Page 22 of These Pucking Boys

Grinning broadly, he takes out an ice bucket with a bottle of champagne inside and a medium-sized black box with a big red bow on top.

“Melissa gave you the VIP treatment, lass.” Lachlan pats my shoulder the way a friend would. Funnily enough, that makes me feel less nervous to be alone with them.

Ryan sets the ice bucket and the box on the coffee table in front of the couch.

I follow him, eyeing the box. “What’s inside?” I ask.

“It’s a gift for you, June. You open it.”

I sit on the couch and get rid of my sandals. Immediate relief follows and I sigh loudly.

“I don’t know how women do it,” Jake chimes in.

“Do what?”

“Walk in those high heels. It looks painful.”

“Not as painful as getting checked against the boards, I imagine.” I smirk.

He grins as well. “We wear protective gear.”

“Even so, but you’re right. High heels are torture. I don’t usually wear them. I’d be in the emergency room too often if I did. It’s a miracle I only tripped once tonight.”

“Too bad you landed on the worst person in the room,” Ryan pipes up. “Shall I open the champagne?”

Tomorrow is a work day, but hell, it’d be a waste not to drink it. Besides, my nerves have killed my martini buzz. “Yes, please.”

While Ryan takes care of the champagne bottle, I open the box with the red bow. Jake and Lachlan sit on either side of me but leave a respectful amount of space between our bodies. It doesn’t matter; their proximity makes me shake from head to toe. I’m nervous, but I’m also turned on.

I focus on the box, not how they’re making me feel. Inside, I find an assortment of chocolate-covered strawberries, from dark chocolate to white. “Oh, I love chocolate-covered strawberries,” I say.

“What’s your favorite type of chocolate?” Jakes asks.

“Hmm, I like them all, but white is my favorite.”

He takes a strawberry covered in white chocolate and brings it to my lips. Oh my God. He wants to feed me, and I’m going to let him. Locking eyes with him, I take a bite, and the juice from the strawberry drips down my chin. Before I can wipe it off, Jake rubs his thumb over the mess, holding my stare. The space between us crackles with electricity. With the way my heart is beating so damn fast, it seems as if there’s a hummingbird trapped in my chest. Never mind the butterflies in my stomach, which are now wide awake.

The loud pop of the champagne bottle opening breaks the spell. I look away, knowing very well my face is bright red. I jump to my feet. “We need glasses.”

I try to walk past Lachlan, but his legs are too long.

“Let me get out of the way, lass.” He stands as well, and now we’re in each other’s space. He should move, but he doesn’t. I look into his light-blue eyes and easily get lost there. His gaze drops to my lips, and I freeze, waiting for him to lean down and kiss me.

“Here’s your glass, June.” Ryan appears with a flute in hand.

Lachlan finally steps back, and I can breathe again. “Thanks.”

“We should toas—” Ryan starts, but I’m already halfway done with my drink. “Or maybe not.” He chuckles.

“Sorry. I was thirsty.”

“Let me refill your glass, and then we can do a proper toast.” Ryan winks at me.

The champagne isn’t as strong as the dirty martini, and I’ll need more than one glass to relax. When everyone has a drink, I ask. “What should we toast to?”

“Serendipity,” Jake replies.

I smile, lifting my glass. “To serendipity.”

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