Page 44 of Puck, Marry, Thrill

His mouth went dry, and his heart tripped over itself as her words sank in. His gaze dropped to her sweater, the modest one she always wore like a proper mom, like someone who didn’t beg for attention. But now? He knew better. That sweet little outfit was nothing but a distraction—because beneath it was something playful and sinful, something meant just for him.

She gets a thrill out of wrecking me,he thought.And she knows exactly how to do it.

“I love pink…” he murmured, his voice hoarse with wonder, his eyes helplessly glued to her lips.

And then she bit her bottom lip, just barely, but enough to make his knees weaken. That smile she gave him wasn’t just flirtation—it was a promise, a dare, and a memory of every moment they’d shared when no one else was watching.

“I know you do,” she whispered, her voice dropping to that smoky hush that always made his pulse spike. She was looking at him like she saw through every layer of bravado and right down to the man underneath. “Can I get a photo of you on the ice?”

“Me?” he repeated, stunned.

“You look incredibly sexy right now,” she said, stepping closer.

Kenneth almost stumbled back out of habit, expecting the usual cringe or complaint. Candi—his ex—used to grimace at his sweat, his gear, and the smell of hard work. She made him feel like his life, his passion, was a burden. But Jamie?

Jamie stepped closer.

Sheinhaled—on purpose—and let out the softest sigh of contentment.

“I love that you smell like a man –myman,” she whispered, her voice dripping with affection and heat.

And that was it.

The helmet slipped from his hand. His stick dropped to the ice with a thud. He didn’t think—hemoved. In one sweeping motion, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her, right there on the rink in full view of everyone.

The kiss wasn’t gentle.

It was claiming. Desperate. Deep and rough around the edges, like the ache in his chest had finally found release. She melted into him, arms winding around his neck, and for one perfect moment, nothing else existed. Just the taste of her—peaches and something warm and right—and the overwhelming truth of how much he needed her.

Whistles rang out. Someone catcalled. He could vaguely hear the coach yelling, “Y’all break that up!” and somewhere, Zachary was shrieking with laughter. But Kenneth couldn’t tear himself away.

She’s everything,he thought as he pulled back, breathless.

Her face was flushed, her eyes dreamy, and that smug little smile that always made him weak was curving her lips.

“We’ll finish this later,” he said roughly, his voice low with promise.

“Heck yeah, we will, ya’ big yummy Snack,” she breathed back, leaning closer. “I’ll be washing your back tonight.”

He groaned softly, unable to stop the full-body shiver that ran through him. “You’re killing me,” he whispered, dazed. “I’ve gotta go in the locker room with the other guys – and I can’t stop thinking about you.”

“If someone asks why you’re all hot and bothered - tell Acton he’s sexy,” she said with a shrug like it was nothing.

“Never,” he laughed, but then paused. “Wait - do you think he’s sexy?”

“Ugh, no, but he looks like a freak who might laugh if you teased him about it. Now, where’s my picture?”

“Where’smine?” he asked, dropping his voice to that intimate rumble he knew made her blush.

“On your phone,” she replied saucily.

His eyes widened as laughter burst from him again. He’d been teasing—but the thought that she might’veactuallysent him a photo? Of her seashell pink underwear? It made his head spin and his heart gallop.

“I…” he started, the wordsI love yousitting right there on the tip of his tongue.

But then he faltered.

A strange wave of nerves hit him. Not because he didn’t mean it—he meant it with everything he had. But because it wasbig. Too big for this noisy rink and the smell of sweat and ice and rubber.

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