Page 13 of Puck Me Twice

“No, not guys. I don’t want girls. I want a woman. One woman.”

Playing coy, I run my hand through the hair at the nape of his neck. “Who? Maybe I could introduce you.”

His eyes meet mine. “You.”

With a forceful tug, I drag him down to my level and kiss him roughly. His soft lips collide with mine using a little too much force, and his teeth crash into mine with an uncomfortable clack.

Reeling back, I pull away.

This was a mistake. I shouldn’t be doing this.

He moves his hand to my face, cupping my cheek as his eyes search mine.

Finally, blessedly, he brings his mouth to mine, gentle now as his lips brush against my own.

I’m glad we got that bad crash out of the way, because now there’s nothing stopping this from being the sweetest, most perfect kiss that ever was.

I’m floating on a cloud of air, lost in a sea of possibility and wonder. My stomach jumps with butterflies, my skin feels all tingly, and I swear I’m blushing.

This guy… I don’t even know his name, but I already know I’m quite smitten.

His thumb strokes my cheek, and he looks down at me. His lips part, his eyes wide.

“Wow,” he breathes.

Oh, he’s pressing all of my pleasure buttons.

Metaphorically, I mean. Not literally.

Although… he could.

“You want to get out of here?” I murmur.

He gulps.

I tiptoe my fingers down his sternum. “Maybe…”

“Yeah?” His voice cracks.

“We can get to know each other a little better,” I whisper. My eyes flick up to his. “Clothing is optional.”

six

. . .

Sven: Nine years ago

This woman… she’s, like, ten times out of my league. I’m not even in the league, I’m watching from the bleachers as everyone else competes around me. There’s a reason I’m a nineteen-year-old virgin playing in the National Hockey League.

I mean, I’ve fooled around before. I’ve been set up on blind dates, and I’ve taken a teammate’s sister to the annual hockey gala at the end of the season. There was a little bit of kissing at the Halloween party, and⁠—

I’ve never been naked in the presence of a woman.

In high school, I always had more important things to worry about, like hockey. When I moved to Canada for my rookie season, I couldn’t afford to let myself get distracted. And now…

Well, everyone I know already knows how to do this. I mean, I get the gist. Tab A goes into Slot B. I’ve seen enough videos to understand what goes where. I’m sure it feels good. I just… I don’t know how.

Vanessa’s hand in mine drags me toward the elevator bank, and as we wait, she curls herself into my body, her arm low around my waist.