Page 42 of Pucks and Books

CHAPTER 26

Louisa

The way Ciaran holds my hand has me feeling like I do when I meet the hero in a novel. That tingling feeling, that knowing he is about to be important, that instant attraction, that instant need for him. All that and more is what Ciaran is inspiring in me. As we reach the door, I pull out my keys, and he cups my hips in his hands. He brings me back into his chest, my ass hitting him right where I want him, and Lord, I feel every mouthwatering inch of his hard length. His hot mouth closes over my neck, his tongue tasting me as his teeth graze my flesh. I gasp, leaning into him, and he wraps his arms around waist, holding me close.

“You taste so damn good.”

My inner praise slut purrs for him, and then I realize I’m actually making a purring noise.

He chuckles against my neck. “Each time you make a new noise, I think it can’t be hotter than the last, but damn, you prove me wrong.”

I giggle breathlessly. “I am trying to open this door.”

“Try harder,” he demands against my ear, sending heat straight between my legs. “But don’t think I’ll stop.”

I press my ass into his length, rubbing him with my cheeks, and when I’m rewarded with a groan, a satisfied grin comes across my face. “Shall we both stop, so I can open the door?”

He chuckles against my ear. “Or I could make you come right here?”

I lean back into him. “And I could make you come too,” I say, meeting his gaze. “I’m all for playing your games, Ciaran.”

“That sounds like a promise,” he mutters against my cheek.

“It is.”

We smile against each other’s lips, his eyes burning into mine. “Are you busy Friday?”

I grin. “Trying to lock me down that day?”

His eyes sparkle, and God, I love the blue of them. “I have a game. Can you come?”

He wants me to come to his game?

Why am I swooning?

And shit, I should probably tell him about my relationship with his team. I start to nod, already agreeing because I refuse to allow my status with the Knoxville Bears to come between us. I dare my peepaw to try anything, because I’ll lose my mind worse than Austen ever could. I have pure happiness curved around my whole body at the moment, and I won’t let anyone take him from me.

I’d be a fool to let that happen.

Before I can agree, someone says, “It’s bad enough she has to sell sex in the shop, but now she’s out here selling herself.”

Ciaran’s head snaps up, his brows furrowing.

I shake my head. “Ignore them.”

But he doesn’t listen to me. “Hey, fuck off.”

I can’t make out who they are, but I think it’s the older couple that sells Tennessee memorabilia next door. Like everyone else, they aren’t fans of my shop or me, so I’m not surprised they have something to say.

Willard, the owner, scoffs. “Oh, don’t worry, son. If I know anything about her, she’ll still give you what you want even if we call her out.”

What a jackass.

I feel Ciaran’s anger radiating off him. “Do you even know her?”

I look over to see the couple’s surprise at his question.

“No?” Ciaran asks before going on. “Do you know her name? That she built this from the ground up for the purpose of helping women get lost in books and find their sexuality? How can you fault her for that? How dare you call her anything but what she is. A wicked-smart businesswoman who is thriving.”

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