Page 30 of The Puck Daddy

For a moment, he just takes me in. Gray eyes sparkling, and a happy little smile on his face. Then, with a nod, he spins around and takes off down the ice.

All throughout practice, I couldn’t take my eyes off Adrian. I always thought I was a good center, but Adrian has me beat by a mile. Not only is he talented with his stickwork, he’s fast on the ice and a quick thinker.

While he’s in the locker room getting ready, I head down to the gift shop and take a peek around. I immediately gravitate toward a hoodie that has the Ice Dragon’s mascot on the front, and the number four, along with ‘DeLuca’on the back.

I’m browsing through a few racks and pause by the shelves of merchandise when I feel a vibration in my pocket. Checking my phone, I see a text waiting for me.

Adrian: I’m so excited you’re here. I’ll be out in ten minutes.

Smiling, I make my way up to the cashier when something catches my eye. An adorable ice-blue dragon, complete with horns and wings. Adrian told me he isn’t a little, but he loves to collect stuffed animals. He only has a few that he keeps hidden under his comforter so the other guys in the house can’t see.

Something about the dragon calls to me. It looks soft and cuddly. And if things go the way I’m hoping for today, maybe I can give it to him later. Deciding to trust my intuition, I purchase it along with the hoodie, making sure to rearrange the stuffie so he’s hidden at the bottom of the bag.

I’m hoping to surprise my boy.

When Adrian emerges from the lockers, freshly showered and smelling like the delicious citrusy scent of his cologne that I’ve grown used to. His dark brown hair is styled back, and he’s wearing a pair of black jeans and a snug white shirt.

“Hey! Thanks for waiting for me,” he says with a shy smile, stopping short just by my side. Hopefully, it will only be a couple of hours before I can hug him to me in the embrace we both seem to crave.

“Hey there.” I hand him his mocha. He takes a sip, lightly rattling the cup so he can hear the ice inside.

“This is good. I wouldn’t have been able to tell you bought it twenty minutes ago. Even the ice is still intact. Thank you!”

“You’re very welcome. I place my palm on the small of his back and guide him toward the exit. I hold the plastic bag with the Ice Dragon’s logo away from him. I know he’s already spotted it, but he probably just thinks it’s for me. “Let’s get you some food.”

His smile is wide and teasing. “Are you trying to feed me, Theo?” He looks over at me with this faux innocence, and I suddenly find myself speechless. He’s beautiful like this.

Damn.

That’s exactly what I’m trying to do. Isn’t it? What is it about this man that makes all my Daddy instincts come to the surface? I clear my throat. “We need to sort out our…relationship.” The last word is almost a whisper. Several other students are nearby, and all we need is for the wrong person to overhear us call this thing a fake relationship to fuck it all up.

His eyes widen with excitement. “Does this mean you’re saying yes?” His voice is so cheerful, I can’t help but smile back and nod.

Adrian throws his fist into the air and does this little happy dance. The excitement radiating off of him is contagious. Suddenly, I feel like we’ve won the lottery or some all-expenses-paid vacation. “I figured we could chat over food and lay out some ground rules or requests and limits.”

“Good idea. Can we go to my favorite restaurant? It’s only about a five-minute drive from here, and youneedto try their grilled chicken. Oh! Maybe we can split an arugula salad and some French fries.”

I chuckle. “Just give me directions and we’ll head right over.”

Chapter 14

Stalking seems a little dramatic.

Theo

“So,” Adrian says, popping a fry into his mouth. His voice is a little too casual, and there’s a slight blush on his cheeks. “If we’re going to do this, I have to ask. What have you been up to for the last five years? If we’re in a fake relationship, I’d know something like that, right?”

My stomach flips with excitement, and my lips curl into a smirk. “First…” I drawl, mocking his nonchalant tone. “I’ve been dying to ask you about that first night we met. Why did you come up to me that night? And how did you know who I was? I wasn’t even wearing my nametag.”

That light dusting of color turns into a deep red blush that covers his cheeks. God, this man. He looks so fucking submissive and sweet like this. My cock jerks, and my pants get a little snug when I remember Adrian on his knees for me.

“I kind of always knew who you were.” Adrian squirms in his seat. “You’re the whole reason I decided to become a center.”

My mouth falls open, and I sit up straight. “Wait a second, that can’t be true. I remember reading an article from you when you first got drafted by the Wyverns. You mentioned training to be a center when you were thirteen.”

Adrian’s eyes sparkle. He takes a sip of water from his cup before leaning forward. “Did you just admit to stalking me, Da—Theo?” he teases, letting his gaze linger on me for a moment.

It’s my turn to squirm and blush as I subtly try to readjust myself in my pants. “Stalking seems a little dramatic, sweet boy.”

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