Page 48 of Pucking Amazing

But it’s not just the caffeine high, and it’s not just seeing Tyler—the whole team is on fire lately, our passes tape-to-tape, our shots so money they should have their faces printed on bills.

It’s clear that Sydney’s work with the team is really having an effect.

Sydney.

She’s been dodging me since that night in Tampa, true to her word about keeping it a onetime thing. I really thought she’d want a repeat—god knows I did—but I have to respect her for keeping her word.

And anyway, I’ve had my hands more than busy in the meantime…

Mikey rips a one-timer past the d and the boys whoop and holler, tapping his shin pads as he cruises by the bench. I join in, relieved that things finally are back to normal after all that shit went down in Canada.

Well, almost normal.

I catch Tyler’s eye from across the ice and—hot damn. The way he’s looking at me, like he wants to melt the ice and pin me against the boards... Let’s just say it’s not just the physical exertion making me sweat right now.

I stare back at him, wondering what it is about him that’s got me so tied in knots. I’ve always been the king of casual. Hit it and quit it, a different body in my bed every weekend.

Feelings are messy, relationships are work, and I don’t play with that.

But with Tyler... God, there’s just something about him. Those soulful eyes, that shy smile, the bulging muscles that strain against his pads… I want him. Not just his body, but like, all of him. Heart, mind, soul, the whole shebang.

It’s thrilling and terrifying and confusing as hell.

“Hey DJ, stop staring at Ty’s ass and get in the drill!” Jason chirps, jolting me out of my surprisingly wholesome daydreams.

I flip him the bird. “You’re just jealous I’m not staring at yours, Jace!”

“In your dreams, bud!” Jason cackles.

But as we run passing drills, I can’t help sneaking more glances at Tyler in the crease. I need to get my hands on him again, and soon.

After a brief water break, we resume practice. Tyler skates back onto the ice and of course, my eyes can’t help but follow the lines of his muscular body as he takes his place in the goal crease. I find myself drifting closer, looking for any excuse to get near him again.

Finally the team is busy shooting offensive drills and I take advantage of the moment, skating right up beside him.

“Keep your glove hand higher,” I murmur, leaning in close. My fingers graze his hip, lingering just a moment too long.

Tyler shivers slightly and I catch the hitch in his breath.

“Like this?” he asks, voice husky.

“Almost. Let me show you.” I wrap my hand around his wrist, manually making the adjustment, and he leans into me, trying to get closer.

I smirk. He’s so responsive, it’s intoxicating. The feeling is heady, as if he’s completely under my spell.

Or is it the other way around?

We switch up the drills but I contrive to be near Tyler every chance I get.

“Your five-hole is open, Ty,” I say with a wicked grin as I slide another puck between his legs. “Wanna stay after practice for some one-on-one training?”

Tyler flushes so red I can see it through his goalie mask.

“You offering private lessons now, DJ?” His voice is light but there’s an undercurrent of heat.

God, the things I want to teach him... I lick my lips, filthy lesson plans flooding my mind.

“For you? I’ll make an exception.”

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