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Chapter five

Katarina

S ome men should come with warning labels.

WARNING: Dangerously hot. May cause spontaneous combustion of common sense.

I slam my door hard enough to rattle the framed diploma on the wall—my pride and joy now mocking me after I’ve potentially made an enemy before my first official day.

The hot Florida air still clings to my skin as I lean against the door, replaying the parking lot disaster in my head.

Dark hair. Sculpted jaw dusted with perfect stubble.

Eyes that could melt steel—and a mouth so foul it could make a hockey ref blush.

God, why are the pretty ones always such assholes?

“The universe clearly has it out for me already,” I grumble, tossing my keys onto the coffee table before making a beeline for the kitchen.

Florida in summer is merciless—like a clingy, humid lover that leaves you damp in all the wrong places.

Unlike the stranger from the masked party, whose hands left me. .. No. I’m not going there. Not now.

I yank open the fridge, closing my eyes as the cool air washes over my flushed skin. I grab a bottle of water just as my phone begins to ring. A glance at the clock has me smiling despite my mood. Right on time, like clockwork.

“You really are a worry wart, Griffin,” I answer, plopping down on my couch—the first adult purchase I made that wasn’t ramen noodles or wine.

“It’s not my fault,” he counters immediately. “I just want to make sure my baby sister had a good first day at work.”

I snicker before sinking deeper into the cushions.

“You just want to be nosy is more like it,” I reply, taking a long pull of cold water.

“Besides, technically all I did today was get my badge and keys. I don’t even officially start for another couple of days.

But get this, I actually have my own office and it’s huge.

I thought they were just going to give me a shared cubby hole and then throw me to the wolves. ”

I had already braced myself for a shoebox with a view of a dumpster. Maybe a folding chair if I was lucky. Sharing a space wouldn’t have surprised me either, not with how new this team is.

But the second I step inside, my heart literally skipped a beat. The sun streaming through actual windows, not the fluorescent hell-scape I’d been expecting. I could see myself there, making it mine, building something real.

This is mine.

It’s sterile as hell right now, but that’s temporary. A few plants. A framed photo or two. My lucky mug.

I can work with this. This space feels like the start of something good.

“I don’t know why you didn’t just come work for the Reapers,” Griffin says, voice tight with that barely controlled frustration I know oh too well. “You’d have gotten your own office and been working for a real team, not those Cyclones clowns.”

I roll my eyes. “Here we go again. The Cyclones-Reapers blood feud continues.”

“It’s not a joke, Kat. Those guys play dirty, and I’m not just talking about on the ice. You have no idea what you’re walking into.”

“It’s a nutritionist position, Griffin, not undercover espionage. I’m telling them to eat their vegetables, not stealing your playbook.”

“You don’t get it,” he pushes back. “When our teams face off, and they will, you’ll be on the wrong side of the glass. My baby sister working for the fucking enemy.”

I sigh, pushing back against the guilt he’s laying on thick. “Maybe it’s time you remembered I’m not just your baby sister. I’m a professional who’s qualified for this job.”

I feel that pang of guilt whenever I think about Griffin’s face when I told him I took the Cyclones position. Like I’d announced I was joining a supervillain team intent on destroying everything he loves. Maybe in his hockey-obsessed mind, that’s exactly what I did.

“That is a really sweet offer, big brother, but I’ll have to pass. You know I love you, and I appreciate not just you, but Dad too trying to open certain doors for me. But I want to do this on my own. Not as Griffin Novak’s little sister.”

“But why?” He whines. “I don’t get it. Other people open doors for friends and family all the time with no issues, so why won’t you take it? It’s not like you aren’t qualified. Hell, you’re probably more qualified than the nutritionist we have now.”

“Taylor is a perfectly nice guy.”

“He wants me to eat fucking chia seeds, sis. I don’t even know what the hell a chia seed is!”

“That’s what Google is for, Grif. Don’t give him anymore grief. I don’t want to have to field calls from him telling me how much of a pain in the ass you are.”

“Oh yeah? Well, what about you? Am I going to get phone calls from your team telling me that you’ve been a hard ass?”

When he says that, I remember the dick I bumped earlier this afternoon and I’m pissed all over again. “You might if I run into this jerk of a guy again.”

Griffin is quiet for a moment before he chuckles. “Uh oh. Did you meet your new nemesis already? I thought you said you haven’t started your actual job yet.”

“I haven’t…I met this asshole in the parking lot after he bumped into my car and accused me of hitting him as an insurance scam. I almost decked him.”

Griffin’s laughter melts some of my anger, but I can still see that man’s face in my mind, and I’m annoyed not only by his accusations, but also by how attractive he was. Why is it always the cocky, beautiful ones who make you want to launch your shoe at their head.

His dark hair was thick and perfectly fell over his forehead matching the dark scruff around his jaw and chin.

I don’t remember the exact color of his eyes, but I remember thinking his voice was like butter.

If not for the scowl on his face, I would have said he had nice lips too.

As it is, the fact that he’s cute makes me want to find him and punch him.

“Jesus sis.”

“It wasn’t my fault,” I insist. “I was backing out and he turned the corner like it personally offended him. He ran into me.” I make sure to emphasize that point because it’s the truth.

“Still, did you catch his name or anything?”

I suck my teeth for a moment before responding. “No. His front bumper got a little crunched, but since there was no paint swapped between our cars, he said to forget it. I wasn’t about to borrow trouble or watch my insurance rates skyrocket, so I left well enough alone.”

“You didn’t even get his number?” Griffin’s voice goes shrill, and I have to pull the phone away from my ear for a moment. “What if later on something goes wrong with your car? or worse, he decides to screw you with a claim.”

“I know where he works, so it’s not like I can’t find him. I pull my hair free from my over-tightened ponytail. “I swear, some people were put on this planet just to piss me off.”

Griffin’s tone sharpens. “Speaking of assholes—there’s a guy your team just picked up. We dumped him for a reason. Do yourself a favor and stay the hell away from him.”

“Damn, okay. What’s his deal?”

“He’s poison, Kat. The kind who tanks a team from the inside. Arrogant, reckless, thinks rules don’t apply to him. Doesn’t care who he drags down as long as he gets what he wants.”

“Noted.”

“No, Kat. I mean it…he’s a walking goddamn crime scene. Stay away from him.”

“Yeah. Got it.”

I clear my throat, needing to change the subject. “Alright, overprotective lecture received…

Grif, I have to go. Layla will be here any minute with dinner. It’s pizza party night.”

“I can’t believe you’re still doing those, but fine. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He is worse than a mother hen at times when it comes to hovering.

“Tell her I said hi. And make sure she brought enough for leftovers.”

“I’ll guard them with my life.”

“Is Aurora coming too—wait, she’s knee-deep mommy shit. Scratch that.”

I smirk. “Yeah, she barely remembers to text back unless I bribe her with pictures of Layla’s new boyfriend drama.”

“Then thank God for Layla, “ he mocks. “The real MVP.”

“No kidding.”

I shrug as a knock comes to the front door. “Grif, got to go…”

He chuckles, “Talk tomorrow”

I hop off the couch and rush to the front door. My stomach is grumbling, ready for grub . When I open the door, Layla is standing there all smiles with pizza in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.

“Your favorite person in the world is here!”

I giggle and invite her in taking the pizza from her hand.

“Where’s the salad?”

“What? there’s veggies on the pizza.”

“You are a mess…come in.” I chuckle, “Mi Casa tu Cassà,” Layla tips her head

“Have a seat…I’ll grab some plates.” I plop the pizza on the coffee table before going back into the kitchen to get things. By the time I am back, Layla has folded herself on the couch—a large slice of pizza in her hand. “Hey, you couldn’t even wait for me?”

She smiles sheepishly around the bite, chewing furiously. “Sorry friend. I’m starving. Last night Cody came over and I swear he wore me to the bone. I’ve been ravenous ever since.”

I feel a bolt of jealousy rush through me, but I push it away in favor of a slice.

I’m honestly happy that Layla’s found someone she likes and is clearly enjoying spending time with him. But I’d be lying if I say I’m not a little envious. The memory of rough hands sliding over my body nearly have me gasping out. I hide my reaction behind taking a large bite of my pizza.

“So, tell me everything about your first day,” Layla says. “Was it everything you dreamed and more? Did Griffin lose his shit when he realized you’re not only not going to work for the reapers, but you’re working for the Cyclones ?”

I chuckle at that last bit. All of our friends know how hard he was pulling for me to join them. “He knows and is continuing to push but I’m ignoring him. And my first day was fine. I didn’t actually work. Just got my badge and stuff and saw where I will be setting up shop and it is nice. ”

Layla nods “Awesome. What about the menfolk?”She wiggles her eyes. “ Did you meet any of those hot hockey players? Anyone in particular you have your eye on?”

I shake my head. “I didn’t meet any of them yet, and absolutely not. You know I don’t mix business with banging. Especially not when they come with team-issued jockstraps.”

Getting involved with a hockey player was exciting once upon a time…Back when I was young and didn’t know any better.

I’ve seen what happens when you mix it up at the office—how fast a kiss turns rumor, and a fling becomes a warning label no one bothers to peel off. But I’m not young or na?ve anymore.

I know exactly the kind of game those guys play.

I love Griffin, but if he wasn’t my brother, I’d walk right past his cocky ass, too.

And he’s tame compared to some guys he shares a locker room with.

They collect women like trading cards—bend them over on Friday, forget their names by Saturday, and start all over again by Sunday brunch.

Hard pass. I’ve already been burned once by a guy who thought “exclusive” meant until his next road trip.

“Besides,” I say, a little heat creeping into my cheeks, “after him ? I’m pretty sure I developed a taste for getting wrecked by strangers with perfect timing and filthy hands.”

Layla groans. “Still mad you didn’t get his number. Or, like, ask for a clue to his actual identity.”

“Trust me, I’m mad at me too,” I mutter, sipping my wine, hoping it’ll smooth out the flutter that always starts low in my belly when I think about that night. “He was… different. Not just hot, but deliberate . Like he’d been waiting to touch someone exactly like me.”

Layla’s watching me, so I shrug. Light. Breezy. Like I’m not still wrecked from one night.

“He had this way of moving—slow, controlled. Like he had all the time in the world, but still made me feel like he was starving for me.

“And that mask…” I trail off, because saying it out loud makes it feel even more ridiculous. Like a fantasy I should’ve outgrown.

“There was something about not seeing his whole face. It made everything else sharper. More focused.”

What I don’t say: how I slipped away before the lights came on.

How I didn’t wait to hear him ask for my name. Or my number.

And how I didn’t want to watch him not ask.

“He probably does that all the time,” I add with a forced chuckle, even though the thought sits wrong. “Guys like that… they don’t exactly stick around after the orgasms.”

“Damn, Kat...so basically, you dumped yourself before he had the chance. That’s a new one” Layla rolls her eyes, but I can’t meet them.

Because she’s right, it wasn’t just about him.

It was me. I didn’t stay long enough to find out what he wanted.

I told myself it was just sex. Just heat. Nothing more.

“Well,” she lifts a brow. “You could go back? Maybe he’s a regular and you could try running into him again.

Or you might even find someone better.”I doubt I’d find anyone better, but I also don’t really want to try.

Going to that sex party was a one-off experience.

There was a lot that went into even getting accepted into it including blood tests and background checks.

It was actually quite impressive how business-like they were about it.

It went a long way into putting my mind at ease about even joining.

But now, I am not so sure about going through all that again, especially with my new job.

What if I inadvertently run into someone who works with me there?

“I think my window for sex parties is over, Layla,” I counter, grabbing another slice. “Besides, I have to think about work and stepping into a role that someone had for nearly four decades. That’s a lot of pressure and a huge shoe to fill.”

Layla’s eyes widen. “You didn’t tell me that part. I thought it was a brand-new position since the team is new.”

“New team, but the guy was hired because he’d worked with the new coach at another team. His reputation is pretty well known in the sports world—I hope mine can hold up to his.”

Layla puts a hand on my arm and smiles. “You know it will. You’re awesome and that’s that.” She leans back with another slice of pizza in her hand. “Now, enough about this serious shit. Let’s talk about why our mutual friend is apparently dating two brothers at the same time!”

I laugh at her scandalized voice and let myself sink into the warmth of wine, carbs, and gossip. A perfect night in.

But the peace doesn’t last long. Because later—tipsy and full—I check my phone and spot the email I’d been waiting for.

Not just a confirmation.

The Cyclones Roster—Internal Use Only.

I tap it open, scanning through names, some I barely recognize… until one jumps out like it’s been bolded.

Liam Steele.

‘ Stay the hell away from that guy.’

Griffin’s voice hisses through my mind.

Liam freaking Steele. The human hazard sign Griffin couldn’t shut up about. The one name on the list that basically came with a brother-issued restraining order.

I shut the laptop.

This week just got interesting.