Page 77 of The Puck Bunny

“In the Sara Bellagamba universe.” She crinkles her nose like her universe stinks.

“That’s a powerful universe you have there, sweetheart.”

She sits up. “You called me sweetheart.”

She looks surprised and I laugh. “Problem?”

“No, it’s just… No one ever has—if you don’t count Grandma Zanetti, which I don’t.”

“Then I won’t count her either. I like the idea that I’m the only one.”

“Why is that?” She has a tentative smile, like she’s hoping she knows the answer and she’s crossing her fingers behind her back.

“Because I’d be jealous if you had another guy somewhere who could claim you as a sweetheart.”

“Does that mean…? Never mind.” She sighs and turns away, shifting in her seat to create space between us.

“Yes, it does mean exactly what you think it means. I want you to be my sweetheart.” As I say the words, I realize they’re true and not just a line. I’ve never said the words this way before.

She waves. “You’re just saying that—”

“I mean it. I wouldn’t toy with you.”

“Wouldn’t you? I mean, that’s exactly what I asked you to do. What I wanted…”

Her eyes turn that an intense green that sucks me in until all I see is her beautiful soul…

“No—I mean, yes. I do want to give you what you want. But I meant what I said. You’re a sweetheart and I wish you could be mine.” Fuck. I’m backtracking and confused. She’s so out of my depth. Because she has depth, the kind I’m looking for in myself. But I’m not there because I still care more about hockey than finding a sweetheart.

Or that’s what I’m telling myself while my heart beats hard and my chest tightens, sending me a different message.

“You wish… but I can’t.” She sounds so wistful and defeated. Turning away, she goes on, rushing her words. “I get it. I knew that. You have hockey. You said it right from the start. No big secret. Hockey and family are what you’re all about and I can’t blame you. Whew—you’ve been through a lot—”

“Shut up.” I pull her in and take her chin in my hand, forcing her to face me. “You’re right and you’re wrong because it’s a goddam struggle to keep my priorities straight. Because of you. Because I crave you. Not just physically. Everything about you.” Moving close until my lips are a breath from hers, I whisper, “Especially your perfect, pouty mouth.”

Holding my breath to give her a chance to pull away, I stare at her, and she stares back, saying everything in that visceral language that can’t be confused. There is no confusion about the want in her eye,

I touch her lips with mine and let the soft sweet sensation sink in.

Then I ravage her mouth.

She moans and I’m all out of noble self-control to save her from my less-than-perfect devilish intentions and confused tumult of emotions. Because the one thing that’s not confused is my dick. And it takes control in the vacuum of power.

CHAPTER 23

SARA

He breaks the kiss off and I want to cry with the loss of his powerful lips against mine, the way he makes me feel like I’m the real princess, a queen of the universe. Abandoning any sense of restraint—because why?—I hold onto him, needing him to continue.

“Let’s go to my bedroom,” he says in that rumbly voice that vibrates through me, sending a shiver of pleasure to my pussy.

“Do you have a bed?” My brain is haywire. I didn’t mean to speak, didn’t know I could. Nerves of raw passion have disconnected my brain from my body. Panic sets in.

Until he laughs, a deep quiet laugh with his dimple deep and calming in a panties-melting way.

He lifts me to stand and I’m like a magnet against his body. That’s when I realize he may have a hard time walking from here to the bedroom because he has a dick the size of a baseball bat in his pants.

And it wants me.