As captain of the university hockey team, I’ve always prided myself on discipline. Keep my head in the game, lead the team, avoid distractions—that’s how I’ve always rolled. But then she showed up. The coach’s daughter, a fellow student studying sports therapy, started working with the team, and everything changed. She’s got this icy, untouchable vibe that’s impossible to ignore. It’s like she’s daring me to break the rules.

After practice one day, I find her alone in the locker room, focused on her work. I should walk away, keep things professional. But instead, I close the distance, my heart pounding louder than the skates on the ice. “You know,” I say, leaning in just enough, “Everyone keeps saying you’re off-limits. But that doesn’t scare me.” Her eyes flick up, and I can see the challenge in them.