Love and Other Games Read Free

stopped, they stared at each other for a few beats, and she swore time stood still, like in those silly American movies. “Thank you. Now, I’ve got to find my clothes.”
    “I believe that must be them, over on that wall.” She pointed, keeping her eyes on the statue rather than the athlete in front of her.
    He ran to them and picked them up, then back to her. “So, what’s your name?” He pulled on his sports pants on top of his boxers, finally enough so she wouldn’t stare at the part of him that she had wanted to see in the five minutes they’d been together, but somehow avoided it with great discipline.
    “It doesn’t matter. I probably won’t see you again.”
    “Not if I can help it. I owe you. Can I buy you a drink at the party?” His shirt finally covered his chest and Nadia could look at him without drooling.
    Enough of this distraction. She had to get away. She turned to walk away. “Nein.”
    Before she knew it, he grabbed her wrist and stopped her. “I’d like to get to know you.”
    “I already know you. You’re a big flirt, you have too much fun, and you are American. I cannot do any of that. I take the Olympics seriously, and I need to get to the party.” She looked at his smile, at his dreamy eyes, at his fit body and at his mouth with a small dimple on the side that she wouldn’t mind kissing. Can’t go there, Nadia. “Good Night.”
    He zipped up his jacket and walked in the opposite direction. “I’ll see you at that party, Lucky Charm. You can count on that.”
    Nadia refused to turn around and look at him again, even though her beating heart wanted her to. Somehow, in the last ten minutes, this American had confused her. Leaving the dorm, she was all about business, but leaving the American had her mind on other things – like a chiseled chest and sea-green eyes that bore into her thoughts.

Chapter Two
    It took Ty a half hour to warm up in his dorm shower to the point where he could feel his fingers again. The whole time thinking about the blonde lucky charm who saved him. Funny how a situation like that, a small flicker of her fingertips turning him on, he’d normally have to take a cold shower. The opposite effect took place now.
    There was something about the woman that hit him like a ton of bricks – what scared him was that the moment he laid eyes on her it felt like the first time he set foot on a snowboard. A click. Something powerful taking over his mind and body as if it was meant to be. Stupid really, since he didn’t even know her name.
    But he did know she was captivating – and hot. Her long blonde hair tucked under a snowcap, her jacket with the fur hoodie around her neck. The cute little accent when she talked to him. The jade-green eyes that bore into his face as if he told the most interesting story, and he hadn’t even spoken a word.
    He would find her and thank her properly. He straightened his Team USA jacket and removed his Madsen gloves when he walked into the community building. The Meet-and-Greet Party was well underway with hundreds of athletes swarming the room. A makeshift dance floor spread out in the middle of the area while rock music blasted from speakers in the corner, and other Olympians sat around in the sofas and chairs.
    Ty stood still, his eyes adjusting to the lights and, hell, looking for the mystery woman. She was his goal tonight, and he wouldn’t leave without finding her.
    Unfortunately, the first person he found was Adam. He meandered to his friend, who jabbered away with a Canadian, from the looks of the flag on her jacket, and stopped when Ty stood in front of him. “Well, if it isn’t Trouble. You survived, old pal.” He patted Ty on the back.
    “Yeah, no thanks to you.” Ty nodded to the brunette. “How you doing?”
    The girl grinned back and sipped her water.
    Adam smiled wide and wiggled his own water bottle. “Want some?”
    Ty smelled the liquor on Adam’s breath and flinched back. “Nah, man.”
    “There’s