Page 9 of Puck and Run

As I look at the pictures, I imagine him as a kid, dreaming of playing professional hockey and working hard to achieve his goals.

“Dinner’s ready!” he calls, and I snap back to the moment. He plates our meals and I can’t help but admire his cooking skills.

As we sit down at the table, I feel a flutter of excitement. The food is delicious —rich and flavorful. We clink our glasses together, and I can’t help but laugh when he pretends to be a sommelier, describing the wine with exaggerated flair.

“I can’t believe you’re a math teacher,” he says, teasingly. “What’s your secret? I can barely add two and two without my phone.”

I chuckle, leaning forward, enjoying the moment. “Well, it helps to love what you do. I always tell my students that math isn’t just about numbers. It’s about problem-solving and critical thinking. It’s a skill for life.” I lean even closer to him and whisper. “And sometimes your phone is dead and you need to know how to do it without a calculator.”

He laughs, “You’re amazing, you know that?”

Heat rushes to my cheeks. “Just doing my best.”

After dinner, we move to the living room with our wine. I catch a glimpse of a beautiful cake —rich chocolate, gleaming with ganache. It’s from my favorite bakery, something I had told Duke about in passing. “That’s the surprise?” I ask, my eyes wide with excitement.

“Only the best for you,” he says, standing up to cut us each a slice. As he serves the cake, I can’t help but think how sweet he is. We talk and laugh, the wine lowering our inhibitions, and soon the conversation shifts to deeper topics —including what we hope for the future.

With every passing moment, I feel closer to him. The way he looks at me sends shivers down my spine. After we finish thecake, he moves closer, resting his hand on my thigh. I can hardly breathe.

“I love spending time with you, Tilly,” his voice low and sincere. “Especially without the masks on.”

I look into his beautiful face, a shy smile creeping onto my lips. “I feel the same way, Duke.”

He moves even closer and my heart races. His hand brushes against mine, and the air thickens with unspoken words. I lean in slightly, and he takes that as a cue to close the distance. Our lips meet softly at first, and I melt into the kiss. It’s sweet and tender, a promise of something deeper.

As the kiss deepens, I feel his warmth enveloping me. My hands find their way to his hair, and he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me closer. It’s intoxicating, everything I’ve wanted and more.

After what feels like an eternity, we pull apart, our foreheads resting together. “Wow,” I whisper, breathless.

“Yesh, he murmurs, brushing a thumb across my cheek. “I’ve been waiting days to do that.”

“I can’t help but laugh softly, my heart soaring. “Same here.”

We share another kiss and it feels like a perfect moment suspended in time. Every touch ignited a fire inside me, and I realize just how much I’ve come to care about him. Each moment deepens our connection, and I feel myself falling, more and more.

“Tonight has been perfect,” I say softly, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me.

“It doesn’t have to end. I want you to stay with me, princess.” Duke says, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.

I didn’t plan to stay with him tonight, but now I don’t want to leave. I don’t know what I’ll do about Ryan and the connection between him and Duke. We haven’t talked about it at all, but for tonight I don’t care.

“I’ll have to text Paisley, so she doesn’t worry,” I tell him.

He smiles down at me. “I know. You take care of that while I clean up the kitchen. Then we can go upstairs.”

There must be something that crosses my face, because Duke leans down, kissing my forehead. “I know we rushed to the physical side of things at the masked party, but that’s not who I am and I know that’s not who you are. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do tonight. I just want to hold you in my arms. Sometimes I still feel like maybe it’s just a dream that I found you again.”

I wrap my arms tightly around his waist and place my head against his chest. “You can’t say such sweet things, Duke, between that and the chocolate cake I may never leave.”

“That’s the plan, princess. That’s the plan.”

Chapter Seven

Duke

I wake slowly, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, painting warm patterns on the wall. I feel her beside me, Tilly’s warm body curled against mine. A rush of affection floods through me, and I can’t help but smile.

Last night was a blur of laughter and kisses, the kind of night that leaves you feeling breathless. As I shift slightly, Tilly stirs, her eyelashes fluttering before she opens her eyes, blinking in the soft light. She looks beautiful, her hair tousled and a faint blush still lingering from our kisses.

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