Hockey Holidays Read online

  Ty reared back as if he'd been slapped. “Toronto defenseman Sebastian Stone?”

  “Yes.”

  His dark eyes blazed with anger. “We've been rivals since juniors, Ella. He's always had a thing for you. Did you pick him just to hurt me?”

  “I didn't pick him,” she said hotly. “I saw him at Sherry's party months after you dumped me. Besides, isn't the best way to get over someone to get under someone else?”

  “Did it work?” Bitterness laced his words. “Getting under him?”

  The pain Ella saw on his face at that moment was almost too much to bear. She'd seen the same expression on her own face every single time she looked in the mirror.

  Ella choked back a sob. “N-no.”

  Ty slid his hands around her waist, then lifted her onto the counter. “No?” He tenderly brushed a lock of hair from her face.

  Ella bit down on her lower lip as she met his gaze, then shook her head. “Nothing's ever worked.”

  “Because you're mine,” he whispered. “And I'm yours.” He cupped her face, tracing his thumbs along her jaw. “I can't quit you, sweetheart. I can't. I'll never stop wanting you. Craving you. Needing you.”

  The naked adoration on his face stole the breath from her lungs, and she let out a soft gasp as their lips touched. Ty hauled her against his body with a ragged groan, and all rational thoughts fled.

  The gentle press of his lips gave way to needy, deep, out-of-control kisses as their mouths met over and over.

  “El,” he gasped. He kissed her again, tangling his fingers in her hair. “Don't let go. Please, don't stop touching me.”

  Ella trembled in his arms at the pleading sound of his voice. She'd never seen him like this before. All she wanted was to get lost in this with him and let it take her under. But deep down, nothing had changed. And her fear of getting hurt again consumed her.

  Ella shivered as he kissed her neck. “Ty, we should stop.”

  He froze. “Is that what you want?”

  “It's just… It's not that simple.” She leaned her forehead against his. “I'm reeling from everything.”

  “I'd never push you, El. I know I made a huge mistake. I've made a lot of them. But I'll do whatever it takes to prove to you that I've changed. I've got a way to go before you believe me, but I'm trying. I’m trying because I love you, Ella.”

  “Oh,” she breathed, staring up into his handsome face. Ty usually kept his feelings to himself, along with his problems. And he'd never been big on “I love you's.” He'd always touched her with sweetness and kissed her with passion, but sometimes, she'd been desperate to hear him say the words.

  Ty pressed a kiss to the back of her fingers. “I’m leaving in twenty minutes for the children's hospital. You’re coming with me to take photos, right?”

  “Oh. Yes, of course.”

  Ty gave her a sexy little smile before heading back to his room, and she remained on the counter, emotionally wrecked, wondering what he'd surprise her with next.

  Chapter Five

  Ty pulled on his jersey and a Santa hat as they exited the elevator to the fifth floor of the children's hospital.

  “I'm glad you're the one here with me today,” Ty said. “Kids love seeing the players, but sometimes it's uncomfortable having the Kingsnakes media department snapping photos while we chat with patients. I know you'll be discreet. I've developed friendships with a few kids who've been here a while, and I visit by myself sometimes.”

  “You come here on your own time?” she asked, surprised.

  “Yeah. The Kingsnakes have a special play area on this floor for the kids, but I try to go to a different floor each time I visit.”

  He'd always been a willing participant when it came to children's charities and community service with his various teams while they were together, but he'd never used personal time to participate. This was a side of him she’d never seen before.

  “Thought we'd visit my buddy Avery today. She's been in and out of here a lot. Car accident. She's had to have specialized care and multiple surgeries, but she's almost ready to bust out of this place.”

  Ella touched his arm. “Car accident?”

  Ty had lost both of his parents to a freak car accident when he was twelve. He'd been in the backseat and injured, but he'd survived. It had to be a harsh reminder of that when he visited Avery.

  “Yeah. Avery was the only one injured in the accident, but she's going to fully recover.”

  Ty waved to a few nurses, then pulled a stuffed Kingsnakes mascot from a bag. He held it out so it peeked around an open door. “Special Christmas delivery for Avery Winters!”

  A little girl about eight years old with bright green eyes and brown pigtails let out an excited, happy shriek as they entered the room.

  Ella's heart sank when she noticed the burn scars tracking up Avery's neck and arms—the worst which extended up to her right cheek. How much had she suffered?

  “Quinn! You came to see me!”

  Ella snapped a few photos with her phone as Ty walked over to the little girl.

  He grinned. “Couldn't visit the hospital without seeing my biggest fan.”

  “Is that Kingsley the Kingsnake?” Avery asked, giving him a huge, gap-toothed smile. She looked longingly at the stuffed animal.

  “Yep. Not as good as the real Kingsley, but it'll do until you get to a game to meet him.” He handed Kingsley to Avery, then sat down on a nearby chair. “Avery, this is my friend, Ella. She's visiting kids with me today and taking photos.”

  Avery gave Ella a shy smile. “Hi.”

  “Nice to meet you, Avery,” Ella said, waving. “Are your parents here?”

  “No, they’re at work,” Avery explained. “But that's okay because I'm going home today as soon as they get here, and then we’re going to decorate our Christmas tree together.”

  Ty held out his hand to Avery for a fist bump. “All right! It's about time. Are you excited?”

  “Yes! I miss Snuggles and Charlie so much.”

  “Who are they?” Ella asked.

  “My dog and my hamster.”

  “Charlie's the hamster and Snuggles is the pit bull,” Ty said, grinning at Ella.

  “They miss me, too,” Avery said. “I'm taking Snuggles for a walk tonight with my dad so we can look at all the Christmas lights on our block.”

  “Awesome. Avery, you know the Kingsnakes Holiday Charity Carnival is coming up, right?” Ty asked.

  Avery nodded. “I want to go! Will you be there, Quinn?”

  “Yep. We're having a special skate for friends and family beforehand. Would you want to come skate?”

  Avery's eyes lit up. “Really?”

  “Sure. You'll have to ask your mom and dad first.” He pulled a card from his wallet. “Have them call this number to put you guys on the guest list, okay?”

  Avery clutched the card in her hand. “I don't know how to skate,” she said, worrying her lower lip.

  Ty winked. “We'll have you flying around the rink in no time, I promise.”

  Avery giggled, then glanced at Ella. “Will you be at the Carnival?”

  “Yes,” Ella said, smiling. “It's going to be amazing.”

  “Will you skate with Ella too, Quinn?”

  “Yep.” He tugged on one of her pigtails. “We'll all skate together.”

  “Okay.” Avery looked over at Ella again. “You're pretty.”

  “Thank you. You're very pretty, too,” Ella said, sitting down on the edge of Avery's bed.

  “Not anymore,” Avery said, looking away. “Not since the accident. I've got burn scars. And the one on my face… I hate it.”

  Ella glanced anxiously at Ty. Nothing she could say would make Avery feel better about her scars. She was a beautiful little girl, but it had to be hard handling such a significant change to her appearance at such a young age. At any age.

  “I wrote a letter to Santa and asked him to make me look like I did before. That's all I want for Christmas,” Avery said sadly.