Page 13 of Dirty Pucker

I glance at Del as he lowers his massive hand and gently pats one of the sleeping kittens on his lap. He pulls up his sleeve, revealing his thick, muscled forearm.

My eyes nearly pop out of my head, and my lady bits pulse.

HOTTTTTTT

Well, then. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten this hot and bothered over a forearm before.

But damn. There’s something so manly, so rough, about Del’s forearms. I eye the veins bulging along the length of his muscles.

I bite my lip, that dazed feeling intensifying.

Okay, that’s enough objectifying the guy who saved me from a creepy harasser.

A faint wave of guilt washes over me. I really, really shouldn’t be ogling Del like this. He doesn’t deserve that.

When he gently runs his fingertip along the little kitten’s fuzzy head, I have to summon all the strength inside of me to keep from passing out. That’ssoendearing.

Seeing this rough and rugged guy get all sweet and gentle over a kitten is enough to make my heart explode.

I still can’t believe he’s so hated in the league.

I think back to all the video clips I watched of him last night, fighting during games.

My brain pulls up the image of his handsome face twisted in frustration and anger as he heckled his opponents before shoving them and throwing punches.

It was honestly really weird to see. I didn’t feel like I was looking at the same guy I met yesterday, who looked at me with such care and concern in his eyes.

Or the guy sitting next to me right now, cuddling and playing with a bunch of kittens.

I understand that a lot of hockey players are different when it’s game time. They’re more competitive, more intense, and quicker to anger. They channel all their energy into doing whatever it takes to win. Competition is in their blood and sometimes tempers flare.

That’s definitely the case for my cousin Theo. In real life, he’s a laidback and funny guy. He hardly ever gets angry or upset.But I’ve seen him get pissed off during games. He gets into fights sometimes too.

I glance at Del as he scoops up the kitten on his shoulder and moves it onto his lap. One of the black kittens wakes up and hops out of his lap. I grab a string toy and drag it on the floor, chuckling when the kitten chases after it.

How can this teddy bear be such a menace on the ice?

“I think you should start posting on your Instagram account again.”

He frowns. “Really?”

“Yeah. It’s an easy way to engage with fans and let them see who you are when you’re not playing hockey. If you show them glimpses of your personal life and show that you have a softer side—that you’re more than just hockey and fighting—I think you could change people’s opinions about you. Your first post back can be the photo I took with you and the kittens.”

He nods like he understands, but I can tell he’s not into it. “I just don’t even know what to post. I feel like I’d mess it up somehow.”

“I’m happy to take over your social media or give you pointers on what would be helpful to post.”

His frown fades and the corners of his mouth curve upward. “You’d do that?”

“Of course. It’s my job. I’m here to help you.”

He gives me a panty-melting smile and my stomach does a somersault. “Okay, you’ve convinced me. If anyone can revamp my image via social media, it’s you.”

I grin wide. “So you’re gonna let me take over your social media?”

“Yup. I give you full control. And whatever you want me to do for the Bashers TikTok, I’ll do it.”

A giddy feeling courses through me at the thought of working with Del and spending more time with him.

---