PUCK SHY is LIVE & FREE with KU!

🔥 Slow Burn w/ steamy times
📱 Online Romance
🤣 Witty Banter
🏒 Hockey Hotness

I’m having the definition of a bad year.

Game Six loss costing my team the Cup? Check.
Getting arrested and ruining my image? Check.
Almost getting run over after my car breaks down? Oh, look—a hat trick.

My contract is up with the Carolina Comets this year, and I need to get it together if I want to stay with the team.

I need relaxation, not a relationship.

But when I’m scrolling on a dating app and stumble across the pretty girl who almost ran me over, I know I can’t let her walk away this time.

Harper is funny, smart, and doesn’t care about hockey.

I’m not supposed to be focusing on anything other than my career, yet I can’t get Harper off my mind.

I know I shouldn’t fall for her…but I think I already have.

His green eyes bore into me as he steps closer. “Just in case what, Harper?”

Just like before, my name rolling off his tongue does something to me.

My knees nearly buckle, but he holds me up with ease.

“I-I thought we were on a time crunch?” I ask, out of breath even though I haven’t done anything to cause it.

“We are, but I have time to listen to your just-in-case scenario.”

I swallow the lump in my throat, my tongue darting out to wet my dry lips.

His eyes follow the movement. His hand leaves the wall to cup my face, his thumb tracing along my lip just like it did last night.

I hold my breath, relishing the feel of his simple touch that I swear I could still feel as I fell asleep last night.

It was like he’d burned my skin and marked me.

“You smell like whiskey.”

“I took some shots.”

His brows pinch together in an unasked question.

“I was nervous,” I explain. “You make me nervous.”

“I do?”

I nod, unable to speak.

He stares at my mouth, watching the thumb he’s brushing back and forth.

“I should have kissed you,” he murmurs. He drags his eyes back to mine. “That night after our drive…I should have kissed you.”

“You should have,” I agree. I wanted him to so badly. “I would have let you.”

“I want to kiss you now.”

“You can.”

His eyes darken at my words and he leans in closer, lips hovering just an inch above mine.

“I can’t.” The words are whispered, and neither of us misses the whimper that leaves me. “If I kiss you now, I won’t stop.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“It is when I have a whole evening planned.”

“Do we have to go?”

He lets out a string of curse words, then puts some space between us. “Yes. I told you I wanted to show you who I am, and I meant that. I want to earn your kisses, not take them from you.”

I want to point out that he’s not taking, I’m offering.

But I also respect his desire to want to make up for his mistakes.

“Is this one of those times when you’re being a gentleman?”

“Yes. So enjoy it while it lasts.”

I grin and push off the wall. “Then lead the way.”