Skating on Thin Ice: Seattle Sockeyes (Game On in Seattle Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

of the first line? They seem strong. Second line seems solid, but I’m not sold on that third and fourth line.”
    Lauren hesitated then launched into a detailed analysis of each player’s strengths and weaknesses from the first line to the fourth line that would have done her father proud. It sure as hell impressed Ethan. She pointed out things he hadn’t picked up on, while her advanced statistics revealed the true workhorses on the team, guys who carried the team yet might not show up in the usual statistics because they may not have scored the goal but their actions led up to it.
    Ethan sat back and let her talk. Details didn’t usually excite him, but the challenge of putting all the pieces together into a winning organization compelled him to listen to her.
    The puck dropped and the game started. Lauren stopped mid-sentence and focused on the men driving up and down the ice. Ethan smiled, amused at how intently she watched the game. Just like him. Turning his attention to the ice, he leaned forward and gripped his armrests, his body following the movements of certain players as if he were on the ice with them.
    Lauren offered occasional tidbits of information on particular players. He’d never met a woman with such extensive knowledge of hockey. Even better, she had a great eye for talent, which was equally impressive. If there’d ever been any doubt, he knew without reservation he wanted her in Seattle, and he’d do what it took to keep her.
    If only he could explain who and what he was doing there so his deception wouldn’t come between them when the sale was announced. But he couldn’t. The league had effectively shut that door and locked it. The gag order said it all. Leakage of information on this purchase agreement meant no team. And he wanted this team in the worst way.
    But there was something else he wanted that shocked the hell out of him. He wanted Lauren in the worst way. He’d never expected to be attracted to her. Maybe it was her subtle sexuality, her complete openness, and lack of pretenses. She was who she was, and if you didn’t like it, too bad for you.
    Most of the women he knew played games. Not this woman.
    Ethan shook his head, trying to clear it. He was here for one reason and one reason only—the culmination of his dream to bring hockey to Seattle.
    He wanted Lauren on his team, but he could not want her in his bed for a myriad of reasons.
    Tell that to his dick because it had other ideas.
    Tough luck, it was staying on the bench.
    * * * *
    Lauren followed Ethan to the arena concourse. The Giants lost a heartbreaking game, and thinking about it made Lauren sick to her stomach.
    Right now she should be thinking life didn’t get better than this. Despite their first loss, they were still in it, skating in their first playoff series in years; next to her stood a man who might well be the team’s savior, and he was an incredibly attractive man.
    His eyes lit up with unbridled enthusiasm every time they discussed the team and its potential, almost as if he had a personal stake in the Giants, rather than being a hired consultant. She loved the interest he showed in all aspects of the team; hopefully, his employers shared his enthusiasm.
    Yet, his level of enthusiasm and involvement didn’t quite fit, and niggling suspicions that things weren’t as they seemed prevented Lauren’s complete trust in the man, not that she trusted easily. She’d been burned too many times from family members to friends to lovers to one cheating husband. It made a girl cautious as to whom she granted that precious trust. Ethan would need to earn it by his actions and his words. For now, she’d enjoy looking at him, because that was purely a joy, and feeding him positive tidbits about the team and staff. That very team who’d lost its first playoff game by one goal.
    “I want to see how the coach and team handle the loss,” Ethan said, grim determination etched on his handsome face.
    “The coach