Page 38 of Your Pucking Mom

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auburn

This type of confrontation was exactly what I hated. It reminded me of the way my mother would berate me for everything I’d done wrong in my life. It was the same conversation I had with Austin’s…sperm donor when I told him I was pregnant after that night. I hated flinching around Ledger, but I also hated feeling so out of control in my world and confronted with the truth.

“Sorry,” I said, and he glided a few slides back.

“When you’re ready, I’ll just skate next to you in case you fall again.”

I nodded, pushing away my curls. He’d recoiled into whatever mask he wore in front of everyone else. The Ledger I’d met last night was so different. He was kind, caring, and safe. He was warm, probably would’ve melted the ice off this rink, and had been replaced by a man of cool indifference.

I tried to catch up with him as I held the ledge, but he maintained such a distance that I’d have to shout if I wanted to say something to him.

“I just—” A couple skated toward us.

“Hey, Cap,” they said before skating off together.

“Stop,” I called out once they were gone. Turning, I clung to the wall, taking a deep breath. Sweat dripped from my forehead, partly from being out of shape and partly from struggling to find the right words.

Ledger’s brown eyes pierced me. “Are you okay?” His tone was all business with not an ounce of sincerity in it.

“I will make a big fucking scene right now if you don’t talk to me.” I was full of shit, because that scene would likely cost my son his job. If this got out, they would pick a seasoned, award-winning captain over a young rookie.

“Do it, then,” Ledger said, calling me out on my bullshit.

“I’m going to scream.” I huffed like a fucking child, throwing a full tantrum.

In a lower voice, I managed to whisper, “I just want to talk.”

“No.” Ledger turned, and instead of screamingI loved giving you a blow job last night, I decided to let nature take its course.

With Ledger’s back to me, I took one long glide forward and promptly landed on my ass—or rather, my hip, sending a sharp pain down my leg. Maybe this hadn’t been my best idea, but Ledger still spun and rushed over to me and scooped me up bridal-style.

“You did this on purpose,” he grumbled.

“I didn’t.” I yelped, and Ledger adjusted my position so I wasn’t resting on the hip I’d fallen on.

As he guided us off the ice and toward the locker room, a smirk formed on his lips. “You definitely did, Sunshine,” he remarked.

The nickname warmed me. In his arms, there was a safety that contradicted all our attempts to deny our connection to the world outside.

Lost in thoughts of him, I didn’t realize we’d made it to the locker room until he lowered me onto a bench.

Gazing around at the lockers, I frowned. “This isn’t the same locker room as before?”

It looked different—cleaner, with no one getting their rentals.

“This is the home locker room, so all the Ravens players get ready here. You guys are set up on the visitors’ side.”

“Ah.” I sighed, wincing as I touched my hip.

“Let me take a look,” he insisted, kneeling to my level.

“I’m fine,” I protested, though a bruise was likely forming. We sat there with his hand lingering over my hip. His other hand slowly undid my skates, then threw them across the room. There was a tense pause, the air heavy with anticipation.

“Ledger,” I croaked, my voice filled with desire.

No, I couldn’t do this. I had to think about Austin, my responsibilities—anything but this.

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