Page 67 of Pucking the Team

Does he think I’m hot?!

“You know, Dvorak,” Ryan says, his deep voice sending another thrill through me. “There might be hope for you yet. Seems like Emma’s rubbing off on you in more ways than one.”

I can’t help the devilish smirk that spreads across my face at his choice of words. “Oh, is that so? Jealous that you’re not the one rubbing off on me?”

Ryan’s face flushes again. Flirtatiously needling him is way more fun than I ever would’ve imagined.

As far as I know, Ryan is straight, but the way he’s getting flustered makes me think that Thompson has some unexplored depths.

Interesting. Very interesting.

I let my knee drift over until it brushes against his thigh under the bar. Ryan sucks in a sharp breath, eyes widening. But he doesn’t pull away.

“You know, when Slade, Alex, and I are with Emma, anything can happen,” I murmur, leaning in closer, letting my voice dip into that low, seductive register that always gets results. “If you’re curious.”

“Lukas,” Ryan says hoarsely. A warning and an invitation all in one. His pupils are blown wide, cheeks flushed, full lips parted. I’ve never seen him look so dumbstruck.

It’s intoxicating.

“I’m a one-woman kind of guy,” he says, averting his gaze and moving his thigh away.

Of course he’d say that. Because Ryan Thompson doesn’t even begin to understand what he’s missing. Suddenly, I feel like it’s my mission to push his boundaries until he finds out.

“Too bad your one woman is a four-guys kind of gal,” I shoot back at him, gesturing to the bartender for a refill.

Ryan scowls at me. “Yeah, speaking of that. Slade called me earlier today, said he wants me to come over for dinner at your guys’s loft on Thursday night. With Emma.”

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. “Oh really? And what did you say?”

Ryan shifts on his barstool, clearly uncomfortable. “I said yes. Against my better judgment.” He glances sideways at me. “Slade made it sound like Emma really wants me there. And given how our relationship is going…I feel like I owe it to her to try.”

I nod slowly, considering this development. Having Ryan over for dinner could either be a genius move to fold him into our polyamorous dynamic…or a total disaster that sends him running for the hills. But clearly, Slade and Emma see potential.

Very typical of our captain to try to bring us all together as team players.

“Well then,” I say, clinking my fresh beer against his. “Guess I’ll see you Thursday night.”

CHAPTER 30

EMMA

I take a deep breath as I knock on the door to Alex, Slade, and Lukas’s loft. My chest clenches, knowing everything rides on tonight—our unconventional relationship, the team’s performance, all of it.

Slade swings open the door, his sandy hair tousled and gray-blue eyes crinkling as he greets me with a warm smile. “Hey beautiful, come on in.”

Slade has a sling on from his injury earlier in the week. Thankfully, the imaging showed that it was minor and he should be back on the ice by end of next week. Still, it makes me ache to see my man hurt like this.

As I step inside, the most incredible aromas hit me—garlic, rosemary, something divine roasting in the oven. I peek into the kitchen to find Alex, sleeves rolled up over his muscular forearms, expertly sautéing vegetables.

“Mm, smells amazing in here,” I call out appreciatively. Alex glances up, onyx eyes burning.

“Wait until you taste it,” he replies with a wink. I feel myself flush. That man has a way of firing me up with just a look.

The front door opens again, and Ryan walks in, all intensity and weighted silences as usual. “Hey,” he greets the room with a nod. Ryan’s eyes meet mine, and my stomach flutters.

Things have been building between us. We still haven’t had penetrative sex yet; I can tell he’s worried about hurting me with his huge cock. But tonight, I’m determined to show Ryan that I’m ready for all of him. Every last thick, throbbing inch.

“Dinner’s served!” Alex announces. “Lukas, stop primping and get your ass out here.”

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