We’ll see you pool side in ten minutes,” Dee stated firmly, then followed Whittaker’s quickly moving figure.

Jordan and Aleksei exchanged confused glances, confused by their coach’s behavior and the explosive physical attraction that had sprung so hotly and suddenly between them. They were partners on the ice and struggling to find a truce off the ice. Where had this fiery hormonal explosion suddenly come from?

Jordan backed up a step, her hands fidgeting as she tried to still their nervous fluttering. “We’ve got ten minutes,” she murmured softly, her voice husky and whispery at the same time.

Aleksei nodded. “I heard.” His own voice sensuously deep.

“Okay, then…” Jordan began, only to lose her train of thought when Aleksei took a step toward her, his eyes darkening; a wicked, beckoning light flickering dangerously in their ebony depths. His very gaze held her captive, made her heart pound heavily, her legs immobile. Unblinkingly, she watched him move slowly toward her, stalking her as a panther would its prey.

He stopped just before her, near enough to touch her but not. His hands captured her fluttering ones, his fingers weaving with hers, their pulses matching pace as their hands blended to become one. His passion-darkened eyes held hers, daring her to break contact. As if hypnotized, she returned his gaze. Inch by enticing inch his mouth lowered toward her slightly parted lips, his breath warm and sweet as it blended with her own shallow breaths. She felt intoxicated, dizzy with a need she was uncertain of, a want for something she couldn’t name. Shakily she tried to close the remaining inches to his mouth, rising to the balls of her feet as she sought the promise his kiss offered. His hands controlled her own, shifting position and wrapping around her back to rest lightly at her waist. Easily he urged her balance forward; causing her to lean against his passion hardened frame, all doubts of his arousal gone as she could feel his heat strongly against her center. His lips closed the remaining distance, his mouth devouring hers upon contact, his tongue delving deeply into her mouth as his hips pressed heatedly against her own answering motion. Flashes of bright light flared behind her closed eyelids, her mind going empty to all but the raging emotions exploding within her. Her hands flexed convulsively, seeking to hold something stable, something that wasn’t crumbling beneath this onslaught of physical power. His hands held hers steady; firmly yet gently, forcing her to feel without the benefit of touch. His kiss deepened, seeking more from her, demanding the walls she’d built around her heart crumble to dust and be replaced by the trust, loyalty and strength Aleksei promised. Jordan struggled to regain control. She couldn’t possibly relinquish so much so soon to someone she barely knew. Despite her body’s sensual response to his own, she had to stop this head long rush into recklessness that threatened to pull her into its center that was the total, encompassing, pure heat of Aleksei. With a strength that surprised her, she managed to pull her mouth from Aleksei’s, whimpering at the loss of intimacy. Gulping in deep breaths of air, her breath caught again as Aleksei’s deeply voiced Russian words heated her ear, words she didn’t understand completely but were nevertheless crystal clear by their urgency and tone. Jordan’s legs threatened to fold beneath her slight weight as Aleksei continued his assault on her senses. His heated mouth, wickedly suggestive words and dark eyes overwhelmed her tenuous hold on the control she believed would save her.

“Aleksei…” she gasped, her last thoughts of control drifting away like mist off a waterfall, her only worry touching that which Aleksei offered then teasingly held just beyond her reach. “Oh, God. Aleksei…” Lights shimmered around her, Aleksei’s hands grazing over her body, his touch sending jolts of electricity to her very core. Higher, she flew, her body weightless, her soul free, reaching for Aleksei…

“Jordan? Jordan? Breath for me. Come on now, quit screwing around,” Whittaker’s voice reached her from what sounded like miles away.

“Is she okay?” Why did Aleksei sound so far away, too? They’d been so close to reaching each other. Their souls had almost blended. What the hell was going on?

“Dammm…” Jordan groaned softly, her chest rising as she took in a full breath of air, keeping her eyes closed as she focused on regaining her breath and trying to reach the shining star she’d been so close to touching. Consciously she knew she’d had the wind knocked out of her and the best thing she could do was relax and wait for her lungs to refill. However, her body still screamed for the impending physical release she’d been on the verge of experiencing and at the moment she’d have gladly given up breathing—hell living—to feel the shattering explosion of release that had been at her fingertips.

“Jordan, do you hurt anywhere?” Whittaker asked, concern clear in his deep voice; the voice that pulled her back to earth and replaced the freedom she had felt as she flew toward the stars with Aleksei and exchanged it for lungs that burned for oxygen. Damn!

“Should I?” she finally answered weakly, rolling to lay on her back, her knees pointing toward the ceiling as she covered her eyes with her arms. Relax, relax, relax she repeated to herself, feeling her lungs expand and contract with each slow breath.

Whittaker’s voice held a smile. “Hopefully not, but considering you did your best to take off Aleksei’s shoulder I thought I should ask.”

Jordan raised her arms enough to peek out from beneath them and watch as Whittaker carefully checked her ribs. “What are you talking about?”

“My
fucking
leg didn’t hold!” Aleksei growled from across the room, where he scowled back and forth between Whittaker kneeling beside Jordan to Dee where she stood keeping him from her, frustration and anger coming through loud and clear.

“It’s not the first time I’ve been dropped, I’m sure it won’t be the last,” Jordan stated matter-of-factly.

“The hell it won’t!” Aleksei blasted back.

Jordan allowed Whittaker to help her to a sitting position, breathing slow, deep breaths as her body got back into sync with itself. Allowing herself a slow perusal of Aleksei, she shook her head to clear the final remnants of her obvious hallucination. Aleksei continued to pace, his limp lessening as he moved restlessly. “Rocmanov, falling is part of skating. I would have thought you understood that. It’s not as if you haven’t taken a spill yourself,” Jordan suggested, rising slowly to her knees and finally to her feet, foregoing Whittaker’s offered assistance.

Absently she ran her hands through her tussled shades-of-copper hair, re-securing the barrette, which held it out of her face. Her body still hummed, balanced on the edge of she didn’t know what, shifting from a need to explode to one of dissolving into nothingness. The need to touch and reassure Aleksei overwhelming and yet the fear of doing so almost tangible. The whole situation was unsettling, to say the least.