Page 40 of A Little Puck Luck

Carter held out a fist for me to bump, which I did. Then, I focused on finding Annie and kid.

It was easy to find them. Annie was the one holding a sleeping kid on her shoulder and looking as pretty as ever, even though our son seemed pretty heavy in her arms.

I rushed over toward her, plucked Eric from her, and placed him in Carter’s arms.

“There’s something I’ve been wanting to do, and I’m going to do it in front of our friends since I want everyone to know how much I want you.”

I’d kept my sexual urges at bay for way too damn long, and I was tired of doing it, so I planted my lips on Annie’s and engulfed her in a tight embrace that could only be described as Not Safe For Work.

I didn’t care if we had a label on our relationship. I wanted her, and I finally saw signs that we could move past co-parenting in the same house.

Her lips were impeccably soft, and they felt so damn good. Not being able to help myself, I slipped my tongue into her mouth as I pulled her hair slightly. I was half expecting her to shoo me or tell me to stop since she was always more prim and proper.

But for once, her new meeker side worked in my favor, and she didn’t fight me. Instead, she deepened the kiss.

Damn, I loved Annie. Even after everything.

There was a huge part of me that wanted to bring Annie straight back to my bed, especially since Cartsy was on babysitting duty. But that would defeat the purpose of asking Cartsy to babysit in the first place.

Instead, I stayed true to tonight’s plan. I dropped down on one knee and held Annie’s hand. I didn’t care if it was a tad extra. At least no one in this room would think we were getting engaged—yet.

“Annette, would you do me the honor of going out with me after the game? I already arranged babysitting.”

That got a few laughs from the room. And I wasn’t surprised to hear Suzuki say, “Seriously, man?”

But my eyes were laser-focused on my girl. The longer I waited on my knee, the more nervous energy built up within me.

Did I misread her? I thought we were getting into a good headspace, and she seemed ready for a relationship. Also, we already had a first date.

I waggled my eyebrows, hoping to prompt an answer from Annie.

Finally, she said, “Sure, we can do that.”

If I wasn't already being a little too extra for Annie’s taste, I would have totally done a game day celly. But she wouldn’t like it if I did that, so I just got up to my feet and satisfied myself with another stolen kiss.

This time, it was a bit more workplace-appropriate. But it was still so sensual to capture her mouth with mine.

Chapter 32

Annette

Terryhuffedandsmackedthe phone mount on his dashboard so hard that his phone flew.

The phone clattered near my feet. This was where I knew my therapy was working because I didn’t flinch or jump since I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me.

Looking at him, I tried to gauge a nearly unreadable facial feature, but it was hard because he was looking away from me to pull out of the valet area. So I asked him, “Everything okay?”

“Carmie's being a dick.” But when he turned his head, his facial features softened as he laid eyes on me. “Or maybe he’s being an angel.”

I giggled. Times like this, he was so ridiculous. How could one of his teammates be both an asshole and an angel all at the same time?

I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. He wasn’t drunk since he only had a glass of red wine, so it should be clear what he was talking about.

“Care to elaborate?” I probed.

I leaned down to pick up his phone, but I didn’t look at it.

“Eric is asleep, and Carter won’t let us pick him up until morning.”

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