“Nice to meet you, Jessica,” I tell her with the same detached courtesy I’d use at a team press conference and gesture out at the ice. “So I’m assuming you know how to skate already?”

Jessica beams at me with a flirty twinkle in her eye.

“You could say that,” she says and pulls her lip between her teeth suggestively. I wince, because that is not the kind of message I was trying to send her. I keep my expression neutral, determined not to encourage whatever game she’s playing.

The sooner I get this over, the better. This is part of the job. Just another obligation.

“Great. Then let’s take a quick spin around the ice,” I say and hesitate for longer than I probably should before I finally offer my arm to her.

Jessica loops her arm through mine and leans in close to me as we set out together. She’s clearly skated before because she’s way more graceful at it than the kids have been, but I still think it’s fucking weird that she didn’t just let her son enjoy a little more time on the ice. Poor kid.

I maintain a cool distance, keeping my movements efficient and professional. Every attempt she makes to press closer to me is met with subtle resistance, my body language clear. I’m not remotely interested in this woman, and my thoughts are a thousand miles from her—or more accurately, about fifty feet away where Hannah stands near the edge of the rink.

Jessica’s voice breaks into my thoughts as we make a turn at the far end of the rink. “So how are you liking Denver so far?”

“It’s great,” I reply automatically, keeping my answer short.

“I could show you around sometime,” she suggests brightly. “There are some places only locals know about.”

I frown, shaking my head. “Uh, thanks, but the team’s been pretty good about showing me the important spots.”

I don’t want to be rude, but this woman is a lot. I can’t wait for this lap to end, so I just keep skating and deliberately avoid making eye contact with her until we finally circle back to the starting line.

“Your skating is almost as good as your looks,” she comments in a flirtatious tone as we slow to a stop by her son.

My face flames, and I clear my throat, rubbing a hand over the back of my neck.

“Thanks for coming out tonight,” I say, ignoring her comment. “It’s for a good cause, so we appreciate it. I hope your son had fun too.”

I give her a firm nod, then move to skate away. But before I can, Jessica reaches out and puts her hand on my forearm to stop me.

“We had a great time. But I’d have an even better night if you called me when you’re done,” she purrs quietly.