Page 32 of The Pucking Player

Dr. Goldstein nods approvingly and pats her hand. “Go on, my dear. The science will still be here when you return.”

Sophie looks up at me, surprise flickering across her face, quickly replaced by a flash of something dark and smoldering, like a flame daring me to get closer. “I suppose I can spare a dance,” she says carefully, placing her delicate hand in mine.

I lead her onto the dance floor, the world narrowing to just the two of us. Turning to face her, I rest a hand on the small of her back, her silken skin smooth beneath my fingers. The heat of her body seeps into me, and I pull her closer.

“This might not be such a good idea,” she whispers, her breath ghosting over my lips.

I tilt my head, a smirk playing at the corner of my mouth. “Quite the contrary. It’s the best idea.”

She bites her lower lip, and the sight sends a bolt ofdesire straight through me. “You’re the definition of trouble,” she murmurs.

“Absolutely,” I agree, beginning to sway to the music. “Just the kind of trouble you need.”

Her lips curve into a soft smile, and she relaxes into me. We move together effortlessly, as if we’ve danced this dance a hundred times before. The world around us blurs, the other couples fading into a hazy backdrop.

Her scent envelops me—a soft mix of vanilla and something entirely, irresistibly her. It’s delicate yet consuming, a quiet spell that tugs me deeper into her orbit. I shift our clasped hands slightly, using my thumb to graze her lower lip. She trembles at the touch, and my restraint slips just enough to lean in, brushing my lips over hers. The kiss is barely there, light, tentative, but it causes her to shiver.

“This pretty mouth belongs to me tonight,” I murmur, my voice thick with need as I tug her even closer.

“You’re bossy,” she whispers, her breath warm against my mouth, her gaze fixed on mine.

A low, involuntary rumble escapes me, somewhere between a laugh and a growl. “Only if you want me to,” I say, my thumb still lightly stroking hers. My other hand explores the smooth lines of her back, brushing over her shoulder blades as her soft, hitching breath fans against my neck. Every point of contact sends sparks flying—her hand warm in mine, her body aligning perfectly with the planes of my own. The thin fabric of her dress does little to mask the heat burning between us.

She shifts slightly, her thigh brushing against mine, and it’s all I can do to maintain control. A fierce desire surges within me, raw and urgent.

I need to make this girl mine.

“You’re a dangerous man, Liam O’Connor.” Her voice is barely audible over the music.

“Do you like that?” I ask, my lips hovering close to her ear.

She trembles, a delicate tremor that I feel beneath my fingertips. “And what if I do?”

I pull back just enough to look into her eyes. “Then you’re in for a treat.”

The song winds down, but neither of us moves to separate. The air is charged with an electricity that sets my nerves alight.

“Another dance?” I ask, unwilling to let her go.

She just nods. But as the next song begins, the soft melody is suddenly interrupted by a sharp crackle over the speakers. The band halts, and a voice cuts through the murmuring crowd, dragging us back to reality.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the interruption,” the announcer says, their tone calm but urgent. “We’ve just received an update on the weather. The snowstorm originally forecast for tomorrow has arrived earlier than expected, and conditions are deteriorating rapidly.”

Sophie stiffens in my arms, her shoulders going tight like a coiled spring. Not the worst thing in the world, I tell myself, since it means I get to hold her. My hand presses firmly against the curve of her back, keeping her steady. “Relax, angel,” I murmur, savoring the excuse to keep her right where I want her. “I’ve got you.”

The voice continues, “For your safety, we strongly recommend that you consider leaving soon. For those uncomfortable driving, we’ve arranged accommodations at nearby hotels. Please see the staff at the information desk for assistance.”

The hum of the crowd grows louder, a ripple of concernand quiet panic sweeping through the room. People reach for their phones, check weather apps, whisper in hurried tones. The glittering atmosphere of the gala dims, the weight of reality pressing down.

I tilt my head down toward Sophie, catching her worried gaze. “You okay?” I murmur, my voice low.

She nods but doesn’t say anything, her teeth tugging at her bottom lip as the announcer wraps up. “Road conditions will be updated regularly. Please use caution and thank you for your understanding.”

As the room erupts into a flurry of activity, people gathering their coats, calling for rides, or debating their next move, I guide Sophie off the dance floor, threading us through the crowd until we reach a quieter corner. I take her hands in mine.

“What do you think?” I ask. “Should we try to head back?”

She glances toward the large windows where snow is falling harder now, thick flakes sticking to the glass in an almost hypnotic swirl. “Tarrytown isn’t that far. And my campus is on the way. If we leave now, we might beat the worst of it.”

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