Page 60 of Tricky Puck

She frowns. “Are you spying on me like some creeper?”

“It’s not creepy when you’re in my home, Delaney. It’s only creepy if I were staring at you through the window.” I shrug. “Even then, the pirate in me isn’t so sure since we have a thing.”

She flings her hands on her hips, more melodramatic than usual, then brushes a stray strand of hair from her face and the gesture makes her look vulnerable, like she’s at loose ends, somehow giving me the upper hand.

“Well?” She stands her ground staring back at me as usual, pretending she doesn’t feel the pull between us, air mattress in the office be damned.

I stalk inside the room straight at her and I see the flicker of surprise just before I reach her. When I do, I haul her in for a kiss. She resists for a half a beat, more from shock as she melts into me, kissing me back, deepening it, pressing into me until my dick goes from hesitantly interested to full alert.

“Oh my god, why do you feel so good?” she groans into my mouth. I grin and end the kiss with a nibble of her bottom lip.

“You calling me god now?”

She swats my arm and pulls away from me. But that doesn’t dispel my mood. Which is warm and sultry, not the hot and bothered frenzy I’ve experienced before. I have no idea what that means, but I’m rolling with it.

“I have a surprise for you.”

Her expression immediately turns wary. But I take her hand and lead her to the kitchen where I’ve put the flowers and chocolates on the island.

“Okay, but don’t get all cheesy and ask me to close my eyes.”

I laugh. “No cheese.”

I pull her around and stand between her and the gifts, suddenly feeling unsure—and as unlike myself, the pirate, as I’ve ever felt. I watch her blue eyes snap at me and stare, losing myself, and damn if that doesn’t restore my confidence. It’s like I’m jumping back and forth between two universes, the known one and the unknown.

“Well?” This time there’s less bite in her voice as she prompts me.

I step aside and let her see the gifts, gulping back the sudden burst of the unknown, the invasion of unfamiliar… feelings. Fuck.

“Flowers?” Her eyes go wide and for a beat I’d swear I could see pure pleasure in them, but then she snatches them up and turns to me, laughing. “You are so ridiculously cheesy. Don’t ever accuse me of being a cliché.”

I grin back at her, pleased that she’s not throwing the flowers at me.

“Don’t overlook the box of candy,” I say.

She shakes her head and takes the flowers to the kitchen where she finds a tall glass, adds water and arranges the flowers. Watching her take her time with them tightens my chest. This is too fucking weird.

“By the way,” I say. “We’re going to have to move up the schedule on our fake engagement.

She spins around, nearly knocking the flowers over. Then she squints her eyes at me and brings the glass of flowers to the kitchen island and places them in the middle. I watch.

I’m waiting for the reaction. Because I know there will be something. And damn if I’m enjoying the anticipation.

“Why?” she asks calmly as she opens the box of chocolates and pops one in her mouth. I watch her lick her lips as she bites the candy, closing her eyes and moaning. Even though I know she’s baiting me with her exaggerated enjoyment, she has to be the sexiest woman alive.

I clear my throat. “Because I told Coach we’re engaged.”

“It’s a good thing you’re leaving in the morning,” she says calmly. It’s an odd thing to say, but she has a habit of backing into her point and I can’t wait to hear her explanation.

“Why is that?”

“I figure there’ll be less temptation to murder you if you’re not around.” She gives me a frowny smirk, but I know it’s fake.

I laugh and don’t bother resisting my temptation to take her in my arms.

“Your sarcasm muscles are in fine shape, stronger than ever.”

“It’s all that working out I get with you around, giving me so many openings.”