Page 105 of Seriously Pucked

But with McNeill acquired for the Racketeers this season we’ve just swept the first series of the playoffs and the guys have four days to rest before they have to take on their next opponent. I feel it in the air. This is the year.

For the Racketeers. For me.

Because this is also the year that I’m getting married.

It took me forty-one years to find love, to meet a woman who softens all my hard edges, while still allowing me to be myself. I’m bossy, quick to get irritated, and I lean on money to fix anything that it can fix. But Danielle understands me, appreciates me, and loves me in a way that feels better than any championship ever could.

The unexpected bonus to my relationship with Danielle is I now have a found family that includes not just the girl, but two best friends in Michael and Crew. We’ve had a learning curve as to how to do this as a foursome, but we’ve gotten to a really amazing place together.

But I still want the Cup, and we’re going to get it.

McNeill is high from the wins and he bounds up the steps to our brownstone with an energy that makes me envious. “There better be a naked Dani waiting for me on the other side of this door!” he says with a grin as he punches in the code to automatically open the heavy front door.

I’m going on adrenaline, too, given how late it is, so normally I’d be eyeing these fucking steps like they’re Mt. Everest but tonight feels different. Since we’ve moved in, I’ve found it ironic that I can do the elliptical at the gym for forty minutes but a dozen steps make me hesitate.

I know now it’s because this house wasn’t my first choice and I was compromising. It was Danielle and Michael’s dream and I struggled with that, just like I struggled with Michael popping the question without talking to me first. It’s different now though.

Danielle has agreed to be my wife and I’m in this relationship for the long haul, compromises and all. They have made sacrifices and compromises as well. Danielle has to juggle our three very different personalities, which I think all of us would admit is not easy. Michael has had to take on the role of family mediator. And Crew has had to watch the two of us move ahead in our relationship with Danielle because we’re at a different place in our lives. But with honest communication, respect, and love, we’re making this work.

We’re a team. And there’s no fucking “I” in team. I’m taking that seriously.

Except when it comes to my shower. And my body wash. I draw the line there. No one is allowed in my shower except Danielle and even she can’t use my body wash unless she’s massaging it all over me. Or herself. When she’s naked. And wet. Hell, I guess she can use it.

Hughes is right behind me, pressing the button to lock the car. I’ve started letting him drive when Andrew isn’t available because no matter what time of day it is, Hughes always manages to find a premier parking spot. He has a gift for street parking.

I jog up the steps after McNeill, Hughes on my heels, already anticipating the reception we’re going to receive.

Danielle does not disappoint.

I hear the timbre of Crew’s voice change. “Now that’s what I’m talking about, baby.Damn.”

Shifting to his right so I can block the view from our front door in case any of our neighbors are out walking their many, many dogs, my mouth goes dry. Danielle is wearing the Racketeers T-shirt I gave her the night we met—the one that is way too tight and has a plunging V neck—and nothing else. No panties. Just smooth pale legs and a bare pussy.

She’s holding a bottle of champagne. Her hair is down, her red curls tumbling around her shoulders, and her smile is as bright as any Racketeers fan. She looks ecstatic.

“That was such a great game, congratulations!” she says, as if she isn’t mostly naked. She throws her arms around Crew’s neck. “I’m so proud of you. You weresogood.”

His hand goes to her ass, squeezing a cheek in a way that makes my dick hard. “I definitely deservea lotof accolades.”

She laughs lightly and extracts herself from his hold so she can turn to me.

Hughes enters the house and shuts the door behind him. “Holy shit, Cookie,” he says when his eyes land on Dani.

“Right?” Crew says, sounding amused. “And here I was worried Dani would be asleep already.”

“How can I sleep when I’m so excited for you guys?” She wraps her arms around my neck. “Your team did you proud, Mr. Armstrong.”

It’s my turn to slide my palms down over the curve of her ass and haul her tight up against me. “You’re doing me proud too. My very good girl is following the no panties at home rule.”

“Of course.” Her eyes are sparkling. “I followallof your rules.”

That’s debatable. But in the bedroom, she definitely does. “Then you should be rewarded.” I kiss the delicate skin behind her ear. “What do you have planned for our star player and the happiest team owner in the league?”

Her breath hitches. “Anything you want. I’ve beensolonely without you.”

Her bottom lip pouts and I catch it between my thumb and finger.

Danielle traveled to the playoff games with Crew’s mom and stayed with her in a hotel suite, so she wasn’t a distraction to our star player. Or me. Or Michael. Which she definitely would have been. We saw her for breakfast each morning and briefly after the first three games, but otherwise, we had all agreed to stay focused and save the celebrations for when we got home.

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