Page 48 of Her Puck Daddies

The one night that turned my world upside down, in all the ways I never saw coming—and in all the ways I never want to forget.

“Of course, I have.”

“And if you like what you remember, I say we make that a reality again.”

My immediate reaction is to say no, but then I pause. I’ve already said yes to each one of them in some form. Still, I pivot on my heel and face away from him, turning my attention to the stunning view of the Windy City.

Eric’s proposition is bold, but he's saying all the right things to make me reconsider. Still, I fight against the negative thoughts, unable to just turn them off knowing my past is still unsettled.

Every time I turned my back on Dean, he’d insult me. At work, he’d slink by, whispering something nasty meant only for me to hear. Nothing I did was ever good enough or fast enough. Livingwith Dean was like living under the thumb of a drill sergeant at home and an internet troll at the massage center. Or, I should say,hismassage center—he never shared the business with me. We were never equal partners in our marriage or in work.

And honestly, I don’t know why I was so shocked when I found him fucking a leggy blonde client right there in one of the massage rooms. I should’ve seen it coming.

Now, here I am, sleeping with my clients. But the difference is, I walked away. I’m not keeping my cake and eating it too.

With the guys, though, it’s different.They’redifferent. Yeah, one thing led to the next, but it was mutual. There was no pressure. They don’t disrespect me, not in public or private. Well, if in private we mean rough sex, which some might consider disrespectful, then they can disrespect the fuck out of me any time they please.

I wanted it. I wanted them.

And I still do.

With Eric here, I feel steadier. Safer. If I ever need someone to defend me from a physical threat, Eric would be the first to step up. And I know he wouldn’t hesitate. He’s a defenseman on and off the ice. If Eric ever went head-to-head with my ex, he’d snap that man like a twig. With his bulging biceps, thick torso, and impeccable fitness, he wouldn’t even break a sweat.

And speaking of sweat…

“The contract we signed means we shouldn’t, Eric.”

All of this is my fault, of course. I’m the one who opened this door, who allowed these men to believe that after everything we’ve shared individually, I’d be open to something even more reckless. The thought of another group session like that is eating at me, a raw ache that stirs deep within. I know it’s a disaster waiting to happen—the kind of fallout that could ruin everything.

But the hardest pill to swallow? I can’t believe I let myself fall into Sven’s arms again. I should’ve known better. Sure, I was weak, vulnerable in that moment, but that doesn’t excuse it. And it doesn’t change the fact that now, Eric is suggesting something even more dangerous. Despite every ounce of my better judgment, the thought has my body screaming with desire. That night in Newark—god, it was almost unreal. So good that if I didn’t have to work with these men every day, I’d swear it was just some wild, explicit fever dream.

“That’s true,” he agrees. Too easily. “But as long as the organization doesn’t find out, we can do whatever we want. We sure the hell don’t plan on saying anything.”

I sigh. By that logic, everyone should steal and pillage to their heart’s content. Just don’t get caught.

I can somewhat justify what has happened between us so far, but intentionally starting something up with them would be…wait.Is Eric talking about a relationship?

“Do you mean doing this just one more time, or like, this being a thing?”

"As often as you’re willing,” Eric smirks, his voice dipping into a low, silk-smooth tone that coils around me, yet sends a shiver straight down my spine. His hand slides casually toward his crotch, where the zipper of his trousers strains against the rise of his erection.

The sight alone sends a rush of heat pooling between my thighs, followed quickly by the unmistakable dampness of my panties. It’s maddening how easily my body responds to him—and to them. I don’t stand a chance against the vivid memories etched into my mind, of the raw pleasure that these men can give me, over and over again.

Honestly, maybe more of them is exactly what I need to quiet the ghosts haunting my mind. Maybe it would chase away the paranoia that gnaws at me, the nagging fear of my ex-husband somehow finding me. Logically, I know he can’t. He’s nowhere near me. But logic slips away when my mind conjures him at every turn.

Eric’s smirk deepens, almost as if he can sense my spiraling thoughts. The way he looks at me now—like he’s ready to devour me—pulls me back, back into the moment. Back into him.

He’s so tempting. But…

“Us doing this is why Levi’s playing better,” Eric says suddenly, and I blink at him in confusion.

“What?”

“His game turned around as soon as Sven brought this up with him. He’d been in a slump, you know?”

“I know.” Who hasn’t noticed? It’s been painful to watch.

“But everything changed once the idea of us being together got to him. It perked him right up. So, I’d consider it a personal favor if you said yes. Our whole season might depend on it.”