Page 33 of Puck You Not

“Porter?”

“Yup.”

Parrish laughed, the sound almost evil.

“What?”I demanded.

“It’s just too perfect.Porter asked him to be his fake date to some thing he has to go to.And Nash has a crush on him.I can only imagine how that will go.”

“For one, Nash is freaking out.I had to talk him off the wall last night.But, right now, I’d rather imagine how things will go for us.Did you mean what you said in there?About me?Us?”

“Every word.You’re perfect.And you’re perfect for me.I mean, fuck, my dick’s been hard since I tackled you the other day.”

“Maybe, you should see a doctor about that,” I teased.But I couldn’t help biting my lip, trying to hide my smile at the idea I’d done that to him.

“No,” he said, tugging me to stand between his legs, my chest flush against his, as he leaned back against the side of his car.“I think I just need to see more of you.”

Eleven

Parrish

“Well, hello again, beautiful,” Jackson said as Avalon and I walked into the house through the kitchen door.He was leaning against the counter, sipping coffee, probably because he had his regular bartending gig tonight after his early evening class.His dark eyes scanned over Avalon, appreciation on his face.

Normally, that would have pissed me off, but today, I hoped it gave confirmation to what I told my girl.She was gorgeous.

Still, I narrowed my eyes at my house mate, my arm tight around Avie’s waist.“She’s still mine, Jack.”

“Yeah, well…” He looked over at her.“When you get tired of this over-muscled, lug head, I’ll be around.”

“Um…thanks?”she said then looked up at me.“I probably won’t need to take you up on that—”

“Not in this lifetime,” I replied, my voice rumbling as my possessive side bristled at the idea of him edging in on my woman.Avalon’s hand trailed along my lower spine then into my back pocket.Her fingers flexed on my ass cheek and distracted me from my irritation.Tipping my head toward her, I pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“S’okay,” Jackson said, waving away the conversation.“I have a line-up at work.”

“You’re not gonna find Miss Right that way,” I told him.

He laughed, lifting his cup to his mouth again.“No, but I’ll find plenty of Miss Right Now and her sisters.And that’s just fine with me.I’m not settling down any time soon—if ever.”

“Good.Just remember Avalon isn’t one of your Miss Right Now candidates,” I warned him.

She grinned up at me.“You sure about that?‘Cause I thought…”

“Definitely right now,” I assured her.“And later and next week and next month… For meonly.”I glanced over at Jackson.“Avie is staying here until the end of the semester, so behave.”

He toasted me with his cup and nodded.“Welcome to the house,Avie.”

“Thanks.See you later then,” she said, taking my hand.

“Later,” he said, watching as we left the kitchen.Peering over my shoulder, I raised an eyebrow, and he shook his head at me.“You know I play, but I don’t poach.”

“I know.See you later.Have a good night.”

“You, too.And don’t forget the walls are thin in this old place.”

Yeah, last night had sure proved that when it ruined my plans.The last few years, I’d enjoyed the summers when most of my house mates were away for the break.Only a few of us stayed behind, and every August when everyone was back, I considered getting my own place, but it didn’t take long to get used to the constant noise.

I certainly didn’t want anyone hearing the sweet sounds Avie would make when I claimed her.As I followed her through the living room then into my bedroom down the hallway, I considered rearranging my furniture, so the bed was on the opposite wall.Then we were alone in my room with the door shut, and I stopped thinking of anything but my girl.

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