Page 81 of The Stud

My cock instantly begins to stir prompting me to cross my hands in front of it during my continued investigating, “Is that something I should continue?”

Rather than give me the answer I want – and lets beFrank,the answer Ineed– she tugs the sleeves of her Dalvegan hoodie into the palms of her hands on an uncomfortable murmur, “About that…”

“Don’t youdaretry to undo what we stayed up all nightfinallydoing.”

Arden struggles not to smirk yet again.

And we were.

We were bothliterallyup until about forty-five minutes ago, which is when she finally crashed in my arms for a quick winker while I couldn’t do anything but stare on in awe.

Awe that it really happened.

Awe that it really happened with therightwoman.

Awe that me – of all bloody puckheads – really gets to have theonewoman meant for him.

And Arden Hoss is most certainly meant for meand only me.

And I’ll do whatever it takes…for however long it takes…to make that completely understood as well as accepted.

“I don’t wannanotkeep doing it…” she coyly announces causing relief to flood through my tense system. “But I also don’t wanna get firedfordoing it.”

Shit.

That’s right.

Fraternizing is not just frowned upon by the league.

It’s a fireable offense in Dalvegan.

It’s also one reason the ice girls are constantly keptawayfrom us, although that doesn’t and hasn’t stopped the players looking to see them scream off the ice from making that happen.

Becks used to pride himself on the number he could bag on any team in any given season.

Both available and “unavailable”.

He’s a good mate; however, he is by far the definition of a skating PR nightmare.

And given how often I tend to make media reports…us dating is likely to become one too.

“So, I have a few ground rules to keep the latter from happening,” Arden firmly states, arms folding across her chest. “Agree to them and we can continue…whatever…this…is.”

“Dating.” Smug amusement doesn’t hesitate to be shown. “We cannot continue to do it if you cannot evensayit, Ducky.” Her mouth twitches open prompting me to swiftly shake my head. “And no, I will not abide by any rule that requires me tostopcalling you Ducky.”

“Fine,” she huffs with an eye roll. “At least agree to not saying it where other people can hear.”

“Where otherplayerscan hear.”

“I said people.”

“And I said what you really meant because calling you Ducky in a crowded restaurant of strangers wouldn’t bother you.”

“It might.”

“It won’t.”

“It could.”

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