Page 21 of Wild Pucker

Luke stares at me for a long while before speaking again.

"Okay," he says, and that's it.

"Okay?"

"Okay." Luke nods, pausing. "You're right. Lily does deserve better. But so does Holly. So does Avery. Most of the women in our lives deserve better. But for some crazy reason, by some stroke of luck, they love us. They chose us. I don't know if my sister loves you, but she likes you a whole lot. And right now, my wife, sister, and immediate family think I'm an asshole. So, ‘okay.’"

Luke stares me down. I stare right back with my one good eye. He's my best friend, captain, and teammate; I don't want to lose his friendship or respect. When Luke cracks a smile, a weight I've been carrying for years lifts off my shoulders and chest.

"I don't have to like it," Luke says. "But, if Lily has to be with someone, it might as well be my best man. Better you than that hulking, ginger asshat." The mention of Samuel makes my stomach turn. Lily belongs with me, not our team's bloody nutritionist, no matter how nice the guy is.

Luke claps me on the back as he stands then grabs my hand, pulling me up off the bed into a bro hug. "But, if you break her heart, I'll break you in half. Don't fuck this up."

♥?

The BUZZ by Cassidy Tippett

The "Wild" Wedding of Luke and Holly Valentine (neé Sparks)

Toronto's Sweethearts, Luke Valentine and Holly Sparks, have officially tied the knot. The couple, who recently became the city's most darling love story, held a private sunset ceremony at the Rosseau Resort overlooking a beautiful lake.

The groom, one of the NHL's top salaried players, appears to have spared no expense for his nuptials, renting out the posh resort for his friends and family's exclusive use. But that didn't stop this reporter from getting insider details.

Rumour has it, the groom's sister, Lily Valentine—who was recently hired as the team's chef… no nepotism there—stirred up a scandal after bringing the team's nutritionist as her date. The pair allegedly heated things up on the dance floor just before the Northmen's star winger, Chase Wilder, cut in to whisk her away.

And this, my dear readers, is where things get juicier than a butter-basted turkey. Wilder, the notorious one-night-stand-wonder, exchanged a scorching kiss with the groom's sister for all to see. And the younger Valentine indeed appeared to enjoy the best man's attentions. That is until the groom planted a fist in his eye and knocked him out cold.

And what about poor Samuel McCrae, Ms. Valentine's date?

Well, Lily Valentine might have upstaged her brother at his own wedding. Is she the team's new bachelorette? And how many thirsty Northmen will be vying for her attention when the puck drops this season?

Let us know what you think! Should she choose the wild Mr. Wilder? Or the handsome highlander, Mr. McCrae? Leave your comments below.

Lily

I throw my phone down on the table beside my coffee. How the hell does Cassidy Tippett do it? That bitch must have eyes and ears on the fucking walls. Every year she gets insider info about the team for her gossip column. Last fall, she was the first to speculate about Luke and Holly. And when Ryan got traded to the Northmen, she broke the story about Avery and him getting back together.

She's crazy good at her job.

I look to Riley, who's ploughing through a massive plate of eggs and bacon from the breakfast buffet. I've never seen someone demolish food like Riley. She has a superhuman metabolism.

"Did you leave any food at the buffet?" I ask, shooting a look at her mountain of food.

"Har, har.” She rolls her eyes. "I like breakfast. So what?"

"You forget, I live you with. I know for a fact you like lunch, late lunch, early dinner, dinner, and late dinner too."

"Asshole." She sticks her tongue out at me. With my ninja reflexes, I grab it and yank. I shout triumphantly and stick my tongue out at her in return, but I should know better. Riley's hand shoots up and pinches my tongue. We're both struggling, like two idiots when a masculine throat clears in front of us.

"Well, this is attractive.” Ozzy grins while Riley and I let go of each other, nonchalantly wiping our hands on our napkins. His eyes drift over to Riley's plate and widen. “Ms. Winters, you're my kind of woman."

Riley blushes, and I swear to god, red is her natural colour around Ozzy. She's got it bad for Avery's brother. Even I have to admit he's a good-looking dude with his roguishly long, sand-coloured hair and whisky eyes. His smile has a boyish quality, amplified by the slight gap between his two front teeth.

"I was wondering," Ozzy purrs, “if after breakfast, you might like to take advantage of some of those paddle boats outside and go for a ride?”

Riley smiles and nods like a lovesick puppy. She's forgotten to use her words.

"That means yes," I answer for her and snicker. "Riley would love it if you took her for a ride."

---