Page 32 of One Pucking Wish

“I’ve missed you.”

I doubt that. I guarantee Felicity has a sexual partner in every city she visits. She’s not pining over our time together when she’s away, which is fine because neither am I.

“I’m just not…” She halts my protest with her mouth, shoving her tongue in my mouth.

I’ve kissed this woman a hundred times, yet this time, it feels strange. Her tongue moves with mine, and it’s foreign to the point it’s unpleasant.

Memories of soft and supple lips, and intoxicating moans fill my mind, but when I thread my hands through Felicity’s thin, straight hair, it feels off. My fingers crave thick locks, and my lips want someone else. Hell, my whole body wants someone else.

I stop the kiss. “I can’t.”

Felicity takes a step back with an expression of utter shock. “You can’t what?”

“Do this with you today.”

“I’m only in town for the day, Gunner,” she says as if this is all the explanation I need.

I turn away from her and head to the kitchen for a glass of water. “I know. Sorry,” I call over my shoulder.

She follows me into the kitchen. “I’m confused. You’ve never turned me away before. What’s going on? Are you seeing someone?”

I down an entire glass of water before answering. “No, I’m not seeing anyone. I just don’t want this today.”

“You don’t want me?” she snaps, her mouth falling agape. “What am I missing here?”

I’m starting to wonder if anyone has ever turned this woman down. She’s absolutely smoking hot, great in bed, and truthfully fun to be around. So no one may have.

“Look, I was stuck in Canada for several days in a snowstorm. I was in a crappy motel with no food and shitty sleep. I just got back a couple of hours ago, and I’m exhausted. I need to rest up before our game tomorrow. It’s nothing against you, but I need you to go.”

“Oh, well… okay.” She still looks like she can’t believe I’m turning her away. She shrugs. “I guess I’ll go. I don’t know when I’ll be in town next.”

Pressing my hand against the small of her back, I lead her to the front door. “Well, you know where to find me when you do.”

“Right.” She frowns. “See ya.”

“See ya.” I close the front door on her bewildered expression.

Everything I said to her is true. I do need to rest up for tomorrow. This has nothing to do with Penny. She and I aren’t together, nor would I feel guilty about sleeping with someone else. In fact, if Penny showed up at my front door and wanted to sleep with me, I’d turn her away, too. More than likely.

Probably.

No, I’d turn her away.

That was a Vancouver-only situation.

No way can I hook up with Penny again. Definitely not.

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

PENELOPE

My entire body aches. Each step to my bedroom is more cumbersome than the last. I mentally curse my weak muscles that can barely lift my legs. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt this tired. This is some soul-deep exhaustion.

The delicious scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, apples, and pumpkin spice greets me when I open my bedroom door, lingering from years of burning nothing but autumn-inspired scented candles. I lift a three-wick candle from my nightstand titled Autumn Bliss and take a deep breath.

Now that’s what a room should smell like, not must, cardboard, and… him.

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