Page 21 of These Pucking Boys

We make our way to the restaurant’s exit. I walk next to June, and to test the waters—and because I can’t resist—I place my hand on the small of her back. She doesn’t tense, nor does she increase the distance between us.

I smile. I wasn’t expecting tonight to end in a foursome with a hot middle-school teacher, but I love to be surprised.

CHAPTER 10

JUNE

Holy shit. Ryan has his hand on me. It’s an innocent gesture, but also protective, and it’s giving me all sorts of feelings. I can’t remember the last time jerkface Bill did that. My heart doesn’t know if it should do somersaults or jump out of my chest. And I can still feel the gentle touch of Ryan’s fingers against my cheek. I didn’t realize I was so deprived of affection until I got it from a guy I just met.

I have no illusions though. Even before he confessed that he isn’t Prince Charming, I had already figured that out. Ryan, Jake, and Lachlan are famous hockey players. What could they possibly want with me besides a night of fun?

A night of fun you totally deserve, June.

In the elevator, Ryan stays on my left side, and Lachlan on my right. Jake leans against the right wall and proceeds to stare at me. I still have a buzz going thanks to the dirty martinis, so my tongue is looser than normal.

“Why do you keep looking at me like that?” I ask him.

His brows arch. Maybe he’s not used to people calling him on it. “I’m trying to figure you out.”

“If you succeed, please share. I haven’t accomplished that yet.”

He cocks his head. “Are you saying you’re an enigma even to yourself?”

“Yep.”

“I love a good mystery.” Ryan takes my hand, lacing his fingers with mine.

It feels like an electric charge goes up my arm and spreads everywhere, igniting a fire in the pit of my stomach. The elevator finally arrives on my floor, and since Jake is ahead of us, he walks out first. Ryan and I follow.

Lachlan is the last out. “What’s your room number, lass?” he asks.

I glance at the card Melissa gave me earlier, and hell and damn, I don’t want to say it out loud.

Since Ryan is standing next to me, he peeks, and chuckles. “Room eleven sixty-nine.”

Face. Flames. Check.

I make the mistake of looking at Jake. His expression is serious, but the corners of his lips are curling upward. I don’t know if he’s trying not to laugh at me, but he is amused.

If saying a stupid number gets me all flustered, do I really have what it takes to get down and dirty with three men at the same time? My pulse skyrockets and my palms are starting to get clammy. Shit. And Ryan is still holding my hand. I’m beginning to unravel, and not in a good way.

No, June. Stop letting your head get in the way. Screwing three sinfully sexy hockey players is exactly what you need tonight.

Now that we know the room number, Jake and Lachlan walk ahead, and I trail them with Ryan. I’m too busy freaking out to pay attention to my surroundings. Besides, there are two hot guys walking in front of me. They’re tall and muscular and exude male dominance. Fuckity fuck. I’m way out of my depth. Not only do I have no idea what to expect, but also my skills in the bedroom are lacking. Bill wasn’t the most adventurous lover.

Why am I thinking about that asshole when I’m surrounded by these gorgeous men? I won’t let him ruin this for me.

Jake and Lachlan stop, and Jake announces, “Room eleven sixty-nine.”

“That’s me,” I say like a dumbass.

They move away from the door, allowing me access to it. I let go of Ryan’s hand and scan the card, praying it works on the first try. It does and, before I lose my nerve, I open the door, expecting to find a regular-size room on the other side, not a huge suite with panoramic windows and a blue L-shaped couch with a massive TV screen against the wall opposite it.

“Wow.” I walk in, looking at everything in bewilderment. There’s even a mini-kitchen with top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, and a counter with high stools.

From the corner of my eye, I spy Ryan making a beeline for the fridge. He opens the door and says, “Nice.”

I turn. “What is it?”

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