Page 109 of Puck Prince

The crowd parts as he climbs over seats with a knee he shouldn’t have even been playing on. Then he’s there, ripping his helmet off and pressing his mouth to mine. That, of course, causes allkinds of noise. But Owen doesn’t care. He takes the kiss deeper, smiling into my mouth as he does.

I hang onto him tightly, needing the contact. Needing the reassurance.

Needing to feel safe.

If Spencer is here, he can see this. And he can see that I’m not alone. Maybe, just maybe, it’ll keep him away.

Lance comes up behind Owen, grabbing him by the shoulders. “It’s decided. Pour Boys to celebrate!”

“Ugh, way to ruin a gorgeous moment.” Kennedy mutters.

“I do what I can.” Lance winks at her, furthering her disgust. “Bring your dancing shoes, Callie. You’re about to see how the Scythes party after a win.”

I smile, caught up in the moment despite what else just happened. “Sounds good.”

Owen looks at me, a grin plastered on his sweaty face. Honestly, with his eyes bright and his hair a mess from the game, he looks flat-out delicious right now. I almost regret using my hand instead of my mouth earlier…

He drops his mouth to my ear so I can hear him over the crowd. “What do you say, baby? Ready to party?”

It’s the first time he’s used a pet name.

I don’t hate it.

“Let’s do it.” He kisses me again as the crowd cheers. For the time being, I feel okay.

Pour Boys is swelling with people, from hockey players to fans to puck bunnies to regulars. It’s a much different vibe than I felt when we came here for our day. That day was quiet compared to the all-out rave it is tonight.

“The team buys rounds for everyone in the room after a game like that,” Owen explains as we stand at the bar. He has his arm around me, holding me close while talking into my ear.

“Every time you win? Seems a little over the top.”

“Noteverytime we win. Every time we turn a game around like that. And I don’t want to brag but, thanks to me, we spun it around hard.”

“That’s because you’re Owen Sharpe the Shark!” A boozy fan fist-bumps Owen as he walks past.

Owen laughs, clinking beer mugs with him. “You got that right!” he says before guzzling down.

I lean in with a grin of my own. “That’s funny because, before that, you were kind of the reason you guys almost lost.”

Owen almost chokes on his beer. “You did not just say that.”

“I think I did.”

“Then you’re asking for trouble,” he warns me with the same easy grin he’s had on since the puck soared into the back of the net.

“Oh, really? And what are you going to do about it?”

Owen tilts my chin up and kisses me. We get lost in each other for a moment, earning cheers and camera flashes. But I don’t really care. I’m not sure where the line is, but it’s starting to feel like it was drawn in sand. It’s washed away in the tidal wave rushing over me as the kiss goes deeper.

“Okay, you two. You’re hot for each other, we get it. Get a room.”

I smile at Kennedy’s words and pull away, licking my bottom lip with a smile.

Lance leans over her shoulder. “I think we need a round of shots.”

“Shots. Yes. Finally, one good thing came out of your face,” Kennedy agrees, flagging down a bartender.

I shake my head. “I’m good.”

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