2. Emma

My heart races,a frenzied staccato in my chest as I look up at Lukas, his arms still wrapped around me. An electric jolt ripples through my body, leaving me both intrigued and slightly unsettled by the intense attraction sparking between us.

"Do you always fall for guys this quickly?" Lukas jokes, a seductive smile spreading across his chiseled face. Heat rushes to my cheeks as I realize Lukas freaking Dvorak is clearly flirting with me.

I stand up, smoothing my dress. "Only when I know they have fast reflexes."

Lukas's smile widens, almost predatory. Another flash of desire pulses through me. Damn, he is even more potent up close, with those hypnotic green eyes and magnetic charm. No wonder he has a reputation as a notorious player off the ice.

"You should join me and my friends in the VIP lounge," Lukas suggests smoothly, nodding his head towards the exclusive roped-off area.

I glance over at Selena, raising my eyebrows. Is this really a good idea? She grins and nods eagerly, her expression clearly saying, "Hell yes!"

I know Selena is right. The whole reason we snuck in here tonight was for me to get a sense of what the players are really like as people. But I wasn't expecting this visceral, animal attraction to slam into me within two seconds of meeting one of them.

This feels dangerous, like I'm playing with fire that could burn my carefully constructed professional boundaries to ash. A part of me wants to say no and my mind races with all the reasons I should politely decline.

But there's another part of me.

A part of me that's been a hermit since my grandmother passed, who hasn't had a real family since my parents died when I was younger. A part of me that hasn't dated in a while, that has sparked to this man's touch. The part that craves adventure and wants to throw caution to the wind just this once.

When will I ever get a chance like this, to see the real Blizzards behind the scenes? When will I get to indulge in flirting with a man of this kind of caliber again?

I swallow down my hesitation and flash Lukas a flirty smile. "Lead the way."

The energy crackling between us is a live wire as Lukas places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the VIP section. I'm acutely aware of his touch, heat searing through me.

God help me, I have a feeling I'm in way over my head with this man already. But as I catch Selena's eye and we share a giddy, conspiratorial grin, I can't bring myself to care.

What's the worst that could happen?

As Lukas escorts us to the VIP area, my eyes drink in the scene—the plush couches, the bottle service, the stunning women draped over the players like glittering jewelry. I can't help but feel a twinge of discomfort, wondering if the other players see me and Selena as more "puck bunnies" to decorate their arms tonight.

I recognize a few of the Blizzards scattered around.

Vincent, Adam, and Marcus I'd already clocked. Now I notice the man of the hour, Derek "DJ" Johnson, the tall and lean center player, whose dark hair is styled to perfection, framing his chiseled jawline. Next to him is Oliver King, one of the newer defensemen who is known for being boyishly handsome.

But it's the man at the center of the group who snares my gaze and steals my breath.

Slade Harrison.

Our eyes lock, and the world falls away. The Blizzards' captain exudes quiet confidence, all chiseled jaw and searing gray-blue eyes that seem to pierce straight through me.

If Lukas has a notorious personal life off the ice, Slade is the opposite. Slade is famously private, rarely seen with women in public.

Yet there's something in his intense stare that makes me feel naked, exposed. Like he can see past the bubbly, flirtatious facade I put on and straight into the depths of my soul.

I'm lost in the stormy depths of his stare, heat licking through my veins and sparking over my skin. The "what-ifs" hit me like a tsunami—what would it feel like to have those full lips trailing down my throat, to have those strong hands gripping my hips, to?—

Lukas's arm snakes around my waist, tugging me down onto the couch beside him and shattering the charged moment with Slade. I suck in a shaky breath, reeling.

Holy hell.

"Everyone, this is Emma." Lukas's lips brush the shell of my ear as he announces me to the group, his deep voice sending heat skittering down my back. He keeps me tucked possessively into his side, muscled thigh pressed against mine.

I feel feverish, like I might spontaneously combust from his nearness alone.

"And I'm Selena," my best friend pipes up from beside me, giving the guys a little finger wave. I can practically feel her vibrating with excitement as she slides into the booth next to some players.

The conversation swirls on around me, but I'm only half-listening, too focused on the way Lukas's fingers trace idle patterns on my hip and the weight of Slade's penetrating gaze from across the low table between us.

When Lukas leans in close to murmur something in my ear, his warm breath fanning over my cheek, I can't stop the thought from flitting through my mind: what would it be like to kiss him?

To surrender myself to the sinful promise of his mouth and hands and body?

The lines between personal and professional are already blurring into something dangerous and exhilarating. But as I meet Slade's scorching look again, I'm hit with the startling realization that one hockey player may not be my only temptation tonight.

I'm in trouble.

Deep, knee-weakening, panty-melting trouble.

"So Emma," DJ asks, pulling my attention away from the captivating men surrounding me. "What do you do?"

I smile coyly, taking a sip of my cocktail. "I'm actually starting a new job as a social media manager on Monday."

The group nods approvingly. Little do they know, in a few short days, I'll be working side-by-side with them, managing the Blizzards' online presence.

The knowledge of my secret sends a thrill through me.

Under the table, a strong hand slides up my thigh, igniting my skin. I glance over to see Lukas smirking at me, his green eyes glinting with mischief. My breath catches at his bold touch, desire warring with the voice of reason in my head.

I should stop this before it goes too far…

But god, the way he's looking at me, the way Slade watches us from across the table—it's intoxicating.

Needing to clear my head, I nudge Selena. "Join me in the restroom?"

She slides out of the booth and I follow, feeling the heat of Lukas and Slade's gazes on my back as I walk away. Once inside, I grip the marble countertop and let out a shaky breath.

"I don't know what I'm doing, Lena," I confess, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "Lukas and Slade…I'm so attracted to them both. But I'm about to start working with the team. This is a line I shouldn't cross, right?"

Selena grins, bumping my hip with hers. "Emma Collins, when was the last time you had a little fun? You deserve this. Live in the moment for once!"

I can't help but laugh, even as anxiety twists in my stomach. She's right—it's been forever since I put my own desires first. But giving in to this temptation could make things very messy very fast…

Taking a deep breath, I nod. One night of flirting and fantasy. Then on Monday, I'll be the consummate professional.

As we exit the restroom, I collide with a solid wall of muscle. Strong hands grasp my waist, steadying me, and I look up into Slade's shimmering gray-blue eyes. Time seems to come to a standstill between us.

"Careful there," he murmurs, his deep voice pulsing through me. His thumbs rub gentle circles on my hips, igniting sparks beneath my skin.

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. "Thanks for the save," I manage, trying to ignore the way my body curves into his touch.

Slade's gaze drops to my lips, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Any time, Emma."

The way he says my name, like a promise and a prayer, leaves me breathless. I'm acutely aware of every point of contact between us, his hands burning through the thin fabric of my dress.

Selena clears her throat, breaking the spell. "We should get back," she says, amusement lacing her tone.

Slade releases me, stepping back with a wink. "After you, ladies."

My legs feel unsteady as we weave through the crowd, my mind reeling from the charged encounter. When we reach the table, Lukas immediately pulls me down beside him again, his arm draping possessively over my shoulders.

"Took you long enough," he teases, his fingers toying with the strap of my dress. "I was starting to think you'd ditched me."

I laugh, leaning into his solid warmth. "And miss all the fun? Never."

The guys are lining up shots, the amber liquid glinting under the pulsing lights. Lukas hands me one, his green eyes holding a dare.

"Bottoms up, beautiful," he grins, clinking his glass against mine.

The tequila burns down my throat, a trail of liquid fire that mirrors the heat coursing through my veins. As the night wears on, the shots keep coming, and the flirtation reaches a fever pitch. Lukas's hand roams my thigh again, each touch stoking the embers smoldering inside me.

But even as I lose myself in the moment, a voice in the back of my mind whispers a warning. I'm playing a dangerous game, blurring lines that could jeopardize everything I've worked for.

I love hockey. It's woven into my soul. Getting to be a part of the Blizzards, for real, as an official employee…this is everything I've ever wanted. What the fuck am I thinking?

Abruptly, I stand, swaying slightly on my heels. "I think it's time we head out," I announce, ignoring Lukas's pout of disappointment.

"So soon?" he cajoles, his fingers grazing the small of my back. "The night's just getting started."

I steel myself against his charm, shaking my head with a rueful smile. "Early morning tomorrow. But this has been…incredible."

Selena and I make our goodbyes, a chorus of protests and pleas for us to stay rising from the group. As we walk away, I can feel the weight of Lukas and Slade's gazes, twin flames of desire and unfinished business.

The cool night air is a shock after the stifling heat of the club, and I suck in a deep breath, trying to clear my head. Selena links her arm through mine, grinning like the cat that got the cream.

"Well, that was something else," she says, waggling her eyebrows suggestively. "You sure know how to pick 'em, Ems."

I groan, covering my face with my hands. "What am I doing, Sel? I'm supposed to be their coworker, not their…whatever this is."

"Hey, you're not their anything yet," she reassures me, squeezing my arm. "You're just a girl who had a fun night out with some seriously hot guys. No harm in that."

But as we climb into a cab, my mind is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Attraction wars with apprehension, desire with duty.

I've stepped onto a dangerous playing field, and the game has only just begun.