His Goodpuck Charm E-Book

Jules Rae

• Herausgeber: Jules Rae
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

"Wash out," "flopped," "may never recover," "disaster," and "failure" dominated the headlines and airwaves, painting a bleak picture of Luka Kuznetsov future in the sport after his injury.

Luka, haunted by doubts, clings to an unorthodox pre-game ritual - sex before every game - with his newfound Doctor. But what starts as a contract relationship quickly evolves into a captivating and forbidden connection that neither of them saw coming.

When Ana Sheen, plagued by depression stemming from her father's gambling addiction, mounting debts, and a string of misfortunes is offered a position as part of the medic staff for a renowned hockey team, she sees it as her ticket to a better future. Little does she know that accepting the job means becoming entangled in the enigmatic world of Luka Kuznetsov, the star player with a chilling reputation both on and off the ice.

As their connection deepens, both Ana and Luka must confront their inner demons and make choices that will shape their futures.

TRIGGER WARNING : This book contains explicit sexual content of non con, dub con, depression, dark thoughts and violence.
This is the first book of the series "The Crestmont Players" 

Leseprobe

HIS GOODPUCK CHARM

Table of Contents

Title Page

His goodpuck Charm

DEDICATION

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

CHAPTER 30

CHAPTER 31

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 33

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 35

CHAPTER 36

CHAPTER 37

CHAPTER 38

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 40

CHAPTER 41

CHAPTER 42

CHAPTER 43

CHAPTER 44

CHAPTER 45

CHAPTER 46

CHAPTER 47

CHAPTER 48

EPILOGUE

By

JULES RAE

HIS GOOPUCK CHARM © Copyright 2023 Jules Rae

Copyright notice: All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

BLURB

"Wash out," "flopped," "may never recover," "disaster," and "failure" dominated the headlines and airwaves, painting a bleak picture of Luka Kuznetsov's future in the sport after his injury.

Luka, haunted by doubts, clings to an unorthodox pre-game ritual - sex before every game - with his newfound Doctor. But what starts as a contract relationship quickly evolves into a captivating and forbidden connection that neither of them saw coming.

When Ana Sheen, plagued by depression stemming from her father's gambling addiction, mounting debts, and a string of misfortunes is offered a position as part of the medic staff for a renowned hockey team, she sees it as her ticket to a better future. Little does she know that accepting the job means becoming entangled in the enigmatic world of Luka Kuznetsov, the star player with a chilling reputation both on and off the ice.

As their connection deepens, both Ana and Luka must confront their inner demons and make choices that will shape their futures.

CONTENT WARNING

This book is not your typical romance novel. Its main trope is sexual fastburn with emotional slowburn, which comes with very trauma filled characters, a hero who is possessive and a walking red flag. This book covers suicidal thoughts, non con, dub con, punishment sex, body betrayal kidnapping and violence... and found family.

Read with caution

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all girls who read smut like it’s the morning newspaper.

CHAPTER 1

The air hung thick with the stench of alcohol and despair, a daily reminder that this was Ana’s reality- an endless, bitter cycle of broken days.

Beer bottles and lottery tickets were scattered across the floor like a haphazard mosaic around her drunken father.

Those familiar dark thoughts crept up again as she filled another trash bag, the litany of ways she could end her suffering for good. A fistful of the pills from the medicine cabinet or maybe a rope tied to one of the ceiling fan blades. She contemplated whether the rope would hold up or snap, causing her to fall with a snapping thud.

What a terrible way to die- not the hanging, but the fall.

Who would mourn for her if she died? Certainly not her father. Despite hoping, he loved her somewhere beneath the tangle of his addiction.

Her brother would miss her. He was only thirteen. She couldn’t leave him; even with their shattered family, it remained her responsibility to protect him. Someone had to hold on to the wreckage of their sad excuse for a life, much as she yearned at times to let it go. She stayed- existing, not living, and warding off the darkness as best she could.

“Shit. It’s morning.” Her father’s voice tore into her thoughts. “Why didn’t you wake me? I can’t be late. Have you seen my lucky socks?”

“Err... no.”

“I got some money and I know if I have those socks, I’ll win big,” he muttered to himself, annoyed as he looked back at her. “What are you doing today? Just being lazy at home?” he hissed.

“I was thinking of looking for a job today.” Her words came out like a stutter.

“What about that waitress job? At least that brought in some cash.”

She no longer felt comfortable serving drinks to middle-aged men, who never kept their hands to themselves. “I quit last week.”

“Stupid. You could have studied a real profession. Be a real doctor or nurse. That way I could see the benefits of you going to college, but what do we have to show for it? Nothing but debts and more debts.”

Of course, he blamed her schooling for their debts, never realizing it was his gambling that caused the problem. He conveniently forgot that Ana had paid for most of the tuition fees, including those of her brother Danny.

Besides, she was a real doctor. She just had to find a job that matched her degree as a physiotherapist, in order to alleviate their financial burden.

They probably would have been homeless too if they hadn't lived in her late grandmother’s house, which was why the house screamed of old age and in dire need of renovation.

With a deep sigh, Ana set to work. She grabbed another trash bag from the kitchen and began to pick up the empty bottles, wincing at the sound of clinking glass. The task was a familiar one - she had done it so many times before that it became almost automatic.

“I paid to feed you, clothe you and what do I get?” He bent down and fished out a small pair of socks from the bottom of his laundry basket. One of which had a large hole in the sole where his big toe poked through. “Bunch of college debts and a nuisance, that’s all you are. I was going to be a professional soccer player. I had the scholarship too, then your mother tells me she is pregnant. Puff. There goes my dream and now I have just you. At least having Danny was a choice.”

Ana’s hands tightened into fists as her father spoke. His words acted like arrows aimed straight at the center of her heart.

He never failed to remind her, she was worthless and bad luck—maybe he was right, because the more often you hear something, the more likely it is to come true. Her father stumbled out of the house. From his expression, he could very well be gone for days or weeks. Silently, she prayed for the latter.

A text message appeared on her phone screen. She squinted at it, not quite believing what she was reading. She read it again–this time out loud–and a wave of hope filled her.

Congratulations, you are hired.

This was a job she had applied for months ago. They wanted her. If her memory served her right, she bombed the interview. She had stuttered and forgotten most of her answers.

Great. This was a sign that her luck was turning around. She checked the time for the interview, two hours from now. Christ. It was on the other side of town and, considering, she didn’t have enough cash to spare for a taxi. It was wise to leave earlier.

She sped through the cleaning, got dressed, and was out the door.

*•.¸♡ . ♡¸.•*

Checking the address one more time, she glanced at the building.

It was a training center for the most popular hockey team. The Crestmont Giants.

The building loomed ahead, its glass windows reflecting the bright sunlight on a dazzling display. From the outside, it appeared almost fierce with its sleek modern design and heavy metal doors.

She moved further through the hallway, passing through the gym area until she found an ice rink. It was filled with fluorescent lights flickering above the ice, casting a pale blue glow over the entire space. There was a group of players practicing their shots, sending pucks flying into the net with precision and power.

The rink was bustling with activity, but one player caught her attention immediately. He was tall and big, with an intense expression on his face as he skated back and forth with incredible speed and agility.

Ana watched as the player 24 received a pass and fired a shot. His movements were mesmerizing but intimidating.

She was captivated by his skill and athleticism, though a shiver of fear ran down her spine at the thought of working closely with someone like him.

Suddenly, the coach’s voice cut through the air, loud and urgent. “Hey, take it easy.”

The player didn’t seem to hear him at first, so focused on his practice session, causing the coach to yell out again, even louder this time. “I said calm down, Kuznetsov, dammit!”

This time, the player slowed down his movements, taking a few deep breaths to steady himself.

“Kuznetsov.” She mouthed the name. Even though she was not really a big fan of hockey, she knew who Luka Kuznetsov was. His face and name has been everywhere since recently. Didn't he suffer from an injury?

He skated over to the boards where the coach was standing, his chest heaving with exertion, the cool air caused his breath to form a misty cloud around his face. Dressed in the Crestmont Giant blue jersey, adorned with the recognizable 'G' logo on his jersey.

Luka Kuznetsov removed his helmet, revealing a sweaty mess of hair. He was talking to the coach when his gaze lifted up to her, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity that was almost frightening.

The coach turned around following the player's gaze.

“I’m here for an interview. I got a text.” Ana reached for her phone.

Before she said another word, the powdered-haired man came forward. “Coach Thompson. You must be Ana sheen. Do you have your Credentials here?”

They walked ahead, leaving the ice rink as she handed him the papers from her purse. “Err... this is my first job since I graduated last year and I know you would like to have someone with experience, but I assure you—”

“You got the job. I’m not in the position to look for another.” He shifted in his stand, pulling on his trousers as he added, “We might do a trial but just make sure you do a good job.”

“Hey you,” he called out, shoving his helmet at one of the gym staff.

“Her name is Ana.” The couch snapped, before turning to her, “right?”

She nodded.

“Whatever. Let’s see what you got.”

For a second, she was cut off guard. What did he want from her? An obvious look on the coach reminded her.

“Oh right. Do you have any special needs, any joint pains perhaps?” her voice was soft and hesitant, as she stumbled over her words.

He said nothing but continued his walk ahead, pushing through a blue door to a private room.

*•.¸♡ . ♡¸.•*

The office was a bright, airy space with white walls and large windows letting in plenty of natural light. The floor was made of a soft, padded material that’s easy on the feet. The room was furnished with a comfortable massage table covered with a clean white sheet, a few chairs, and a desk with a computer on it. She took a break from admiring what could be her office to find Luka undressing.

He peeled off his shirt, the sinewy ridges of his muscles flexed. She struggled to keep her eyes from wandering over him but couldn’t help but marvel at how toned, chiseled, and strikingly handsome he was.

“Is this okay for you?”

Ana jolted back to reality and swallowed hard. “No problem. Whatever you feel comfortable with.” Her gaze dropped down to her fidgeting hands.

She silently prayed that he hadn’t noticed her ogling him like a love-struck schoolgirl.

Ana tried to ignore the heat that spread through her body as she began the therapy session. She slipped on a pair of gloves. Despite her obvious nervousness, Ana tried her best to appear confident and professional, or this could be the last day she ever worked here. She straightened her back, stood by the cot.

“Do you have a particular concern?”

“Just give me a little of everything.”

He collapsed onto the treatment table, winced as Ana began to massage his sore muscles.

“Wow, do you grate cheese on this thing?” She said, feeling his abs in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Luka’s face remained stern and unsmiling, his brow was furrowed. There was no sign he thought her joke was funny.

She muttered an apology, clearing her throat. “Sorry. I say stupid jokes when I’m nervous”

He groaned as she dug into the knots in his shoulders. She was determined to pass this interview or test or whatever it was, but every time their eyes met, she felt a warmth spreading through her body that she couldn’t ignore.

Ana tried to focus her attention on the sound of the blades on the ice, with its reverberations bouncing off the walls, periodically interrupted by shouts from Luka’s teammates.

It was hard with Luka’s eyes fixed on her actions. She couldn’t focus with his watchful stare.

Ana took a deep breath and began to massage Luka's shoulder, trying her best to apply the right amount of pressure. However, her hands were shaking with nerves, and she ended up pressing too hard into the inflamed area.

"What the fuck are you doing? That hurts!" Luka snapped, pulling away from her touch with a wince.

"I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Ana stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She tried to adjust her technique, but Luka's shoulder was already aggravated from her earlier mistake.

"Is everything okay over there?" the head coach pushed himself into the room.

Luka shot Ana a scathing glare before turning to address the coach. "No, everything is not okay. This new physio doesn't know what she's doing. She's just making my injury worse," he said, his voice dripping with contempt.

He picked up his gears and clothes, walking out of the office, not bothering with the rest of her words.

Ana felt her heart plummet into her stomach. A lump formed in her throat as she fought back tears, knowing that this disastrous first impression had likely ruined her chances of succeeding in this job.

"I-I'm so sorry, I'll leave," Ana whispered shakily, quickly gathering her things and hurrying out of the training room, her confidence thoroughly shattered by the embarrassing incident.

Ana rushed to the bathroom, holding back tears. She had fumbled the interview badly and feared losing her chance at this job. The job, desperately needed to keep a roof over her head and food on the table, felt like it was slipping through her grasp. Panic, a cold, clammy hand, tightened around her throat.

She prided herself on her independence, on always paving her own way. But right now, that independence felt like a flimsy shield against the crushing weight of potential failure. Tears spilled over, tracing hot tracks down her cheeks as she splashed water on her face, trying to wash away the sting of disappointment and the fear clawing at her insides.

Just as she was starting to regain some semblance of composure, the bathroom door creaked open. Luka, his tall frame filling the doorway, blocked the exit. His usual carefree demeanor was replaced by a concerned frown that sent a jolt through her. He didn't speak at first, just watched her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

Finally, he spoke, his voice surprisingly soft, almost a whisper. "How badly do you need this job?"

Ana hesitated, her heart pounding so forcefully she could feel it reverberating in her throat. She gave a small, reluctant nod, suddenly acutely aware of how vulnerable she was alone with the imposing athlete.

"No, I need to hear you say it," Luka pressed, taking a deliberate step forward, crowding her space. "How much does this job mean to you?"

A shiver ran treacherously down Ana's spine as her widened eyes met his piercing stare. In that moment, the lines between desperation and a dangerous gamble blurred. "I...I will do anything," Without another word he turned and left.

A heavy feeling of dread settled in Ana's stomach. She wondered what Luka Kuznetsov might demand in exchange for giving her the job, and what unethical or degrading things she might have to do to get it.

CHAPTER 2

Ana laid on her bed, her thoughts racing through the day. She had a brief moment of hope where she thought things were finally turning around, only to be followed by an unfortunate blunder. If she was honest, Luka Kuznetsov scared her, but his chiseled jawline, piercing blue eyes and muscular build would make any woman feel weak in the knees.

Ana was not any woman. She was going to be his doctor, and Luka would be her patient. That was if they called her back.

She forced herself upright, remembering her priorities. She needed this job and dared not let anything get in the way. One thing still confused her: Why did he suddenly change his mind?

Her phone suddenly started buzzing, informing her of an incoming call. She noticed it was from Danny’s school principal before she had a chance to contemplate further.

“Mrs Harper, sorry I missed your call. I had a very busy day today.” Ana spoke first.

“I know it’s a bit late now, but I wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t urgent.”

“How is Danny? Is he alright?”

“He is still having trouble making friends, but I wanted to talk to you about the school fees. You know, the payment was due last month, and we haven’t received it yet.”

A bitterness rose in her throat as she thought of how far behind she was with the fees, how little she had to live on this month. “I’m sorry, Mrs Harper. I’ve been struggling financially lately. I lost my job a few weeks ago.” She quickly added, “but I just got another one today so that won’t be a problem.” She winced, because she was not certain about her employment status even though the coach had said he would get back to her.

“My hands are tied. We can’t keep doing this, miss Ana you have till next week.”

“Thank you and goodnight.” Ana hung up and fell back into the mattress.

Drowsiness weighed heavily on her eyelids as the sound of her breathing filled the silence.

The blaring light from the phone illuminated the darkness of the room. Another incoming call. She reached over and picked it up to see an unknown number displayed across the screen.

Her thumb grazed the smooth surface, answering it on the third ring.

“Hello?” she said, waiting for a response.

“My opinion matters a lot in the new hires of staff. They are to be most efficient and professional in matters of the team.”

The chilly voice came from the other end of the line, causing her to involuntarily shudder. She could barely make out what the man said. It wasn’t just because of his thick Russian accent, but because she was still groggy from sleep.

“Yes.” Was all she uttered, then almost instantly realized who the caller was. “Mr. Kuznetsov, I’m sorry about happened today-

“You have another chance.” He cut her short.

“Huh?”

“I’m sending you my address.”

“Oh, you mean right now.”

“Why? are you fucking busy?” His tone came out sharp and she couldn’t tell if he was angry or it was the accent.

“No. No.” She scurried out of the bed, silently thanking herself that had not yet undressed.

He hung up and a minute later, her phone buzzed one more time as a text came through.

*•.¸♡ . ♡¸.•*

She left to follow the directions to a penthouse apartment in the heart of the city.

It was nearly freezing outside, but the buildings were a haven of warmth. She entered the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. A sense of anticipation built inside her. She had no idea what to expect, but thankfully she had her bag with her. It was filled with every essential thing a physiotherapist might need when called unexpectedly at 11pm at night.

The elevator doors opened and Ana stepped out into his home. The walls were painted a deep red, and the floor was covered in a plush carpet. The space was filled with sleek, modern furniture and tasteful works of art, and she noticed the twinkling lights of the city skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“Ana? Come with me.”

She flinched. Her hand turned white from gripping the strap of the medic bag too tightly.

Luka stood with a glass of some amber liquid, still in his robe, revealing his chest.

Ana followed him into the bedroom, trying not to stare at the surrounding mess.

It was clearly obvious what happened here. There were traces of it. A condom wrapper lying on the floor, a tube of lube was squeezed flat, clothes littered and a half-empty bottle of whiskey was perched precariously on an end table.

She couldn't imagine he did all this the night before his game. She tried to focus on what she was called here for and ignore the sour stench of sweat and sex. It didn't matter what her patients did in their private time. She was here to do a job.

“This place is a mess, but just come on in.”

“It's okay. I will set up now.” She straightened a part of the bed and prepared her oils while Luka leaned against the mirror, his hands crossed against his chest.

Luka's gaze never left her as she moved around the room, setting up things on the table. His eyes roamed from her slender neck, her hair was fixed into a bun, his gaze dropped to her jeans that hugged her ass perfectly. He bit his lips as his mind conjured the inviting image of himself slamming into her ass.

“Lie down, sir,” she said, finally turning to him.

He didn’t. Instead he covered the gap between them in two long strides and leaned down to her.

“I brought some oil, so maybe they could help you sleep tonight.” She said, the words came out like a stutter.

She was still nervous around him. He knew he had that effect on people and obviously enjoyed that.

“Aren't you a bit curious why I called you here this late?”

The question caught Ana off guard. She blinked, her mind scrambling as she tried to make sense of what had just been asked. "I am guessing you have a game tomorrow and you need to be in shape."

His eyes narrowed as he stared at her. Contemplating. There was something off about her. He couldn't place a finger on it. He didn't have time to be picky right now. She would have to work for now. Besides, if she revealed his secret, he would destroy her. That part was certain.

"There are many players who have their... pre-game ritual, something they do before they go for a big match, something that makes them feel lucky if you do say so."

"Ah. My father has some lucky socks." She paused. "It doesn't work though."

Luka parted his mouth for a moment, then nodded. "Hmm... Well, mine is different. I need to have sex before I play. It doesn't matter who the person is, as long as it's mind-blowing good sex."

She blinked, a million things running through her mind as she waited for him to continue.

"The team has an upcoming game tomorrow. A lot is riding on it... a lot is riding on me. You see where I'm going with this?"

"Not sure if I say I do." Ana took a step back now. "I.. I... I just came to give your treatment, help with your pain and..."

He advanced on her with a feral gaze, closing the distance between them as she shrank away in fear. Her feet knocked against the bed, falling onto the soft mattress.

In the next second, her body was pinned beneath him. Luka’s face held an icy mask of determination as he leaned down, planting his elbow on either side of her body to take the weight off of her fragile frame.

“This is crazy, don’t you think so?” She said with a nervous chuckle.

She pushed herself from underneath him because he allowed her to.

Luka looked irritated as he sat up on the bed.

“I’m sorry, Mr Kuznetsov. I don’t mean your pre game ritual is crazy, but me? Trust me I can’t.. I am the most unlucky person I know. I am so unlucky. I’m sure black cats cross the streets when they see me.”

He cocked an eyebrow at her. Now she was saying nonsense just to get out of his proposal. He had assumed she would jump at the chance, considering his fame and wealth. Maybe she was the type that wanted the chase. Fuck. He didn’t have time for that now, he would just find another person.

“Don’t you have... girls for this kind of thing?”

“I found out she was selling stories to the press so I had to chase her out. I guess you don’t need the money, fine.” He stood up. “Leave. What I need is sex. A good fuck, not some massage treatment.”

A brief silence filled the room.

“Am I still hired? You know, for the team physiotherapist job?”

Luka looked over his shoulder and said nothing. He flopped himself onto a chair at the corner and picked up his glass one more time. “You were not going to be the team physiotherapist, but mine.”

Okay. That was news to her and now it meant her employment was tied to Luka's strange proposal.

She squeezed her eyes, and couldn't imagine she was back to the same position again. Surviving instead of living. “How much?” she silently cursed herself for asking.

“Five thousand dollars.” Luka said. “For tonight.”

She could use the extra money to pay for Danny’s tuition, he would not have to come back home, come back to live with their father. It would be enough to repair the house that was slowly falling apart or move to a better apartment. God the money would be like a magic wand that could make her problem disappear.

If she rejected his offer, Luka might make her lose the job and she would be left with nothing. If she agreed, she would be five thousand dollars richer.

“You will actually give me the money?” she asked again, wanting to be certain.

“I don’t joke with things like this.”

“Just tonight?” her voice broke, she fought the tears that gathered in her eyes. Her mind slowly made peace with the fact she was going to have sex in exchange for money. How low could she go?

“Just tonight.” He had risen up and walked up to Ana who had her head lowered, staring at the marble floor.

Luka grinned, the corner of his lips lifting as he watched Ana fiddling with her finger, slowly coming to terms with it.

CHAPTER 3

“Go ahead.” She said, squeezing her eyes shut and opening her hand wide.

Beaded patterns of sweat snaked down like festive holiday lights, sparking from Ana’s dark skin,

He composed himself. He wasn’t sure what she thought was going to happen, but he wasn’t going to approach this like a wild animal. Even though most of his past encounters had strangely used those exact words to describe him.

“Have you been with a man before?”

“Huh?” she opened her eyes one right after the other.

He groaned, “I don’t like repeating myself. I asked if you are a fucking virgin?”

She cleared her throat. “Does it matter?”

He snickered. This girl didn’t know what she got herself into. He was not like any of her supposed boyfriends, who would shower her with kisses and whisper sweet nothing in her ear. For starters, he hated kissing. The mere idea of sharing saliva with someone gave him the ick. It might be counterintuitive, especially since he was considering his new doctor as a toy. The basis was that kissing required emotions and intimacy–something he was not interested in. For him, tonight was transactional.

She must have done this before, and he wouldn’t be taken in by her faux innocence. They all began the same way—acting pure—until they spotted an opportunity to make money.

“You are right. It doesn’t matter. I guess there is no need for me to go easy on you.”

She swallowed.

“Strip.” He commanded, his tone firm and authoritative.

Her eyes widened at the bluntness, and her mouth hung open.

“I am not going to fuck you while you are wearing clothes, am I?”

She reached up and began to unbutton her blouse, her fingers trembling as she tugged at the fabric. Luka watched her, growing more impatient as the seconds ticked.

He set his glass down. “Fuck this,” he growled, pushing her hands away and ripping her shirt open. Buttons flew through the air like shrapnel from a bomb blast.

His eyes lingered on her naked body. Perky breasts that sit right on her bra.

His cock jerked at the thought of burying his face in them.

That image was strange. He wasn’t a boob man and least of all, someone he was literally paying for.

Luka’s hand moved over her waist and in just an instant, he threw her onto the bed.

“Wait... wait. Wait. Please.” She struggled against him as he climbed onto her. “I changed my mind.” She whimpered, terror palpable in her words.

“I can’t—I can’t do this.”

“Jesus fucking Christ.” He pushed himself from her and scowled. “Will you stop being so dramatic?”

He snatched a bottle of whiskey from the bedside table and paced over to the window. His body was taut as a bowstring, with barely leashed rage.

“I don’t have time for this. If this is too much for you, Get the fuck out of my house.”

Ana sat small and silent on the edge of the bed, hands folded primly in her lap. He was right. They made a deal. She had agreed. It was ridiculous, but she was desperate.

One night, she recited in her head. Five thousand dollars was a lot of money for one night.

At that moment, Ana made a decision. She refused to let her body deceive her mind into enjoying this experience. It was strictly contractual, and there was nothing obliging her to give herself over entirely to him.

This way, once it was over, she could at least pretend it never happened. And she would believe it. It may be a little crazy, but that’s all she got right now.

She stood up and slipped off her bra from her body and slowly got out of her panties. Her gaze remained fixed on him, letting him know her decision was made. His steps faltered when he turned to her.

She bared herself for him.

He took her in. He didn’t blink, didn’t stop. His eyes slowly traced the curve of her hips, the roundness of her ass, the roundness of her breasts.

“Get on the bed, ass in the air.”

She awkwardly did as she was told. Luka positioned himself up behind her and got himself ready to thrust inside. She glanced at his cock one more time.

He tore a condom and slipped it on a hardened cock.

She flinched. “Wait. I-i d-don’t think it will fit.”

He gripped her hips and leaned against her shoulder. “Relax, it will fit.”

Her hands tightened around the bedspread, as she braced herself, her body tensed.

“Goddamnit, would you relax? I am not even halfway in yet.”

The lack of lube made her tightness nearly unbearable for him. He hissed as he pulled out, reaching for a lube.

“I’ve never done this–“

“Take it up your ass? I’m sure you haven’t,” Luka taunts her. He spread open her cheeks and pressed a finger inside her.

She gasped, burying her face in the pillow at the sting. His finger felt good, but then he added another finger in. It was mild but different, and her body tensed a bit as she tried to adjust to the feeling. He slowly added another finger in. She tried to control her breathing.

He withdrew his fingers, and she felt an aching emptiness inside of her.

“You will get used to it.”

Luka gripped her hip, holding her in place, his cock ready to thrust inside her.

“Spread your legs wider.”

She did.

His body was hot and hard, and he was pressing into her.

Ana let out a sharp cry when he thrust his full length into her ass. She stiffened at the feeling. It burned, but as he started to move. He slammed into her at a rate that would leave her sore for days.

She held a stifled scream as he penetrated her, stretching her beyond belief. He growled, shoving her head down into the soft pillow as his cock jack-hammered into her, almost mindlessly.

She couldn’t take it, the way his shaft dragged against her now throbbing clit every time he thrust into her. Ana appeared calmed and collected, her face expressionless, like a peaceful and subdued porcelain doll as she took the aggressiveness, trapped under his strong body.

Like that encouraged him, he rammed into her ass cheeks, making a clapping sound as he fucked her, hard and fast. It was too much. The discomfort had all but melted away after a few minutes. The pleasure overwhelmed the pain and her body started to move with him.

Her pussy was drenched, aching to be touched and her brain was absolutely mush. Still, she was determined not to give in, not to let herself climb.

Whatever happened, she was not going to let her body willed her brain to enjoy such an assault.

“I’m going to cum.” He had said it like he was giving her permission to back out when he knew he clearly had the power here.

She bit down on her bottom lip and held on. The little energy in her body drained out, and she laid limp under him while he fucked her hard, chasing his own high.

Not long after, Luka came with several low, rough grunts in her ear. His fingers dug into her skin. She was sure would leave a mark.

It was over. He slumped onto the bed beside her.

All she could focus on was the soreness between her thighs. As much as she wanted to get up and shower, her legs were throbbing just lying there, let alone walking.

“We are done, right?” she said softly.

“What? That was just round one. We have the rest of the night.

CHAPTER 4

Luka woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside, feeling the aftereffects of the night before. He got out of bed quietly, glanced at the woman beside him. Ana was still fast asleep. He walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower, letting the hot water wash away the remnants of the night’s activities.

Luka padded out of the steamy bathroom, a white towel wrapped around his waist. His footsteps echoed off the tile floor as he headed to the kitchen.

Luka stood in his kitchen, blender whirring as he prepared a protein shake. He knew he shouldn't check his phone, but curiosity gnawed at him like an insatiable hunger. He reached for the device, eager to discover what the media anticipated from the upcoming match.

However, he braced himself for the all-too-familiar reports filled with doubts and skepticism, undermining his confidence.

As he scrolled through the news headlines, each one seemed to cast a shadow of uncertainty over his return to the ice. The media reports, like venomous whispers in the back of his mind, chipped away at his confidence. "Luka's Comeback: A Long Shot at Redemption," one headline screamed, the words stabbing at his resolve. Another read, "Can Luka Ever Regain His Position as the one Top Player in the NHL?"

He scrolled further. "Career in Peril: The Defining Match for Luka Kuznetsov," one article proclaimed, its words like a sledgehammer to his spirit. Another headline declared, "Luka's Return: A Disastrous Flop or an Inspiring Triumph?"

The weight of those headlines bore down on Luka's shoulders, threatening to extinguish the flickering flame of hope within him. It felt as if the world had already written his comeback story, painting it with hues of disappointment and failure.

He set his phone aside, took a deep breath and willed his thoughts to focus on the day ahead.

He stilled. His mind shifted to the woman in his bed.

Ana ought to be awake by now. He had left an envelope on the nightstand, not wanting to deal with the awkward morning-after talk. He despised that moment more than anything else. That's one of the reasons he preferred being single: he could have as much sex as he wanted and still enjoy a peaceful morning like this one.

Last night... Last night... He pushed aside the thoughts when he failed to find a word to describe it. It didn’t matter what last night was — a casual hookup and nothing more. He did what he had to do and she... Well, he couldn’t tell if she had enjoyed it or not.

Luka Kuznetsov was used to his previous partners exaggerating their moans. He hated that. The terrible acting. He knew they wanted to boost his ego, but Ana.... She laid there; her face having the same pained expression.

Had he not been good? Why did that bother him now? Why was he concerned about his performance? It shouldn’t matter. They had agreed this was a transaction. He got the sex, and she... got the money.

Luka willed his thoughts to turn to the day ahead. He took a long breath and prepared himself for the upcoming match.. This was his first game post surgery and everyone was going to be watching. An injury like his had caused many to end their career, and he could not see that for himself.

If he weren’t playing hockey, what would he do? He didn’t want to be like his brother, confined behind a desk while their dad pulled the strings. The doctors had done their best. Everything seemed alright at least physically.

The team was squaring off against the Boston Bears, and he had a feeling that it would be an amazing match. He just knew it.

Irritation suddenly rose in him. Would she not get her ass up and leave?

He marched into the bedroom, expecting to call her out, and surprisingly, found the room empty. She must have gone while he was in the bathroom.

He grinned to himself. He liked her. She understood their agreement. No strings attached.

It was better this way.

*•.¸♡ . ♡¸.•*

The crowd buzzed with a mix of anticipation, and unease as Luka Kuznetsov got on the ice. Everything about his grace and power was predatory. He was famous for his savage outbursts and the opponent’s left shattered in his wake.

The score was tied, tensions rising as the clock ticked towards ruin. Caleb glided the puck to Luka, and with serpentine speed he wove through their defense, barring his path. Their defenses crumbled before his advance. A deft flick of his wrist had sent the puck rocketing into the net with crushing force, and the goalie could only stare in disbelief at being so thoroughly outmatched.

The crowd erupted, caught between dread at his prowess and awe at the spectacle of his dominance.

The buzzer sang his victory.

Luka was mobbed by his teammates, but even in the chaos, he could hear the fans chanting his name. It had been his best game yet, and everyone in the stadium knew it. Luka basked in the moment, knowing that he earned every bit of the adulation that was being thrown his way.

*•.¸♡ . ♡¸.•*

The locker room was a blur of activity as the hockey players stripped off their gear, music blared, teammates shouted and laughter echoed off the walls as the team basked in their victory.