Tanner

I nearly went to Slap Shots after my meeting with Jenna to pick up Petite Bartender again, but as soon as the thought crossed my mind, it quickly started to disappear- as did the hard-on in my shorts. Damn, how does Jenna have such an effect on me so easily? The mere thought of being with another woman after seeing Jenna has an instant reaction on my body.

Even if it was just another round of steamy banter that we were exchanging, my body seems to crave more and more of it. One round of flirting with Jenna and my dick gets harder than a diamond, but the thought of touching another woman and he's limp again. It's a little ridiculous.

I can't explain it. This kind of thing has never happened to me before. I've never been hung up on a chick like this. It's so sad, but the more I'm around her, the more I start to think I'll take whatever I can get from Jenna. She's infiltrated my mind in more ways than one. I used to just fantasize about fucking her. Now, my thoughts of Jenna are more than just the explicit variety.

More than once, I've caught myself thinking about how beautiful she is- beautiful, not sexy, not smoking hot- though she's those too. It's just not a descriptor I'm used to using when it comes to women- not until now. That's all new. So are the thoughts I've had about her wit. Unlike my usual arm candy, she's intelligent, sassy, witty, and driven.

I don't know what to think about these new thoughts I've been having regarding Jenna. What the hell does it all mean? It couldn't possibly be that I...

Do I like this girl? Is that what this is? What the hell!?

I'm stuck grappling with my thoughts as I head to the rink for practice. There's no way I'm starting to catch feelings. Right? Maybe a hard practice session will be enough to work out some of this frustrated energy and clear my head of these ridiculous thoughts.

~

It wasn't.

I left practice that night feeling even more frustrated and confused as I headed home to pack my bag for our next few days of travel. We left the following day and didn't return to New York until Thursday evening. And each night, while we were away, I tried to work through what was going on inside my head. When we returned, I found myself more confused than ever.

~

Friday night's home game was terrific. We played our hearts out and annihilated the opposing team. The win was enough to distract me from my thoughts, but only for a short while. After the game, we all went to the bar to celebrate.

We head for our usual table near the back and order some drinks. As we pass by the bar, I hear Jenna congratulate some of the guys on the win as they walk by. She so kindly ignores me as I pass. I smirk to myself as I get closer to the table.

Why do little things like that get under my skin? I shouldn't be irked that she didn't specifically tell me congrats on the win, but here I am- irked.

I try to distract myself by bullshitting with Rob and Drew, but that only works for so long. I look up to the bar and see Jenna flick her eyes over me, then quickly away. She was clearly looking at me but didn't want to get caught. A smile forms on my lips.

Okay, babe, you wanna play this game? I'm all in.

I finish my beer before going up behind Jenna at the bar. I snake an arm around her waist and lean real close. "Jenna, you know it's okay if you wanna check me out. You don't have to play coy about it. I'll even take you out sometime and let you check me out naked afterward if you want."

Part of me is serious. The other part of me is just doing this to get a reaction out of her- to get under her skin like she has mine. I couple my statement with a sexy smolder as I wait for her response. I almost collapse at what she does next.

She places her hand on my chest and ever so slightly starts rubbing up and down. "Oh, Tanner, baby."

Oh, hell, yes!

I start to celebrate in my head as she continues. "It's never gonna happen."

Wait, what?

She then pats my chest and walks away with Liam's sister. I'm sure the disappointment on my face is clear as day. For a split second, I actually thought she was going to go for it, but I was wrong again. That's just one more point for Jenna. However, I don't entirely feel like I lost in that exchange. The way she drug her hand up and down my chest, the way she said my name and called me baby. She knew what she was doing. She knows how to work me up and leave me high and dry.

It should irritate the fuck out of me, but damn if it wasn't one of the sexiest encounters we've shared so far. I should walk away. I should let her be and save myself the endless days of blue balls, but I'm a glutton for punishment, especially if Jenna was the one doling it out. I'll take whatever she'll give me and come back begging for more.

A few rounds of drinks later, I see Jenna dancing with Liam out on the floor. She looks incredible, the way she moves her body- rolling her hips and shaking her ass to the beat. She looks like sex in those jeans she's wearing. I find myself incredibly jealous of the lucky bastard out there with her. I really want to know if they have something going on behind the scenes- or in the sheets.

I'm ripped from my ogling by a soft hand running up and down my arm and a voice whispering seductively in my ear. I turn to see the owner of said hand and voice. It's Jenna Davis. Not at all who I want hanging all over me. She's tried several times to get me to take her home. Even if Jenna Taylor wasn't in the picture, this girl's reputation is nauseating, and I have some standards. Those standards have grown excruciatingly high recently.

If she were less trashy and desperate, she still isn't the right look for me. Her hair is too bright, her eyes too dark, she's too tall, and it looks like she's had a lot of work done by a questionable surgeon. No, not right at all. These days I prefer small, brunette, and natural. And though Petite Bartender fits that description, even she doesn't meet my high standards anymore.

I gently push Jenna Davis away without a word and go back to admiring my Jenna, who is currently tearing up the dancefloor with my team's alternate captain. He's spinning her around and dipping her back, letting her hair fall, nearly sweeping the floor. She's beautiful all the time, but somehow at that moment, she looked ethereal.

After a bit, a few fangirls came up to us and started flirting; I barely noticed. I only perk up when I see Liam has made his way back to his table by his sister and Chase. I look around only to find Jenna chatting with Dan and Tyler. She asks how Dan's wife and kids are and tells Tyler about some recipe she discovered that she thinks he and his fiancée will like.

As I listen, I realize that she actually knows these guys. She has taken the time to get to know them as people, not just big-shot hockey players. She's interested in their likes and dislikes, their families and friends- meaningful things. Unlike these other chicks in here, she shows a genuine interest in their lives and holds substantial conversations. Not just with Dan and Tyler, but everyone. I didn't even know some of these guys could have a conversation with a woman that wasn't sexual in nature, but they do with her.

They all give her genuine smiles when they talk to her- even the single guys give her their genuine smiles, not the fake shit we use when we want to hook up with a fan. No, these guys aren't trying to pick up Jenna. They actually respect her.

I don't know how I'm surprised by this. I know she's smart, successful, witty, beautiful, kind, and so much more. At that moment, something inside me clicks. I don't just want to know her with my dick. I want to know her- mind, body, and soul. I don't just crave her tantalizing touches and sexy smiles. I crave her wit and conversation.

I want, no, I need to know her inside and out. I want to know her past and be part of her present- even if she'll only give me a small part.

Son of a bitch!

I caught fucking feelings!