Page 53 of Pucking the Team

But Slade shakes his head, gesturing to the stack of pancakes on the counter. “Nonsense. You’re not going anywhere until you’ve had some breakfast. I make a mean chocolate chip pancake, if I do say so myself.”

Despite my mortification, my stomach chooses that moment to let out a loud rumble.

Slade chuckles. “See? Even your body agrees with me. Now sit down, and let me fix you a plate.”

I hesitate, torn between the urge to flee and the temptation of Slade’s homemade pancakes. And if I’m being honest with myself, the temptation of Slade himself.

I can’t deny the electricity that’s been crackling between us since the night we met, the way my body responds to his mere presence, even with everything else going on, Alex and Lukas—and Ryan.

As if sensing my internal struggle, Slade takes a step closer, his gaze holding mine. “C’mon, Emma,” he coaxes, his voice low and persuasive. “It’s just breakfast. I promise I don’t bite.” His lips quirk. “Unless you ask me to.”

My pulse quickens at the innuendo. The heat in his eyes tells me he’s remembering that night at The Gilded Lily, too.

It’s wild that my body has this reaction to him. I have strong feelings for the three other guys I’m seeing, but something about Slade calls to me in a primal way.

Swallowing hard, I find myself nodding. “Okay,” I agree, my voice emerging huskier than I intend. “Breakfast sounds good.”

Slade’s smile widens, victorious. “Great. Have a seat.” He gestures to the kitchen island. “Coffee? Or do you prefer juice?”

“Coffee, please,” I manage, sliding onto a stool, “with some cream.”

I watch as Slade moves confidently around the kitchen, pouring me a mug and adding a dash of cream, just the way I like it. I wrap my hands around the warm ceramic, inhaling the comforting aroma.

“Thank you,” I murmur as he sets a heaping plate of pancakes in front of me, complete with a side of crispy bacon. My stomach growls again in anticipation.

“Anytime,” Slade responds easily, leaning his hip against the counter and crossing his arms over his chest. The pose makes the muscles of his torso flex and ripple, and I nearly choke on my coffee.

Holy abs of steel. How am I supposed to eat when he looks like a gourmet meal himself?

As if reading my thoughts, Slade smirks. “Eyes up here, babe,” he teases. “Bacon’s getting cold.”

I jerk my gaze back to my plate, cheeks flaming at getting caught ogling. Grabbing my fork, I busily cut into the pancakes, avoiding eye contact. The first buttery, chocolatey bite nearly makes me moan.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding,” I mumble around the mouthful. “These are amazing.”

Slade grins, pushing off the counter to snag a piece of bacon from my plate. “Told ya,” he says smugly, popping it into his mouth. “Stick with me, sweetheart. I’ll keep you very well fed.”

The words are playful, but the heated look he gives me from beneath his lashes is anything but. I squirm on my stool, all too aware of his proximity, of my state of undress, of the unspoken desire building between us.

What am I doing, flirting with my colleague in his kitchen the morning after sleeping with his roommates?!

“So, think you’re going to make this a regular thing?” Slade asks casually as if he’s read my mind, but there’s an intensity in his gaze that sets my nerves aflame.

“What, your pancakes? Definitely,” I joke weakly.

“Among other things.” His voice is a sensual caress. “I have to say, I like seeing you in my kitchen. In my clothes.”

I glance down at the worn Blizzards T-shirt and feel a rush of heat between my thighs. Wait, his clothes?

The air feels charged as I look back up. We stare at each other, something dangerous sparking between us. I lick my lips nervously, and his eyes trace the movement, darkening with unmistakable hunger.

My breath catches. Suddenly, yoga with Selena doesn’t seem so important anymore. Not when Slade is looking at me like he wants to have me for breakfast.

“I, uh…” I stammer, my cheeks flushing hot. I set down my fork, trying to compose myself. “It’s not what you think.”

Slade arches an eyebrow, a subtle smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Oh? And what do I think?” He takes a sip of his coffee, his gaze never leaving mine.

My heart pounds in my chest as I search for the right words. I can’t exactly tell him that I had mind-blowing sex with two of his best friends and teammates just hours ago, and oh yeah, I’m dating his other close friend on the side.

---