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hide the fact that he had muscles in places all men should have muscles. Like in their thighs. And their abs. And their arms—
    When he took off his coat to let Cary hang it in the closet, she had to swallow because… Oh my god. The man’s arms bulged beneath his blue dress shirt.
    With black dress pants and that blue shirt, he looked good enough to eat.
    Wouldn’t you love to get your mouth on him?
    Yes, please. Anywhere he had skin.
    And when he turned to walk with Cary to the makeshift bar on the other side of the room, she thought she might have actually squeaked at the wonder of his ass.
    Ho-lee shit.
    “Bliss, are you okay?”
    Blinking, she turned her attention back to the two women, now staring at her with identical expressions of knowing amusement.
    Damn. Had she been that obvious?
    She forced a smile. “Yes, I’m fine. Sorry, I, uh…”
    “Got a glimpse of Shane Conrad.” The bride-to-be, whose name was Crista, smiled with commiseration. “He certainly is nice-looking. Kind of shy, though. Lori’s tried to set him up with a few girls before but nothing’s stuck. He’s apparently a really nice guy but doesn’t talk much. Or he doesn’t like girls.” Crista shrugged. “No one’s been able to figure out which yet. Would you like to meet him? I’m sure Lori would be thrilled to introduce you. He’s kind of become her pet project.”
    Is that why Lori had invited Bliss tonight? To introduce her to Shane? Not that that would be a bad thing but…
    But what?
    “I think I need a drink. Anyone need another?”
    Both Crista and her friend shook their heads, their grins widening.
    Bliss didn’t care. For the first time in months, she wanted to jump a guy’s bones. She’d be damned if she didn’t follow up on it.
    And maybe later, she’d get to strip off his pants and shirt and rub against his naked body like a cat in heat.
    Just as long as she didn’t stick her foot in her mouth first.
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
    Why the hell are you here? You’re a goddamn glutton for punishment. Should’ve stayed the hell home.
    Shane knew his strengths and his weaknesses. He could be the life of the party, but only if he felt comfortable with his audience.
    He didn’t know a single person here, except Cary and Lori, and he had the almost overwhelming urge to slink back to the door and make his getaway.
    Dork. Get a grip.
    He glanced around for Cary, but the guy had disappeared not long after introducing him to Damien and Lynton.
    Shane would make him pay for that. Somehow.
    “…must be amazing to get paid to be an athlete. You have like…what? Two games a week? Better than working in an office ten hours a day, six days a week. My fucking boss…”
    Shane nodded and agreed, letting the guys continue to tell him how amazing his life must be.
    Of course, they didn’t have a fucking clue what they were talking about.
    If they did, they wouldn’t be giving him those sly smiles when they talked about all the “fun” he must have on the road.
    Oh, yeah, he was just swimming in pussy all the fucking time. Between daily practice and working out and three or four games a week and travel and—
    Yeah, he loved playing hockey. Couldn’t think of anything he’d rather do. But like everything else, it had a downside.
    Playing in the AHL meant he didn’t move around as much as when he’d been in the ECHL, but it wasn’t the easiest way to make a living.
    Hockey was tough on the body. Plus, he had a shelf life. Goalies especially had knee problems. He might last until thirty-three. If he was lucky, his knees would hold out until he was forty. But eventually he’d have to leave the ice and find something else to do to make money. Especially if he continued playing the way he was and never made it to the NHL.
    Damn, what he wouldn’t give to be home binge-watching Daredevil and drinking beer.
    “So I told him I could work that weekend just so I wouldn’t have to be home when her parents showed up. I know I was