Page 87 of Pucking Amazing

Even Tyler looks relaxed, a genuine smile stretching across his face. Damn, he’s beautiful.

I take a little longer than necessary stripping out of my jumpsuit in the locker room. Tyler notices, his eyes tracking my movements as I peel the sweat-soaked fabric off my skin. When I head for the bathroom, he follows.

As soon as the door swings shut behind us, he crowds me against it, claiming my mouth in a passionate kiss. I moan into it, my hands roving the hard planes of his back.

He tastes like adrenaline and desire, a heady cocktail.

“Been wanting to do that all day,” he murmurs against my lips.

“Kiss me? You didn’t want to shoot me?” I joke breathlessly.

“Bit of both, honestly,” he quips with a wry grin. “You’re a pain in the ass, but God, you’re hot as fuck. Especially in camo.”

I drag him back in for another kiss, licking into his mouth. He groans, hands sliding down to palm my ass. Things are just starting to get interesting when?—

“Yo, you guys fall in or what?” Jason’s voice rings out.

We spring apart.

“Uh, just finishing up!” Tyler calls, his voice strangled.

“I wish!” I hiss to him in frustration, and he shushes me.

I press my forehead to his, both of us shaking with barely suppressed laughter.

“To be continued,” I promise in a whisper.

He nips at my bottom lip. “Count on it.”

With one last stolen kiss, we disentangle and exit the bathroom. The thrill of almost getting caught simmers under my skin. I know it’s a risk but damn if it doesn’t make it even hotter. As we rejoin the group, I catch Tyler’s eye, a secret little smile playing about his lips.

Oh yeah. I’m in trouble.

The next day, I frown as I look out onto the ice, the cold air chilling my lungs as I take a deep breath. But the energy in the rink is anything but refreshing today. Tension crackles in the air like static electricity as the team runs through drills.

Mikey slams into Jonesy, our big defenseman, with way more force than necessary. “Watch where you’re going, asshole!” Mikey barks.

Jonesy whirls around, eyes flashing. “Me? You’re the one who came in late on that play, dickwad.”

They square off, facemasks nearly touching as they jaw at each other. I skate over quickly, Slade right beside me. We muscle our way between them, pushing them apart.

“Enough!” Slade roars, using his Captain Voice. “We’re a team, for fuck’s sake. Act like it!”

Mikey and Jonesy keep glaring but stand down.

I shake my head in disgust. So much for us coming together after that shitshow in Canada. Fragile egos and testosterone, man.

We resume drills but it’s a disaster. Passes going wild, guys not communicating. I keep my eye on Tyler in the net and what I see only makes my heart sink.

He looks shaky, fighting the puck, body language defeated. Damn, I hate seeing him like this. I really thought he was in a better headspace after yesterday’s excursion.

After practice ends, I hustle to catch up to Ty as he stalks off the ice.

“Hey man, wait up! You wanna grab a protein shake, talk it out?” I reach for his shoulder.

Tyler flinches away from my touch, and I’m surprised by how much the rejection stings. “Nah, I gotta jet. Got stuff to do,” he mumbles, not meeting my eyes.

“Ty, c’mon...” Desperate to get through to him, I lean closer. “Don’t shut me out, babe. Let me be here for you.”

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