Page 50 of The Penalty Shot (Totally Pucked 5)

A throat clearing quietly breaks our trance, and my gaze snaps to the waitress, who’s standing over us, her smile wide and bright. Asher orders us a bottle of wine, and we pick out an appetizer and put that order in. While we’re waiting for our food, we talk about the upcoming season.

“When exactly does the official season start? I hate to admit this, but I know exactly …nothing about hockey.” Scrunching my nose, I offer him an apologetic smile.

Asher’s chest rumbles with laughter. “Kinda figured that when you had no idea who I was, Killer. Most people recognize us in public here in Chicago, since it’s our home team. We’re in preseason now. Gearing up for a pre-season game next week and then the official season starts early October.”

“What do you do during preseason? I swear, I think I need to YouTube some hockey for dummies.”

“We generally spend a few weeks strength training, skating, running drills. We’ll have a few pre-season games, and then the season officially starts. I’d love for you and Alex to come to a few games. I can get you tickets and leave them at will call.”

My heart soars at the fact that he always thinks to include Alex. He does it without a second-thought, and I don’t know if he realizes how much that means to me. The difference that it actually makes.

“I’d love that. I probably won’t have a clue what's going on, but MJ is a huge Avalanches’ fan, and I’m sure she’d love to tag along too and explain things to me.”

Our appetizer arrives, and we share a fried ravioli pasta that is so good, I can’t help but moan around the spoonful as I close my eyes and savor the sweet, tangy flavor. God, it’s so good.

“If you keep making noises like that, Auden, our date will have to end earlier than I planned.”

My eyes snap open and the look on Asher’s face has me pressing my thighs together beneath the table.

His eyes are darkened with desire, his jaw set firmly as he drinks me in. “Or, if you prefer, I can lay you out on this table and have my dessert early.”

Oh. My. God.

Did he just threaten to…eat me out in the middle of this restaurant?

I swallow down a gulp and reach for my water before I choke.

His hand glides along my thigh underneath the table, his gaze never leaving mine, and I can feel the promise in his touch. This man is temptation personified.

“Asher,” I breathe.

The corners of his lips turn up in a smug grin. “Eat up, baby, you’re going to need the energy.”

For the rest of dinner, he keeps his hand on my thigh, tracing small circles until I’m a bundle of want. Once we’re finished and he’s paid, he helps me from the booth, placing his hand along the small of my back as he guides me out of the restaurant.

“Thank you for dinner. It was amazing,” I say, when we step outside, standing by the valet and waiting for the car to pick us up. “Not sure how you’ll ever top this as far as a date goes.”

“Guess we’ll just have to see next time, won’t we?”

His words warm my insides, hope taking root in my heart. It scares me, this thing with Asher. He makes it so easy to fall into everything that he is. I wish the circumstances were different, and that this could be more. But, we both decided to keep things casual, and it was for a reason.

Asher opens the door to the car when it comes to a stop in front of me, then places his hand on the small of my back and offers the other to help me slide in.

“Guess so,” I whisper. For the millionth time tonight, I feel like I need to pinch myself and make sure this is real.

One he’s inside the vehicle, the driver pulls the vehicle out onto the highway, and I gaze out the window at downtown Chicago as it blurs by. I realize a few minutes into the ride that we’re going the opposite way of home.

Turning to Asher, I ask, “We’re not heading home?”

He smirks and shakes his head. “Nope. I’ve got one more surprise up my sleeve. That is…if you’re down?”

I’m pretty sure he could ask me anything tonight, and I would agree without second thought.

“Okay.”

I make sure to check my messages and see if Alex has texted, but he hasn’t. Now my stomach is in knots. Anticipation wraps around me when we pull up to the Willis Tower. My gaze darts to Asher, who just winks, then opens his door and steps out.

Willis Tower is what people think of when they think of Chicago, a landmark that we’re known for. I couldn’t remember exactly, not with my nerves, but I think it’s the highest public-viewing area in the entire country. Towering thousands of feet off the ground, the windows catch the lights of passing traffic, and it seems to glitter.

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