Page 72 of My Pucking Crush

“I guess it’s not that unexpected that what happenedwith my uncle would come back to haunt me now,” I say. “It’s been a long time since I was with a man.”

“Probably too long,” he says, nodding.

“How long has it been for you?” I ask.

He crinkles the washcloth in his hand. “I was with someone the night you got attacked. I was at the club when I got the call.”

That startles me. He got called while getting laid, or sucked, or sucking another dude off. And he rushed to the hospital. For me.

“And since you’ve been with me, you haven’t snuck off to—”

“I don’t sneak. Bronwin knows about my sexuality.” His strong voice gets the point across. “And no, I’ve not been with anyone else since then.”

I nod. “I have so many questions about that club.”

He tosses the washcloth aside and reaches for me. “Ask me whatever you want while I hold you in bed.Ourbed.”

I roll into his arms, facing him, welcoming his warm solidness. “Hey. I’m sorry.”

“Nothing to be sorry for.”

“I mean everything. Being a dick when we first met.”

“You’re forgiven.” He strokes my mouth. “And you’re not the first person to have a tantrum over a bodyguard.”

“Tantrum?” I say with humor.

“How do you describe how you behaved?”

“A tantrum.” I exhale. “Why do you like me?”

“I used to like just the idea of you, the hot hockey god, but now, after knowing you, I like...you.”

His arms tighten around me, and a wave of emotion rides over me. “I... I like you, too. I never had feelings for aman.The last time I felt like this I was a kid wholiked another kid.”

“That’s a startling difference.”

I’d tell him that’s a mouthful, but he might give me a mouthful, and right now my nerves are shot, Uncle Harris still in the forefront.

“I also never had feelings for a woman,” I confess. “I thought I was asexual.”

Laughing, Luca says, “After that top-tier blowjob, I can certify you are not asexual. But before you made your move on me, I figured you were straight.”

“I had to make it seem that way.”

“You just haven’t found the right person until now.” He spouts these undeniable truths so easily, and everything feels like it’s going to be okay.

Only... I know that’s not true. Something always goes wrong.

When I fidget, trying to calm down, Luca gets out of bed.

“Where are you going?” I ask, worried when he gets dressed.

“Gym. Walk off this heart attack you gave me.”

“You’re leaving me?” I sit up. “You’re supposed to be protecting me.”

“You’re surrounded by the team. Duncan is posted in the hall.”

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