Page 5 of Puck Me Harder
“Because I was just trying to scare you off, ace. Usually, I win a game of chicken, but you’ve got bigger balls than anyone else on this team.” I shrug. “You called my bluff— you win. I’m not about to kiss a girl that doesn’t enthusiastically want me to. It’s not who I am— no matter what you’ve heard.”
Dakota’s hands are still on my wrists. I move to pull away, but she tugs them down, not letting me go. I cock an eyebrow at her, frowning.
“I want you to kiss me, Kai,” Dakota says.
Judging by the look on her face, she’s just as surprised at her words as I am.
“Ace — Dakota.” I blow out a breath. “Miss O’Connor. It’s ok. I’m a man of my word. I’ll answer your question.”
She shakes her head, her gaze fierce as she stares up at me. Those eyes are my undoing. They catch the light, and even under the harsh fluorescent, they sparkle like emeralds. They’re full of challenge, daring me to break another rule.
“Please?” she whispers.
It’s more than I can take. My lips are on hers in a heartbeat. I weave my fingers through hers, pulling her closer— enough to close the gap between us. Her body fits perfectly against mine. Her lips quiver, her breath shaky. Her eyes flutter as I deepen our kiss, opening my mouth against hers and sliding my tongue across her bottom lip.
She whimpers, and the rest of my rules shatter.
I press her back against the lockers, pinning her, bringing our hands up to either side of her head as I move against her. The kiss shifts from slow and sensual to wild as she moans against me. Dakota kisses me back with wild abandon. I can tell, instantly, that I’m her first kiss.
I resolve on the spot to make sure I’m also her last.
She pulls away, her eyes wide, her breath coming in sharp gasps. Like she just ran a mile. I chase her mouth, kissing her again, deeper and hungrier. I want more, crave all of her.
Then she breaks the kiss.
“This is a huge mistake.” Shaking her head, Dakota slides out from under me and steps away. “I shouldn’t have— I’m sorry.”
“Dakota, wait —”
But she doesn’t wait. She moves quickly, slipping past me like the fastest, slipperiest forward. She moves like she’s on ice, sprinting out of the locker room at top speed. She almost crashes into Sawyer as he comes in. She twists around, dodging him with an athletic grace that leaves Sawyer and me staring at each other in confusion.
I want to chase after her, but I can’t. Not in front of the team. Especially not Sawyer. He knows me too well. He’d ask questions if he saw me chasing after a woman.
Judging by the way he’s looking at me, he’s already got some.
Shit.
Still, I can’t keep a smile off my face as I turn back to my locker.
Because Dakota will still have to come back and get her interview. She’ll probably be at practice again tomorrow with her photographer friend.
“What’s that shit-eating grin about?” Sawyer finally asks.
I’ll see her again. That’s reason enough for the world’s biggest smile.
3
Dakota
“Don’t look now, Dakota, but Mita is staring at you. Again,” Sofia lowers her camera with a wry smile.
The Snowhawks are in the middle of their first practice of the day. With the weight of the opening game hanging heavy overhead, there’s a tangible urgency on the ice this morning.
From our position in the penalty box, Sofie and I have a clear view of the action.
The Snowhawks’ forward, Emerson Garcia, speeds past us in a spray of ice. Sofia’s hands are a blur as she captures the moment on film.
I can’t help but glance in Kai’s direction as he circles the ice. He’s impossibly graceful for someone so big. Fast and precise, Kai skates literal circles around most players in the league. He pivots on a dime, lurching between his muscle-bound teammates without a trace. He can fly across the ice as quickly as Emerson when he wants to.