Page 54 of Puck Love

“What about the lost and found? My first day here, you brought me clothing and said it was from the lost andfound.”

He chuckles. “I don’t have a lost and found, Stella. I lied. I bought those things from Banff. Apart from Eli and my mom, we never have people over. It’s too far to travel anyway. No one comes here. It would mean they’d have to stay, and I don’t like people in myspace.”

“But I’m in yourspace.”

“Yeah, and if I didn’t want you here, I’d have put you out on your ass the first day you arrived,” he says, and he trails his hand down over my hip, slamming me back against him. “Lucky for you, I like your ass. Alot.”

“Okay, and now I think it’s time for me toleave.”

“Oh, come on. It was just gettinggood.”

“It was just gettingdangerous.”

“Here I thought you liked dangerous and wild. Are you not the same girl who drank a bottle of whiskey and crashed into mymountain?”

I shake my head and climb out of bed. He attempts to hold me, but I figure I’m safe because he probably won’t risk his shoulder. What I didn’t count on was throwing back the covers and finding his gorgeous hockey body naked head to toe. I mean, I saw it last night when I helped him remove his soaked jeans, but there was clothing and a cushion in the way. This is . . . this ishot.

“Like what you see,country?”

I cover myeyes.

Van just laughs at me. “You’ve seen dick before, right? Because the way you’re looking at me right now, well, let’s just say it’s lucky for you I’minjured.”

“I am notlooking.”

He chuckles. “You sure? Your cheeks are all pinked up like you want a taste. I gotta say, I’m not opposed tothat.”

“I don’t want a . . .” I let out a frustrated huff and head toward the en suite, slamming the door closed between us. I lean against it for a beat too long, trying to purge the image of that big body settling over me, his hips and . . . other things sinking into me. I smooth a finger over my lip, close my eyes, and decide that I need a cool shower, even if it is minus-two degreesout.

When I finish drying myself, I’m freezing. I dress in the same PJs I wore last night, and run back to the bed and climb under thecovers.

Van lets out a small chuckle. He’s lying on his back now and I snuggle into his side, careful not to hurt him but wanting his warmth all thesame.

“God, how do you Canadians deal with this fuckingcold?”

He laughs. “You know, I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you say fuck. Wanna do it again? Just so I can store it in the spank bank forlater?”

“Oh my god, you’recrazy.”

“I’m also deadserious.”

It’s my turn to chuckle. I tilt my head up to the ceiling and whisper in my most sultry voice, “Fuck.”

Van lets out a hissing breath. “Jesus,Stella.”

I like his raspy tone of voice. I like the way he sounds equally turned on and tormented, and I love the way my insides tighten when he says my name as if it were a dirty word. “Van?”

“Yeah, country?” Van traces my arm with his callousedfingertips.

“Do you . . .” I take a deep breath and decide not to ask stupid questions that will likely have even dumber answers. “Nevermind.”

His hands stop moving, and he gives me a gentle squeeze. “Come on, babe. Don’t leave mehanging.”

“Would you ever . . .” I can’t believe I’m going to say this.What the hell is wrong with me? “Would you date someone likeme?”

“Someone likeyou?”

“Someone so . . . inexperienced.” I blurt out the rest before I can stop myself. “I know you’re used to a certain thing fromwomen—”