Rachel watched Vlad’s face as he processed what she’d just asked. He’d understood, but he was definitely conflicted about answering her, and she was torn between thinking it was because something was truly wrong with him and he couldn’t get it up or if it was because he was nervous now that he was alone with her. It couldn’t be because he was inexperienced in any way; the women in the casino made it clear they were interested and the way he smiled and carried himself told her he knew what he was doing. Something was making him hesitate now, though, making her wish she was some kind of mind-reader.

“I could,” he said slowly. “But I do not believe this is why you invite me here.” He returned her gaze curiously.

“I invited you here for breakfast,” she conceded. “I suppose I did wonder if you were interested.”

“If I am not interested, I am not man.”

She smiled faintly. “I guess I’m feeling a little old today.”

“Because in Hollywood you are…” He seemed to be thinking hard to find the right word. “Ancient?”

She laughed out loud. “Yes! Exactly.” She reached out a hand and waited until he took it. She toyed with his fingers, liking how rough and calloused they were. “Did you ever want to run away and be someone else?”

He shook his head. “No. Hockey is all I ever want.”

“All I ever wanted was to become an actress,” she said softly. “Then I got this lucky break and got the part on Vampire Legend. It’s amazing, even after five seasons. So much fun, a great cast, and so much money. Until everyone started to want a piece of me. I’m not even a person anymore; I’m a commodity.”

“This means product, like item you buy in store?”

She nodded. “I can’t eat anything because I might get fat. I can’t go out by myself because I might get kidnapped or raped or something. I shouldn’t date regular guys because they might be after my money. I can’t do anything normal. Ever. It’s exhausting.”

“You are not happy?”

He was probably wondering if she was teasing him or what kind of game was she playing, but something about him felt comfortable.

“I’m tired,” she admitted. “I work crazy hours and then I have to make appearances, work out seven days a week and still find time to see a friend once in a while, go out on a date, talk to my family… That’s why I came to Vegas for New Year’s Eve. I just wanted to be anonymous in a town with a zillion people. Or maybe even meet a guy and go out on a date.” She met his eyes meaningfully.

“You are beautiful,” he said gently, his fingers intertwined with hers. “I do not think you are ancient, and would have no problem getting it up for you, but maybe we could have date first? Like normal people, instead of movie star and professional athlete?”

“Thank you. And yes, I would like very much to go out on another date with you since I think this technically qualifies as our first date.”

“Yes.” He nodded.

The brisk knock on the door announced the arrival of their breakfast and he got up to answer it, tipping the waiter and bringing the cart to the living room. “Here?” he asked.

“Sure.” She smiled as he put out the plates, cups, and silverware. He was sweet and she liked him, even though she’d promised herself no more hockey players. Jamie had been sweet, too, but now that she’d heard rumors about him being bisexual, it made sense things had fizzled out between them. Of course, with Jamie on the road and her filming the show in Los Angeles, they didn’t have a lot of time together and that had been part of the problem; now she had to wonder why she was flirting with a guy who would bring some of the same issues to the table.

They ate in relative silence, enjoying the food and each other’s company. It was odd that neither of them was falling asleep, considering it was almost eight in the morning and they’d spent all night drinking.

“Aren’t you tired?” she asked, taking a bite of pancakes that tasted like heaven.

“A little,” he admitted. “You?”

“A little.” She smiled. “What are you doing the rest of today?”

“Sleep a little, go home, and get ready for week.”

“Do you have a game tomorrow?”

He shook his head. “Practice tomorrow, game next day. Then travel to Vancouver.”

“I miss going to the games,” she said lightly. “It used to be fun, hanging out with the girls and watching how excited the fans are for an expansion team.” This was only the Sidewinders’ third season, so they were still a relatively new organization.

“You can come?” he asked. “You go back to work soon?”

“Not for four more days,” she said.

“You can be my guest at game?” He met her gaze.

“I’d like that, but I probably shouldn’t,” she said slowly. “Last time I was at a game I was dating Jamie and now I’d be back dating you—makes me look like a puck bunny.”

“Oh.” He paused. “So you will not go out with me?”

“I will. I just don’t want to go to the game as your guest.”

“You can sit somewhere else?”

Her eyes widened as an idea took hold. “I have a wig… I could go to the game in disguise!”

He grinned. “This makes you happy?”

“Yes, but after Jamie and I broke up…” She sighed. “Anyway, tell me about you. Are you single?”

“Very single.” He looked down at his dish. “I am not so good with dating. Last time, date pours drink on my head.”

“What did you do?” she asked, trying not to giggle.

“I ask if she is ready for sex.” He dipped his head as his cheeks got red. “But not disrespectful—she has foot in my crotch all during dinner. What else do I think?”

Rachel nodded. “Absolutely, she was teasing you. Maybe it’s the way you said it?”

“I do not know.” He shrugged. “So Vlad doesn’t date.”

“You just asked me out on a date.” She met his eyes.

“You ask me first,” he replied with a grin. “I only agree.”

“Liar!”

They laughed together, already comfortable after just a few hours.

Pushing back his plate, Vlad yawned. “I am tired now. This is much fun, but tonight I must sleep normal time and tomorrow I work. I sleep a few hours but not so many that tonight I do not sleep.”

“You could sleep here,” she said softly. “I’m not trying to be a tease—I swear I’m not—I just don’t want to be alone on my birthday. Please stay. I’ll stay fully dressed. I promise. And I won’t pour a drink on your head.”

Her face was so sincere Vlad couldn’t think of a single reason to say no. She stood up and held out her hand. He hesitated. None of this made sense. Who was this woman and what did she want? Sex was easy. Even friendship was easy. But whatever this was had sexual undertones he didn’t understand at all.

“I am confused,” he said finally. “I am okay with sex. I am okay with no sex. But why me? I barely speak English, I am friends with your ex-fiancé, and you are beautiful movie star who can have any man. Why me?”

She moved closer to him and put a hand on his chest. “Your English is really okay—I understand everything you say—so stop saying that. We’ve had a lot of fun, haven’t we?”

He nodded.

“I like you, and to be honest, you make me feel normal. Everyone wants something from me—even if it’s something stupid like an autograph for their kid—but we’ve been together all night and you haven’t asked for anything. Not even a kiss. I feel comfortable around you, and I haven’t felt that way since Jamie left. We had our problems and it didn’t work out, but he’s the only person I know who isn’t an actor that never wanted something from me. For some reason, I feel like that with you, too. Please stay. I swear to you, I’m not after anything and I don’t have ulterior motives.”

He reached out and touched her cheek, gently moving his thumb along the soft skin and wondering how someone like her could be alone on her birthday. He was sometimes lonely, but for totally different reasons, a lot of them his own fault.

“I will stay,” he said softly. “But I must know rules.”

“Rules?”

“Sex? No sex? We will still go on date? What is process?”

She chuckled. “No rules. I think sex is off the table because we’re both exhausted and you have to rest for hockey tomorrow.” She turned and headed for the bedroom, looking over her shoulder. “Next time? Who knows. This morning, let’s take a nap. Tonight, maybe you can buy me dinner since I bought breakfast.”

“Yes.” He followed behind her and pulled his shirt out from his slacks, unbuttoning it as he walked. He pulled it off and tossed it on the chair next to the bed as he toed off his shoes. He caught her staring at him and turned questioningly. “Just my shirt, yes?”

“Oh, yes.” She grinned. “I like the view.”

Damn, he was amazing without a shirt. All hard and rippled muscles; the valleys in his abdomen leading down into his jeans made her sigh with longing. She wanted to touch him, but she didn’t dare. Not after she’d promised him she wasn’t going to tease him; if she was honest with herself, she was too tired for sex right now anyway.

He lay on the bed and stretched out on one side, putting two pillows under his head. The bed was almost as comfortable as the one she had at home and they both let out sighs of contentment before he set his phone alarm to wake them in four hours.

Rachel was in a long, oversized T-shirt that fell to mid-thigh and she scooted across the bed to be closer to him. She glanced over and smiled faintly before holding out her hand. “Happy birthday, Vlad.”

“Happy birthday, Rachel.” He closed his fingers around hers and shut his eyes. There were both asleep within minutes.

* * *

Vlad was annoyed when the alarm went off. There was a soft, warm body molded to the front of him and he had a raging hard-on. He reached behind him to quiet the irritating buzz and let out a grunt of displeasure when the phone slipped out of his hand and crashed to the floor.

“Fuck.” He moved away and reached down to get it, finally silencing it.

“That’s the first time an alarm clock has been the cock blocker.”

“Cock what?” He rubbed his eyes, instinctively moving back to spoon Rachel from behind. She leaned back against him as though they’d been sleeping together for years instead of hours.

“You know, something that prevents sex from happening—cock block.”

He snorted. “Yes, I know this term. I am slow when sleepy.” He draped one arm over her waist. “You are ready to wake up?”

“No, but I will.” She moved against him again, wiggling her bottom slightly. “I think I answered my own question.”

“What?”

“About whether or not you could get it up for me.”

He laughed. “This is not surprise—you are beautiful.” He leaned over and gently pressed his lips to her neck. “But we must have date first, no?”

“Yes.” She smiled.

Vlad couldn’t understand the pleasure it brought him to see her smile. Ironically, it had nothing to do with her being Rachel Kennedy the movie star—just like he didn’t feel like Vladimir Kolnikov the up-and-coming Russian hockey star when he was with her. He’d subconsciously sensed her loneliness at the casino last night and again this morning in the elevator when he’d grudgingly tried to say good-bye. A woman who wanted to hook up with Vlad the hockey star would have been all over him the minute they were alone; Rachel had simply invited him to hang out, to have breakfast. Sleeping with her without really touching her had been unlike anything he’d ever experienced.

“I must go to my room and shower.” He got up reluctantly. “You will sleep more?”

“No. I need to get back on schedule, too. I’m usually up at five thirty when I have to be at the studio by seven.”

“Usually I am up at five thirty also,” he said. “I work out or go to arena early for extra time on ice.”

“You sound busy like me,” she sighed. “Being an adult is exhausting.”

“Sometimes.” He paused. “You are tired. You should sleep.”

“I have things to do.” She smiled, now able to discern that his eyes were a greenish-yellow so pale they were almost colorless. “And I have a date tonight.”

“Yes.” He grinned. “Where would you like to go?”

She hesitated. “I want to go somewhere no one recognizes us, where we can just talk and have dinner and be alone. I don’t want to have to fight off fans or sign autographs or anything…”

“So birthday dinner at my condo?” he asked lightly, looking down at her.

She nodded. “That sounds lovely. You don’t mind?”

He shook his head. “No. Is good.” He leaned down and gently brushed his lips across hers. “I will pick you up in front of hotel at six thirty. Yes?”

“Yes.” She touched his face. “Thank you for a wonderful evening.”

“You are welcome.” He winked, slipped on his shoes, grabbed his shirt and headed to the door. He looked back over his shoulder and she was still standing there watching him.

“Until tonight,” she whispered.