Page 179 of Lucky Mother Pucker

When she opens it and pulls out a small bottle of her favorite perfume, she beams. “Oh, this is perfect. I’m just about to run out.”

“It was Lucy’s idea.” I smile at her. “I was racking my brain to come up with a good gift idea for you, and she suggested I check and see what perfume you wear.”

Mom raises an eyebrow at me, but she’s smiling. “So that’s why I saw you coming out of my bedroom the evening of Thanksgiving.”

I chuckle. “Yup. So much for being sneaky.”

Mom pulls Lucy into a hug. “Thank you, Lucy. This is such a thoughtful gift.”

“It’s my pleasure. I just wanted to say thank you for letting me join your family for the holidays.”

Tenderness flashes in my mom’s eyes. “You’re always welcome, Lucy. I love having you. We all do.”

One of my mom’s cousins pulls her away to visit with some other relatives. I take Lucy’s hand and guide her over to one of the standing tables. I grab two glasses of champagne from a server walking by and hand one to her.

“This is so fancy, having Christmas at a restaurant,” Lucy says after taking a sip, her eyes bright.

“When I was a kid, I’d complain about having to come. I wanted to spend Christmas evening in my pajamas, playing video games.”

Lucy chuckles. “I mean, I get it. Most little kids would rather do that than go out to a nice restaurant.”

“I was kind of a brat about it sometimes.”

“We were all bratty little kids at one point. You’re not like that now though.”

I lean down and press a kiss to her lips.

“Thanks for coming tonight,” I say softly. “I love having you here with me.”

My heart beats faster in my chest when I see that brightness in her beautiful blue eyes.

My mind goes back to yesterday. That was hands-down the hottest sex of my life. But it was more than just sex. Something about it felt different. Deeper, more connected, more meaningful.

I think about the way Lucy looked at me, the vulnerability in her eyes.

I think about that feeling in my chest…how my heart felt too big. How everything felt heightened, yet just right.

It felt more like making love.

And that’s when I knew. I’m in love with her.

The words spark on my tongue as I look at Lucy. I want to tell her so bad.

I was going to yesterday when we were in bed together, but I held back. I didn’t want to scare her by coming on too strong. We’re already moving kind of fast. We just made our relationship official, and she’s spending the holidays with me. I didn’t want to freak her out by telling her that I love her.

But it’s how I feel. I’m so fucking in love with her. I’ve never felt this safe, this content, this complete. Only with her.

I think about my life just a couple of months ago—how all I cared about was hockey. How unhappy I was.

But then I met her. This feisty woman who didn’t care that I was a college hockey star. Who didn’t hesitate to give me shit when I deserved it. Who made me laugh. Who’s been through hell but still has the biggest heart of anyone I know. Who helped me realize I was more than just my performance on the ice. Who became my best friend.

Lucy came into my life, and suddenly, my world didn’t feel so empty anymore.

I swallow back the words. She flashes a sweet, beautiful smile at me.

“You okay?” she asks when I’ve been quiet for a while.

I nod and drop another quick kiss to her lips. “I’m perfect.”