Page 98 of Off-Ice Misconduct
“You know, lobster. Like, hearts and shit.”
“Hmm, on second thought, looks like I’ve kissed you stupid. Literally. I give myself five gold stars for that.”
Clearly, he never watched Friends reruns when he was home sick with the flu. “Tell me you feel the same, asshole.” There’s a catch in my voice, one loaded with a new level of vulnerability unlocked. Because if somehow I’ve misread everything and he doesn’t feel the same, I’ll expire right here in his arms.
Luke hooks a finger under my chin, adjusting my gaze so it’s looking into his. Heat pours off him, searing every cell of me. I’ve never had anyone look at me the way Luke does.
“If you died, I wouldn’t be sad, I’d be furious. I’d walk into the underworld to retrieve you, princess, but it’s not going to come to that. Death wouldn’t dare take you from me.” He shows his teeth as if Death might be around the corner. “Does that clear things up for you?”
My fingers are still hooked into the collar of his t-shirt. I pull tight until he’s close enough for me to rest my head on his shoulder, and I nod into it.
Luke can’t seem to say his feelings outright either. It’s a comfort. I like our fucked-up dance of fear around emotions. We’re the same.
“Crystal clear, Daddy,” I murmur.
20
Luke
No one has ever fucked me over harder than I do myself. How did I do it this time? I fell for someone. Now my heart is entirely in his quick hockey hands. I’m not fully to blame this time. At least half the blame resides on those fucking first years, talking about my princess the way they were.
It brought up all kinds of insecurities I didn’t know I had. I knew from the start this was an exploration for Ace. He’s usually the alpha bear, but for some reason, he wanted to see what things were like on the other side of the fence.
I was fine with being his guide through this little side journey of his, until he was so goddamn perfect for me. He’s got the right mix of sassy and obedient that I like, keeping me on my toes, making me laugh when I don’t want to, while also making my palm twitchy like no other. And there’s a charge when I’m near him. The world gets fuzzy. Everything else but him ceases to exist. But it puts me in a bad situation because he could wake up tomorrow and decide he’s still the bear. That I’m too much. That he doesn’t want my name tattooed on his neck.
Haven’t hit him up with that last one yet, but I will.
What I said to him on Wednesday was as close to the truth as I could allow and still get out of this mess with my dignity intact … if he decides, after tonight, that we’re through. Because I’m going to do it tonight. I’m finally going to get over my fear and fuck him the way I want to fuck him, like a feral beast. The way he—theoretically—should also crave it with every cell in his body.
But there’s really only one way to find out.
I don’t want it to look like I’m waiting around for him, but I’m waiting around for him, checking the time as it ticks closer to ten.
There’s an insistent knock on the door, but it’s only nine o’clock. Who the…?
Opening the door, Ace stands his full six feet, wearing nothing but a skirt made of leaves and a crown fashioned from vines and flowers. He’s painted with various shades of green camouflage, a dopey smile spread across his face.
“Why are you a tree, McKinnon?”
“Not a tree, Jungle King,” he corrects. “I’ve just come from a place where everyone called me King Kinnon or Lord Ace all night, I’ll have you know.”
Gripping his wrist, I yank him inside and slam the door shut, locking it. “Not fond of you parading around half-naked. These are my goods to view, no one else’s.” My eyes rake up and down his body. He’s a sculpted wonder, every muscle primed for force. But then I spy something. “Ooooh, you’re in so much fucking trouble.”
“Why?”
“I can see your ass in that costume, which means so could everyone else.”
“Oh, c’mon. No need for jealousy after all our hearts and shit, Daddy.”
The little shit is eating this up.
“Maybe if I brand your ass permanently red, you’ll be less likely to show it off.” Gripping his wrists, I slam him against the door, crowding my larger body around him. His chest rises and falls in sync with mine.
“I’m game for that,” he breathes.
I attack, crushing his lips, calling forth a perfect storm between us. I can kiss him now. The real thing I craved. Never have I wanted to kiss someone more. Was it because it was forbidden or because it was him?
It’s him.
