Page 16 of Puck of the Irish

"Rizz, stop. Look, I appreciate you not wanting me to feel like a random hook up, but you don't have to do all that. It's ok. I know what this was. Is. Was." I can't keep it straight. "I'm not asking you to change anything or pretend to be something you aren't."

He eyes me, like he's trying to read if I'm serious or not. He gets that determined look in his eyes, like he has when he's on the ice: laser focused and seeing a thousand tiny details all at once, coming up with the perfect plan to make his way to the goal no matter who or what stands in his way.

"So, is that a no, then?"

"It's a…" I bite my lip, searching his eyes and wanting nothing more than to say yes, regardless of how fucking stupid it is. "It's an I'll think about it."

He smiles and nods and before I can stop myself, I'm across the seat and kissing him again. He makes a surprised noise, but quickly tangles a hand in my hair and kisses me back. Slowly. Deeply. Making my toes curl in my boots and my stomach flip. His lips force mine apart and his tongue delves into my mouth, stroking mine and gently demanding what he wants. I’m powerless not to give him anything and everything. I tilt my head, letting him control the kiss and steer it anywhere he wants.I toy with the hair at his nape and inhale sharply when his hand glides down my side, fingers skating over bare skin. I arch my hips upward, wishing this car had more damn room right about now.

“Natalie,” he sighs in an amused, accusatory groan.

I pull away and curse against his lips. "Fuck. I’m sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I've gotta go." He chuckles lightly and I kiss him once more, quick and soft, before practically leaping from the car like it’s on fire. I don’t make smart choices when in confined spaces with Anthony Rizzo.

He leans across the seat and grins up at me.

"Night, Nat."

"Get some sleep, Thirst Trap," I say breathless. "You've got a big game tomorrow."

"Yes, ma'am.” I laugh and shake my head before closing the car door. I wave him off, hopping from foot to foot to keep warm, but the car stays put. He rolls the window down.

"I'm not leaving until you get safely inside."

And he has to be a gentleman.Of course he does. The universe really hates me right now…but I'll have to thank his mother one day because she sure did raise a good one.

I roll my eyes but smile before turning and jogging across the lawn and up the front porch, freezing my butt off.The outfit choice was still worth it, I think with a grin, knowing damn well that Rizzo’s eyes are glued to my ass right now. I might put a little extra swagger in my step because, well, I can’t quite help teasing him.

I get the door open and wave as I step inside. He waves and finally drives off as I close the door and turn the lock. I lean my head against the cool wood.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid."

“Tell me not to sleep with Rizzo again,” I beg Hattie. I'm sitting on the table in her office next to a big ass bouquet of flowers, wrestling with my life choices. I'd dreamed about Rizzo all night. Likedreameddreamed. The kind of the dirty persuasion that leaves you sweaty and panting and wishing it was real when you wake up. And I've been on edge all day from it, freaking desperate for him. It's getting really out of hand.

“From what you told me, you didn’t really do much sleepin’ the first time around.” I grab a notepad off the table and throw it at her. She ducks out of the way, laughing, and I love her so much but also want to strangle her right now.

“I’m serious!” I say kicking my feet in frustration. “I don’t think I can hold out much longer. I swear me telling him it was a one-and-done somehow made himmoreinterested. He’s hinted at wanting another hook up since it happened," I hedge, not wanting to admit that I've already slipped with him more than once—just kissing, but still—"but now he’s being weird—he asked me to dinner. Like a legitdinner date.”

Hattie arches her brows in surprise, clearly sayinghow very un-Rizzo of him.

“Right?! That’s what I thought! I know it’s just a means to an end, another night in the sack, but still.”

“Well, what did you say?” she asks, not ready to just shrug it off, which only makes it worse. I don’t need her to be thoughtful and understanding. I need her to tell me I'm an idiot and to move on with my life—sansRizzo's dick.

“I told him…I’d think about it.” I groan and put my head in my hands. “I’m not going to be able to hold out much longer. When I knew it would just be one night of fun and then we’d beadults and just see each other at work like normal, it didn’t seem like that big a deal. I could handle that. But with him actively trying for another round?” I puff up my cheeks and let out a long, slow breath. “It’s a completely different ballgame that I am not equipped to play. I mean, you’ve seen him! I donotthink with my brain when he’s around, I think with something else entirely and it very,verymuch wants me to accept his invitation. Actually, it just wants me to say fuck dinner all together and tell him to just take me to a hotel.”

Hattie laughs, running the edge of her pen over her bottom lip and looking thoughtful.

“Well…would it really be so bad if it wasn’t a one-and-done? I mean, plenty of people have steady fuck-buddies.”

“Yes! Or, well, no. Maybe? I don’t know! I was ok being a notch in his skyscraper-length bedpost for one really,reallygood night, but continually just being one in a rotation of countless women? I don’t think I could do it." I pinch the bridge of my nose, not wanting to admit that the thought of it actually makes me want to scream. Thinking about Rizzo with other girls is becoming…frustrating. Which really isn’t fair of me.

"Ugh, let’s change the subject. Who sent you flowers? The parade float guy? He seemedverysmitten with you.”

“They aren’t from the parade float guy, thank you very much," she says, coming over to the table and messing with the flowers. "Well, I guess theycouldbe—I don’t actually know who they’re from. No name on the note—but I doubt it. Parade float guy actually got Bobby's number, though he did mention another girl he was dating recently, so I think he's an into-the-wine-not-the-label guy.”

"Ooo" I say, excited for Bobby to finally have a date. He's been in a bit of a dry spell. "And?"

"Not a bad time, but no sparks from what I've been told."

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