Page 99 of Lucky Shot
Pretty looks at me with a demure smile. “Yes, but my stomach is all over the place. And, you know, maybe I need to be careful what I eat today.”
The teasing tone in his voice has me grinning. But what he’s saying has my entire body heating up. I grip his thigh a little tighter, which I think is fair since my pants just became a bit more snug.
While there are a whole slew of things I could say in return, I’m far too aware of the eyes on us. So I keep my comments to myself though he must know what I’m thinking because a delicate blush covers his cheeks, and he dips his head to hide it.
“So fucking beautiful,” I murmur with my lips hovering at his ear so no one else can hear me. “I can’t wait to see how your entire body looks when you blush.”
He coughs, his shoulders raising. Then he nudges me with his elbow. “Stop.” His cheeks are nice and rosy now as he hides behind a hand.
The people across from us especially are paying attention. I can hear them cooing and commenting about how cute we are. They didn’t know we were a couple. Etc. Etc. We ignore them, and turn our attention back to the table.
Dessert comes and goes, and I try like fucking hell to concentrate on the rest of the event. But it’s almost over, so it’s almost time to head back to the hotel. I’ve been semi hard all night with Pretty being this close. Where I can touch him. I can still feel the smooth planes of his skin under my fingers from when I dressed him hours ago.
It just wasn’t enough. I need more of him. All of him. It’s not enough to put a collar around his neck and call him mine. I need his body. His breath. His heartbeat. I need to claim his fucking soul too.
When it’s been reasonably long enough after dessert, I tell Jakub we’re leaving and to make up some stupid story as to why if he needs to. Then I secure Pretty’s hand in mine and head for the exit. I’m careful not to make any eye contact on the way, I don’t want anyone thinking they can stop us to chat.
Once we’re out into the night air, I take a breath. We stop and I let the cool breeze brush my skin. Pretty shivers and I pull him in tight to my side, wrapping my arm around him.
“Can you breathe again?” I ask.
He sighs. “Yes and no.” He gives me a shy smile but looks at me from the corner of his eyes. His cheeks are still flushed.
I kiss his cheek, letting my lips linger. “You know there’s absolutely no pressure, right?”
Pretty rolls his eyes. “Oh, stop. I’m dying to get naked for you. Doesn’t mean I’m not nervous.”
The warmth that spreads through me feels like all kinds of mushy feelings, so I don’t answer except to point us in the direction of our hotel and start walking. The hotel that we were put up in for the event is in the opposite direction, which was intentional. Not that anyone will have any questions about whether we’re together or not. I’m sure that’s obvious at this point.
I’m not mad about it.
“I really think you need to talk to your agent about your issue with crowds,” I say to pass the time between now and when I get him alone in our hotel room.
Pretty sighs. “It’s a new development. I’ve always avoided crowds of strangers when possible, but it’s never been like this until recently.”
“New or not, your mental health is more important than whatever the purpose of your public appearance serves.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ll call my agent and talk to Coach. I have other engagements this summer, but none of them are with overly large crowds.” Despite my frown, Pretty smiles. “I can’t just blow everything off. I’m not that person.”
“Why did you sign up for so much? Summer is for relaxation.”
He shrugs. “I didn’t sign up for a lot. Florida management likes us to have at least two appearances during the summer, this was the second one.”
“Gala being the first?” I ask.
Pretty nods. “Yeah. The other things are branding. Sponsors. Some of the charities I personally support. Thus, not large events. Just a few appearances and support.”
“What else is on the list?” I ask.
“There’s a local hockey thing for disadvantaged youth in Miami,” he says. “A big brother type of event where we mentor a kid for the afternoon. Offer them support and stuff. Then there’s some painting thing that, I’ll admit, I have no idea what I got myself into. I think I’m being painted, which gives me slight horror flashbacks to being stuck in Azure’s jersey for three weeks because the paint wouldn’t come off.”
I laugh. “I didn’t realize you were close with Azure.”
“I wasn’t.” Pretty shrugs. “I think we’re closer now. He doesn’t look at me like I’m a pretty face. I think I’m drawn more to people who look at me like a person instead of just someone attractive.”
“Or someone who might want to dissect you,” I muse.
He grins. “Okay, maybe he does do that. I don’t even care. He’s not the first to look at me as if I’m his next science experiment. It’s almost nostalgic.” He laughs and the sound of it makes my chest warm. Fuck, I could listen to it forever.
