Page 40 of Puck King
“I think all horses are handsome. Even Wolfie.”
“There’s the landing pad.” I navigated us lower and set down on the landing pad. “I hope that I get to meet Wolfie someday, and maybe even ride him.” I realized the comment was ridiculous, because I wouldn't even get on a pony. But I would’ve given anything to see Alison in her element – her hair wild and flying behind her, as Wolfie galloped through the fields.
Alison peered out the window. “Where are we?”
“We’re here.” I grinned, not answering her question.
When the engine stopped, I hopped out of the chopper and opened the door for Alison, offering her my hand. She took it, and her hair glowed in the moonlight and whipped around her face.
“Wow.” Alison brushed her hair away from her face and stared out at the moon over the frozen lake. “It’s so beautiful. What lake is this?”
I led her down the stairs from the roof of the boathouse. “It’s Lake Casper.”
“Of course it is.” She let out a little laugh.
I didn’t take offense. “It’s a little cliché, I know.” Almost every hockey player had a place on Lake Casper, along with the city’s top investment bankers, and not to mention A-list movie stars. It was the fresh water version of the Hamptons, and in my opinion, nicer.
After a short walk up the freshly-plowed pathway, we were inside my cottage. The fire crackled and I smiled as I saw the pack of matches next to the candles. My groundskeeper, Hank, had refused to light the candles, but he’d lit the fire and made sure that the champagne was on ice.
“Can I take your coat?” Alison was standing in the middle of the great room, staring up at the massive chandelier that hung from the vaulted ceiling.
“How many antlers are in that?” When I’d built the cottage, I’d gone for a rustic look. Everleigh had made fun of the antler chandelier, but I thought it was awesome.
I shrugged. “I’ve never counted.”
Alison turned and let me help her out of her coat. She slipped out of it, revealing a silky green dress. She was facing the huge mirror and her reflection caught me so off guard that I had to take a couple of stunned steps backwards. Alison was fucking gorgeous. I cleared my throat and willed my instant erection to calm down before she turned around. It didn’t obey.
I cleared my throat.Don’t look down, I thought, but as if she was a mind reader, she did exactly that. She looked down. My hard-on pressed against the front of my pants with such intensity, I wondered if the zipper would split.
“Oh,” she whispered and averted her gaze.
My face felt like it was on fire. I walked into the kitchen and opened the door to the refrigerator. Hidden inside, the air cooled my burning face, and my cock, once out of proximity to Alison, started to settle down. “Would you like a glass of wine, beer, or champagne?”
“This champagne looks good.” She took the bottle from the bucket of ice. “Where are the glasses?”
Dammit Hank,I thought to myself. “I’ll get them,” I shouted, thankful for an excuse to leave the room. After searching high and low in the pantry, I gave up. “Hey, I don’t actually know if I own champagne glasses.” I shook my head.
Alison had already removed the wire cage from the cork and was easing it loose with her thumbs. She shrugged. “I’m fine with whatever glasses you can find.”
“How about these?” I peered into a cupboard and held out some red wine glasses.
The pop of the cork echoed through the great room. Alison’s squeal of excitement was adorable, but I couldn’t appreciate it because it felt like a giant bumblebee had just body slammed into my stomach. “Ooof.” I doubled over from the cork’s sucker punch to my gut, and in the process dropped the glasses.
“Oh my God.” Alison rushed to me.
“Stop.” I held out my hand. “There’s broken glass.”
But Alison didn’t listen. She opened the freezer, grabbed a handful of ice, and wrapped it in a tea towel. “I’m so sorry, Colton.” I took the ice pack from her and stuck it under my shirt.
“I don’t think you could do that again if you tried.” I chuckled, but the act of laughing hurt. “Give me the bottle.” I gestured with my free hand. She handed it to me and I took a swig. She took the bottle from me and followed my lead.
“Let me look at it.” She led me to the sink and turned on the bright kitchen light.
“It’s fine.” I shook my head but let her pull the ice pack away.
Her touch was gentle and I was able to watch her eyes as they tracked over my abs, examining me. I couldn’t tell whether Alison’s eyes were blue or green, and I wondered if it was possible that they were both. Whatever color they were, they were easily the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen.
And they were looking at me. I’d just been busted, and I looked away. Instead of pretending my skin wasn’t tingling from her gentle touch on my cheeks, I let my gaze return to focus on her.
