Page 21 of Puck You Not

“The bet was for beer, wings and fountain dancing,” she countered.

“The last of which you’ve told me you’re not going to do, so I’m choosing another prize.I’m gonna kiss you tonight.”

Avalon’s breath caught.She stared at me, her tongue flicking out to moisten her lips.Her wide eyes seemed to spark as she studied me, her pupils trying to overtake the violet of her irises.

Still, she grinned as she pushed away her plate and leaned back in the booth.

“I sure hope I have mints in my purse, then.I had onions on my burger.”

“Not to worry—I have some in the car.Plus, I had onions, too.I didn’t know I’d get to start cashing in on our bet today.”

She laughed.“Don’t count your kisses before they…” She trailed off.“Well, I was going to say hatch, but that doesn’t work.”

Sliding from the booth, I threw enough money for our tip on the table, since I’d already paid.I offered her my hand, and she took it without hesitation.As she slid from her seat, her eyes locked on mine while electricity zapped between us again.There it was, that connection that happened whenever I touched her.

“Thing is,” I said, keeping her hand securely in mine as we walked from the diner.“One of the things you learn in sports is mental simulation.”

“Like fantasy?”she asked as I held open the car door and she climbed in.

“No.It’s rehearsing what’s going to happen.How the stick will connect with the puck.How the team will execute plays.How you’re going to feel in my arms.And trust me, I’m counting our kisses and they’re very, very good.”I shut the door then jogged around to the other side to get in.After starting the car to get it warming up, I looked over at her.“It’s a step-by-step run through.The way my hand will skim up your arm.The way my mouth will slant over yours.The way I’ll hear the sweet little sounds you’ll make.How I’ll feel your sighs and they will prompt me to go deeper and taste more of you.”

“Holy crap, Parrish,” she whispered, shifting in her seat and crossing her legs.As she squirmed, my hand gripped tighter on the steering wheel where I’d rested it casually earlier.My God, I wanted those long legs clenched around me.

I smirked.“Playing sports teaches you a lot.”

“So what now?”she asked, fiddling with her fingers.

“Well…” I reached over to grab one of her hands, bringing it to the center console for me to hold.“First, we can stop at my place and I’ll grab your phone.Then we’ll put my numberintoyour phone.Then I’ll drive you to your apartment and we can investigate how well I visualized that kiss.And…about five seconds after you make it inside, I’ll text you about date number two.”

Her teeth sank into her lip as she studied me for a moment, an array of thoughts crossed her eyes, then she smiled shyly.“Okay.I like the sound of all that.”

“Okay,” I agreed.

We talked about our families on the way to my place.I told her about where I’d grown up but didn’t mention that my parents had disowned me over my choice to pursue a career in hockey, that they’d told me I’d amount to nothing.At the same time, she mentioned her parents had died a decade ago and she’d been raised by her older siblings.Beyond that, she was vague about their relationship.

I squeezed her hand, and we fell into comfortable silence for a few minutes after that—until I swore aloud when I pulled up to the big old house I rented along with seven other guys.Over a dozen cars were parked nearby, signaling an impromptu party I didn’t know a thing about.Fuck, I hadn’t been gone that long.

I sighed then lifted Avalon’s hand to my lips.“Stay here, yeah?I’ll be right back.One of my idiot roommates must have decided a Tuesday night is the perfect time for a kegger.”

Annoyed, I ran inside, swimming through the sea of people—far more than the cars outside had indicated—to get to my room.Thankfully, I always locked it, otherwise God knew what I’d find inside on my bed.

After snatching up Avalon’s phone, I relocked the door then hurried back outside.One of my roommates stood beside her door, chatting her up.Of fucking course.

“You should really come inside, darlin’,” Jackson said, his arm leaned on the roof as he bent toward the window she must have opened to talk to him.

“Back off, Jack.She’s mine,” I growled.

“Yours?”he scoffed in disbelief.“Since when doyouhave a girl?”

“Since her.Now back off before you find out where I can shove my hockey stick.”

He took a few steps away with his hands up, but he didn’t look all that worried.In fact, he laughed at me.“So violent,” he scoffed.“She must be pretty special for you to get all up in your feels like that.”He looked over at my girl.“Are you sure you don’t wanna ditch the Neanderthal and come inside with me?”

“Very sure,” she said.“I’m with Parrish.”

Jackson sighed heavily, but I knew him.He’d find a willing coed as soon as he walked through the door of our house.“Fine.You two have a good night.”

“He’s interesting,” Avalon said when I settled back beside her and handed over her cell.“His Texas accent comes and goes.”

---