Puck One Night Stands: a grumpy-sunshine, best friend’s brother hockey rom com (Chicago Racketeers Book 1)

TINGLES. Heat. Wet panties. Dirty thoughts.

And high hopes.

That’s what I’ve got now.

I have three men who all seem interested in me and even though I’m not sure why exactly, and I’m way in over my head with sophisticated, experienced guys like this, I really like it.

As Michael pulls me toward the door, his hand warm and strong, I give Crew a parting glance, and he gives me a wink. Then I glance at Nathan Armstrong. I quickly look away when I find him watching me.

Nathan, the guy who stripped off his shirt right in front of me, is the Racketeers owner? I knew he was wearing a really expensive suit. But this guy is a billionaire. A really hot, really sexy billionaire.

I expected the team owner to be older. I’d envisioned a man in his seventies with a shock of white hair and a pocketful of Werther’s Originals.

That is not this man.

He’s closer to forty than seventy and he has dark hair with a hint of silver in his trim beard. His eyes are steely gray and he’s tall, lean, and muscular. He’s still wearing the T-shirt he put on in the storage closet, but those suit pants are clearly custom tailored.

I don’t know what’s in the guy’s pockets but it’s not caramels.

When he leaned against his desk, his feet were on either side of mine, boxing me in. I had a view of his slim fitting tight suit pants and his crotch. Talk about hard candy.

With Crew’s hand on my thigh, Michael’s on my shoulder, and a smoldering stone-faced billionaire a few feet in front of me, my entire body had just about burst into flames.

This is what I want. The full attention of multiple guys. Multiple hot guys who know what they’re doing. And who can tell me what to do.

I’m no seductress. I mostly know what I’ve read in books. But the books I read are very hot.

I mean, I’ve touched a penis. I’m not a virgin. But I’m a virgin in all the things I really want to do.

These guys seem like they could help me out.

I can’t help that thought as it flits through my mind.

The door glides closed behind us right as I hear Nathan demand, “What the fucking hell were you thinking, McNeill?”

It’s a frustrated yell. A roar. A sign of a serious ass-chewing to come.

Dammit. I really tried to help Crew out.

But why would I think a man like Nathan Armstrong would listen to me?

I glance up at Michael. “That doesn’t sound good.”

“Nothing he doesn’t deserve. He’ll be fine,” he reassures me as he hits the button for the elevator.

I feel responsible for Crew getting reprimanded. It was my fault he left the ice. “But he’s new here.”

We step into the open elevator and it starts down.

Michael chuckles. “He’s the number three scorer in the league. Nathan will yell at him, maybe punish him in some way, but by next week it will be forgotten. Things like that don’t stick to guys like Crew. He’s too talented.”

“I kissed him back,” I blurt out. “I made it worse.”

“And the crowd loved it.” Michael smiles at me.

That smile eases the tightness in my chest. If Michael thinks Crew will be okay, I’m inclined to believe him. Even though I don’t know him. He has a very calming presence.

“Here, put your number and your address in my phone.” He hands it to me.

I do as he suggests and then hand it back to him. He’s an easy man to both be around and to look at. He makes me feel instantly at ease. Like he has control of every situation. He’s also ridiculously good-looking.

He has an amazing jawline, a strong nose, a mesmerizing smile, and he smells absolutely divine. I’ve never wanted to sniff a man as much as I do right now.

Crew smelled like soap from his post-game shower.

Nathan smelled like expensive cologne and money, if that’s even possible.

Michael smells like an old library with a roaring fire blazing in it. Like leather and paper and a hint of smoky sandalwood. It’s both soothing and sexy.

“You live in Lincoln Park?” he asks, reading my address on his phone. “You’re not too far from me. I’m in Bucktown.”

I do that Midwestern thing where I launch into an explanation of how and why I live in a neighborhood with skyrocketing rent prices. Or maybe it’s just something I’ve picked up from my parents, who live in a small town in Indiana and seem to experience actual physical pain when they spend any money whatsoever. “I live with Luna, Crew’s sister. Their parents bought the building, otherwise I’d never be able to afford it. We have a bookshop and bakery on the first floor and we live upstairs. It’s called Books and Buns.” I smile, as I always do when I think of our little shop. It’s a dream come true for both of us. The bookstore makes no money, and that makes me feel bad, but I can’t help continuing to believe that it will, someday, somehow. “Luna’s dad thought the neighborhood was a good investment and that we’d get more foot traffic for the businesses. And that it would be safe for two single girls.”

Okay, that was a lot to dump on him. I pause for a breath as we exit the elevator and adjust my sweater. It’s fallen off my shoulder again. Maybe it stretched out when I fell across Ben’s lap.

Michael leads me to a black luxury SUV with his hand on my lower back. I love the way he touches me. It doesn’t feel like he’s pushing himself into my personal space, but it feels protective at the same time. He unlocks the vehicle and gives me a hand up. Once I’m settled on the seat, he reaches across me to fasten the seatbelt.

That’s ridiculous. I don’t need help putting a seatbelt on. If any other guy I’ve dated did that, I would be offended and think he was being a dick. But with Michael it feels like he’s taking care of me.

As he maneuvers us through traffic, he asks me questions about how Luna and I met, about the bookstore, about what I like to read, and more seemingly small talk. But I watch him through it all. And everything he does, from changing lanes, to choosing a radio station, is done with an air of competence that is so damned sexy.

“What about you?” I ask. “What made you become a doctor?”

He glances over at me with a smile. “I have five younger brothers and sisters who were always getting into scrapes. I liked being the big brother who could fix it, give them a hug and a Band-Aid and a pep talk.”

Just like I’d suspected. He enjoys taking care of others. That is so appealing to me, the idea of getting a hug when you’re hurting.

“That’s a big family. I’m an only child. I’ve always fantasized about having a huge family, the kind where you get a lake house in Wisconsin all together and spend every week in the summer there fishing and swimming and roasting s’mores.” Even the thought of a future like that makes me sigh with delight. “It can be lonely as an only child.”

“I’ve always wanted a lake house too where I get to man the grill. I love to cook. Where did you grow up? I’m from Decatur. My mom is a professor at Millikin University.”

“Franklin, Indiana. Typical small-town life. I spent a lot of time reading.”

“I was a bookworm too,” Michael says. “I enjoyed sports, but I was just mediocre at it. My favorite thing about it really was being part of a team.”

It’s easy to see how Michael wound up the Racketeers physician then. “You must love your job.”

“I really do.”

We pull up in front of Books and Buns and I’m not surprised that there’s a parking spot. Michael Hughes seems like the kind of guy who can always find a parking spot when he needs one.

“Thank you for the ride.”

“My pleasure.” He gives me a smile that makes heat pool in my lower belly. “Hang on,” he says as I reach for the handle of the door.

He gets out and jogs around the front of the SUV. He opens my door for me and offers me a hand down and I almost swoon. Is this because he’s an older man? Is it because he’s a doctor and hangs out with a more sophisticated crowd than most of the guys I date? Did his mother just engrain manners in him from a young age? I don’t know the answers to that, but spending too much time with this man is going to ruin me for dating guys my age who pull up, grin at me and say things like, “I’m coming in, right?”

Michael walks me to the door that leads up to the apartment above Books and Buns. There’s a staircase inside that goes up to the second floor, but we have this exterior entrance as well.

“Thanks again,” I say, turning to face him. Suddenly I don’t want him to leave. But “Do you want to come up?” seems really forward.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” he asks.

I blink a couple of times. I wasn’t expecting that. Wow, men who work for the Racketeers are all very direct.

“I don’t.” For the first time in a while, I’m glad that’s the answer to that question.

Michael seems pleased to hear it. He nods, then his thumbs move over his phone. A moment later, my phone dings with a text. I look down.

“Now you have my number. Use it any time,” he says.

A ribbon of heat swirls through my stomach. “Okay.”

He dips his knees so he can look more directly into my face. “I mean it. I’d really like to hear from you.”

“To be sure I don’t have a concussion?”

“To hear your voice,” he says, his own voice a low, smooth rumble that ripples down my spine. “And to be sure that you’re okay.”

I could look into this man’s eyes for hours. It’s not just the color, but there’s a warmth there that makes me just want to sink in. I step a little closer. Did I mention how great he smells? “To make sure my head is okay?”

“To be sure you’re okay.”

That was how he said it before but I think I just wanted to hear it again. That sounds different somehow than just a concussion check. “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

“I want to hear from you even if you are. I’d love to hear that you’ve had a great day and things are going well and you’re happy.”

Oh, my God. Who is this guy?

“I’d also like to be a part of making your day great, if you’d let me. Can I take you out sometime?”

Is there a single woman in the entire world that would say no to that? A handsome doctor who smells like a library wants to take me out? Um, yes.

“I’d like that.”

“Are you going to be dating Crew?”

I blink again. Am I going to be dating Crew? God, I hope so. But I’d also love to date Michael. So, I…have no idea. I must look confused because Michael says, “He mentioned to Nathan that you’re not his girlfriend yet. He seemed to think that might change.”

“Oh. He was probably just messing around,” I say. “I’ve known him forever. It’s not like that between us.” But my thoughts are racing. Could it be like that now? I’ve never thought for one second about dating Crew McNeill before now, but that kiss… Correction, those kisses. The first one was pretty great. But the one where he was backing me up against the wall in the hallway? I want more of those.

“I don’t think Crew agrees,” Michael says, confirming that the chemistry I felt wasn’t in my head.

“Well, he hasn’t asked,” I say with a little shrug.

“What if he does?”

“What if he does?” I ask in return.

“I would still want to take you out.”

I smile. Yes. “I would still say yes to your invitation.” I am not going to lose the opportunity to go out with Michael on any concern that Crew might object to the doctor and me dating. I’ll cross that bridge if and when I get to it.

He smiles too and I swear I feel my knees wobble. “Then how about this weekend?”

“Okay.” I like a man who doesn’t make me guess if he’s interested in me or not. It feels exciting but also reassuring.

“Okay.” Michael doesn’t go anywhere. He’s still standing on the sidewalk in front of me.

Is he going to kiss me too? I would really like that. I haven’t kissed anyone in a long time. Well, before Crew kissed me earlier, that is. I haven’t had a great kiss in a really, really long time. Again, before Crew kissed me. I certainly haven’t kissed two guys in the same night…ever. Not ever. But I could write a short story about that and my fans on the online forum would eat it up.

“Text me,” I tell him.

“I’ll call you,” he says.

Right. Men like Michael Hughes call women they’re taking out. That’s classy. I love it.

I nod and then turn toward the door that leads up to the apartment I share with Luna. But just then my phone vibrates. I pull it out of my pocket and see it’s Luna.

Hey, are you okay?

Yes, just got here.

Oh, good. Is it okay if I give my brother your number? He also wants to share it with Nathan Armstrong?????

I stare at the message. They both want my number? Michael has it now too.

I swallow hard, but type.

Sure. I’m sure Mr. Armstrong just wants to be sure I don’t sue the Racketeers for my fall.

*eyeroll* I’ve heard he’s a dick. Oh, also…Kyle’s here. Maybe give me a half hour?

I laugh, even as I have to resist the urge to defend Nathan. I have no reason to believe he’s not a dick. But I don’t like having Luna call him that for some reason.

“Everything alright?” Michael asks.

I look up quickly. “Yeah, Luna has company, so I’m just going to hang out in the bookstore for a bit.” I feel my cheeks heat as I say that. It’s stupid. I’m not talking about sex with Michael. I’m talking about other people having sex. But I’m telling Michael and I’m very attracted to him, and I can’t help but think that I would love to be the one getting naked upstairs. With Michael. I’m a little jealous of Luna. Not because of Kyle. But because I haven’t had sex in ages, and now it’s all I can think about because three hot guys have suddenly appeared in my life in one night. Three hot guys I can’t seem to say no to and who all seem interested in me. Unless I did bump my head extra hard.

“By yourself?” Michael asks.

I have to think for a second about what he’s talking about. Because my brain is still on the topic of sex. And yes, I do have sex by myself sometimes. And tonight I’m going to while thinking about him. And Crew. And Nathan Armstrong.

My cheeks get hotter.

“Um, what?” I ask, unable to retrieve what he’s talking about.

“You’re going to hang out in the bookstore by yourself?”

“Oh, yes. For a little bit.” I start texting Luna.

Hey, yes, I’m fine. No problem. I’ll be down in the bookshop.

I hit send, chew my bottom lip, then text again.

Also, I got kissed tonight.

What????? Omg!!!! Wait, NOT BEN RIGHT???!!! Was it the hot doc???!

My cheeks grow even hotter.

No, not Ben. It was

God, do I tell her it was Crew? I have to. Luna is my best friend. I can’t keep this from her.

It was your brother.

Oh. Yeah, I saw that, remember.

She’s obviously not as excited about this as I am.

No. Another one. After the game.

There is a long pause. The three dots pop up, disappear, then pop up again.

Um…I’m sorry?

I stare at her response. Then laugh.

Trust me. Nothing to be sorry about. It was really good.

Um…wow. Okay. Well…okay. No wonder he wanted your number. At least he has great taste in women.

Aw, see? This is why she’s my best friend. She just doesn’t get worked up about much.

I was hoping it was the hot doctor though, I’ll be honest. What happened when you talked to him?

He’s amazing. He’s actually here with me now. He brought me home.

!!!!!!!! Girl, take him inside the shop and feed that man some cookies!

What? Really?

Yes! Keep him around. Fill him up with butter, sugar, and chocolate, and then kiss him!!

I look back up. Michael is still patiently waiting on the sidewalk. “Luna said she won’t be long, but would you… maybe would you like to come into the shop with me? I can offer you a cookie.”

That sounds wrong. I hear it immediately.

The corner of his mouth turns up ever so slightly but Michael is too well-mannered to comment on it. He just says, “I’d love to eat a cookie.”

Oh, God.