Page 226 of Playing the Pucking Game

Ignoring him, I sit there with my head spinning as the rest of the team files on.

Once they’re all on board, the flight crew prepares us for take-off, and boisterous chatter fills the air. While I’m losing myself in thoughts and regrets, it’s easy to forget the magic that Linc produced on the ice tonight.

“Sooo,” Brooke starts once we’re in the air.

“Men are jerks,” I mutter, loud enough for at least Mitchell to hear me.

“I can’t say that I don’t disagree.” She laughs. “But given our current situation, you might want to keep your voice down.”

She’s right. We are literally surrounded by men.

“Urgh,” I complain, resting my head back and closing my eyes.

“I went on a date the other week,” Brooke says quietly. “He was hot as hell. I should have known it was too good to be true the second I saw his profile picture. But we matched, so I thought fuck it. Let’s go and see who he really is. Amazingly, he actually was the guy in the picture, and if anything, he was even hotter in real life.

“So we have a few drinks, and then he invites me back to his place.”

I’m already cringing over this story and I have literally no idea what is coming next.

“We’re kissing, and it’s all great. We’re vibing, the air is crackling. I’m thinking, yes, this is it. Until…”

“Oh god,” I groan.

“He didn’t want me to take my clothes off.”

I frown, staring at her and waiting for what comes next.

“He only wanted my shoes off.”

“What?” I laugh.

“He was only interested in my feet. MY FEET, Parker.” The horrified look on her face has laughter erupting out of me.

“Do you have nice feet?” Monroe asks, poking his head between the seats, obviously eavesdropping.

Unfazed that he’s joined our conversation, she turns to him.

“I mean, I think they’re okay. I’ve certainly seen worse. It just…well, it wasn’t my toes where I was expecting the sucking action to be happening.”

I gag.

“I’d freshened up for the date, of course, but that didn’t include a pedicure, and I’d been on my feet all day at work and?—”

“Did he look like he cared?” Hayden asks.

“Not in the slightest. It was so disappointing.”

“What did you do?” I ask, intrigued.

“Well, I tugged my foot from his mouth and asked if he was interested in using his tongue on any other part of my body. Honest to God, he looked horrified at the thought alone. At that point, I grabbed my heels and walked out, alone and unsatisfied.”

Laughter peals out of me.

“I’m not a foot man, myself. I mean, I can appreciate a pretty set of toes and all, but my mouth much prefers to be elsewhere. More than willing to share my services, if the need ever arises,” Hayden offers, while the rookie sitting beside him groans in mortification.

“That’s very sweet of you,” Brooke says. “But I’ve got to be honest, I’m pretty sure I’d eat you alive in the bedroom, Marilyn. We need you on the ice too much for that.”

“Well, damn,” Hayden breathes before falling back into his seat with his hand over his chest. “You’re missing out, Brooke baby. I’ll have you know that I’m a real freak in the sheets.”