Page 7 of Snowed In With the PUCK

We all take our seats at the long table, and Kip starts talking about the team, how excited they are to have me on board, all that usual PR stuff.

Jason flips open a folder in front of him, glancing down at some notes. “Alright, Eric. We’ve reviewed the terms of your trade, and overall, it’s pretty standard. The team is looking forward to having you as a key forward, but there are a few things we need to finish before everything’s official.”

I nod, waiting for the specifics. This part is always boring, but necessary.

Jessica clears her throat, and when she speaks, her tone is all business. “The team’s main concern is making sure your transition to Denver goes smoothly, both on and off the ice. There’s been some… negative press in the past, and we want to ensure that doesn’t follow you here.”

Her words hit me like a slap. Negative press? Yeah, I know I’ve had a few incidents, but the way she says it—like I’m some kindof PR disaster waiting to happen—pisses me off. I glance at Kip, who seems unfazed, nodding along like he’s already bought into whatever Jessica’s selling.

Jessica continues, flipping through some documents. “We’ve outlined a series of community events and appearances that will help integrate you into the local community and present you as a positive role model.”

I can’t stay quiet anymore. “A positive role model?” I interrupt, my voice sharper than I intended. “I play hockey. I’m not trying to be some poster boy for charity events.”

Jessica looks up from her papers, her eyes narrowing slightly as if to warn me to calm down. It doesn’t work. “Eric, it’s important for the team’s image that—”

“I know it’s important for the team’s image,” I cut in, leaning forward. “But I’m not going to jump through hoops just because the media decided to turn me into a headline. I play hockey. That’s what I do. My performance on the ice is what matters.” I knew it. This is a set up. They’re trying to make me pay for the incorrect allegations put against me back in Nashville. I feel trapped in a corner and I have no intentions of sitting there and letting them run my life.

Her jaw tightens, and I can see she’s holding back some retort. “Your performance on the ice is important, but so is how you represent the team off the ice. The Avalanche are investing in you, and they want to make sure that investment pays off in every way.”

I clench my fists under the table. This is ridiculous. She’s making it sound like I’m a flawed person they’re trying to fix. “I understand,” I say more calmly, but my eyes flash at her. “And I want to support the team by presenting a good image.”

I see Kip nodding in approval at that.

“But please remember, I’m not your PR project. I don’t need you or anyone else telling me how to live my life. I’m just requiring that we set boundaries, and I’m requiring this up front.”

We’re practically glaring at each other now with fake smiles on our faces, both of us looking ridiculous. Kip and Jason exchange glances, but neither of them steps in. For me, this isn’t just a meeting anymore—it’s a showdown. If I let this boss lady side of Jessica have her way, I would have no downtime between games and she would be running every part of my off the ice life. I’m not okay with that.

Jessica finally breaks the silence. “Eric, we’re all on the same team here. The sooner you realize that, the easier this part of the trade deal negotiations will be.”

“I get that,” I say, my voice low but firm. Then, a solution comes to mind. The guy next to her is seasoned. He’d know what is reasonable, even if she might not. “But if this is how you’re going to handle things, maybe I’d be better off working with Jason.”

Jessica looks at Jason. Jason clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the way things are going. “Eric, I understand you might feel we are pushing for too much, butJessica is leading the charge on this. She’s the best person to oversee this part of your team transition.”

Kip nods in agreement. “He’s right, Eric. From what I’ve heard from her last law firm, Jessica knows what she’s doing, and she’s got the team’s best interests in mind. You two need to find a way to work together for the good of the Avalanche.”

I glance at Jessica, who’s watching me with that cool, detached expression of hers. It’s like she doesn’t even care that I’m pissed. I remember then that this is not just my first day on the job—it’s hers, too. We each have a lot to lose. No wonder she is being pushy.

Kip leans forward, his voice deep and his gaze sincere. He is the kind of guy that makes you want to do as he asks. “Look, we brought you here because we believe you can help this team win. But we need you to understand that being part of the Avalanche means more than just scoring goals. It means representing the team in everything you do.”

I grit my teeth, knowing he’s right but still hating every second of this conversation and the way it makes me feel pinned into that corner again, with no way out. Finally, I nod. “Of course, Mr. Brown - Kip. I trust your judgement on this, and I’ll work with Jessica.”

She doesn’t react, just closes her folder and stands up, clearly ready for this meeting to be over. “Good. I think our part in this meeting has concluded.”

I feel my attraction to her soar as she fills in this boss role of hers. Jason stands and, after wishing me well in my one-on-one meeting with Kip, the two leave.

I find myself wishing she would stay.

Chapter four

Jessica

It’s been a coupleof days since the meeting with Kip, and things have been busy. I barely have unpacked and settled into the beautiful house—the one I’m not living alone in. Sharing a house with Eric Warren isn’t exactly the peaceful experience I imagined when Kathy first offered me the place. I expected a calm, quiet environment where I could focus on my work. Instead, I’m constantly on edge, waiting for the next encounter.

I expected him to carry his bad attitude from the meeting home with him, but he hasn’t brought it up. And I’ve been avoiding it—and him. Still, I’ve felt his eyes on me. If it wasn’t so unlikely that a guy like him with access to women all over the world at the snap of his fingers would be interested in me, I’d take his checking me out as a sign he’s into me. But he’s not… is he?

This morning is still early, and the house is quiet. Eric is on my mind and my body feels wound up tight. I’d love a release… his tongue on my slick folds, his hands gripping my hips.

Just a quick release.

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