Play With Me || 2 || Off the Ice Series

07 | The Movies Make This Look Easy *

ARDEN

We've been walking for at least three hours, and the harsh reality of our situation is beginning to settle in. No signs of life, no boats on the horizon—just endless ocean and dense jungle.

"We are officially stranded," I mutter, feeling the weight of those words sink into my chest.

"We are not stranded." Jason states when I point out the obvious, "We're just beached."

I turn to look at him, incredulity laced with irritation. The slight tilt of his lips only adds to my frustration. "You're impossible to deal with," I sigh, rubbing my temple as it starts to throb.

His bright eyes sparkle with that familiar, annoying twinkle. "What'd I do?"

I turn away from his infuriating face and continue walking.

• • •

The movies make this look easy, it's not.

I mutter a curse when another gigantic leaf falls forward, smacking me in the face. I ignore the laughter from behind me as I take hold of the leaf once more, wrestling it into position before using a flexible vine to tie it to the other three I'd already struggled into position.

"You almost done there?"

I huff, turning to stare at Jason with narrowed eyes, "I don't know, maybe if I had some help, it would be a quicker process."

He turns to look behind him, as if a crowd of willing participants may appear before turning to look back at me, "Who, me?"

I shut my eyes, groaning and make the mistake of letting go of the leaf, causing all four to tumble down around me. "I hate you."

"Love you too, kitten."

My heart thumps in my chest and I scowl. "Stop calling me that." I mutter but he only grins wider as I lean down and scoop up the leaves once more.

"Why, kittens have sharp claws, and my back still has the memory of yours imprinted on it." His voice is full of that male ego I'd read so much about. I had made the colossal mistake one night after a few too many wines to look up what exactly Jason Wilde got up to in the months following the wedding. That was a mistake. Multiple articles detailing the 'sexcapades' of the hockey player.

It was the reminder I needed to shut the computer off, drink the rest of the bottle and get laid the next night. Jason wasn't my type—too sporty, too needy, too romantic so why the hell was I always thinking about him? He was my brother's friend. We would never work out.

He communicated, for God's sake. I wanted no strings, no complications, just sex. But Jason Wilde had done something to me that night, something I still couldn't quite put into words.

I huff and turn away, focusing on the leaves again, trying to ignore the way his words make my skin tingle.

He doesn't take the hint, "Do you still have the garter?"

I swallow, turning to face him. "Can you please help me build at least a resemblance of shelter?" My hands tighten on the leaves, feeling the fragility of them crunch under my fingers.

He stands, sauntering closer. "Answer the question."

I spin to him, glaring. "I threw it out, along with the bouquet."

He grins, coming to a slow stop in front of me, "You're lying."

"Why would I lie?"

His eyes twinkle, and he runs his eyes slowly up my figure, stopping at my collarbone. "Because why would you throw out the only memories of the best night of your life?"