Chapter Forty-Eight

Natalie showered and dressed for work as fast as she could. She bustled around the room, collecting the pieces of her suit to take back to the office with her. The flurry of activity didn’t distract her as much as she had hoped it would. She and Darcy had gone way beyond flirting for the cameras and now she didn’t know what to make of it.

Was she the only one feeling like it was more than just something fun to do while they were here? Because last night didn’t feel like nothing but a little fun. But that wasn’t the plan. She’d told Grace she had this under control. She wasn’t going to get hurt because she wasn’t going to get involved. But then last night happened and she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was the exact kind of thing that would end up with her heart getting smashed. Again.

She was tying her shoes when Darcy knocked on her door. She looked amazing with her wet hair loose around her shoulders. “Hi,” Natalie said, stepping back to let Darcy in.

Darcy stood awkwardly for a moment before handing a pile of folded clothes to Natalie. “Thanks for the outfit,” she said, her cheeks reddening. “Not that I ran into anyone.” She hung her suit in her garment bag and then fiddled with the zipper.

“This is awkward, right?” Natalie asked.

Darcy nodded. “Yeah. I feel like I don’t know the rules. Like when I walked in, I should have kissed you, right? But I didn’t know how you felt about that so...”

Natalie smiled. There was something so sweet and soft about flustered Darcy. A complete change from her in-control work persona. She stepped forward and placed a light kiss at the corner of Darcy’s mouth. “If you want to kiss me, you probably should.” She lingered, hoping Darcy would return the kiss while knowing they did not have nearly enough time for what she really wanted to do, which was to bury her fingers inside Darcy and hear her scream her name.

Darcy turned her head and caught Natalie’s lips with hers. Natalie pressed her against the wall, her hands quickly finding their way to Darcy’s hips. There wasn’t time for this, but no matter how many times her brain reminded her that they needed to go, she couldn’t bring herself to stop kissing Darcy. Not when Darcy’s tongue slid over her bottom lip.

Darcy pulled her head back. “Later?” she said, so close Natalie could smell the fresh mint of her toothpaste.

All Natalie could do was nod and try to ignore the persistent ache between her thighs. Goddamn Darcy for being so hot.

Darcy looked over her shoulder before opening the door. “You ready?”

Natalie hurried to grab her garment bag, messenger bag, and hotel key. “Yeah, I guess so.” She didn’t even try to keep the pout out of her voice and Darcy rewarded her with a laugh.

Darcy let Natalie walk ahead of her. When Natalie looked back, she caught Darcy obviously staring at her ass and exaggerated her hips’ sway. Darcy blushed but didn’t look away.

They waited, looking out the lobby windows for the car to show up. Every time the hotel doors opened, a fresh wave of freezing air blasted them.

Natalie stepped away from the doors. “Fuck, it’s freezing.”

“Weird, considering it’s the Winter Games.”

Natalie shook her head. “Thank god. I was worried having sex with you might change things between us. But no, you’re still a sarcastic asshole.”

Darcy laughed, her shoulders shaking in her puffy coat. She looked at Natalie, her eyes catching the light from a passing car’s headlights. “Do you want things to change?”

Natalie looked out the glass doors. “Our car’s here.”

She couldn’t dodge the question forever. But she could stall long enough to try to figure out what she wanted from whatever this was. She didn’t want to get her heart broken again. But she didn’t know if she could really keep her feelings in check. Or if she even wanted to.

The car was blissfully warm when Natalie slid into the back seat. It took mere minutes for them to pull up to the speed skating venue. Natalie hopped out and hurried inside with Darcy right next to her.

Darcy shivered when they stepped into the arena. “Fuck, it’s freezing.”

Natalie giggled. “I’m sorry, but someone told me this is to be expected for the Winter Games.”

Darcy stuck her tongue out at Natalie before cracking up. “It might make sense but it doesn’t make it any more pleasant to be freezing at the ass crack of dawn.” She bounced up and down a few times.

Natalie reached toward her and rubbed her hands up and down Darcy’s arms in an attempt to warm her up. Darcy stopped bouncing and stared at Natalie. “What?”

Darcy looked over Natalie’s shoulder. “Nothing, you’re just being very nice.” She flicked her eyes to Natalie’s. “But here comes our producer so don’t do anything too nice.” She winked so quickly Natalie wasn’t sure if she’d imagined it.

Raquel walked up to them and gave them each a bag. “Wanted to give you these myself.” Raquel laughed. “Today is going to be so fun. I trust you’re not too hungover from last night?”

Natalie shook her head. “Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.”

Raquel narrowed her eyes but didn’t comment on their appearances. “So, are you ready to learn how to speed skate?”