Carolina shook her head. “We were both drunk.”

“And he took advantage of you. Then dumped you. Asshole.”

Carolina loved that her friend was so fiercely protective of her. “It wasn’t exactly like that. Did I make it sound like that?”

“You didn’t need to make it sound like that. That’s how it was, wasn’t it?”

She shrugged. “Not really. I mean yes, I was a virgin, but God, I chased after him. Lusted after him. He just gave me what I’d wanted. What I asked him for. It wasn’t his fault that he couldn’t—didn’t love me like I wanted.”

Stella sighed. “And you’re still speaking to him. You’re way more forgiving than I would be.”

“Clearly, you’re a mean bitch. Who broke your heart so badly?”

“No one, because I won’t let a guy get within a mile of it. I’ve seen too many of my friends messed up by men. They’re all vicious heartbreakers. Best not to fall in love, that way you won’t get hurt.”

Carolina shifted on the sofa. “Seriously? But you date a lot. In fact, you’re always going out with guys.”

“Exactly. Different guys. They’re fun, and they have penises, and if they know what to do with them, they might get to hang around for a while. But keeping them, long term? No way. As soon as I think I might be developing feelings for one, he’s out the door.”

After all these years of knowing Stella, she had no idea her friend felt this way about men. And she could deny it all she wanted, but some guy had broken her heart. Why else would she protect it so fiercely?

She was so gorgeous. Tall and lithe, with a killer figure and a man’s attitude about sex and dating. She could quite possibly be every man’s dream.

“So who broke your heart, Stella? Seriously.”

Stella picked up her bottle of beer and took a long swallow. “I’d rather hear about the hot and studly hockey player who’s back in your life again. You should tease the hell out of him, then leave him high and dry.”

Carolina laughed. “You have a mean streak.”

Stella grinned. “I know. But that’s me. So tell me about you and—oh shit, he just scored. Goddamn, he’s good.”

Carolina jerked her attention to the screen and caught Drew’s score on the replay. He’d skated past the defender and caught a pass from a teammate, shooting the puck past the goalie and into the net.

It had been a magnificent shot, so filled with power she had felt it zing all the way through her television.

“Hello? Did you just orgasm watching the replay?”

She rolled her eyes at Stella’s comment. “Not funny. It was a good shot, though.”

“So how much are you seeing this Drew Hogan guy?”

“I’m not seeing him at all. We did spend Thanksgiving together, but only because I stayed here to work, and my mother and brother conned him into dragging me out of the house. So I worked the homeless shelter with him. Then he took me ice skating. And we went out to eat later that day.”

“So, you spent the entire day with him. Did you get him na**d? Did he get you na**d?”

“He most definitely did not get me na**d that day.”

Stella laughed. “So he got you na**d another day.”

“I had to get his measurements.”

“Ohhh, so you did get him na**d.”

“Not na**d. He had his boxer briefs on.”

Stella glanced at the television again, then pulled her attention back to Carolina. “I’ll bet he has a killer body.”

“He’s ripped, for sure. Even more so now than he was in college.”

“And you want to f**k him again?”

“Honestly, Stella. You’re so . . . blunt.”

“So? What’s wrong with women loving sex? When was the last time you got laid?”

She had a point. “Too long.”

“Okay, then. Go jump hot stuff’s bones, then dump him, hard. You’ll get a great release and it’ll be nice payback. But hey, first we should go to a game. I love hockey. Can you introduce me to some of the players?”

“Why? Do you want to ruin one or two of them, leaving them well satisfied but crying in your wake?”

Stella laughed. “Maybe.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good. Since they’re in town, send hot stuff a text message. We can go party with them after the game.”

“Uh, it’s a little late, don’t you think?”

“It’s Friday night. What else are you going to do?”

“I was going to work tomorrow.”

“You can start a little later. Let’s have some fun tonight.”

She narrowed her gaze at Stella. “You’re a very bad influence.”

Stella laughed. “No, honey. I’m the best friend you’ve got. The one who’s going to prevent you from turning into a sweater-wearing cat lady who owns a rocking chair. Now send the text. They’re deep into the third period now and up by two goals, and I’d wager your guy is going to be ready to party after the game.”

Carolina could not believe she was doing this, but she grabbed her phone and sent the text.

“You’re going to make me regret this.”

“No regrets. Just fun.”

Carolina didn’t know about the fun part. But the message had been sent.

And she already regretted sending it.

TEN

AFTER A GRUELING GAME THAT ENDED WITH A three–to-one win, Drew was ready to let off some steam. So were some of the other guys.

He was shocked when, after showering and getting dressed, he grabbed his phone and found a text message from Carolina.

My friend Stella and I want to meet up with you after the game for drinks. Are you and your teammates heading somewhere?

Huh.

He wondered who Stella was. A fan, maybe? Either way, he was happy to hear from Carolina. He texted her back the name and location of the bar he and a few of the guys were headed to, and told her to meet them there.

McGill’s Bar was dark and packed, a typical hangout for the before, during, and after-the-game crowd. Drew always felt comfortable coming here because the fans were respectful and didn’t give them a hard time. They could hang out, drink a few beers, play some pool, and unwind. The big-screen TVs to watch the games didn’t hurt any, either. Since it was mostly guys, he didn’t have to deal with the hockey groupies.

So when Carolina walked in, looking cool and sexy in a brown leather jacket and dark jeans that hugged her slender legs, she definitely got the once-over from all the guys in the bar. And the tall blonde with her was gorgeous. Drew moved from the back of the bar to meet them.

“Hey,” he said, winding his arm around Carolina. “Glad you could make it.”

“Drew, this is Stella Slovinski. Stella, Drew Hogan.”

Drew shook her hand. “Nice to meet you, Stella.”

“Same here. Good game tonight.”

He arched a brow. “You’re a fan?”

“I love hockey. Carolina and I watched the game at her place.”

He shifted his gaze to Carolina’s. “You watched my game, huh?”

She shrugged. “It was on while I was eating. Then Stella dropped by, and she likes hockey.”

Drew grinned. “I love a hockey fan. Come on back. We’re playing pool.”

He led them to where the guys were in the middle of a game. He introduced Carolina and Stella to the six other guys who’d come with him to the bar.

“Nice saves at goalie tonight,” Stella said, striking up a conversation with Avery.

“Thanks.”

“Can’t believe you let that one in the third period slide by you, though. Were you napping back there?”

“Oh, tough critic,” Trick, Drew’s fellow forward said with a wide grin. He signaled the waitress. “Beer, Stella?”

“Definitely. And you have room to talk, Trick. You missed an easy pass from Drew while you were an inch from the goal.”

Trick laughed. “I like her. She has balls.”

“Well, no, I don’t, but I don’t mind busting yours.”

Drew laughed, then turned to Carolina. “What can I get you to drink?”

She grabbed a chair. “I’ll have a glass of wine. Something red, if they have it.”

“Coming right up.” He went up to the bar and ordered a glass of cabernet for Carolina, watching as Stella engaged the players. Deep in conversation with them, Stella seemed right at home while Carolina observed.

Actually, her gaze tracked back to him at the bar. But as soon as she saw he was looking at her, she slipped off her chair and joined Stella in conversation with the other guys.

Okay, he liked that she didn’t want him to know she was watching him.

She liked him. He knew it, and he understood the history between them and why she was wary.

His fault, really, but he was the one who was going to have to do something to change that.

He handed her the glass of wine.

“I was just telling your friend Trick here that he’d better get his ass in gear if he wants his stats to be as good as yours before the season starts,” Stella said.

“Oh, a statistician in our midst,” Drew said.

“Yeah, but I think she has her math wrong, because I’ve outshot you three to one.”

“My math is never wrong, Trick. Just ask Carolina.”

“I’m afraid Stella is right on that,” Carolina said.

“Yeah? How would you know?”

“She’s a hard-core hockey fan, and follows every player on the Travelers. She probably knows your stats better than you do.”

Trick leaned back to observe Stella. “No shit. Are you some kind of mathematician?”

Stella laughed. “No. I’m a dancer. But I’m very good at math.”

“So, you’re smart and beautiful. Score two for you, Stella.”

Avery moved over and pulled up a chair next to Carolina. “And you’re some kind of . . . designer, right?”

Carolina smiled at Avery, surprised he remembered her at all from their brief meeting at the mission on Thanksgiving. “That’s right.”

“What kind of designer was it again?”

“Clothing.”

“Oh. So you’re big into fashion and stuff.”

Carolina smiled. “Yes. You could say that.”

“And you’re friends with a hockey stats geek.”

“Hey,” Stella said, giving Avery a glare.

Avery laughed. “Touchy, touchy. Sorry. A beautiful, dancing, hockey stats genius.”

Stella nodded. “Better. And now you owe me a beer for the insult.”

“Consider it done. But how good are you at pool?”

Stella slid off the stool. “I’ll kick your ass at pool. Especially after that geek comment.”

Carolina shook her head and watched Avery rack the balls. Stella shrugged off her jacket, much to the admiration of all the guys.

“Get over here, Carolina,” Stella said. “You’re going to play, too.”

“I haven’t played pool since college.”

Drew came up next to her. “So? Afraid you’ll get beat?”

“Not a chance.” She took off her jacket and went to pick out a cue. “Stella, let’s show these boys how it’s done.”

Two hours later, she had won two games and lost two. All in all, not bad. Stella, of course, was kicking major butt, not surprising considering how good she was at pool.

“Your friend is a hit with my friends,” Drew said as they stood and watched Stella line up her shot.

Carolina grinned. “Men love Stella. And she’s a natural with them, always so comfortable around guys.”

“And you’re not?”

She shrugged. “Men don’t naturally gravitate toward me.”

He laughed. “You must be blind, babe, because every set of male eyes in this place has been on you since you walked in the door.”

She looked around, and caught several gazes quickly darting away.

Huh.

“Plus the guys on my team. I’ve had to glare at all of them to keep them away from you.”

She turned back to him. “And why would you do that?”

He leaned in closer. “I think you know why.”

She warmed as he looked down at her, his gaze direct, his intent obvious.

“I don’t pay much attention to men.”

“Maybe you should. Because they sure as hell pay attention to you. I sure as hell pay attention to you.”

And then it got hotter in there and she lost herself in the beauty of his face, the way his shoulder brushed against hers. It was like they were all alone in the bar despite the shouts of his friends and Stella’s raucous laughter.

“Why did you text me tonight?”

“Because Stella wanted to come meet the guys.”

“Is that the only reason?”

“Yes. Of course.”

He cocked a brow. “You didn’t want to see me.”

“Why would I want to do that?”

He tucked her hair behind one ear. “Because you missed me.”

Her eyes held his. She should step back and go hang out with Stella, but something about him, about the way he looked at her, held her there.

“I didn’t miss you. I’ve been working.”

“And not thinking about me—at all.”

“No. Not at all.”

He leaned closer and wrapped an arm around her, tugging her closer. “I’ve been thinking about you, Carolina. A lot.”