Crisis-counselor-turned-cocktail-waitress Valerie Chase knows the score—Men are a distraction and not in her game plan. But when a certain hockey player tempts her wild side, part of her wants to indulge in a little harmless fun.

As the star center for the Texas Highlanders, Darren Moran's good looks and deadly determination make him a fan favorite. But after the previous season's disaster, the last thing he needs is to let some woman crawl under his skin. But... Val's different. She brings out the best in him—both on and off the ice—and he's not about to lose her..

When the game moves to the next level, Darren and Val have got to call timeout. An unplanned romance is a game-thrower, a sinful temptation that neither of them can afford. After all, there's no way to have order in matters of the heart when the penalties tally up to an ejection from the game. .