Playmaker

PLAYMAKER - Intro & Aesthetics

PLAYMAKER is a standalone spin-off from OFFSIDE featuring Gabriel Carter, Chase Carter's son— with enough heat to melt a hockey rink.

PLAYMAKER will be published in KU and paperback later in 2023. It's undergoing some edits currently offline!

Summer Crawford loves nothing more than putting me in my place. She's five feet, five inches of sweet southern sass—and she's temptation living under my roof.

When all the rules go out the window one night, everything between us changes. And after knowing what Summer sounds like when I'm buried deep inside her, there's no way I can go back to pretending we're just friends.

There's just one small problem: Summer is Everly's nanny. Ev needs her, and she's completely off-limits. Or at least she should be... but I've never been good at following the rules.

Turns out, I need Summer too. Now I'm playing for keeps. And I always win.

I know better than to fall for Gabe Carter, notorious NHL playboy. Not only has he broken innumerable hearts during his 7 years living in LA, he's my boss—even if he does have a smile that leaves me weak in the knees, a body built for sin, and enough charm to render me permanently panty-less.

So what if I swoon a little over the way he sings Everly to sleep every night he's not on the road? So what if he's deliciously protective over me and flips into alpha-male mode whenever the paparazzi get too close? It doesn't mean anything... does it?

I told myself this was just a job, but between the stolen kisses and blurry lines, playing house with him is starting to feel a little too real.

TEASER:

Summer

"What the hell is going on with this remote? I just replaced the batteries." Gabe angles it at the TV and jabs the button with his thumb, his brow lowering into a frown.

Grouchy is a good look on him. Then again, everything is a good look on him. It's a real problem. Especially when we're alone and he's within arms' reach.

Valentina was right. I need to go to church.

"Maybe you're pushing the wrong button." I shrug, scooping up another handful of buttered popcorn from the stainless steel bowl sitting between us.

His gaze flicks over to me, a knowing smirk on his face. "Oh, I know exactly where the button is."

"Is that so?" My eyes drift down to his large hand wrapped around the remote, and I quickly avert my gaze. Ignore the hands, Summer. "Well, maybe you're pushing it too hard. Not all buttons want to be poked so... aggressively."

Gabe sets the popcorn bowl aside, angling his body to face mine. "So what you're saying is, I should push the button gently? Maybe stroke it a little?"

I don't think we're talking about the remote control anymore.

His knee brushes against my thigh and my cheeks flare with heat. It takes a few seconds before I can formulate words.

"Every button is different," I finally manage. "Sometimes it takes practice to get it right."

"Luckily, I'm a fast learner."

What would have happened if Chase hit the NHL at 18 and didn't find his Bailey? That's pretty much what we're looking at with Gabe at the age of 25. Watch out, world.

PS: 2 words. DILF + nanny.