Page 8 of Pucking the Team

Lukas’s eyes widen with surprise as he reaches out to shake my hand. “Emma? Well, I’ll be damned.” His grip is firm, sending a jolt through me. “Fancy meeting you here.”

I tilt my head, trying to play it cool despite my racing heart. “Have we met before?” I joke, trying very desperately not to think about the weight of his hand sliding up my thigh.

“Not officially.” Lukas flashes a roguish grin. “But let’s just say your reputation precedes you.”

Slade steps forward, his gaze unraveling me. He takes my hand in his, his calloused fingers rubbing at my skin in a way that feels dangerous.

“It’s a pleasure,” Slade says, his eyes flickering in a way I can’t quite read. “I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing a lot of each other.”

I have to bite my tongue so hard not to make a sex joke in front of Chloe. Yes, Slade, I would love to see a lot of you—all of you, in fact.

Instead, I duck my head, breaking eye contact with him and retracting my hand. My face is definitely aflame right now.

“I’m looking forward to working with you both.” I take a breath and then realize I can’t leave it like that. “And the rest of the team, of course!” I hurry to add.

“Of course,” Lukas echoes with a smirk.

“We’ll see you guys tomorrow,” Chloe says, putting her hand on the small of my back and guiding me back toward the facility’s exit.

“Nice, uh, meeting you!” I say, trying not to look over my shoulder at their hot, hot faces.

Talk about a recipe for disaster. I need to keep my head on straight and focus on my job, not get distracted by the tantalizing prospect of locker room hookups and steamy encounters.

What have I done to myself?!

CHAPTER 4

LUKAS

As Emma hurries off with Chloe, I can’t help but watch her go, my eyes lingering on the sway of her hips and the way her dark hair cascades down her back.

Damn, she’s even hotter in the light of day.

I didn’t think that was possible after seeing her all dolled up at The Gilded Lily, but there’s something about Emma’s professional look—the sleek pencil skirt, the crisp white blouse that hints at her curves—that has me itching to mess her up in the best way.

I turn to Slade, a smirk playing on my lips. “So, what do you think of our new social media manager?”

Slade shakes his head, a hint of disapproval in his eyes. “I think you should be careful, man. We both should. She’s not just some puck bunny you can charm into bed.”

I laugh, clapping him on the shoulder. “Oh, come on. You know I love a good challenge.”

We head to the locker room, the familiar scent of sweat and leather enveloping us. It’s our sanctuary, the place where we leave everything on the ice. But today, my thoughts are consumed by a certain brunette with killer legs and a smile that could bring a man to his knees.

As I strip off my pads, I can’t stop thinking about the way Emma felt in my arms at the bar, the way her breath hitched when I pulled her close.

I’ve had my share of women—puck bunnies, actresses, models—but there’s something different about her. A challenge, a fire that I’m determined to stoke until it consumes us both.

Maybe it’s just that she is most definitely forbidden fruit.

“Lukas, I’m serious,” Slade says, his tone firm. He’s clearly reading my mind. “Emma’s part of the team now. You can’t just treat her like one of your conquests.”

I roll my eyes, tossing my sweaty jersey into the hamper. “Relax, man. I know how to handle myself. Besides, it’s not like you weren’t checking her out, too.”

Slade’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t deny it. I know him better than anyone, and I can tell he’s just as intrigued by Emma as I am. But he’s always been the more cautious one, the voice of reason to my reckless impulses.

That’s why he’s the captain, and I get to have fun instead.

We hit the showers, the hot water soothing my muscles but doing little to cool the desire coursing through me. As I lather up, my mind wanders to all the ways I could seduce Emma—the stolen glances across the rink, the brush of my hand against her lower back, the whispered promises in her ear.

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