Page 59 of College Hockey Bully

“You made a reservation without knowing if I’d say yes. Quite ballsy, don’t you think?”

“Told you I like living on the edge,” I reply.

“And if I say no?”

I clasp my chest. “I’d be devastated, probably won’t eat for days. Would you want that?”

“Oh, cut the crap.” But a soft smile emerges. “Fine. Only because you worked a miracle getting past my dad.” She pats my cheek softly. “You should be rewarded for that.”

I can think of half a dozen ways to claim that reward, but I’ll behave. I’m not trying to get in Scarlett’s panties tonight. I seriously want to know more about her.

“Now, what am I going to wear?” she asks.

“Focus on everything else. I’ve got that covered,” I reply.

A snort flies from her nose. “As if. You don’t even know my size.”

I smile mysteriously.

“You don’t know my size,”she repeats, firmly this time.

“We’ll see.” I back off, still with that sly smile. “Get ready for me, Scar.”

She mutters something under her breath as I walk out. Her father looks up at me enquiringly and I point to the door while heading out. Getting back to the car, I remove the garment and shopping bags that Mom’s stylist Dana dropped off earlier today. One phone call with Scarlett’s dress and shoe sizes, plus my personal preferences and she delivered exactly what I wanted.

Back inside the house, I hand the bags to Scarlett’s mom. By now, I’m sure Scarlett is probably naked in her room and I want to be respectful. I also don’t want to be sporting a hard-on in front of her folks.

I join her dad on the couch where he’s watching a mixed martial arts match. Milo gets comfortable beside my leg andalthough we sit in silence the entire time, I notice how relaxed her father is. It feels—I hope—like he has lost that animosity toward me.

Scarlett’s mom suddenly clears her throat. I glance up and my jaw slackens.

“Oh, wow,” her dad mumbles, standing.

With a dozen flutters going off in my chest, I get up, still gaping at Scarlett. Picking out that red dress, I knew it would fit her well but holy fuck, I didn’t imagine this perfection.

It’s a floor-length gown with thick straps and a thigh split. It flares out at the hips and tapers at her waist. Modest, but sexy. A pair of gold, bejeweled heels, gold-and-red drop earrings and a matching purse completes the look. Her hair is wrapped in an updo that accentuates her beautiful face.

I swallow. Scarlett is a fucking knockout.

“You look amazing,” I mutter, taking her hand.

Scarlett grins. “Thanks. From an ugly duckling to a swan in less than an hour; who would’ve thought?”

“From a swan to an even more beautiful swan, you mean,” I correct.

“You’ve got good taste,” she comments, glancing down at herself. “I don’t even want to know if this is a coincidence or you actually knew my favorite color.”

I shrug in response. I found out plenty while cyber-stalking Scarlett. Her favorite color wasn’t one of them. How I found that out would make me seem like a creep if she knew.

“Have my daughter home by eleven, understood?” her father orders and as I open my mouth to promise, Scarlett scoffs.

“Daddy, I’m twenty-two years old,” she says, moving with me toward the front door.

He follows. “I know, sweetheart.”

“Which means coming home whenever I want.” She stops at the door and kisses his cheek, then hugs her mom. “Don’t wait up.”

“Scar—”

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