Page 35 of For Pucking Keeps

Pausing at the door, I try to push down my unease as I turn to address Parker. Should I be worried about Jaz’s book. It’s just a hockey romance. I know her books are, as Devan puts it, “smutty” but I knew that about her from the beginning. I’m not worried about the press on that front. But Parker’s hesitancy plants a seed of doubt within me. Maybe I should have been the one reading the blogs and posts to get a general idea of what lies people are saying.

“I will talk to Jaz, but not tonight. Tonight is a big deal for her,” I finally say, and he nods in agreement.

“Tell her congratulations for me.” Parker checks his watch. “Go. Get dressed and get out of here. I’ve performed enough miracles for you today. The last thing I need is for you to blame me for being late. Call you later.” He claps my shoulder and I watch him leave as I try but fail to forget our conversation.

TWENTY-THREE

TOR

Thanks to some very strategic planning by Parker, Jaz and Julia arrive on the red carpet at the same time as I do. I owe him big time for that. My hand finds hers and Jaz is in her element. Cameras flash, there are press waiting but they are from the book world and don’t offer me a second glance. I am officially the sexy arm candy. I like it very much.

The award officials even allow the honoree’s fans to stand on the sidelines to greet them. Women and men wave their favorite books in the air to get their favorite author to sign it for them. I even witness a woman getting her boobs signed. The world of romance authors is a wild and extraordinary place. I had no idea how intense the readers were. Hell, some of them could rival some of the Vipers fans.

I stand back with pride as my girl signs book after book, taking pictures, and offering hugs to her readers. I understand the duality of her personality with more clarity now. Alexis is introverted; my woman is fine with staying home, watching movies, she bakes, writes, and loves a quiet life. But Jaz Starr is Alexis’s confident, outgoing alter ego. Jaz is vivacious, bright, and witty. I get why she feels the need to be Jaz to the world. I want her to eventually realize that she can be both. I know Jaz is her pen name, but I want Alexis to come out to the world as the woman behind the mask. My woman.

It’s oddly refreshing to walk into a room and not have a single person recognizes me enough to pull focus from the woman of the hour. Jaz is the most beautiful woman in the room, and it’s not me being biased because she’s mine. Her red dress is absolutely sinful, and I need to find a dark corner later to slide my hands up that high as fuck split. She is an exquisite present—my present—and I can’t wait to unwrap her. I’m already walking awkwardly in a perpetual state of rock-hard arousal. Thank goodness we’ll be sitting at a table for most of the night or my dick is going to be a conversation starter for the rest of the event.

The opulent hotel foyer is one I recognize from the many charity events I’ve attended over the years. The luxurious decorative standards greet us as we make our way through to the ballroom where the ceremony will be held. Bright white marble floors, oversized vases with white and yellow roses adorn almost every surface. It’s overkill but most high-end hotels follow the industry’s practice of going over the top. It is gaudy, but I am a hockey player, not an interior designer, so what do I know?

Before we reach the arched doors to the gala, Jaz slows her steps and pulls Julia and I to a stop. We haven’t had a chance to be properly introduced with all the red-carpet activities. But I have seen her over Jaz’s shoulders via their many video chats over the past few months. Julia stands about six feet tall, a slender model build in a sparkly green gown, with shrewd dark brown eyes, and a knowing smirk on her face. You can tell this woman is a force to be reckoned with by the lift of her brow, as if she expects a challenge from anyone in the room. She is ready to jump in front of a proverbial bullet for her bestie, that’s for sure. Jaz is surrounded by people who love her and protect her. Julia appears to be good people. I can’t wait to meet her mom and sisters, I’m actually a little terrified.

“Tor, this is my best friend, Julia. She’s also my publisher and owner of Wells Publishing, but you know all that,” she says nervously. I instinctively slide my arm around Jaz’s waist and pull her close.

Julia holds out her hand to me. “Oh, Torrance Bailey, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard so much about you. I’m so happy for both of you.” She offers me a genuine smile, her eyes glossy as she looks to Jaz then back to me. “Jaz, she. . .she’s so much better?—”

“Jules, please! Geez, woman,” Jaz says. “Your emotions are showing, you’re at a ten and I need you at a three, please.”

Julia laughs and clears her throat. “You can’t call a girl out for being happy for her best friend. I haven’t seen you in months, but here you are. I mean, look at him. Look how he looks at you.” She sniffs and I have to drop my head to stop myself from grinning. Sitting with the two of them is going to be all kinds of entertaining.

I take this as my cue to hurry this along so I step forward and capture Julia’s hand, shaking it once then stepping back, never letting my arm fall away from Jaz. “Julia, it’s nice to meet you as well. I’ve heard a lot about you too.”

“Okay, introductions are done. Let’s get this over with, shall we,” Jaz says.

I notice most of the people have already moved into the room. Julia turns and leads the way in front of us as we pass through the door into the ballroom.

Maroon and gold gauzy fabric hangs down from the high ceiling, somehow making the room seem smaller and more intimate. A stage is erected in the frontof the room with a glass podium standing empty with the Lit! Award logo on the front. Large round tables decorated in the same color scheme of maroon and gold litter the room. Slender blown glass vases filled with black orchids and birds of paradise act as centerpieces on each table, with gold plates and cutlery. In the center of the plate sits a tiny book with the name of each guest in cursive.

“Well damn, this is nice,” Julia whispers, making Jaz chuckle as we weave through the tables.

“Look at the tiny books, so cute,” Jaz says excitedly under her breath as she tries to take in as much as she can while we walk.

I’m happy to follow along, not that I’m not impressed, but I’ve been to my fair share of events like this. I’m more interested in the woman beside me. I’m only here for her. When Julia finds our table, there are already three other people sitting at it. Jaz greets them all introducing them as part of Julia’s editorial team.

“I didn’t get to tell you how beautiful you are tonight, Alexis,” I whisper so only she can hear my compliment. I don’t know if beautiful is the right word to describe my girl tonight. Tapping into my inner nerd I smile to myself as pulchritudinous comes to mind. Yeah, your boy is all about hockey but I do read too. I keep my long ass word to myself, not wanting Jaz to check me for a fever, deciding I am clearly sick.

“I don’t have to tell you, you clean up well, Mr. Bailey. I always get to see you in suits and bow ties, but this tuxedo though.” She gives me a chef kiss. “It’s doing things for me.” She leans in to inhale my cologne. “You smell so good.” She kisses my cheek, letting her tongue dart out quickly. My eyebrows rise in surprise, the subtle lick of my skin sends shivers down my spine. “You taste good too.”

“Fuck, Jaz,” I mumble softly under my breath. She smiles against my cheek, keeping this moment solely between the two of us. To anyone watching, like Julia clearly is, it will appear Jaz is giving me a chaste peck, but this is so much more. My Supernova obviously wants to play and I’m all for this game. Before I lose my shit at this table she pulls away and immediately starts up a conversation with Paula, or was it Pamela? I’m all kinds of distracted as I shift to adjust myself.

The night goes on this way, small touches and teases under the table as the award ceremony begins and dinner is served. I’m barely paying attention to any of it until Jaz’s name is called for the Best Contemporary Why Choose book of the year. The entire table erupts in applause and we all stand to cheer Jaz on. I pull out her chair so she can stand with grace and kiss her cheek.

“I’m proud of you.” My words bring a slight blush to her already rosy cheeks as she smiles and walks away from me. I watch her saunter to the stage, hips swaying to a rhythm only she can hear. I’m completely enraptured. I want to spend the rest of my life celebrating and sharing moments just like this with her. When I skate around the arena, the Stanley Cup raised above my head in triumph, I want to do it with Jaz in the stands. I want to be with her absolutely, if she’ll let me. I’m looking at my forever and my chest aches from the abundance of love I feel at this revelation.

“I want to say thank you to my team for all their hard work. Wells Publishing for believing in my books and me. My work doesn’t shine without the people who make it perfect. Goodness knows I’m a mess most of the time.” The room laughs at Jaz’s joke. “Seriously, writing is a tough business. Every author in this room has had a moment where they’ve wanted to throw in the towel. It’s been a hard year for me, and I’ve had to fight for every word I’ve written. But it seems the universe sought to send me a lifeline, a muse to inspire me, and I am truly grateful. I’m honored to receive this award. Thank you.”

Jaz leaves the stage as we all applaud once more. I watch her eyes shift across the room, then widen in shock. Her steps quicken as she hurries back to our tableand places the glass book shaped award in front of her.

Julia leans forward, sensing Jaz’s unease. “What happened?” she asks with concern. I immediately look around the room searching for who or what I’m not sure. I don’t know what her ex looks like, but if I have to guess, it is him that made her uncomfortable.

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