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T: So we’re doing this?

A surge of emotion runs through me. Adrenaline. Dopamine. Whatever it is that elevates life. That’s what Nadia makes me feel. I shoot off a reply.

GoalieGod: Fuck yeah, we’re doing this.

“Your girl’s here,”Kirby says, his voice raised over the noisy bar.

Reese and I both look over at the front door. Twyler walks in first, hair up in a ponytail, wearing Reese’s sweatshirt. My gaze skips over her. Nadia comes in behind her, cheeks pink from the cold December air. I haven’t seen her since Sunday morning, when I reluctantly left her bed for practice. She’d had to work that afternoon and then Twyler got back and they spent the evening grocery shopping and running errands.

It took everything in me not to sneak back in her bedroom window, but that wasn’t how she wanted Twyler to find out about us. Now, I lean back on the bar, waiting to see how she wants to play this. Because what I want to do is walk over there and shove my tongue down her throat, but that may be a little much.

“I thought her friend was into chasing football players. Guess she realized hockey players are better.”

I turn and see that it’s Murphy running his mouth.

“Shut up, Murph,” Reese says, coming to her defense first. “She’s had a hard few months. The last thing she needs is one of you sniffing around.”

“Chill, Cap,” he says, draining the last of the beer out of his glass, “I’m just wondering if anyone’s given her an introduction to their stick.”

“Fuck, Murphy,” I say in a low drawl, “I don’t want to have to kick your ass. I just got off probation.”

“What? Suddenly you care about Puck Bunnies? You’ve got more notches on your bedpost than anyone on the team.” He thinks for a second. “Well, maybe other than Jefferson.”

He’s not wrong, which is probably why I feel even more defensive. I’ve been a dick to a lot of women. Slipping in late at night, and leaving early in the morning. Thinking with my cock and nothing else. And I could kick Murphy’s ass right now. Teach him a lesson in respect. Ishouldkick his ass. Instead, I do the one thing that will keep me out of trouble and shut him the hell up.

Twyler and Nadia have just reached the bar, and I push off and go straight for her.

“Hey Darlin’.”

“Hey.” A sweet smile plays on her lips.

“I’m gonna kiss you, okay?” Those brown eyes widen, then glance around at the packed bar. I rest my hand on her hip and repeat, “Okay?”

Her gaze snaps back to mine. “Okay.”

It’s all the approval I need, and I slide my hand under her hair, cupping the back of her neck. With her close and in my grasp, I tilt her face just the way I want it.

Twyler’s voice cuts over the crowd. “What the–”

But my mouth is on Nadia’s, drawing her in. She’s nervous, I feel it in the kiss, but I take my time, like we’re the only two in the world, coaxing her lips apart, until her tongue meets mine.Fuckshe tastes good, minty. Sweet. Mine.

I take my time releasing her because I know every damn eye in the bar is on the two of us.

Good.

“Jesus Christ, Axel!” Two hands shove me from the side and I stumble back. “What the hell?”

“Damn, TG.” I rub my arm dramatically. “You’re strong.”

“Shut up,” she barks, before her anger shifts to her boyfriend. “Did you know about this?”

“What?” he asks, eyes narrowing at me. “No. I swear.”

“B-but when? How?”

“We became non-drinking buddies.” I throw my arm around Nadia’s shoulders and press a kiss on her temple. “And then we became more.”

She opens her mouth again, but thinks better of it, saying, “Nad, can we talk?” She gives me a dark glare. “In private.”