Page 46 of Revenge Puck

“That’s not…I didn’t mean it that way. I like hanging out with you, more so when we’re not talking about Christian the whole time. Besides, you have a big game tomorrow. I don’t want to be a distraction.”

“If I promise not to speak of the devil, could we keep hanging out?”

“I don’t know. What did you have in mind?” I ask him curiously.

“Well, I’m not sure,” Preston says while running his fingers over his newly trimmed beard. “We could go back to my hotel room.”

I’m so stunned at his suggestion that it takes me a moment to recover. “I-I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Why not?” he asks. “Think about how furious Riley would be if he sees a photo of you coming back to my hotel room or hears about it.”

“That’s…he would assume that we…you know.”

“Yes, he would,” Preston quickly responds.

Going back to Preston’s hotel room would be foolish. I know that. But at the same time, it would feel so great to let Christian assume we slept together — a feat that the arrogant bastard was certain would never happen. He was so sure that Preston wouldn’t want a nobody like me.

“Let’s do it!” I blurt out, then immediately slap my palm over my mouth. “I mean, let’s go back to your hotel room.”

“Elle, you know I don’t expect anything, right? That’s not why I asked,” Preston rushes to add.

He just wants to get under Christian’s skin a little before tomorrow’s game. I shouldn’t be hurt that he doesn’t want to have sex with me. It’s ridiculous. I don’t want to have sex with him, either.

Not now, at least.

“Good, because I’m still angry at you for storming into the salon earlier.”

“I don’t blame you for that, either,” he agrees, giving me a half grin. “But seriously, we could just hang out and watch a movie, or do whatever you would do if you were at home.”

“Okay,” I agree. “Lead the way.” I wave my arm in the direction I assume is his hotel, and Preston grabs my hand when it flies past him.

“This way,” he says, pulling me in the other direction.

“Oh.”

His hand is strong and warm, and he doesn’t release mine as we begin the walk across the street.

“So, cupcake, what would you be doing at home tonight if you were all alone?”

I glance up at his face, wondering if he intentionally made that sound dirty or not. And while I have plenty of toys, it’s not like I use them every night I’m without male company.

In fact, I rarely used them while Christian and I were dating. He may have been a huge player, but he knew all the best positions to get me off.

Shaking my head to clear those thoughts, and assuring myself that Preston’s question wasn’t about that sort of thing, I tell him, “Ah, I would usually grab takeout on the way home from the salon. Eat, then have a nice, long bath before throwing on my comfiest pajamas to curl up on the sofa and watch those cooking competition shows. Which is ironic since I can barely boil an egg, but I just like watching others create magic in the kitchen.”

“I’ve watched some of those shows too, but I’m always appalled by how small their pretty little finished dishes are, no more than two or three bites for me. Let’s watch and order dessert from room service.”

“Sounds good to me,” I agree with a smile.

14

Preston

Women are so damn confusing.

Or maybe it’s my lack of experience that’s making me confused.

When we got back to my hotel room, which was thankfully documented by several fans in the lobby, Elle asked if I had a shirt she could change into since her dress wasn’t the most comfortable for curling up on the hotel room sofa. A small loveseat that we both squeeze into, after she’s wearing one of my black Warhawk tees that comes down past her knees.

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