Page 43 of She Wolf

We take the series in four fucking games, just like I promised Coralie.

Chapter Nine

Gunner

Coralie deserves the world, which is why our first date needs to be perfect. How do I say all the things I feel for her without using the actual words? And that’s why I need to come up with something amazing and say it through actions—instead of blurting a load of heavy shit all over her and scaring her off before this has even really started.

I’ve never been able to shake the first time I met her. She was so beautiful, lighting up the whole ballroom, stealing my breath away. Even at twenty-three, I knew she was different.

Special.

Almost like all the hard work I put into being the best hockey player I could be, being drafted and then traded to the same team as Casey, was all leading up to me finding her.

I’ve already decided we’re off to Vermont at the earliest chance we get—that girl deserves a personalized tour of her beloved Ben and Jerry’s factory but getting days off in between playoffs is impossible. I’ll win the cup and then she can eat all the ice cream she wants out of it.

I can’t help but smile at that thought. It’s something she would totally do. A ginormous Stanley Cup Sundae.

Taking out my phone I hold my breath as I google—finding exactly what I need. It’s on a smaller scale than my Vermont trip but it definitely packs a romantic punch. Dinner on its own is not enough, I need the wow factor.

After making a few calls the wheels are in motion for my first grand gesture tomorrow. Coralie is the keeper of my heart and deserves to be treated like it. There’s no getting away from the fact that I was already falling in love with her. And us dating only strengthens those feelings. The best part about it all? I get her and I get Jack.

The extra kick my heart gives thinking of them that way only confirms what my brain has always told me.

They’re mine.

The last call I make is to my she-wolf herself. Her contact information has a photo of her leaning down to give Jack a big kiss on his cheek. His smile is wide and toothy, and his eyes are squeezed shut from her ambush. Coralie practically radiates love.

“Hey Peaches, how’s it going?” I ask after she greets me.

“Happy to have you all home. You get back from Florida in one piece?”

“All good. Do you have any plans tomorrow?” I can’t hide the hope in my voice.

“No, kept it free to see you,” she says sweetly.

“That’s exactly what I wanted you to say. It’s date time Coralie.”

Her breath hitches. “It is?”

“It really is. I don’t want to tell you too much, but there’s no dress code or anything, just wear whatever makes you feel good. You always look beautiful to me.”

“Oh, Gunner. And what time does this date kick off?”

“I have skate, conditioning and a team meeting in the morning.Puck dropsat one. Does that sound okay?”

“It does. Will we see you tonight?” I look around my room and my stomach drops. I’ve been so preoccupied with trying to execute the date that I realize my bags still need unpacking, some of the clothes need to be laundered. There are bits of my hockey gear in my garage that I should deal with. Plus, I’m going to have to repack it all again in two days—all the things I have to get done if I really want to relax and enjoy tomorrow with her.

A heavy sigh leaves my mouth before I can stop it. Having not seen her for four days I’m jonesing for a hit of Coralie.What a needy SOB I’ve become.

“No. As much as I want to, I gotta get all this crap sorted.”

“I thought that might be the case. Get your chores done and get some rest, Gunner Grey.”

So sensible. I wanted her to tell me to leave it. To not bother getting my shit together and to sneak over for more kissing. For her concoction of shampoo and lotion and perfume to fill my senses and rub off on my clothes. But I have to agree. I can just breathe her in tomorrow.

We say our goodbyes after I’ve asked how Jack has been and then I head into the bathroom with my wash bag. I dump it all into the basin and then rearrange it all back into its various compartments again. I’ve got double of everything, so I don’t need to leave anything out and then fold it all in on itself and plop that back on my bed. Job one: done.

The number I’ve been waiting for calls me back and after some more negotiation and a pretty hefty donation, we’re on. Enzo, my fave driver, sends me a thumbs up emoji and I have to say I’m feeling pretty smug.

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