Page 15 of Puck, Marry, Thrill

“You aren’t nervous?”

“Oh, I completely freaking out on the inside,” she admitted – and they both laughed nervously. “I’m surprised you can’t hear the shrieks inside of me. Hello? That’s why I want to hold someone’s hand, so I don’t feel alone.”

“I’ll hold your hand,” Zachary volunteered suddenly, causing both of them to look at him as he stood there, watching – and Jamie knelt.

“I’m counting on it, buddy. I bet you are the best-hand-holder-ever in the universe. Aren’t you?”

And he nodded, shoving that finger into the back of his mouth to chew on it almost like a toddler.It must be a nervous habit,she thought quietly and playfully tugged on his hand, but the finger remained as she stood up… and heard Kenneth’s hushed whisper.

“That started after the divorce,” he admitted, looking at her.

“The chewing? Is it a nervous habit?”

“I think so.”

“I click ink pens like a mad fiend,” she shrugged. “We all have our quirks.”

They began walking toward the parking lot, silently, the three of them when he suddenly spoke, opening her door. “What’s your last name?”

“Bellavance – and yours? If you told me, I don’t remember.”

“Salas.”

“Why does that sound familiar?”

“I play hockey…”

“Really? I follow hockey,” she admitted and looked at him curiously, trying to think where she’d seen him as he walked around the sedate-looking car that didn’t seem to match his personality. She pictured him more as a black G-Wagon or a sleek sports car profile, not a tan-colored Lexus. That was so average. There must be at least fifty within a ten-mile radius.

Jamie had been teasing, but when he turned toward her, eyes sharpening with interest, she felt a little thrill of victory. She was trying to picture him, wondering if she’d seen him on the ice, but helmets and padding covered a lot sometimes.

“Really?” he asked, perking up. “You like hockey?”

“My daddy plays hockey!” Zachary chimed in, and she smiled at him easily in his booster seat before seeing Kenneth’s gaze. The way his brows lifted, his whole posture shifting toward her, sent a ripple of satisfaction through her.

He cared what she thought.

“Oh yeah, Tyler Seguin is my man-crush…” Jamie admitted, letting out a dramatic sigh for effect – and taunted him. She waited until Kenneth’s face twisted in shock before adding, “Do you know him? Can you get me his autograph?”

The reaction was instant.

“On the ice – andNO.” The last word was practically a shout, his voice like a thunderclap inside the car. She could almost feel the force of it against her skin.

Jamie bit her lip, fighting the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The way his grip tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles flexing, made it clear— clearly, Kenneth was not amused.

“I’m the guy you are going to follow now, and we don’t discuss your previous man-crushes.” His voice had dropped an octave, all rumbling authority and sharp edges.

Jamie leaned back, arching a brow. “Possessive much?”

He didn’t hesitate. “My ex cheated on me with a teammate, so yeah. I’m really possessive.” The words carried a raw honesty that caught her off guard. His jaw tightened, and his fingers drummed once against the wheel before gripping it again. “If you are my wife, you followme. You can’t be eyeballing the other team hoping to get a sweaty jersey or an autograph. You’ll havemy jerseyto wear—and only mine. I don’t share, and if we play his team, I’m gonna check him into the boards just because you are watching.”

He started the car, but Jamie barely noticed.

Macho. Bossy. Aggressive. Pushy.

Andsoooo hot.

Something about the way he said it, all growly and sure of himself, made her stomach flip. This wasn’t just about jealousy—this was about him claiming her in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. He wanted her to wearhisname andhisnumber. To stand in the crowd and cheer forhim, not some other guy.

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