Page 23 of Pucking Amazing

“So, tell me more about DJ,” I say, trying to steer the conversation away from the two of us. “You guys seem really...close.”

Tyler fidgets with his drink, suddenly tense. “Oh, uh, yeah...DJ’s my bro, you know?” He looks away and forces a laugh. “God, I could tell you some insane stories about him.”

Curiosity officially piqued. I raise an eyebrow. “Oh yeah?”

“I mean, the man is a fucking legend—literally. I’m talking like, hooked up with an entire cheerleading team. In the penalty box.” He clears his throat, “Got caught by the janitor, all of them just…”

He trails off, a slight flush rising on his cheeks, and suddenly I wonder if we’re imagining the same scene: a naked, muscular DJ surrounded by writhing bodies, sweat dripping on the ice...

My eyes lock with Tyler’s and I see a flash of heated jealousy that takes me straight back to the confrontation in my office, to the palpable tension between the two men.

And just like that the scene in my mind shifts.

Now it’s DJ and Tyler together, all hard muscles and hungry mouths as they give in to the explosive attraction that crackles between them. DJ pinning Tyler against the locker room wall, kissing him hard, big hands roaming possessively over all those sculpted contours...

I gulp my drink to cool my overheated brain.

Jesus, Syd! These are practically your patients. You cannot be fantasizing about them ripping each other’s clothes off, no matter how insanely sexy that mental image is. Focus on being a supportive friend.

I take a steadying breath and meet Tyler’s smoldering gaze. Damn, it should be illegal for a man to have eyes that knee-weakeningly blue.

“Well, it definitely sounds like you and DJ have an interesting relationship,” I say, attempting a light chuckle.

“You could say that,” he replies slowly. His fingers brush my knee under the table and I nearly combust on the spot. This charming, sensitive man is going to be the death of me. But oh, what a way to go...

We wrap up the evening and the cool night air hits my flushed skin as Tyler and I step out of the bar.

My body is still buzzing from his closeness all night, every accidental brush of his arm sending sparks through me. I can hardly breathe as he turns to face me, his deep blue eyes intense on mine.

He leans in, achingly slow. “I had a great time tonight, Syd.”

His husky voice is barely above a whisper. My heart pounds wildly as his face draws nearer, those full, sensuous lips just inches from mine...

I can almost taste him already...

A jolt of panic suddenly clears the fog of lust. I jerk back, stumbling slightly in my heeled boots. “Tyler, wait. We can’t...”

Hurt and confusion flash across his strong features. God, he’s gorgeous, a marble statue come to life. But there are so many reasons why we can’t do this. I’m his team’s counselor, first and foremost. And I know that he needs to deal with whatever’s going on between him and DJ.

Talk about unethical.

Never mind that he makes me weak in the knees.

“I...I’m sorry,” I stammer, cheeks blazing. “I shouldn’t have let things get this far. You’re not technically my patient but still...”

I take another step back, needing distance before I change my mind and let my heart—and other areas—make my choices for me.

“No, I get it. My bad.” He runs a hand through his tousled hair, flashing a self-deprecating smirk that doesn’t reach his eyes. “You’re just so damn beautiful, I got carried away.”

“I should go,” I blurt out. “Goodnight, Tyler.” I spin on my heel and hurry around the corner to my car without looking back, pulse thundering in my ears.

Safe in the driver’s seat, I sink back against the leather and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to steady my racing heart. But behind my eyelids, tantalizing images of Tyler and DJ dance through my mind.

Tyler’s broad, muscular chest pressed against DJ’s lean, tattooed torso. Their strong hands roaming demandingly over each other’s bodies.

I imagine myself sandwiched between them, their calloused fingers gliding over my heated skin, tracing the curves of my breasts, my hips, my thighs. Soft lips and hot breath trailing kisses down my neck as they take turns tasting me.

A shiver races down my spine, and I suddenly have an almost unbearable urge to touch myself.

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