Amber "AJ" Johnson is a freelance writer who has one chance of winning her dream-job as a full-time staffer: capture an interview with the very private goalie of Baltimore's hockey team, Alec Kolchak. But he's the one man who tries her patience, even as he brings to life a quiet passion she doesn't want to admit exists. Alec has no desire to be interviewed—he never has, never will. But he finds himself a reluctant admirer of AJ's determination to get what she wants...and he certainly never counted on his attraction to her. In a fit of frustration, he accepts AJ's bet: if she can score just one goal on him in a practice shoot-out, he would not only agree to the interview, he would let her have full access to him for a month, 24/7. It was a bet neither one of them wanted to lose...and a bet neither one could afford to win. But when it came time to take the shot, could either one of them cross the line?

Forensics accountant Bobbi Reeves is pulled back into a world of shadows in order to go undercover as a personal assistant with the Baltimore Banners. Her assignment: get close to defenseman Nikolai Petrovich and uncover the reason he's being extorted. But she doesn't expect the irrational attraction she feels—or the difficulty in helping someone who doesn't want it. Nikolai Petrovich, a veteran defenseman for the Banners, has no need for a personal assistant—especially not one hired by the team. During the last eight years, he has learned to live simply...and alone. Experience has taught him that letting people close puts them in danger. He doesn't want a personal assistant, and he certainly doesn't need anyone prying into his personal life. But that doesn't stop his physical reaction to the unusual woman assigned to him. They are drawn together in spite of their differences, and discover a heated passion that neither expected. But when the game is over, will the secrets they keep pull them closer together...or tear them apart?

Kayli Evans lives a simple life, handling the daily operations of her small family farm and acting as the primary care-taker for her fourteen-year-old niece. She knows the importance of enjoying each minute, of living life to its fullest. But she still has worries: about her older brother's safety in the military, about the rift between her two brothers, and about her niece's security and making ends meet. And now there's a new worry she doesn’t want: Ian Donovan, her brother's friend. Ian is a carefree hockey player for the Baltimore Banners who has relatively few worries—until he finds himself suddenly babysitting his seven-year-old nieces for an extended period of time. He has no idea what he's doing, and is thrust even further into the unknown when he's forced to participate in the twins' newest hobby. Meeting Kayli opens a different world for him, a simpler world where family, trust, and love are what matters most.

Baltimore Banners defenseman Randy Michaels has a reputation for hard-hitting, on and off the ice. But he's getting older, and his agent has warned that there are younger, less-expensive players who are eager to take his place on the team. Can his hare-brained idea of becoming a "respectable businessman" turn his reputation around, or has Randy's reputation really cost him the chance of having his contract renewed? Alyssa Harris has one goal in mind: make the restaurant she's opened with her three friends a success. It's not going to be easy, not when the restaurant is a themed sports bar geared towards women. It's going to be even more difficult because their sole investor is Randy Michaels, her friend's drool-worthy brother who has his own ideas about what makes an interesting menu. Will the mismatched pair be able to find a compromise as things heat up, both on and off the ice? Or will their differences result in a penalty that cost both of them the game?

This 13,500-word short story first appeared in the LOVE HAPPENS anthology. Jean-Pierre "JP" Larocque doesn't believe in love, especially not love at first sight. As a rising star for The Baltimore Banners, the hockey player has his choice of women...and then he meets Emily Poole. She's quiet, reserved, maybe a little shy—and completely unlike any woman he's ever met. Can he convince the woman of his dreams to give him a chance? Emily has no idea what to make of the attractive hockey player. She's never met anyone like him before: charming, charismatic, and attentive. Is he merely flirting, or is he after something else? Should she take the chance and end up risking so much more than her heart? Sometimes opposites really do attract. But is it enough for these two to risk everything and try for a first shot at love?

Jean-Pierre "JP" Larocque is a speed demon for the Baltimore Banners. He lives for speed off the ice, too, playing fast and loose with cars and women. But is he really a player, or is his carefree exterior nothing more than a show, hiding a lonely man filled with regret as he struggles to forget the only woman who mattered? Emily Poole thought she knew what she wanted in life but everything changed five years ago. Now she exists day by day, helping care for her niece after her sister’s bitter divorce. It may not be how she envisioned her life, but she's happy. Or so she thinks, until JP re-enters her life. Now she realizes there’s a lot more she wants, including a second chance with JP. Can these two lost souls finally find forgiveness and Break Away to the future? Or will the shared tragedy of their past tear them apart for good this time?

Derek Caulton is well-known for his exceptional speed and skill on the ice. His natural ability to read the game and create scoring chances has made him a valuable playmaker for the Baltimore Banners, but his skill off the ice is a little different. Coming from a world of privilege with a devilish charm and fun-loving spirit, responsibility isn't something Derek's ever had to worry about. And he's not accustomed to working for what he wants. That all changes after a single encounter with Bridget Lloyd. Fiercely independent and entirely too outspoken, Bridget learned early in life how to work—and fight—for what she wants. After struggling with the loss of her mother at an early age, she's worked her way through college with the goal of becoming a social worker who specializes in working with children. As a member of the Banner's Ice Crew, she's familiar with Derek's play on and off the ice and wants nothing to do with the irresponsible, fun-loving player—until a minor accident throws them together. Can a one-night encounter really change the course of two lives? And when the tables are turned, can one stubborn woman teach the fun-loving playmaker that responsibility isn't a four-letter-word and sometimes it's what happens behind the scenes that matters most?

Valerie Michaels knows all about life, responsibility—and hockey. After all, her brother is a defenseman for the Baltimore Banners. The last thing she needs—or wants—is to get tangled up with one of her brother's teammates. She doesn't have time, not when running The Maypole is her top priority. She opened the popular sports bar and restaurant two years ago and has been busy ever since. Maybe too busy. Could that be the reason she's suddenly drawn to the troubled Justin Tome? Or is it because she senses something deeper inside him, something she thinks she can fix? On the surface, Justin Tome has it all: a successful career with the Banners, money, fame. But he's been on a downward spiral the last few months. He's become more withdrawn, his game has gone downhill, and he's been partying too much. He thinks it's nothing more than what's expected of him, nothing more than once again failing to meet expectations and never quite measuring up. Then he starts dating Val and realizes that maybe he has more to offer than he thinks. Or does he? Sometimes voices from the past, voices you've heard all your life, are too strong to overcome. And when the unexpected happens, Justin is certain he's looking at a permanent Delay of Game—unless one strong woman can make him see that life is all about the future, not the past.

Sometimes it takes a sinner… Nicole Taylor has been fighting to get on the right side of the tracks all her life, but never as hard as the last two years. Finally free from an abusive relationship, her focus is on looking forward. Her first step in that direction? A quick get-away to immerse herself in her photography—and a steamy encounter with a gorgeous green-eyed stranger. To love a saint… As a forward for The Baltimore Banners, shooting fast and scoring often is just part of the game for Mathias "Mat" Herron. Off the ice is a different story and this off-season, he has a different goal in mind: do whatever it takes to rid himself of the asinine nickname he was recently given by some of his teammates. An encounter with a beautiful stranger helps him do just that. And life to teach them both what's important… When reality collides with fantasy, will passion be enough to see them through? Or will it take a shoot-out of another kind to show them what matters most?

Kenny Haskell's hard work and determination finally paid off last season when The Baltimore Banners called him up from the minors. That doesn't mean the quiet defenseman is willing to stop proving himself. Each day is a new fight, a new opportunity, to prove to his coaches, to his team—and to himself—that he belongs with the Banners. Kenny is convinced he'll be able to keep his head in the game with no problems—until he gets thrown out of a youth hockey game by one unforgiving ref who proves to be more of a distraction than he anticipates. Lauren Gannon approaches life with a single successful mindset: take no prisoners, never give up, and always rely on yourself. At least, that's what she likes to think. The last year has been a little different. Being saddled with her younger sister who refuses to grow up and take responsibility for anything is turning Lauren's world into one crazy disaster after another. The last thing she needs to deal with is a professional hockey player who's too attractive for his own good—or for her sanity. The one thing Lauren has learned in life is to never underestimate the unexpected, and falling for Kenny definitely fits into that category. Can they really be friends and lovers? Kenny does his best to prove they can. But when a sudden family obligation forces Lauren to choose between what she knows is right and what she thinks is expected, will she find herself skating on thin ice and risking the happiness she really wants?

As head coach for Baltimore's hockey team, The Banners, Sonny LeBlanc has seen it all. Guts and glory. Hard-hitting and hard-headed players. A rise to fame and a plummet to failure. Scarred, determined, and tough-as-nails, he's never met a challenge he couldn't conquer—until he meets Monica Jennings. A single mother who's survived an abusive marriage, Monica Jennings is finally learning to live—little by little. That doesn't mean she's learned to trust and it certainly doesn't mean she's willing to open her heart to anyone but her daughter and her sister. And then she meets Sonny LeBlanc, the scarred coach of The Baltimore Banners. There's something about him that makes her want to take a chance—or run in the other direction and hide. Can Sonny teach the cautious woman how to embrace love and life, or will he lose it all by calling the riskiest play of his career?

For Dillon Frayser, a rising star for The Baltimore Banners hockey team, life has come easy. A solid childhood, a happy family, a natural talent for playing the game he loves. The only thing missing is the degree he promised his parents he would get soon after he was drafted. If he could just force himself to focus on carbon atoms and organic chemistry, he wouldn't have to worry about squeezing in embarrassing tutoring sessions between a busy schedule filled with practices and games. Maggie Andersen dreads meeting her new student but she needs the money that tutoring will provide. That doesn't mean she's willing to put up with the anticipated antics of an arrogant brainless jock. When she finally meets Dillon, he turns out to be the exact opposite of what she expected: smart, funny, driven, and humble. Maggie soon finds herself letting her guard down and discovering a different kind of chemistry. Will the tutoring sessions lead to something more for the mismatched pair? Or is this nothing more than a one-timer for the sexy hockey player?

Ethan Kincaid is relaxed and laid back, a gentleman winger for the Baltimore Banners. His play on the ice—and off—is fast, furious, and unstoppable. He's never met a challenge he couldn't overcome—except when it comes to the one woman he really wants. Is he willing to risk the treasured friendship for one night of passion? Is it possible for passion to lead to something else? Cindy Miller walked away from her studies in psychology and is now stumbling, trying to find herself. The one constant has been her unexpected friendship with Ethan, a friendship she doesn't want to lose. After seeing her best friend find true love, Cindy wants nothing less for herself. Can she find that with Ethan? Is it something the charming winger is even interested in? One night changed the course of their lives, putting them on a path neither expected. Can they go back to what was? And will another night pull them closer together—or pull them apart for good?

Corbin Gauthier never expected to play with the Baltimore Banners again, not when he’d been traded away in the league expansion eight years ago. Yet here he was, three teams and a lifetime later, back where he started as the hockey team’s goalie. And back to the one woman he’s never been able to forget—the one woman who is completely off-limits. Lori Evans isn’t the same young girl she’d been all those years ago when she first met the shy goalie. She’s older now, more mature and confident, with her feet planted firmly on the ground. Or so she thinks until Corbin shows back up. He’s not the same young man she’s dreamt of all these years: a little harder, more jaded, more cynical…and more tempting than ever. And he’s just as off-limits as before, maybe even more since her uncle is now the head coach for the Baltimore Banners. At least, he’s supposed to be off-limits. Lori has other ideas—and she knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. All she has to do is convince the straight-laced goalie that some things are worth drawing a penalty for—even if it means risking a chance of getting ejected from the biggest game of all.

This story originally appeared in the Hockey Holidays Anthology in November 2018. Shane Masters wants nothing to do with Christmas. His idea of holiday fun is hanging out with the single guys from the Baltimore Banners while the team has a few days off for the season. The last thing he wants to do is go home and face the memories that haunt him at night—but this year he has no choice. He heads home, convinced he can put the past behind him. Chloe Hunter needs a miracle and will stop at nothing to make it happen—not if it means keeping her brother from his downward spiral. Pulling Shane Masters into the picture seems like the perfect solution—until she sees him again and realizes the past isn't as far away as she thought. But Shane doesn't believe in second-chances or happy-ever-afters, not anymore. And it's going to take a Christmas miracle for the woman who knew him best to thaw his heart before it's too late.

Shane Masters has it all: a promising career with the Baltimore Banners, a big house, fast cars, financial security, and—up until a month ago—the woman of his dreams. Now he's floundering, with no idea what he did wrong and no idea how to win her back. To make matters worse, her brother—Shane's former best friend—shows up and decides to get involved. Chloe Hunter has never run from a challenge in her life—until the weekend she visits Shane in Baltimore and realizes he isn't exactly the same man she fell in love with all those years ago. He's too accustomed to getting what he wants and Chloe refuses to be just another prize for the taking. That doesn't mean she's giving up, not yet. Shane will stop at nothing to win Chloe back. But when the past suddenly collides with the present, will he fight for a future with her—or will the game end before their chance to be together even starts?