Page 25 of Pucking my Enemy Boss

“I know,” I mumble, my mind flashing back to the previous night.

Yeah, Ethan’s in top physical condition. I confirmed that with my own eyes. I can still remember the feeling of his rock-hard abs and tight pecs under my hands as he lay on top of me. I can still feel the heat of his body, the strength in his muscles.

Lauren’s voice drones on in the background, talking about my new job and how I’ll need to navigate working with these men. She knows I have issues with rich, popular men after my trauma with Jake. I grunt and mumble responses, my eyes never leaving Ethan.

I remember waking up this morning, seeing him lying next to me. He looked like some Greek god, a titan, asleep, with his eyelashes resting gently against his cheek and his dark, curly mop of hair spread over the pillow. Some strands curtained his face, and I moved them aside, tempted to kiss him. But he stirred, and I got out of bed before he woke up, not knowing how to react or how he’d react if we woke up together. Not wanting to linger in that moment of intimacy until it changed to something embarrassing.

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I can't let myself get too attached. He's a hockey player, popular, too handsome for his own good. I’d bet good money he’s just going to be another transient figure in my life if I let him in.

They all are. They think they’re too good to be bagged by just one woman.

Or are you any different, Ethan Carter?

Just then, Ethan turns around, and our eyes meet across the ice. He pauses, watching me, and for a moment, it feels like the world stops. My heart slows down, everything slows, and the moment feels magical. But it’s broken by another player crashing into Ethan, sending him sprawling again.

I gasp again, almost running onto the ice to check if he’s okay.

Lauren cocks her head. “Yeah, he’s not as focused as he used to be. I wonder what his distraction is.” She looks at me, aknowing glint in her eye. “Did you notice anything unusual last night?”

My face heats up in mortification. I remember having my tongue stuck down the Blizzards star forward’s throat last night. “No, nothing unusual.”

Lauren stares at me for a long moment, then says, “Ethan is so important to the team. The management is trying to help him shake off his grief so he can play with a smile again. That’s why they want you to add him to your project.”

I turn back to focus on the practice, my eyes on Ethan. I wonder who it was on the phone with him this morning. It seemed like family, but he’d sounded so angry.

“Is Ethan on good terms with his family?” I ask Lauren.

She shrugs. “I don’t know. He doesn’t talk much, even during our sessions.”

I nod, thinking about how he’d retreated into his shell this morning. I’d been so happy to get the call to come here today. My first assignment is arranging a series of festive events to link fans and players together. I wanted to tell Ethan about the job, maybe ask him for a ride here, but he’d been on that call. As soon as he ended it, he hurried out before I could speak to him. Ethan Carter sure knows how to retreat into his shell.

In some ways, it leaves me confused. I don’t know if he’s the chivalrous, passionate lover who saved me from Jake last night or the aloof, closed-off man I saw this morning. Each situation seems to bring out a different side of him, and I’ve learned not to trust a man who can’t stay consistent.

I watch him skate off to the bench, wondering what part of him I’ll see this time, when I have to work with him.

As the practice continues, Ethan’s focus seems to waver. He’s not his usual sharp, precise self. My heart aches as I watch him struggle. The defender slams into him again, and he crashes to the ice. Coach Andrew blows his whistle, pulling him off the ice.

Ethan skates to the bench, looking frustrated and lost. His eyes meet mine again, and I can see the turmoil in them. Lauren’s words echo in my mind.“He’s so important to the team. The management is trying to help him shake off his grief.”

I want to help him, to reach out and offer some comfort, but I don’t know how. I don’t even know if he’d accept it. Ethan Carter is a puzzle, and every time I think I’ve figured out a piece, another part shifts, changing the picture.

Lauren is talking to me, but I'm not listening. My mind is racing, trying to make sense of what's happening.

I hear my name, and I snap back to reality. "What?" I ask, my voice a little too loud.

Lauren raises an eyebrow. "You okay? You seem a bit out of it."

I nod, trying to focus. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."

She gives me a knowing look. "You were up late, weren't you?"

I blush. "A bit."

“Why?”

I blink twice, quickly thinking about a plausible answer. “I was excited about starting the new job today.”

She laughs. "You're a mess, you know that?"

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