Page 36 of The Puck Daddy

“Honestly, I’m surprised you don’t have a bigger house, being an ex-NHL star and all.” He mentioned losing a lot of money after his breakup and constant traveling, but that he had plenty ofendorsements and paychecks to bounce back with. Theo Walsh is still a wealthy man, even if he pretends not to be.

“Once I got my head out of my ass and began saving money, I decided to get a small place. I figured my boy and I could find our forever home together.” He gives me a meaningful look that causes my heart to flip and my toes to curl. I want to be that boy.

No, fuck that. Iamthat boy.

His boy.

I just have to prove to him that I will never hurt him the way Grant did.

Smirking, I let my bratty side come out. “Maybe we can find a place with a pool.”

A wide grin and a blush spread across his face. “Maybe we can.” Then, with a quick swat to my ass, he guides me back inside. “Come on, brat. I want to show you your surprise.”

Theo directs me to his guest bedroom. It’s cute, with a matching white dresser and nightstand. Against the far wall is a large window with a lovely view of his backyard. In the middle of the room is a queen-sized bed with a teal comforter. But the thing that has me frozen in place is the adorable stuffie in the middle of the bed. It’s a light blue dragon. But not just any dragon. It’s a very expensive plushie of our Brynn U Ice Dragon mascot. It’s a limited edition that was exclusively made for the children’s line, making the material extra soft and cuddly.

I always claim that I’m not a little since I don’t really regress to a certain age, but there’s something comforting about stuffies. Even when Felix is in his little side, I always like playing with him and his stuffies. I love to cuddle with them at night. And since moving into Delfy House, I’ve had to resort to hiding my need to sleep with a stuffed animal by cuddling with a pillow. Some of the guys still make fun of the way I clutch my pillow, or ball up my comforter on away games, but only Felix and Theo know about the two stuffies I keep hidden under my blanket at Delfy House.

Picking up the cute dragon, I rearrange his wings and cuddle him to me. “How did you know?” I whisper.

He tilts his head. “What do you mean, sweet boy? Know what?”

“I’ve always wanted this specific dragon. I see them at the on-campus shops, and they’re selling out quickly. I actually thought I missed my chance.”

Theo shakes his head. “I didn’t know. I just saw the little guy and felt like I needed to give him to you. I figured you could bring him with you, or you could leave him here until you make up your mind on whether you want to move in.”

Images of the guys finding the little dragon in my room come to mind. I could imagine them tossing the stuffie around and roughhousing with him. Not in a mean-spirited way, yet Icy might still fall victim to their antics.

I must have said all of that out loud, because Theo pulls me to his side and wraps an arm around me. “Icy, huh? Is that his name, sweet boy?”

I nod, laying my cheek on his shoulder. “He looks like an Icy, doesn’t he?”

Theo chuckles. “I think he does. I can keep Icy here and protect him. And don’t worry, we’ll both be here when you’re ready.”

I feel those words settle deep in my chest as I translate their true meaning. What he’s really saying is he’ll protect my heart, and he’ll be here when I’m ready. And I believe him.

Chapter 18

Let Daddy take care of everything.

Theo

The cold chill of the air hits me as soon as I step foot in the ice rink. I close my eyes and inhale a deep breath. It’s been almost a week since I asked Adrian to move in with me, and I’m starting to go a little crazy here. Feeling restless, I knew I wasn’t going to get any more sleep, so I opted for an early morning skate.

I make several laps around the rink while I contemplate the best way to ask Adrian if he’s made any decisions. I really don’t want to pressure him, but the parties at Delfy House are daily now. And I know he isn’t getting the rest he needs.

Adrian and I have grown really close over the last several days, and I’m desperate to be the caregiver I’ve always wanted to be for my boy. As a Daddy, I want to cook him meals, take care of him, make sure he’s getting plenty of rest, and do simple things like cuddle up with him in front of the TV. We have plenty of orgasms, but the Daddy side of me doesn’t want just sex.

Movement catches my eye, and Adrian skates onto the ice. He isn’t wearing any of his gear, just a nice pair of jeans and an oversized sweater like me. For a moment, we just stare at each other before I finally wave. Adrian takes it as an invitation and skates right up to me.

“Hey.” He gives me a lopsided grin that’s more sweet and charming than flirty.

“Hey,” I reply, my eyes drinking him in.

Even tired, he’s still beautiful, but those dark bags under his eyes give me pause. I made sure to check today’s free-skate schedule, and I know for a fact that the hockey team has practice in two hours. So why is he here before the butt crack of dawn?

“What’s going on, baby boy?”

And just like that, Adrian’s tears spill over. “I’m so tired, Daddy.”

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