Page 11 of Not the Puck Bunny

“Some of you,” she admitted. “I did some research. Others, I might have met under other circumstances.” Her voice was sweet, but her gaze was dusted with venom.

“Yeah.” My gaze slid away from her.

In the corner of my eye, I caught Zack smirking, certain she'd called me out somehow. Equally certain I deserved it. Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't.

Just because she owned the team didn't mean she wasn't a puck bunny. People with too much money did all sorts of weird things, including buying a hockey team so they could screw around with the players. If that was her angle, I missed a major bullet by refusing her invitation the other night.

I reminded myself she'd only offered me a drink to apologize for colliding with me. That was where it started. And ended. It had to. Even if I was interested in seeing her lying naked on my bed, her legs apart so I could taste her pussy, she was my boss.

If my balls could laugh, they'd be doing that right now. Or maybe crying, because they were very interested in getting closer to her. My cock was taking sides as well. He agreed with my balls.

I'd have to be careful to think with my brain. No matter what the rest of me thought, I could never go there with her. Besides, it was clear she hated my guts. That would make staying away a lot easier.

“So, about that tour…" Nate said.

“I'll do the tour,” Coach said. “You guys should be down in the rink, training.”

Nate only looked slightly put out. He smiled at Andi and even gave her a wink. “I'm sure we'll catch up soon.”

“I'm sure we will,” she said, inclining her headtowards him. She didn't seem interested, but she wasn't giving him the brush off either.

Why did I care? I didn't. Unless something happened between them which had a negative impact on the team. Yeah, that was it. It had nothing to do with my cock wanting to stand up like the needle on a compass, pointing due North, right at her.

It's just physical, I told myself. There was no denying she was cute, or that I wanted to touch her curves, or look up at her while she bounced on my cock, breasts bouncing with her…

If I continued this line of thought, I was going to leave this room with a boner.

My balls had been complaining about the lack of action for a while. That was the only reason they were causing me problems now. It had nothing to do with the way Andi's breasts were so close to my chest the other night. Or the smell of her, soft and feminine. Innocent but uncompromising. She didn't need me to save her from the world, or from my teammates.

Why did I still want to? There was nothing rational about it. What she did and who she did it with, were none of my business, but if any of them touched her, I'd rip their armsoff.

“Let's go.” Flynn pushed himself up from his chair and nodded to Andi as he walked past. “Flynn Weston, it's nice to meet you. You might be just what the team needs. If any of the guys give you hell, let me know. I'm the team captain, and us redheads have to stick together.” He ran a hand back and forth over his bright red buzz cut and smiled.

“I'll keep that in mind.” Andi smiled back. “Thank you, Flynn.” She blew out the side of her mouth to push a few strands of unruly curls aside. They flopped back the moment she stopped.

Blake all but shoved Nate out the door in front of me, a goofy grin on his face as he walked past her. Nate kept glancing back, his gaze dropping to the region of her ass.

They left me to follow behind slowly. I should walk right past her and not give her another glance, but I couldn't seem to control my own feet. Great, first my balls and cock rebel, now my legs. At least my brain was still working. More or less.

My treacherous feet stopped beside her. I took a moment to inhale her scent again. A hint of lavender mixed in with shampoo and something else. Possibly roses. Whatever it was, it smelled incredible.

My voice pitched low, I said, “About the other night.”

“Message received, loud and clear,” she said coolly. “Don't worry I won't offer you a…drink again.” She looked at me expectantly.

It took me at least half a minute to realize what she was waiting for. “Cam,” I said. “Cameron North. Left-winger. That's?—"

“I know what a winger is, Mr. North,” she said. “I suggest you focus on doing your job and leave me to do mine.” She looked weary, like the last thing she wanted to do was have an argument with me. Or anyone else, for that matter.

Was she up to this job? If she wasn't, no doubt she'd find someone to palm it off onto. Someone who cared less about the team than she did. I got the impression she was at least trying. That, somehow, this landed in her lap at the last moment.

I added that to the ever-growing list of things that were not my problem. I should start writing them down and burning them, like my sister would have suggested I do. Or flushing them down the toilet. I didn't think paper was good for the sewerage system, so maybe I'd tear the paper up and throw it in the trash instead.

Either way, I needed to stop taking other people's problems on board.

“Of course, Ms. Welling.” If she was going toplay it that way, then I'd roll with it. “Welcome to the Sea Dragons.”

I gave her a curt nod before stepping past and out into the corridor. I'd like to put the other night firmly behind me, but I had a feeling it wasn't going to be forgotten so easily.