Page 94 of The Puck Stops Here

‘She’s here,’ Aiden said, tossing Blake the remote for the sound system. ‘Why don’t you put some decent music on and I’ll get the door?’

He tossed it straight back. ‘Why don’tyouput something decent on andI’llget the door?’

He moved before his brother could object, though it appeared Aiden was too busy laughing. ‘You’ve got it bad, bro.’

‘I ain’t got nothing bad.’

Though he did check his reflection in the hallway mirror, mussing up his hair and smoothing down his black tee. He didn’t like this, not one bit. Bringing a girl here. No matter what his brother said to the contrary. As for her turning him down…

Whatever. He tugged open the door.You win some, you lose— lose your effing mind!

It was the knee-high boots that did it. Heels for days. Or was it the sweet glimpse of thigh disappearing into a black dress that left littleto the imagination? Or the glossy dark waves tumbling free, framing the plunging V of her neckline and electrifying his palms as well as his eyeballs…?

‘Hi,’ she said, and his head shot up.

Honey-coloured eyes, dramatically enhanced by shadow and liner, sparkled back at him. Blood-red lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. And her perfume, warm and rich, hit him like a one-two punch.

‘Hi.’ Hell, was that even his voice?

‘Can I come in?’

Yeah, Blake, move!

‘You’ll have to excuse my bro.’ Aiden came up behind him. ‘I think he’s still at the rink reliving today’s training session. Can I take your coat?’

‘Thank you,’ she said, her eyes warm as she turned her focus on his brother. ‘I bought you this to say thank you for cooking, Blake mentioned you enjoy a Scottish whisky every now and then?’

Aiden took it from her with a grin. ‘Wow, that’s a decent bottle too.’

‘My grandfather is something of a whisky connoisseur.’

Blake closed the door, refusing to acknowledge the way she cosied up to Aiden, and the way they were now walking and talking intently as his brother led the way.

It meant nothing. She had an article to write. This was a business exchange. No green-eyed monster necessary, but…

But nothing, you’re letting her rejection rule your head.

Not to mention the fact that she looked…Stop looking!

But those boots – how the hell wasshe,clumsyas fuckTwinkle Toes, walking inthem? He’d bet his life she had a pair of sneakers in her bag.

‘Can I get you a drink, Twinkle Toes?’

He waited for her to bite over the use of her pet name, his grin at the ready.

‘I’d love one,’ she threw over her shoulder. All smiles, no snark, go figure. ‘Thank you.’

‘What would you like?’

‘What are you having?’

He’d like to say ‘you’…In fact,he was pretty sure his eyes were doing just that as they entered the living area and she turned to face him, her cheeks pinking up under his gaze.

‘A beer.’

Her eyes fired with something, the same something he’d seen that day she’d interviewed him and he’d requested the same.

‘You know before I met you, I thought all you guys were angels the night before a game.’

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