Page 49 of Pucking Amazing

I’m high on the shy glances Tyler sneaks my way when he thinks I’m not looking, the pink that lingers across his cheeks.

Coach Daniels skates over to a cluster of defensemen at the other end of the rink, his face displeased.

“Marquez, keep your stick on the ice and shoulders square. King, tighten up that gap. You’re giving the forwards too much space to make a play.”

I glide up behind Tyler while the rest of the men on the ice focus on Coach’s notes. Now’s my chance. I lean in close, my lips grazing the pink shell of his ear.

“Hey you. Come over tonight,” I murmur, my voice low and inviting. “I’ve got...plans for you.”

Tyler starts slightly and whips his head around to look at me, eyes wide with surprise. His tongue darts out to wet his plump lips, and he nods, almost imperceptibly.

Fuck yes.

A thrill of anticipation rips through me and I have to stop myself from checking him against the boards and ravishing him right here on the ice, team and coaches be damned.

My mind races with thoughts of all the delicious, wicked things I’m going to do to him later—strip off that tight Under Armour, get my hands and mouth all over those chiseled muscles, make him moan and tremble under my touch until he’s begging for more...

Fuck, I can hardly wait to get him naked and into my bed. Finally.

Distracted by thoughts of the promising evening ahead, I’m skating into formation for our final scrimmage of the day when pain explodes through my knee.

Shit. Not now.

I grit my teeth and try to straighten and skate on, doing my best to ignore the throbbing, demanding ache that’s radiating from the old injury. Power through it, DJ.

But each stride sends another jolt of agony shooting up my leg. I stumble and nearly face-plant onto the ice. My heart begins to race, my mind already spiraling.

This is bad. Really bad. I can’t risk blowing out my knee again, not when the team needs me.

Not when Mom needs me to keep earning that NHL paycheck.

“Coach!” I call out, masking my grimace with a tight smile and waving my cell phone in the air. “Gotta bail early. Family emergency.”

Coach raises an eyebrow but, engrossed in a discussion with Slade, waves me off. I gingerly move off the ice, each stride sending a fresh wave of pain through my knee.

Fuck. Fuck! This can’t be happening. Not now, when it looks like we actually have a chance to make it back to the playoffs this year, against all odds.

As I head into the tunnel to the locker room, I catch Ty’s eye across the ice. He shoots me a questioning look laced with concern.

I flash him a grin and mouth: “Still on for tonight.”

Ty nods, his lips curving into a smile that sends heat rushing through me. Knee be damned, I’m not about to cancel my plans with him. I’ve waited too long for this.

CHAPTER 16

TYLER

My pulse pounds in my ears as I weave through the Chicago traffic, visions of DJ dancing through my head. His smoky eyes, that sexy smirk, the way his body moves on the ice - and how it might move against mine...

I shift in my seat, jeans tightening. I can’t believe this is finally happening, that I’m letting myself go there with him.

I imagine DJ answering the door shirtless, tattoos on full display. Running my hands over his chest, his abs. His lips on my neck, hands roaming lower. Tumbling into bed, a tangle of limbs and sheets.

I’m so lost in the fantasy I almost miss the turn onto his block.

Just as I pull up in front of his building, my phone starts buzzing. It’s my sister Leah. I hesitate, finger hovering over the screen, then sigh and pick up.

“Hey sis, what’s?—”

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