Page 50 of The Pucking Player

He walks in last, and I swear time slows down. His hair’s artfully mussed, there’s a sexy little cut above his eyebrow, and he looks so good in formal wear.

But I knew that.

Our eyes lock, and boom—instant butterflies in my stomach. He flashes me a smile that could melt the ice rink, and I’m pretty sure I forget how to breathe.

“Earth to Sophie,” Jessica sing-songs, waving her hand in front of my face. “You might want to close your mouth before you start catching flies.”

I snap my jaw shut, feeling my cheeks burn. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I mumble unconvincingly.

“Oh please,” Jenna snorts. “You’re practically undressing him with your eyes.”

I’m about to protest when a lightbulb goes off in my head. “Speaking of undressing with eyes,” I say sweetly, turning to Jessica. “I couldn’t help but notice Finn giving you the once-over when he walked in.”

Jessica rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a blush. “Please. Finn wouldn’t know how to make a real move if his life depended on it.”

Jenna and I exchange glances. “Spill,” we demand in unison.

Jessica sighs. “Fine. He asked me out for coffee the other day. Coffee!” She snorts in derision. “What are we, like in high school?”

“And?” I press, leaning in.

“I said no. Obviously,” Jessica scoffs. “If he wants to take me out on a date, he can put on his big boy pants and come up with something grown-ups do. Like dinner and a movie? I mean, come on! He’s a professional athlete, not a nervousteenager. What’s next, is he gonna pass me a note asking if I like him? Check yes or no?”

We burst into giggles, the mental image of tough guy Finn passing Jessica a love note too hilarious to handle.

“Well,” I say, wiping tears from my eyes, “looks like the real entertainment is just getting started.”

The team settles at a table across the room, a rowdy island in the sea of patrons. Liam’s eyes keep finding their way back to me. Each time our gazes lock, it’s like a jolt of electricity zipping through my body.

“I’ll be right back,” I mutter to Jessica and Jenna, sliding off my stool. “Nature calls.”

I weave through the crowd, my skin tingling with the weight of Liam’s stare on my back. The ladies’ room is blessedly empty when I enter. I lean against the cool tile wall, trying to calm my racing heart.

“Get it together, Sophie,” I mutter to my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed, eyes a bit too bright. I look...well, like a woman who’s been eye-fucking the hottest hockey player in the league.

While wearing his jersey.

I splash some cold water on my face, careful not to smudge my makeup.

Deep breaths.

In, out. In, out.

My heartbeat finally slows to something resembling normal.

“Okay,” I tell myself firmly. “You’ve got this. It’s just Liam. Just the guy you’ve been crushing on forever and who fucked you silly the other day. No biggie.”

Right. Who am I kidding?

With one last glance in the mirror, I square my shoulders and head for the door. My hand is on the handle, whensuddenly it swings open. A strong hand grabs my wrist, pulling me into the shadowy corridor.

Before I can yelp, Liam’s lips crash into mine. His kiss is hungry and possessive, sending waves of heat coursing through me. My knees go weak, and I’m grateful for the wall behind me as he presses closer. His hands roam my sides, leaving trails of fire in their wake.

“I’ve been dying to do that all night,” he growls against my lips. “I can’t wait to get you alone and feel your sweet pussy squeeze around my cock again.”

My heart’s thrumming in my chest, and I’m pretty sure my brain’s short-circuited. Every nerve ending is screaming for more, but a tiny voice of reason manages to break through the Liam-induced haze.

“Liam,” I gasp, trying to wiggle free. “Someone could see us.”

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