PUCK (A BAD BOY HOCKEY ROMANCE) (11 page)

“So, how did your interview go?” he asks.

“I think it went well. I’m pretty sure the job is mine if I want it,” I reply. I’m not
that
sure, but he doesn’t need to know that.

“Do you want it?”

“I don’t know. I have a lot to consider,” I reflect, “there are a lot of pros, but there are a lot of cons also.”

Puck is silent for a moment before he replies, “I think you should do what makes you happy.”

“Thanks,” I answer, surprised. I’m taken aback at his acceptance of what I want, especially after he seemed so against my decision initially.

“Let me rephrase that,” he starts. Puck picks up a pen and twists it around between his fingers, “I want you to stay with me. I want you in my house. I want you in my kitchen. I just want you. I don’t want you with those scumbags, but if that’s what makes you happy, I will learn to live with it.”

“That’s more like the answer I was expecting,” I reply with a grin, “and again, thanks for supporting my decision, whatever it may be.”

“I will support you, but I’m still going to try to convince you to stay with me.”

“I guess you can try. Their offer may be hard to beat.”

“I have a hard offer to beat too,” Puck says, with another lame attempt at sexual innuendo.

I roll my eyes again but he is up on his feet as soon as he finishes his sentence. Before I can react, Puck is standing right in front of me. He reaches his hand around the back of my head and takes out my hair tie, releasing my hair from the tight bun.

“What are you doing?” I ask softly.

“Convincing you to stay,” he replies and without missing a beat pulls my silky blouse over my head.

I feel a little exposed standing there in a skirt and bra, but I have no desire to stop him. Puck spreads my hair out over my shoulders and gives me a mischievous look as he steps closer, wrapping his arms around my back. He unzips my skirt and pulls it down over my hips. Silently, I step out of it, letting Puck have control.

“You are so fucking sexy,” Puck whispers into my ear in a husky voice.

I don’t say anything. He pulls his own shirt off over his head and squats down to the floor and slides my heels off, one at a time. Then he runs his hands up the length of my body as he stands back up. Puck places soft kisses on my skin, finding his way up my legs. He sucks gently on my inner thigh, making me stand up on my tippy toes.

He keeps working his way up, kissing and lightly sucking, making me hotter with each one. When Puck reaches my neck and is standing again, he looks deep into my eyes but doesn’t say a word.

Puck leans in and presses his lips onto mine. He glides his hands down my back and places them on my ass, pulling my body into his. I can feel his manhood pressing into me as he kisses me deeper. Our tongues are moving together, each of our mouths enveloping the other - trying to get closer, and deeper.

We continue to kiss and Puck moves his hands up to my chest. He cups my breasts over the lace of my bra and massages them, his grip firm and full of need. He reaches one hand around and unfastens my bra, quickly pulling it off my shoulders. His thick fingers pinch my nipples with just enough force to make me squirm slightly. I feel his lips curl up as he kisses me harder and then tweaks my nipples more gently with his thumbs.

I reach my hands down and unbutton his jeans. Puck continues to work on my breasts and it’s making me want him even more. I pull his zipper down and tug his jeans to the floor. He steps out of them as carefully as he can without breaking our kiss. I curl my hand around his shaft over the soft material of his boxer briefs. A soft gasp escapes my throat when I realize for the first time how thick he is and begin to stroke him.

Feeling how aroused Puck is only heightens my own desire. I can’t help but move my tongue faster inside his mouth. He moves one hand off my breast and down over the lacy material covering my sex. He slides his fingers back and forth, tracing my crease. Keeping the material between us, he slides one thick finger between my lips, teasing me, feeling how wet I am already.

I grip the waistline of his boxer briefs and yank them down. I’m filled with desire and I want him - no, I
need
him - now. I grasp his length in both hands and stroke him harder, pulling him into me, feeling less submissive now.

Puck grabs the fabric on either side of my hips and skillfully slides them down until they fall to the floor. He inserts two fingers inside me and I suck in a breath, caressing him more aggressively now.

“Fuck, baby, you are so wet,” he manages to say, bringing our kiss to a halt.

“Yes,” I reply in a sultry voice, “I want you, now. I want you inside me.”

A moan escapes Puck’s mouth. He grabs me behind my thighs and effortlessly picks me up off the ground. I wrap my legs around him and kiss him on his neck, sucking gently, my lips moving their way around his collar. He walks toward the small hallway, sees my bedroom through one of the open doors, and proceeds to walk through. He goes straight to the bed and bends over, gently placing me on my back and laying over me.

He brushes my hair back off of my face with both his hands.

“I love you, Dani,” he confesses, looking into my eyes again.

“I love you too,” I reply.

Puck kisses me tenderly on the lips and leans back up on his knees. He grasps my hips and without hesitation, plunges inside me.

I groan with pleasure and clutch his ass with both hands. It’s tight and powerful and the feel of his muscles contracting as he thrusts into me completely intensifies my arousal. I wrap my legs around his back and pull him deeper into me. We continue to move in unison, my hips arching up to meet his in a steady rocking motion.

Puck leans back down over me, “look at me,” he commands gently.

I stare up into his eyes while we make love, his length sinking deep inside me. Staring into each other’s eyes brings us closer together than we could ever be physically. It brings us both close to the edge and his movements quicken, his thrusts becoming more forceful. I dig my fingertips into his back, as he inserts himself all the way inside me and pulls almost completely out, leaving just the tip of his thick length inside me.

“Oh, yes,” I call out, breathlessly.

He repeats the same movement again, and again as my body begins to quiver beneath his.

“Fuck, yes,” Puck says in a throaty voice, plunging deep inside me once more.

I feel him spasm, my own body shuddering at the same time. We simultaneously release years of sexual tension together. Our bodies slowing the swaying motion. Still buried inside me, Puck collapses delicately on top of me. He places soft kisses on my neck, neither of us wanting this feeling to end.

Puck slowly pulls himself off of me and rolls onto his back next to me, leaning up on one elbow. He stares at me in silence for a few minutes. I close my eyes and smile as he runs his finger tips up and down over my belly.

“So, did it work?” he asks.

I open my eyes and stare blankly at him.
Did it work?
What is he talking about?

“Did I convince you to stay?” he rephrases his question playfully, as if reading my mind.

“Is that what that was?” I ask, gesturing in the air with my hands.

“No,” he answers seriously, “but if it worked then, yes.”

“Shut up,” I reply, giggling.

Puck takes my hand in his, clasping our fingers together, and rests it on my belly. We lay like that in silence for a while. I can’t stop grinning and I can see out of the corner of my eye that he’s smiling also.

“I don’t want to sound like a dick, but I have a team meeting to go to. I have to leave soon.”

“Such a dick,” I tease.

“How about we have dinner after? I’ll take you on that date,” he offers.

“I think it’s a little late for that,” I reply.

“Not at all. We have the rest of our lives, baby,” Puck assures me with a wink.

Hearing Puck say that fills me with joy.
The rest of our lives.
Are we really going to do this? Can we? I love him, I really do. I think I can put all of my trust in him - I have to. I want this. I will do whatever I have to to make it work.

He plants an affectionate kiss on my lips, stands up, and stretches. I see his body totally naked for the first time and it’s incredible. Puck catches me staring and spins completely around.

“Go ahead, take it all in,” he jokes.

I throw a pillow at him and sit up. He walks in front of me and stands between my legs.

“You truly make me happy, Dani. I really feel like I can be myself when I’m with you. I hope one day I can make you understand how much you mean to me,” Puck promises.

He kisses me softly on the top of my head and then goes to retrieve his clothing and get dressed. I get up from the bed. I fetch a tank top and shorts in my dresser and put them on. I find Puck back on a stool in the kitchen pulling his shoes on.

“How about I pick you back up later and we have some dinner?” he offers again.

“Sure,” I agree.

Puck takes my hand and pulls me closer to him. He kisses me, slower and more gentle than before, but still full of passion. He trails his hands down my bare arms until he is holding my hands again.

“I’ll see you later, babe. I’ll call and let you know about what time.”

“Okay,” I agree.

We walk hand in hand to the door. We share one last kiss before saying goodbye.

I close the door behind him, lean against the wall, and take a deep breath. Fuck. That was incredible.

P
UCK

O
f all the
success I’ve been lucky enough to have in my life, nothing has made me feel more content than Dani. I’ve never felt complete and now I know why. I have fame, fortune, and access to almost anything I want, but she is the only thing I really need.

I don’t know what made her change her mind after all these years and I don’t care, I’m just glad she did. I knew if I could just get her to stop hating and resenting me, she would be able to see how much I care for her.

And fuck - she is so hot. I could barely hold myself together - especially after a couple of tastes. I’ve been with plenty of beautiful women, but there is something different, something special about her. The way she just gave herself to me. The way I can tell she wants me. Not ‘me’ as the famous hockey player, but me as the man, as someone she actually cares about. I’ve never felt that with anyone before.

I’m never going to let her go. I have to find a way to show her - to make sure she knows how much she means to me.

D
ANI

I
’ve tried
on so many outfits already. Why can’t I decide what to wear? Puck’s seen me in dirty work clothes - hell - he’s even seen me naked. What’s the difference what I have on now? I guess I just want to look good. I want to look perfect for him on our first official date, even though I know he couldn’t care less what I’m wearing.

He texts to let me know he will be here in a half hour so I decide on black leggings with black lace up boots and a long cream colored light sweater. I add a long necklace and some earrings to dress up the outfit a bit. I’m not sure where we’re going, but if Puck knows me at all, he knows I won’t like going anywhere that requires me to dress up any more than this.

I’m not sure why, but I was expecting Puck to wait outside for me, so I’m surprised to hear my bell ring. I throw a cute short maroon jacket on over my top and grab my purse. When I open the door Puck is standing there with flowers.

“Wow,” he says.

“I was about to say the same,” I reply

“You look gorgeous,” he complements me.

Puck hands me the colorful bouquet. He looks so good tonight. He’s wearing dark jeans and a dark patterned button down shirt. Both are fitted just enough for me to see the outline of his muscular body. I notice he must have had a fresh hair cut. His sandy hair is buzzed short on the sides and the top combed back perfectly.

“Thanks, I hope I have something to put them in.” I take the flowers and walk back into the kitchen, “I don’t remember the last time I had flowers here.”

“That’s a shame,” Puck says, trailing behind me.

“It is. I don’t know why I never buy any. I love flowers,” I answer as I search through my cabinets for a vase.

“Noted,” he says. “I could watch you bend over all night if you want to keep looking.”

I smirk to myself and pull a large pitcher from the back of a corner cabinet, “I guess this will have to do.”

“That will work,” Puck agrees.

I rinse the pitcher and fill it with water. Puck picks the bouquet up off the counter, unwraps it, and hands it to me. I place it inside the pitcher.

“Perfect,” I say, satisfied.

“Yes, you are,” he comments.

Puck had positioned himself behind me. He wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck.

“We can stay in if you want,” he whispers into my ear.

“No way,” I answer quickly, “you promised me a date. Besides - I’m starving.”

He chuckles and turns me around to face him. Puck places his mouth on mine and smoothly slides his tongue between my lips. Our mouths are pressed together, and heat is flowing between us. I hold onto the counter behind me as if to steady myself.

“Let’s go then,” Puck says, bringing an end to our embrace before it can go any further.

“Tease,” I say, picking up my purse again and walking toward the door.

“Can’t have you starving on me. Not when you’ve fed me so well,” he replies, following behind me.

____________

P
uck drives
several miles to a quaint part of town. The street is lined with trendy little places, but it doesn’t seem very pretentious. We park the car and he leads the way down the street to a small storefront.

“‘Harvest Bistro’,” I read off the sign, “I’ve heard of this place.”

“It’s a hidden gem,” Puck explains opening the door for me, “the food is great. I know you’ll love it.”

“Mr. Tanner!” the host greets him, “we haven’t seen you in a while. How are you? And who is this beautiful lady?”

“Nice to see you too, James,” Puck answers, “I’ve been a little busy with the season starting. This is my girlfriend, Dani.”

“So nice to meet you.” James takes my hand in both of his and gives me a hearty, friendly shake, “I’ve never met one of Mr. Tanner’s girlfriends before. Come to think of it, I’m not sure if he ever had one.”

Either this guy is fantastic at his job, or Puck has never taken another woman here. I feel pretty special at the moment that he brought me here.

James leads us to a small table in the back and pulls out my chair for me. Puck orders a bottle of wine before James hands us the menus and walks away.

“This place is so cute,” I comment as I look around. I settle back into my chair, “it’s so comfortable and inviting.”

“Wait until you see the menu,” Puck replies, handing me one of the leather folders.

I peruse the short list of items offered. “Everything sounds so tasty. I don’t know what to order.”

“I’ll take care of it,” he offers.

James comes back to the table and holds the bottle of wine out for Puck to see. He nods and James proceeds to pour us each a glass full.

“Have you decided or do you need some more time?” he asks us.

“We’re going to have the chef’s tasting,” Puck replies.

“Excellent choice, Mr. Tanner,” James says and then leaves the table.

“I didn’t see that on the menu,” I comment.

“It’s not on there, but it’s available if you ask,” Puck explains.

“I’ve always wanted to have a restaurant like that - one with a tasting menu. I could make whatever was in season or locally available. I love to create like that,” I admit, trailing off.

“I bet people would love it.” He holds up his glass, “A toast to us. To a wonderful future together.”

We clink our glasses.

“What makes you think we have a future?” I ask playfully. I’m only partially joking though. I want to know.

“We are meant to be together, Dani,” Puck says simply. “Our lives were brought together years ago, but I fucked it up. You spent half your life hating me, and I spent half of mine trying to figure out how to get you back.”

I blush and take another sip of wine. It makes me uncomfortable to hear him speak about me like that. I really need learn to receive complements a little better.

“Now that we’re together, I’m not letting you go - ever,” he finishes, taking another swig from his glass.

“What are you going to do? Hold me hostage?” I joke. I’m having trouble being serious in this situation

“If that’s what it takes,” he comes back. “Seriously, Dani. I love you. What I felt with you today - it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced - and I know you felt it too.”

“I did,” I confess softly.

“We waited so long for each other already, I don’t want to wait anymore. I don’t want to play games.”

James walks over with our first course and places the plates in front of us. It looks delicious. He announces what the dish is and leaves again.

“I don’t want to play any games either,” I say, continuing the conversation, “but is it really that easy to just forget everything? Forget the past? The hurt feelings? What about all the other women?” I ask, rattling off all of the thoughts I’ve been having.

“If you want it to be easy, it is,” Puck says in his voice of reason, “we are such different people now. I don’t have ‘other women’. I have you and you’re all I need.”

I believe him. I have no reason not to anymore. He hasn’t been anything but honest and open with me since the day I walked into his house. Admitting it to myself and to Puck is the hard part, but I have to if I want to move forward.

“Okay,” I say slowly, “let’s do it.”

Puck smirks at me, “‘Let’s do it’,” he repeats, “that’s not the answer I was expecting,” he chuckles, “but I’ll take it.”

We clink glasses again and each take another drink.

“What about the parents?” I ask, “technically we’re family.”

“My mom will be ecstatic - trust me,” Puck says, “she’s been listening to me ask about you for a decade already, listening to my plots and schemes to get back into your life. She may just be happy to have me shut up for once and enjoy myself.”

“Plots and schemes, huh?” I tease him.

“Oh, you have no idea,” he admits, “although she was the one who came up with the genius plan to have you as my personal chef.”

“She really wanted me to work for you. She basically begged me to at least go and talk to you.”

“Now you know why.”

“My father adores her - and you. I’m sure if Joanne is happy, he will be too.” I laugh, “we will be one, big, dysfunctional family.”

The next course comes and we continue to talk through the rest of the delectable meal until I can’t eat anymore. James brings us dessert anyway. I have one bite, just to taste, and Puck finishes off the rest.

“Guess you like chocolate?” I ask.

“I do. My chef at home never makes me dessert so I figured I would enjoy it while I can,” he teases.

“Your chef knows that you’re not supposed to eat that kind of shit when you’re training,” I reply.

“Wouldn’t want her to find out. I heard about what she does to bad boys,” Puck answers with a wink and one of his usual sexual undertones.

“Speaking of personal chefs and bad boys,” I say, “what do you think about my job situation?”

“Which one?” he asks.

“The current one. The proposed one. I don’t know - I have some decisions to make,” I say uneasily.

“I think you have to do whatever will make you happy,” he answers hesitantly, “personally and professionally. What are your thoughts?”

I ponder what to say for a minute, “The opportunity presented by Maloney is unbelievable. It would be a huge move that could really escalate my career.”

“I sense a ‘but’,” he replies.

“
But,
it’s also a tremendous commitment and responsibility that I don’t know if I want to undertake right now.”

“Dani, you’re welcome to keep your job with me. I never asked you to leave,” Puck appeals.

“I know. I just don’t know how comfortable I’ll feel,” I explain, “being in your house all the time, cooking for you, dating you, getting paid. It’s just not right.”

“I don’t have a problem with it, but I see your point.” He contemplates his thoughts before continuing, “I can take care of you. You don’t have to work, you know.”

“That’s so nice of you. I appreciate the offer, and I know you would do that for me. It’s just not what I’m looking for,” I clarify, “I need to have my own life, not just belong to someone else. I also love what I do. I don’t want to give it up.”

“I get it. Why don’t you keep your job for now and continue to look for something else?” Puck proposes.

“There aren’t a lot of great opportunities around here,” I say, sipping my wine again, “how do you think Joanne convinced me to work for you in the first place?” I say lightly.

“Touché,” he replies, “if it takes a long time, that will be better for me anyway. I’m not looking to get rid of you, remember?”

“Well then, let’s just see what happens.”

“Deal.”

We finish what’s left in our glasses. Puck is driving and only had one glass of wine but there’s not very much left in the bottle. I stand up and realize I’m a little tipsy.

He takes my hand and leads me to the front door. We spent at least a couple of hours at dinner and there only seem to be a few patrons left in the restaurant. We say good night to James and ask him to thank the chef for the incredible meal and walk to the car. I get settled in the front seat and check my face quickly in the mirror before he gets in the driver’s side.

“Now what?” I ask, feeling frisky.

“I don’t know. What did you have in mind?” he asks playfully.

“I have a lot of things in mind,” I reply with a devilish grin.

“Oh yeah?” he answers, matching my playful tone.

“Mmm hmm”

“How about you come back to my house? I have practice at sunrise but you can just stay the night,” Puck offers.

“That would be really weird. What would I wake up and start working?” I wonder out loud.

He thinks for a second, “sure, why not? Does it matter? Everyone will know sooner or later.”

“I would prefer later. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet,” I admit, “but you can come back to my place.”

“I would love that, but I can’t tonight,” he says, “my coach would kill me if he even knew I was out right now - more so if he saw what I just ate.”

“Well, I don’t know what we’re going to do then. I don’t want you to make me wait again,” I reply, my face in an exaggerated pout.

“Fuck, baby. You’re going to make this hard for me,” he says.

“I’m hoping to,” I answer, finally able to come up with my own sexual innuendo.

“You’re crazy, baby,” he replies with a laugh, “let’s plan for another night. One where we can stay together until morning.”

“Fine,” I answer, giving in, “but you’re passing up an amazing opportunity.”

“Trust me, I know,” he replies, shooting his eyes down to the bulge that has formed in his jeans.

“I guess I didn’t really think about the details of our arrangement that well,” I sigh, “we’re going to have to work on that.”

“We do. I don’t think I can have you in my house all day and not have you to myself at night,” Puck considers, placing his hand on my thigh.

We drive the last couple of miles in silence, both wondering about the future, I’m sure. We have a lot to think about, but I know we want to be together, so somehow we’ll work everything out. I’m lost in a daydream when I feel Puck’s eyes on me. I didn’t realize he had pulled up in front of my building.

“Stop looking at me,” I tease.

“I like looking at you, you’re beautiful,” he answers, “what’s on your mind?”

I roll my eyes, “seriously?”

“Come on, baby. Don’t worry, we’ll work it all out,” he promises.

Puck gives me a reassuring smile and squeezes my thigh, then opens his door and gets out of the car. I pick up my purse and turn to the door, which Puck is already swinging open for me.

“Thank you, sir,” I joke.

Puck takes my hand and helps me from the bucket seat and up out of the small car. Normally I wouldn’t need him, but after a couple glasses of wine, I’m actually thankful to have a steady hand.

“Now let’s get you up to bed. You have to be at work early in the morning too,” Puck says.

Lacing his fingers in mine, we walk into the building and up to my apartment.