Page 7 of Puck Me Harder

Sofia whistles.

“Damn. Well, no wonder he’s staring at you. Did you leave one of his nuts intact, or kick them both to pieces?” Sofia knows how I feel about pushy guys.

Growing up playing sports, living with adolescent men as teens, working in a male-dominated industry — Sofia and I have both dealt with enough entitlement and harassment to last a lifetime.

“Uh, sort of. I mean, his balls are intact, I think. I hope? I kind of just ran away—” I lower my voice. “After I kissed him back.”

Sofia finally sets her camera down, turning in her seat to give me her full, undivided attention.

“Dakota Irene O’Connor.” Her tone is gentle, but I wince anyway. “Are you falling for a hockey player— with a bad reputation? You didn’t hit your head or anything, did you?”

She’s smiling at me, but the question in her eyes is real.

“No, of course not,” I wave a hand, dismissing the thought outright. “Falling for and being purely physically attracted to are two different things. But I can’t exactly antagonize him, either. I need this interview.”

I swallow hard, willing myself to believe my own words.

“Good. Because I know I don’t have to tell you that we absolutely can’t get involved with these guys.” She nods sharply. “We’re here to do a job. Sleeping with an athlete is a terrible idea.”

Suddenly, I can’t tell if Sofie is talking to me or herself. From the way her eyes turn, watching Parker on the ice, I think I already know the answer. She’s practically drooling into her lens.

Not that I’m one to talk. I’ve got a handful of one sentence notes about every player that isn’t Kai. I can’t take my eyes off of him, and judging by the heated looks he keeps tossing my way, the feeling is mutual.

Just thinking about our kiss is making heat pool deep in my belly. I gave my travel vibrator a good workout in the hotel room last night thinking about him, hoping I could work him out of my system.

No such luck.

“Mita!” I shout, ignoring Sofie’s surprised look when I beckon him over.

Coach Wallace glares at me, but I ignore him, too. I’m not here for Drake Wallace or anyone else. I’m here for Kai.

Kai skates over, a Greek God on ice. He’s smiling that smug grin— like the cat that just ate the canary.

I want him to eat my kitty.

“You need something, Ace?” Kai asks, raising one eyebrow.

Your head between my thighs.

“You owe me an interview,” I smile back at him, biting my bottom lip.

I know how this game is played. Sofia does too. Sometimes you’ve got to work any angle you can. That’s all this is.

Just business.

“Oh no. For what you paid? A sound bite, maybe. Interviews cost a lot more than that,” Kai winks at me.

From the corner of my eye, I can see Sofia’s head moving back and forth like we’re volleying a ball instead of banter. The camera is in her hands again.

“Yeah?” I lower my voice. “What did you have in mind?”

“Well, coach is about to tell me to hit the locker room,” Kai smirks. “Why don’t you join me back there? Ace reporter like you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it again.”

I shouldn’t let him get to me, but trying to ignore Kai’s charm is like trying to run a four minute mile. I could train every day of my life, but it’s probably going to be impossible.

I’ve still got to try, though.

“Locker rooms are pretty gross, you know. Not exactly the nicest place to bring a lady, is it?”

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