Page 53 of Pucking the Grump

Thankfully, I’ve been paying attention to his needs and have a few ideas about how to show him that I like giving as much as receiving.

Well, nearly as much…

Damn, his food smells good. I inhale the heavenly aroma of perfectly roasted potatoes, onions, and whatever fancy cheese he slipped into the omelet, along with the top-tier ham.

“It wasn’t a complaint,” he says, digging into his own meal, still standing across from me.

Stone likes to eat breakfast standing up. It’s another one of the hundred little facts I’ve been collecting about him since we basically moved in together the night after our disastrous dinner at my dad’s house.

“I just think we should embrace how good this is,” he continues. “Why maintain two households when one is so much more fun? And having you here would be a huge help once the season starts. I wouldn’t have to worry about getting a sitter for Barb every time I have an away game.” He grins as he adds, “Just the away games where you decide to come with me. Because we’re a couple and don’t care who knows it and want to have sex in a swanky hotel.”

I fight a grin, grateful my mouth is full of food, giving me time to compose my reply. I don’t want to shut him down completely, but I have my own plans, dammit.

And my own surprises that I refuse to have ruined…

“Why do you want to hide our love from the world, Bossy?” He leans forward, batting his lashes as he adds in a breathy, almost feminine voice, “Don’t you want to make an honest man of me? Think of my reputation.”

My eyes widen as I swallow. “Oh my God, that reminds me—did you know that half the team thinks you’re gay?”

He shrugs, unfazed. “Yeah. I told them I wasn’t, but locker room gossips are going to gossip.” Stone stands back up, shoveling one last massive bite of omelet into his mouth.

I cock my head. “But why? Just because of the flower arranging stuff?” I blink faster as he scrapes a few crumbs into the sink in the middle of the island. “How are you done already? Do you even chew?”

“I told you—four older sisters. Growing up, it was either eat fast or leave the table hungry. All those stories about girls eating less than boys are bullshit. It was every kid for themselves at our table. As for the other…” He shrugs again as he bends to load his plate into the dishwasher. “I don’t know. I’m sure the fact that I openly love crafting and flower arranging isn’t giving me any straight street cred, but they’ve also never seen me out with anyone. As far as they know, I haven’t been on a date, even a casual one, in the year and a half I’ve lived in Portland.”

I grunt around a sip of coffee. “That’s still ridiculous. Men should be allowed to like ‘feminine’ things or take a dating break without that putting their sexuality into question. It’s just more proof that the patriarchy is?—”

“Bad for everyone,” he finishes affectionately. “Yes, I know. That’s why I ordered Barb her smash the pup-triarchy shirt. And I’ll order a ‘Coach’s Favorite Puck Bunny’ shirt today for myself, so I can wear it to the next Bushtit’s game and turn all the gender roles upside down.”

“No,” I say, pointing a firm finger at his chest. “Don’t you dare. You are not my puck bunny.” I slide off my stool, circling around the island to join him beside the dishwasher. I push up on tiptoe, kissing his cheek before murmuring against his freshly shaven skin, “You’re my sexy boyfriend, who I’m so proud of. And we’ll come out to everyone soon, I promise. I just need a little more time to figure out the best way to break the news to my dad.”

“I get it. But you know, actually speaking to the man might be a good start.” He loops an arm around my waist, holding me close when I try to move away. “Come on, babe. The longer you wait to thaw the ice, the more awkward that first conversation is going to be. And I’m sure he wants to move past this, too. He’s texted you a few times…right?”

I sigh. “Yes, he has. And I know you’re right, I just…” I rest my hands on his chest, rubbing my palms lightly back and forth across the soft sweatshirt fabric and the rock-hard pecs beneath. “I just have a lot on my plate right now. I don’t need any more drama, at least not until after the interview.”

He gives my bottom a pat that’s more comforting than sexual, proving how far we’ve come. “I get it. Only six more days… Getting nervous yet?”

“No, actually.” I tip my head back to meet his gaze, a smile curving my lips. “I’m just…happy. That’s part of why I’ve been avoiding Dad, too, I think. I just want to enjoy how good this is. You know?”

“I do. I really, really do.” He drops his other hand to my ass, giving both cheeks a tight squeeze.

I bite my bottom lip as butterflies flutter to life between my hips. “You’re thinking about last night, aren’t you?”

He nods, his gaze hooded. “Yeah, I am. You look good bent over the couch with my handprint on your ass.”

“You’ll have to take a picture next time,” I say, my voice husky.

He arches a brow. “Yeah? I didn’t know you liked pictures.”

“I didn’t know I liked being spanked until we tried it either, so…”

“You know, I could skip meeting Grammercy for coffee before practice,” Stone says, drawing me closer to the erection swelling beneath his track pants. “He would understand if…something came up.”

“Oh, something’s definitely coming up,” I murmur, grinding lightly against his cock.

Barb lets out a sharp bark next to our feet, making us both laugh.

“You’re right, Barb,” Stone says with a heavy sigh. “It isn’t good to break a date at the last minute.”

---