Page 47 of Heartless Pucker in Love

“April, you have to come to the party I’m hosting before the season starts.” Sophie beamed at me across the table. Her smile reached her dark brown eyes. “I do it every year as kind of a farewell to Jeff.”

“Farewell?” My brows drew together.

“For eight months out of the year, he belongs to the Montreal Canadiens.”

Jeff chuckled. “Babe, that’s if we make it to the final, right captain?” Twinkling gray eyes swiveled to Julian who scowled.

“Christ, Jeff, give me a break, will you? I feel pressured enough.”

Under the table, I rested a hand on his thigh and squeezed reassuringly. It was a subconscious action because I have this innate need to comfort everyone. When I realized what I was doing, I didn’t bother pulling away. Unexpectedly, his hand covered mine and warmth spread up my arm to the rest of my body. I’ll never understand why his touch has such an effect on me. His thumb moved, creating small circles on my skin.

It was incredible how such a delicate action instantly lit a fire inside of me. Inhaling deeply, I reached for my glass of water because I felt as if I’d go up in flames at any second. Squirming in my chair, I tried to ignore the fact that I needed a change of underwear because of Julian’s slight, innocent touch. Instead, I tried to pay attention to what Sophie was saying. She was still going on about the party.

I stole a glance at Julian. He wasn’t looking at me. He seemed intent on what Sophie was saying but he wore the smallest smirk on his lips. Anyone else might have missed the mischievous curve of his lips, but I knew him well enough to know he was up to no good. My eyes narrowed. He knew what was happening to me. That the lazy circles he made with his fingers were getting me worked up. Suddenly, I pictured his thumb moving over my clit in the same way. I coughed after my next sip of water and Julian’s smirk became more pronounced. I guess his touch wasn’t so innocent after all.

Sophie seemed oblivious to the simmering tension between Julian and me but Jeff was looking at us with a raised brow. Did he know we were touching each other under the table? Horrified and embarrassed, I tried to snatch my hand away from Julian’s thigh. His hold on me tightened, thwarting my escape.

A little miffed, I schooled my features and smiled at Sophie. It was hard to focus with Julian still touching me but I managed. I was being invited to Sophie’s place so I guess I didn’t crash and burn as I thought I would tonight. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be around to attend.

“So, what do you say?” Sophie smiled at her husband and then at Julian and me. “Will the two of you come?”

“That sounds great, but I doubt I’ll still be here. I mean, I have to return to Nebraska.” The words caused a sinking feeling in my stomach. I’d leave Julian. I didn’t know why I felt so sick about it. We weren’t together. The realization hit that I’d become too attached the two months I’d been with him. No, attached wasn't the right word. I’d become addicted to him. Completely hooked. How on earth did I allow that to happen in just weeks?

“That’s too bad,” Sophie said, sounding genuinely disappointed.

Julian’s thumb had stopped moving over my skin. His hold on my hand had loosened too. From my periphery, I saw that his jaw was tight. Maybe he didn’t like the reminder that in a matter of days, I’d be gone. I wasn’t sure.

Sophie sighed and rested her chin on one hand. “I was hoping we’d get to hang out again, April. I’d love to hear more about Oakland and your sisters. Five of you. Imagine that. Growing up as an only child, I had always wanted siblings.” She sighed again. “I can’t believe I’ve finally found someone I feel comfortable hanging out with, and she’s leaving the country.”

I gawked at Sophie. She wanted to…hang out? With me? Holy hell on toast, did I just make a friend who wasn’t my sister, Margaret, or Cathy? It might not be a big deal to anyone else, but to me that was huge. Suddenly, I didn’t feel so socially inept. I was thrilled. “Er...well...I don’t have to leave until after the first game of the season.”

Julian turned to look at me with surprise. It could have been my imagination, but I think I saw relief in his eyes. “You don’t?” he asked.

“I can stick around a little longer,” I said, shyly, willing myself not to blush when I felt Julian’s curious gaze on me. Admittedly, it wasn’t just the thrill of a potential friend that made me want to stick around. I was trying to buy more time with Julian without making it so obvious.

24

JULIAN

Two more weeks with her was awesome but hardly enough. It wasn’t like I’d never see April again when she returned to Oakland...it’s just that seeing her once in a while wouldn’t be enough. Especially not after I’ve gotten to taste her. There was no getting enough of her, and I realized that from the first time I had her.

I’ve never been into any woman enough to want to call her my girlfriend, well not since high school, but that’s what I wanted with April. I wanted her to be my girlfriend, my lover, my significant other…Whichever one meant I got to have her completely. I wanted her to be mine and mine alone. Commitment, that’s what I wanted. And it was something I didn’t know I’d want at this stage in my life. I figured I’d continue having fun for a few more years before settling down and turning into...well, Jeff.

The man was committed to his Sophie. Ever since that dinner, he hadn’t shut up about how much he loved her. Before April and my growing feelings for her, listening to him would have made my ears bleed. Now, hearing the love resonating in his voice when he spoke about his woman was so damn sweet. Man, April had me twisted in all kinds of knots. I’d turned into a fucking romantic.

“April is into you, man.” Jeff grinned like an idiot as we strolled out of Bell Center, our home stadium. We’d been practicing like hell for the approaching first game of the season. I used to feel this overwhelming anxiety about the start of the NHL season but not this year. This year, I had April with me, in my home, comforting me with her very presence. It was hard to feel anxious about much when I had her naked in my bed almost every night.

“Yeah, I got that Jeff.” Or else she wouldn’t jump my bones every time I walked through the door. April was a wild one. After coaxing her out of that shell she used to hide in, she’d become insatiable. She was down to go at it like savages in every room and on every surface of my house. My kind of woman. I did not want her being that way with anyone else. The thought made the jealous he-man inside of me see red. That side of April should be mine alone. However, she wasn’t mine. Not really.

We’d become stuck in the friends with benefits zone it seemed. Neither of us had said a word about what we were doing or where we wanted to take things relationship-wise, and it was driving me crazy. One thing I hated was being left to wallow in uncertainty about anything.

“No, I mean she’s really into you.” Jeff and I moved through the parking lot to our vehicles. “The other night at dinner, she looked at you with hearts in her eyes,” Jeff stated.

My brows drew together and doubt overshadowed the hope I felt over his comment. I was pretty sure he saw it wrong. April didn’t want anything too serious. She’d said as much. “I’m going to go ahead and correct you. She was looking at me with lust.” That was what our relationship was to her. Sex. “I don’t think she sees me as anything more than a good time for the moment, Jeff.”

“Well, you have nobody to blame for that but yourself,” he admonished. “Mr. I-run-through-models-and-pop-stars-by-the-dozens.”

Gritting my teeth, I embraced the burn and took accountability. “I dated one pop star.” If going out a few times even counted as dating. Anyway, it only lasted about a month for goodness sake.

---