Hot Ice Read online
Can falling in love melt the hearts of the iciest ice queens? Join Aurora Rey, Elle Spencer, and Erin Zak to find out!
In Ice on Wheels by Aurora Rey, all’s fair in love and roller derby. That’s Riley Fauchet’s motto, until a new job lands her at the same company—and on the same team—as her rival Brooke Landry, the frosty jammer for the Big Easy Bruisers.
In Private Equity by Elle Spencer, Cassidy Bennett spends an unexpected evening at a lesbian nightclub with her notoriously reserved and demanding boss, successful venture capitalist Julia Whitmore. After seeing a different side of Julia, Cassidy can’t seem to shake her desire to know more.
In Closed-Door Policy by Erin Zak, going back to college is never easy, but Caroline Stevens is prepared to work hard and change her life for the better. What she’s not prepared for is Dr. Atlanta Morris, her new professor whose tough demeanor is no match for Caroline’s burgeoning confidence.
Praise for Aurora Rey
Recipe for Love
“[A] few things that always get me excited when Aurora Rey publishes a new book…Firstly, I am guaranteed a hot butch with a sensitive side, this alone is a massive tick. Secondly, I am guaranteed to throw any diet out the window because the books always have the most delectable descriptions of food that I immediately go on the hunt for—this time it was a BLT with a difference. And lastly, hot sex scenes that personally have added to my fantasy list throughout the years! This book did not disappoint in any of those areas.”—Les Rêveur
Lambda Literary Awards Finalist Crescent City Confidential
“This book will make you want to visit New Orleans…Rey does a really wonderful job of creating the setting. You actually feel like you know the place.”—Amanda’s Reviews
“Crescent City Confidential pulled me into the wonderful sights, sounds, and smells of New Orleans…It was slow burning but romantic and sexy too. A mystery thrown into the mix really piqued my interest.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog
Summer’s Cove
“As expected in a small-town romance, Summer’s Cove evokes a sunny, light-hearted atmosphere that matches its beach setting…Emerson’s shy pursuit of Darcy is sure to endear readers to her, though some may be put off during the moments Darcy winds tightly to the point of rigidity. Darcy desires romance yet is unwilling to disrupt her son’s life to have it, and you feel for Emerson when she endeavors to show how there’s room in her heart for a family.”—RT Book Reviews
Winter’s Harbor
“This is the story of Lia and Alex and the beautifully romantic and sexy tale of a winter in Provincetown, a seaside holiday haven. A collection of interesting characters, well-fleshed out, as well as a gorgeous setting make for a great read.”—Inked Rainbow Reads
Praise for Elle Spencer
The Road to Madison
“The story had me hooked from its powerful opening scene, and it only got better and better…For anyone who has read my reviews, it’s no secret that I love romances that include lots of angst, and The Road to Madison hit the bull’s-eye.”—The Lesbian Review
“Elle Spencer weaves a tale full of sadness, remorse but one filled with those little moments that make you have the flutters…This book grabbed my attention and had me turning the pages through the night. A delightful story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I cannot wait for the next adventure Elle Spencer takes me on.”—Romantic Reader Blog
Unforgettable
“If you like angsty romances, this is the book for you! Both stories pack a punch, with so much ‘will they or won’t they’ that I kind of wondered how they’d turn out (yes, even though it’s marketed as romance!)”—The Lesbian Review
“I was stunned at how Elle Spencer manages to make the reader feel so much and we end up really caring for the women in her novels…This book is perfect for those times you want to wallow in romance, intense feelings, and love. Elle Spencer does it so well.”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog
Casting Lacey
“The story is full of humour, wit, and saucy dialogue but also has angst and drama…an entertaining and enjoyable read.”—Lez Review Books
“This is the romance I’ve been recommending to everyone and her mother since I read it, because it’s basically everything I’ve been dying to find in an f/f romance—funny voices I click with, off-the-charts chemistry, a later-in-life coming out, and a host of fun tropes from fake dating to costars.”—Frolic
Praise for Erin Zak
Beautiful Accidents
“This book kept me engaged from beginning to end. I enjoyed the chemistry between Stevie and Bernadette.”—Maggie Shullick, Librarian, Lorain and Cuyahoga County (Ohio)
Create a Life to Love
“Erin Zak does unexpected attraction and sexual awakening late in life really, really well.”—Reviewer@large
“Create a Life to Love is a soulful story of how love can conquer all. I laughed, cried (sobbed) and got butterflies more than once, and did you see the cover art? Fantastic.”—Les Rêveur
Breaking Down Her Walls
“I loved the attraction between the two main characters and the opposites attract part of the story. The setting was amazing…I look forward to reading more from this author.”—Kat Adams, Bookseller (QBD Books, Australia)
“If you like contemporary romances, ice queens, ranchers, or age gap pairings, you’ll want to pick up Breaking Down Her Walls.”—The Lesbian Review
“[A] charming contemporary romance set on a cattle ranch near the Colorado Mountains…This is a slow burn romance, but the chemistry is obvious and strong almost from the beginning. Breaking Down Her Walls made me feel good...”—Rainbow Reflections
Falling Into Her
Falling Into Her “is an age gap, toaster oven romance that I really enjoyed. The romance has a nice burn that’s slow without being too slow. And while I’m glad that lesfic isn’t all coming out stories anymore, I enjoyed this particular one because it shows how it can happen in a person’s 40s.”—The Lesbian Review
“[A] great debut novel from Erin Zak and looking forward to seeing what’s to come.”—Les Rêveur
Hot Ice
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Hot Ice
“Closed Door Policy” © 2019 By Erin Zak. All Rights Reserved.
“Ice on Wheels” © 2019 By Aurora Rey. All Rights Reserved.
“Private Equity” © 2019 By Elle Spencer. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-518-9
This Electronic Original Is Published By
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, NY 12185
First Edition: December 2019
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editor: Barbara Ann Wright
Production Design: Stacia Seaman
Cover Design By Tammy Seidick
By the Authors
Aurora Rey
Cape End Romances
Winter’s Harbor
Summer’s Cove
Spring’s Wake
Autumn’s Light
Built to Last
Crescent City Confidential
Lead C
ounsel
(Novella in The Boss of Her)
Recipe for Love
The Inn at Netherfield Green
Elle Spencer
Casting Lacey
Unforgettable: Novella Collection
The Road to Madison
30 Dates in 30 Days
Erin Zak
Falling into Her
Breaking Down Her Walls
Create a Life to Love
Beautiful Accidents
Ice on Wheels
Aurora Rey
Chapter One
Brooke called off the jam, and Tracy signaled from the sideline for a time-out. Brooke skated toward her coach and grabbed a bottle of water. A glance at the scoreboard told her what she already knew. The lead they’d given up at the start of the second half was within reach. With twenty seconds on the clock, the next jam would be the last of the bout. And it would determine who walked away with the Louisiana Women’s Roller Derby championship trophy and who went home runner-up.
After a quick discussion about strategy and a rally cry, the Big Easy Bruisers lined up with the Cajun Queens one final time. Brooke had managed to secure the inside position and found herself staring down a wall of rival blockers. The whistle blew, and she launched herself into the fray.
She pushed through the pack and saw her ref’s arm go up. She’d claimed the lead jammer spot. That meant the title was in reach.
Not quite yet. She tamped down her excitement and made a loop, looking for her next opening. She pushed her way past a pair of blockers that lagged back to slow her down.
And then she saw it. Like the heavens parting in some mythical moment of clarity, the route around the outside of the track cleared. She angled herself to take it, hugging the outside line. A quick glance back told her the Queens jammer was gaining on her. This was her chance.
She rounded the curve, the taste of victory already in her mouth. They were going to win. Even better, she was going to score the game-deciding points.
By the time she saw the blocker out of the corner of her eye, it was too late. Not that she could have done much to stop her. She cut across the inside of the track at full speed. Just like a car accident, the split second before impact felt like slow motion. Just long enough for her to tense, even though she knew that would only make it worse. The blocker plowed into her shoulder-first. The momentum lifted her off the ground; the pain in her ribs paired with the feeling of her skates losing contact with the track.
As her entire body hit the concrete, her brain went fuzzy, then black.
She opened her eyes. A sharp pain radiated from her right hip. Not the, oh God, I broke something sort of pain, but the kind that screamed for ice and would leave a massive bruise for the next couple of weeks. Wuthering Hits and Crashin’ Cali hovered over her, looks of concern on their faces.
“Are you okay?” Cali asked.
She blinked a few times, remembered how she got where she was, and groaned. “We lost, didn’t we?”
Hits offered her a wry smile. “If you’re asking, I’m taking it you’re okay.”
She was so not okay. She’d been a hundred feet from taking her team to the state championship, and she’d blown it. “I didn’t black out, did I?”
Cali shook her head. “No, it’s only been a few seconds. Do you remember getting hit?”
Oh, she remembered. But she didn’t know who’d been the one to do it. “Who took me out?”
“Does it really matter at this point?”
“Yes.” She hauled herself to a seated position and realized that every pair of eyes in the place was trained on her. Members of the opposing team had taken a knee. Fuck. “But not now. Help me up, will you?”
Understanding the urgency behind her request, they each grabbed a hand and pulled her to her feet. Despite the flush of embarrassment in her cheeks, she lifted a hand to signal she was unhurt. The requisite applause was quickly drowned out by the roar of cheering.
Right. The Queens had held off on their celebrations until it was clear she’d not been seriously injured. While such sportsmanship was usually one of her favorite things about derby, today it just made everything worse.
She made it to the bench and collapsed in a chair. Her teammates crowded around her, a mixture of concern and well-meaning support on their faces. She’d have been no different had the tables been turned. Even at its most competitive, the camaraderie mattered above all else.
But not today. Today, she’d failed, and all she wanted to do was crawl in a hole and die.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Cali asked.
“I am.” She forced herself to look at the faces of her teammates. “And I’m sorry.”
Her apology seemed to unlock a floodgate. Everyone started talking at once. Brooke made out “she came out of nowhere” and “still the most amazing season ever.” The rest was a jumble that made her head spin.
“Who? Who was it that took me out?” She looked at Hits, who winced.
“Moby Dyke.”
Brooke closed her eyes. Of course it was. She’d never talked to her before, but the blocker had definitely caught her eye. Her skating skills for sure, but it was more than that. Moby Dyke was tall and built and butch and gorgeous. And now Brooke was obliged to hate her.
* * *
After a rowdy victory toast, Riley’s teammates dispersed to chat with their friends and wives and husbands and such. She scanned the crowd for the Bruisers jammer. Maybe with a drink or two in her, she’d give Riley the chance to congratulate her on putting up a hell of a fight. Championship bout or not, derby was about kicking ass on the rink and being a good sport off.
Riley spied her surrounded by a group of people, laughing. That was a good sign. She took a long swig from a bottle of Abita, and Riley wondered if she’d taste the Purple Haze on her lips if they kissed.
Whoa. Where did that come from?
Riley shook her head. She shouldn’t be surprised, really. Femme Fatal was just that: deliciously femme with just a hint of fatale simmering under the surface. Sure, her type was more easygoing girl next door, but even she couldn’t deny the appeal.
She took a sip of her own beer and crossed the room. She nodded hellos and exchanged pleasantries with a few members of the opposing team, working her way closer and closer to the jammer she’d taken out, quite literally, an hour ago. She chatted with a Bruisers blocker, complimenting her on her technique and stamina in the second half. All the while, she half eavesdropped on Femme Fatal’s conversation. Her voice was low and sultry; her laugh made Riley think about doing a lot more than kissing her.
It wouldn’t be the first time she’d gone home with a member of the opposing team. Not that she did derby to pick up women, but she wasn’t opposed when the opportunity presented itself.
She was imagining the juxtaposition of hard lines and soft curves when she found herself face-to-face with the most gorgeous chocolate-brown eyes she’d ever seen. Riley had to swallow the wave of desire that swept through her. This was not the moment to get ahead of herself.
“Hi.”
Despite offering her friendliest smile, Riley watched those amazing eyes flash with recognition, then cool. Actually, cool would be a massive understatement. Her eyes went from warm and inviting to subzero in about two seconds flat. They went from Riley’s face to her outstretched hand and back to her face. And then, without a word, she turned on her heel and walked away.
“Don’t mind Femme. She’s taking the loss a little hard.”
Riley turned in the direction of the voice. It belonged to Sister Mary Mayhem, one of the backup jammers for the Bruisers. “A little?”
Mary shrugged. “A loss is one thing. What you did was more of a personal affront.”
Riley lifted both hands. “Hey, there was nothing personal about it.”
“I know, but she thinks you should have been called for an illegal block.”
“That’s bullshit.” The denial was out of her mouth before she could stop herself. Not that
she would take it back, but there was no point in antagonizing the opposing team. Especially after snatching a win from them in the final seconds.
“I agree, but it could have gone either way, and Femme doesn’t like that it was the move that cost us the bout.”
“Is she always a sore loser?” Again, maybe not the most tactful approach, but she liked to know what she was dealing with. And sore losers were second only to cheaters in her book of people she considered a waste of time.
Mary smiled. “Not usually. I think this one hurt her ego as much as anything else.”
“Ah.” She could understand that. Sort of. “Well, I wanted to congratulate her on a great bout.”
Wuthering Hits smiled as well. “We’ll pass it along. And congratulations to you and the Queens. Pretty epic win.”
It really was. Derby bouts were rarely close when it came to the final score. The fact that this one came down to the final seconds made it unique and made the win all the sweeter. “Thanks.”