Page 13 of Pucking the Team

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the distracting thoughts. This is ridiculous. I’m acting like a lovesick teenager, not a grown woman with a job to do.

I force myself to focus, channeling all my pent-up energy into crafting the perfect highlight reel. I splice together the most explosive moments, the ones that make my blood sing. This is what I love about hockey—the raw power, the unrelenting passion, the never-say-die attitude.

Before I know it, hours have passed, and I’ve got a rough cut that I’m pretty damn proud of. I lean back in my chair, stretching my stiff muscles and cracking my knuckles. I can do this.

I can keep my head on straight and my heart in check, even with Alex Ivanov back in my orbit.

And Lukas Dvorak.

And Slade Harrison.

Seriously, how many hot people does one team need to employ?

Later that night, the savory aroma of kimchi jjigae wafts through our cozy kitchen as Selena and I huddle over the bubbling pot, our weekly culinary adventure in full swing. Tonight’s comfort food culture of choice: Korean.

We’ve been doing this since we moved into our first apartment together after college.

I was all alone, and Selena was as good as alone; her twin sister Sydney had followed her boyfriend across the country and basically dropped off the face of the Earth, never to reappear. Both Selena and I were hurting, so we came up with a way to eat our feelings together.

Every week, we literally spin a globe and pick a random country, and then we pick a comfort food recipe from that culture that we’d never made before. Sometimes it results in burnt food, badly mixed spice blends, and inedible disasters.

But I can already tell that tonight’s meal is going to be just what I need.

I take a sip of my crisp chardonnay, the cool liquid a refreshing contrast to the steamy warmth enveloping us.

“Sooo, spill the tea, girl! How’s the new gig treating you?” Selena turns to me with a wicked grin, her dark eyes twinkling with mischief. “Any hunky hockey players catch your eye yet?”

I nearly snort wine out my nose. “Oh my god, Selena! I’ve worked there for like five minutes. I’m trying to be professional here.”

“Uh huh, sure.” Selena smirks knowingly. “C’mon, you can’t tell me there isn’t at least one fine specimen of manhood that’s got you all hot and bothered.”

I smack her playfully on the arm. “It’s not like that! I’m there to do a job. Not to drool over, like, insanely chiseled jawlines and eyes so blue you could drown in them, or surprisingly muscular forearms…” I trail off, my mind flashing unbidden to Alex Ivanov.

The way his heated gaze locked with mine today, those dark eyes promising untold pleasures…I swear my panties nearly combusted on the spot.

And then there’s Lukas with his devil-may-care grin and flirty quips that leave me blushing and tongue-tied.

Not to mention Slade, with his brooding intensity.

God, what is wrong with me? I’m like a kid in a candy store, wanting to sample all the delights…

“Earth to Emma!” Selena’s gleeful cackle jolts me out of my inappropriate reverie. “You totally spaced out there with the thirstiest look on your face. Just admit it—you want to bang the whole team, don’t you?”

“Selena!” I gasp in mock outrage, unable to stop the laugh from escaping. “I do not want to bang the whole team. Just, like, maybe three of them…”

She throws her head back, howling with laughter. “I KNEW IT! Em, you’re young, hot, and single. You’re living every woman’s ultimate fantasy. Why the hell not go for it? Carpe some disco stick, baby!”

I groan, running a hand through my hair. “Because it’s my job, Lena. You don’t shit where you eat. Screwing around with colleagues is like playing with matches at a gas station. Sooner or later, the whole thing is gonna blow up in your face.”

“Mmhmm, or you could blow?—”

“Do not finish that sentence!” I interrupt, pointing my spoon at her threateningly. She dissolves into giggles.

I heave a sigh, leaning back against the counter, chewing my lip pensively. As much as I hate to admit it, maybe Selena has a point. I’m no blushing virgin, but something about being around those guys makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.

Things I’m not sure I’m ready to feel.

But god, what I wouldn’t give to find out...

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