Page 53 of Grudge Puck
“Well, we'll see,” I stammered. “I'm not exactly letting my guard down just yet … who knows what Beau really wants, after all.”
But even if itwasjust sex …? After seeing him play tonight, as shameful as it was, some animal part of me wouldn't even mind. If he only wanted to use me for one more night of pleasure? Fine. He'd left me feeling so impressed—by his prowess, his brute strength, hisdeterminationto claim me—that now, I knew I needed him tonight more than I needed anything else.
***
When the final horn sounded, the Blizzard, led by Beau, won 3-2.
The life had been sucked out of the stands at MSG. Over the stunned silence of the crowd, we could hear the cheers of the Blizzard boys as they congratulated each other on the ice. When Beau broke free from the group, he glided by my seat.
He gave me that infamous smile and a wink. Then Beau pointed at an imaginary watch that would be around his wrist.
“One hour,” he mouthed. “Dinner.”
I smiled and mouthed back, “Okay.”
We watched as he skated off, and his teammates attacked him again with more hugs and butt-spanks. They skated off the ice in high spirits.
“Now what?” Piper asked me.
I shrugged. “I guess I have to kill an hour.”
***
Piper and I passed the time with margaritas at a nearby bar. I texted Beau to meet us when he was free.
An hour later, Piper suddenly looked over my shoulder.
He's behind me, isn't he?
Sure enough, the weight of his massive hands settled gently on my shoulder. A tingle charged up my spine. Beau bent down, gave me a kiss on the cheek, and his familiar scent filled my senses.
“Hi Beau,” I said, my stomach twisting and tightening as soon as his stubble scraped against my cheek.
“Good evening,” he said politely.
I giggled, and remarked sarcastically to Piper, “Oh, tonight he's a gentleman.”
“Yeah.” Beau smiled. “Thought I'd try a little, anyway.”
He almostlooked like a gentleman, too—minus the fresh set of stitches that ran through the pink and swollen skin just above his eyebrow. But he didn't look bothered by it; he looked perfectly happy. His skin was otherwise bright, his eyes glowed, and he wore an expensive cobalt suit. The well-tailored suit hugged his wide frame nicely, hinting at the hunks of muscle that I knew laid just beneath.
“Hey Beau!” Piper said. “Great game tonight.”
“Hey Piper.” He greeted her with a peck on the cheek. “By the way, the boys wanted me to thank you two for the cupcakes. Everyone was joking afterward that we won because of the extra boost from the vegan desserts.”
“Really? They liked them?” I asked.
“Yeah. No joke. Might have to be a regular thing when the team visits New York.”
“Oh, that's so good to hear!” Piper said. And with that, she jumped out of her stool and offered it to Beau. “Well, I'll be off, but you two have fun tonight …”
“Aw, c'mon, I don't want to chase you off. You should finish your drink, at least,” Beau said with a hint of concern.
“No need!” Piper blurted out. She grabbed her purse and gathered herself. “Remember, Cammy, I'm opening the bakery tomorrow, so you enjoy yourself tonight! Gotta go, bye!”
She almost ran for the door.
Beau slid into her stool, a brow raised in suspicion. “What's gotten into her?”
