Page 26 of Just my Puck (Love & Laughter #1)

LUCY

A s the time rolls around to five o’clock, my stomach twists into a knot.

I’m so nervous about seeing Jason tonight and being alone with him.

This is an awkward situation. This morning, I felt confident with Steele by my side, but now it will be just the two of us, and I don’t even have any support from Patty because she doesn’t know I’m meeting him.

Waving bye to my friend when I duck out as soon as the big hand strikes the hour, I hurry down the steps before Maple can call me back in to make up the time for being late this morning.

A large part of me hopes Jason has decided not to show, but the smaller part of me is relieved when I see the flashy Range Rover waiting at the curb.

He rolls the passenger window down and peers out at me, rushing toward him, a broad grin on his face. “Get in, princess.”

Quickly opening the door, I slide in, slam it closed, pressing the button to raise the tinted window before anyone can see me.

Not that I’m embarrassed to be seen with him, obviously, but with all the speculations surrounding us and obviously my relationship with Steele, I don’t want any more rumors floating around than there already are.

“Hi,” he says, that smile turning sexy as he sets off into the rush hour traffic in the middle of the city.

I’m breathless from my mad dash out of work. “Hi. Uhm, take a left at the lights, and my apartment is on that road. I’ll tell you when.”

“Do I get to come up?”

“No. You can stay here.”

“Well, that is boring as fuck. I want to see where you live.”

Shaking my head, not wanting him to judge my small one-bedroom apartment when he lives in an opulent mansion overlooking the bay.

He narrows his eyes as he takes in my stubbornness.

“What’s the problem? Ah, wait, I know. You’re a pig, aren’t you, princess?

Clothes strewn everywhere, makeup all over the basin, and dishes piled up in the sink.

Am I right?” His joking relaxes me instantly, especially seeing as I know my apartment is immaculate.

“Not a pig. I like things clean. But it’s my space.”

“You were in my space this morning.”

“Steele invited me, and it’s also his space.”

“Okay, you got me there. You have a good day?” His switch in topic is a welcome relief.

“It was okay.” I proceed to tell him about my day at the library, leaving out my conversation with Patty about the size of Steele’s donkey-cock.

As we approach my building, I’m filled with a sense of anticipation. Wondering what he would think if I did ask him to come in with me, I feel a bit of a thrill at the thought. But before I can voice my desire, he pulls up in front of my building as I say, “Here.”

“So, I’ll see you in a bit?” he says with a hint of hope in his voice.

Nodding in agreement, I smile before getting out of the car. “Thanks for the lift. I won’t be long.”

As I walk in the door of my apartment, I feel the comfort of the familiar surrounding me.

Taking a deep breath, savoring the warmth and comfort before I head directly to the shower, shedding my clothes as I go.

Pulling my skanky panties off with a soft giggle, I dump them in the laundry with the rest of my clothes, but feeling cheeky, I decide to take a fresh pair with me next time I see him, to leave somewhere he can find them.

* * *

When I come back down twenty minutes later fresh and comfortable, I’m wearing my favorite blue summer dress and have my hair pulled back in a neat bun. Jason is waiting right where I left him in the car, his eyes widening as he takes me in.

He lets out a slow whistle. “Check you out, princess.”

I blush, feeling my heart flutter slightly. “Thanks,” I reply before taking the time to appraise his own attire. I was too nervous and anxious to get home and clean up before to notice. He is dressed in a tight black tee and combat pants. “You look okay.”

Smirking, he lets out a low laugh that is sexy as fuuuuck .

It sends a bolt of lust straight to my pussy, which immediately gets me on the defensive.

I know Steele said he was more than okay with it, but it just feels weird to want someone else when I want him so badly, it makes my heart ache not being with him.

“You’re a tough nut to crack, Lucy. Most women would already be trying to blow me by now.”

“Too bad for you, I’m not most women.” My heart hammers in my chest with nerves that he expects that from me.

“You mean lucky for me you’re not like most women.” He pulls back onto the road.

“So you’re saying you’d turn me down if I tried?” I ask lightly, surprised by the sincere tone.

His eyes narrow as he leans his elbow out the open window, driving one-handed, which is so sexy, I’m practically drooling.

I can drive, in that I have my license, but I’m such a nervous nelly, I grip the steering wheel with both hands the entire time, at a pace that would make Driving Miss Daisy look like Formula 1.

“Yeah, I would. Told you, princess?—”

“You don’t do blowies on the first date. So is that what this is?” The crack in my voice makes him look over at me briefly.

“Do you want it to be?”

“Depends.”

“On?’

Our voices have dipped lower. Under boob sweat forms as I ponder his question, scrambling for a sexy answer instead of the stream of rambling that is threatening to come out.

“On if you want it to be,” I purr and then mentally shake my head at myself. What a lame comeback.

He snickers softly. “I want it to be.”

“Okay.”

We drive on in silence, out of town, past the old buildings and small houses, until we reach a well-known spot further up from the main bay.

“Come.” He shoves a baseball cap on his head before he gets out of the car, and before he can attempt chivalry or not, I dive out quickly, tripping on my own feet in my ballet flats.

He is there to catch me before I face plant on the concrete. My hands splay against his rock-solid chest as his arms go around me.

“Steady on there, princess,” he says quietly. “I don’t want you falling for me just yet.”

“Humph,” I say, straightening up and shoving him away from me. “Your ego is ginormous.”

“Bit like my cock.”

“Pah! No way is your dick bigger than Steele’s.”

“Care to find out?”

“No!” My cheeks are flaming hot, so I can only imagine how red I am.

When our eyes meet, it’s an intense connection that feels like a ribbon has wrapped around my heart and is tying me to him. It’s weird. It feels as natural as it does with Steele.

“Burger?” he whispers, letting me go.

Disappointed he didn’t try to kiss me, I nod. “And fries.”

“Good thing I saw you in that diner, or I’d be asking if you wanted a salad.”

Eyes wide, I huff. “What are you saying exactly?”

“That you are a goddess, and I love burgers. Salad? It’s okay.”

“Good save,” I murmur, letting him take my hand so we can walk the short distance to the burger van parked up near the beachfront where a couple are waiting on their food.

The sun sets over the horizon as we stand in line.

No one pays any attention to us, at least that I notice.

Minutes later, we take our burgers and fries, carrying them back to his car where he places his food on the hood.

He grasps me lightly around the waist and lifts me onto the shiny black metal that is warm from the drive over.

We sit there in silence, both of us taking in the colors of the sky as we take a deep bite of our burgers, savoring the flavor.

“This is gorgeous,” I murmur.

“The burger or the sky?”

“The whole date.”

He turns, his bright blue gaze latching onto mine. “So it is a date?”

Nodding slowly, I chew thoughtfully. “I’m not really sure how this is supposed to go?” My heart beats faster as I wait for his reply, and take a deep breath before continuing with my burger.

“One step at a time, princess. One step at a time.”