Read On Thin Ice (The Baltimore Banners Book 8) for Free Online Page A

attention.
    Lindsay was doing enough of that without her help.
    "Oh my God, why didn't you tell me these players were so hot? I was expecting a bunch of beat-up guys with no teeth but these guys…oh my God." Lindsay caught up to her, grabbing her arm to keep her in place. Lauren narrowed her eyes and pulled her arm free of Lindsay's loose grasp. She didn't have to look around to know that people were watching them. Staring at them.
    It wasn't just the inappropriate words uttered in Lindsay's voice, a little too loud, entirely too excited. Too eager. Even if she had developed a sudden case of laryngitis and wasn't able to speak a word, people would still be watching. Staring.
    Because Lindsay's idea of cocktail attire was vastly different from the majority of those in attendance.
    It wasn't that her dress was cut too short, or that it showed off too much. If it had, Lauren would have made her change before they left. It was the way it fit, the way the bright purple material clung and swayed when she moved. The way just the color stood out among all the black and silver and gold.
    The way Lindsay stood out, too eager, too excited, too extreme. From the excitement in her voice to the constant stream of appreciative comments that could be heard over all the other conversations around them. She was drawing attention, no doubt about it. And it wasn't all good.
    "Who's that? Would you look at how he fills out that suit? Wow. I think I need to start watching more hockey." Lindsay waved her wine glass around, some of the clear liquid sloshing over the rim and dripping onto her hand. She didn't seem to notice because her gaze was focused on the far corner of the room. Lauren turned her head in that direction, barely refraining from rolling her eyes and groaning out loud when she saw the three players standing there.
    No, not three. Her eyes were focused on only one. Kenny Haskell. He looked so different from the last few times she had seen him. No jeans or workout pants, no tight-fitting t-shirt or loose sweater. Tonight he was dressed in a crisp black suit tailored to fit his broad shoulders and chest, his lean waist and trim hips and muscular thighs. The crisp whiteness of the shirt set off the healthy tan of his skin and the barest hint of stubble that darkened his jaw.
    Like all the players here tonight, he was wearing a bright blue tie with a matching silk handkerchief tucked neatly in the pocket of his suit jacket. The color matched the blue of the Banners' home jerseys, set off by a white carnation pinned to his lapel. He should have looked sophisticated but he didn't. He looked dangerous instead, especially with the small butterfly bandage taped over the fresh cut below his left eye, the edges of it bruised a dark purple.
    Lauren didn't realize she had been staring until Lindsay nudged her in the side. Did her sister know she had been staring? Could she hear the sudden pounding of her heart, beating loud in her chest? Or maybe it was just Lauren's imagination, this unexpected reaction and thrill of excitement coursing through her when she looked at him.
    It had to be her imagination, that was the only explanation. Nothing else made sense.
    "Well? Do you?"
    Lauren finally looked at her sister, not surprised to see the impatience on Lindsay's face. "Do I what?"
    "Do you know him?"
    "Which one?"
    "All of them. Any of them, it doesn't matter. But especially the one with the cut under his eye." Lindsay ran her free hand through her hair, doing something with her fingers to separate the light blonde strands. "So do you?"
    "I don't know them, no. But I know who they are." Lauren glanced over at the bar, which just happened to be close to the corner where Kenny Haskell was standing with his teammates. She suddenly wanted a drink but not that bad, not when there was another bar on the other side of the room.
    "Where are you going?" Lindsay grabbed her arm, stopping her when she turned to head in the opposite direction.
    "I was going to