Page 3 of Pucking the Team

It’s surreal, exhilarating, and more than a little intimidating.

I pop back up on my tiptoes in these damn heels, trying to crane my neck at the players again. The stilettos wobble precariously and then I pitch forward.

The hard floor rushes up to meet me.

This is it, I think. My most humiliating moment, splayed out for all to see.

Goodbye, dignity. Nice knowing you.

But instead of a painful face-plant, I’m yanked back against a solid wall of muscle, expensive cologne tickling my nose. Strong arms encircle my waist and heat blooms across my skin.

Pulse pounding, I slowly tilt my head back, my eyes widening as they meet a piercing green gaze.

I recognize him immediately—Lukas Dvorak, star forward and notorious playboy.

And he’s even more swoon-worthy in person, all tousled blond hair and chiseled features. The way he’s holding me, our bodies molded together, makes my pulse pound until I feel lightheaded.

Lukas’s hands flex against my waist, his touch searing through the thin fabric of my dress. I suppress a shiver, heat pooling low in my belly.

But it’s the raw, undisguised hunger in his gaze that makes my mouth go dry.

Lukas Dvorak looks at me like he wants to devour me whole.

CHAPTER 2

EMMA

My heart races, a frenzied staccato in my chest as I look up at Lukas, his arms still wrapped around me. An electric jolt ripples through my body, leaving me both intrigued and slightly unsettled by the intense attraction sparking between us.

“Do you always fall for guys this quickly?” Lukas jokes, a seductive smile spreading across his chiseled face. Heat rushes to my cheeks as I realize Lukas freaking Dvorak is clearly flirting with me.

I stand up, smoothing my dress. “Only when I know they have fast reflexes.”

Lukas’s smile widens, almost predatory. Another flash of desire pulses through me. Damn, he is even more potent up close, with those hypnotic green eyes and magnetic charm. No wonder he has a reputation as a notorious player off the ice.

“You should join me and my friends in the VIP lounge,” Lukas suggests smoothly, nodding his head towards the exclusive roped-off area.

I glance over at Selena, raising my eyebrows. Is this really a good idea? She grins and nods eagerly, her expression clearly saying, “Hell yes!”

I know Selena is right. The whole reason we snuck in here tonight was for me to get a sense of what the players are really like as people. But I wasn’t expecting this visceral, animal attraction to slam into me within two seconds of meeting one of them.

This feels dangerous, like I’m playing with fire that could burn my carefully constructed professional boundaries to ash. A part of me wants to say no and my mind races with all the reasons I should politely decline.

But there’s another part of me.

A part of me that’s been a hermit since my grandmother passed, who hasn’t had a real family since my parents died when I was younger. A part of me that hasn’t dated in a while, that has sparked to this man’s touch. The part that craves adventure and wants to throw caution to the wind just this once.

When will I ever get a chance like this, to see the real Blizzards behind the scenes? When will I get to indulge in flirting with a man of this kind of caliber again?

I swallow down my hesitation and flash Lukas a flirty smile. “Lead the way.”

The energy crackling between us is a live wire as Lukas places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the VIP section. I’m acutely aware of his touch, heat searing through me.

God help me, I have a feeling I’m in way over my head with this man already. But as I catch Selena’s eye and we share a giddy, conspiratorial grin, I can’t bring myself to care.

What’s the worst that could happen?

As Lukas escorts us to the VIP area, my eyes drink in the scene—the plush couches, the bottle service, the stunning women draped over the players like glittering jewelry. I can’t help but feel a twinge of discomfort, wondering if the other players see me and Selena as more “puck bunnies” to decorate their arms tonight.

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