Page 91 of Puck and Prejudice

“What? You want to fuck me in your best friend’s bed?”

He looks over my shoulder for a second, then locks his burning gaze on mine. “I’m in the mood to be bad.”

Unable to resist teasing him, I say, “I thought that was your standard mode.”

He lifts me off the floor and walks over to the bed. “Oh, no, babe. You haven’t yet seen how bad I can be.”

ChapterThirty-Six

JACKSON

Chad and I were expected at an event at the Sawgrass Mall this morning, but thanks to Jane’s emergency, he had to cancel. I stayed at the hospital for as long as I could to keep Chad and Izzie company while we waited for Jane to wake up, but when Izzie found out I had to be someplace else, she pretty much kicked me out.

More and more, she captivates me. I’ve never met anyone like her, and I want to be with her all the fucking time.

I signed jerseys, pucks, and whatever fans brought me at a sporting goods store. I was a little surprised by the turnout. Miami isn’t a hockey town, but the line of fans waiting outside the store was long, and there was no way I could see everyone within the allocated time. I stayed a couple hours longer than planned, happy to connect with fans.

Instead of going home, I head straight back to the hospital. Chad texted me earlier saying Jane was awake. When I asked if Izzie was still around, he replied with aDude, you got it bad.

Fucker.

I wonder if Jane told him about Izzie and me. I’m not being subtle, but Chad wouldn’t notice so easily.

I find Izzie pacing in the waiting room, rubbing her forehead. She looks worried.

“Hey,” I say.

She looks up, and the worry creases between her brows soften. “Hi. I didn’t know you were coming back. How was the signing?”

“Great. Did something happen?”

She sighs. “My parents and Lydia are here. Jane and Chad just told them the news.”

It takes me a moment to remember what news she’s talking about. “Oh… and it didn’t go well?”

“It went as well as I thought it would. Mom isn’t happy that the Seville wedding she was so keen on planning isn’t happening anymore.”

“Chad and Jane can still have a wedding party in Seville next year.”

“Right, but it won’t be the same. My mother’s words, not mine.”

“Where are your parents now?” I search the room, but I see only a few strangers sitting far from us.

“With Jane. I had to leave, or I’d have made the situation worse.”

I step into her space and pull her to me. “It’ll be fine.” Instead of melting into my arms, Izzie tenses, and then steps back. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want my parents to catch us together.”

Disappointment rushes through me. “I see.”

“Don’t give me that look.” Her brows crinkle again.

“What look? I’m not giving you a look.”

“Yes, you are, Jackson. I just… well, I don’t know yet what we’re doing, and I want to figure it out before I tell anyone.”

I cross my arms. “You don’t know what we’re doing?”

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