Page 45 of Just my Puck (Love & Laughter #1)

LUCY

N ervous doesn’t cover my feelings about meeting Steele’s mom. Shannon. It’s a nice name. It conjures up images of a woman with hippy vibes, but who knows? She could be a strait-laced Puritan for all I know.

Doubtful, seeing as she has three husbands, but you never know. Look at me—the buttoned-up librarian.

Arriving back at the house, I climb out of the Jeep before Steele has cut the engine.

An unfamiliar car is already parked up in their driveway, and I’m sad to say, it’s not the light blue camper van with flower stickers on it as I’d hoped, but a sleek black Italian sports car that looks so expensive I nearly faint.

I’m doomed.

“Rich boy,” I murmur.

“Huh?”

“You. You grew up rich.”

“Sorta.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal.

It makes me feel a bit inferior. This house isn’t affordable to him because he is a pro athlete that lives with two other pro athletes and all their pooled resources. It’s affordable because he probably grew up in a house like this.

He pulls me to him and kisses the top of my head. “That’s my parents’ money. Not mine.”

“Not yet.”

He snorts. “You trying to kill off my parents, little one?”

“Fuck! No! God, shut up, Lucy...”

He plants a kiss on my lips to shut me the fuck up, and it works. It also calms my nerves.

When the front door opens, he pulls away from me with a slow smile.

“Steele!” A gorgeous blonde woman rushes up to us, so perfect, I hate myself.

Steele lets me go to embrace his mom as I stand there like a spare part.

“And Lucy!” she says enthusiastically. “Aren’t you adorable?” She drags me into a hug that I feel compelled to return. She has magnetism coming out of her hoo-ha.

I love her instantly. Shannon has a warmth to her that is blatant and contagious. Everyone around her feels it, including me. I can see where Steele gets his charm from.

As she leads us inside, she says, “Lucy, you look so lovely.”

“Thank you,” I say, feeling a little more at ease now that we’re heading inside, where I feel more comfortable, and there are more places to hide if necessary.

“So, tell me,” Shannon begins, “how did you meet my son?”

I glance over at Steele before answering. “We met at the library where I work.”

“Oh, how romantic!” she exclaims.

Giving Steele a questioning glare, that this wasn’t already information he offered up to his mom, he just shrugs and chuckles.

“It was perfect,” he says, taking my hand. “I was returning a book that she dropped the night before. We started talking, and one thing led to another.”

Shannon smiles. “Well, I think it’s wonderful that you two found each other and the rest...” Her grin widens as she fixes her stare on me. “I’m so glad Steele found someone who shares his values on love.”

“It’s easy with them,” I say softly. “When you know, you know.”

“Fact,” she says. “This is so exciting. I know you are going to be the one, Lucy! Every other one of his girlfriends was a waste of time, but not you. You are going to be such a welcome addition to our family.”

“Thank you,” I murmur, pleased that she thinks so and amused that she didn’t like Steele’s ex-girlfriends.

We chat for a while longer, with Shannon asking about my family and upbringing, which I skate over briefly, although she seems genuinely interested in getting to know me.

As we talk, I can see why Steele turned out to be such a kind and loving person.

His mother is clearly an amazing woman who generously donates her time and money to good causes.

Knowing this visit will be short because the guys have practice, I’m disappointed she can’t stay longer when after only an hour, she rushes off with promises to call me for lunch.

As the front door closes behind her, I let out a deep breath. Steele puts his arm around my waist and pulls me close to him. “That went well, didn’t it?”

I look up at him and grin. “Yeah, it did. Your mom is amazing.”

“She’s the best,” he agrees. “But enough about my mom. I have something important to say to you.”

Licking my lips nervously, I wring my fingers as I wait. “What is it?”

“Lucy, I know this is quick, but I know in my heart and my mind. I love you,” he says quietly, looking down at me with those intense green eyes. “You don’t have to say anything yet, but I wanted you to know.”

Freezing for a moment, not sure how to respond.

Steele takes my hand and leads me over to the couch before sitting down beside me.

He cups my face in his hands and looks into my eyes. “I understand if you’re scared by the depth of my feelings for you, but I know it’s right.”

I take a deep breath and consider his words carefully. I want to say them back, but the words are stuck in my throat, and I can’t breathe suddenly.

Steele looks at me, his eyes filled with concern. “Lucy, are you okay?”

Nodding slowly, still trying to catch my breath, I stammer. “It’s just...I’m not used to this. To someone telling me they love me.”

“I understand, and I don’t want to pressure you in any way. Just know that I care about you deeply, and I want to be with you always.”

Taking a moment to collect my thoughts before finally finding the courage to say what I know in my heart as well. “Steele, I love you too.”

His face lights up with joy as he pulls me into a tight embrace. “Thank fuck,” he says, half-jokingly. “I was worried for a minute there that you were going to run.”

I laugh, feeling suddenly light-hearted and happy. “Don’t worry; I’m not going anywhere.”

We sit there together for a few moments, basking in the warmth of our newfound love for each other.

It’s as if everything else doesn’t matter right now – not his career or his family obligations, not my insecurities or doubts.

All that matters is us. I’ve never said those words before.

I’ve never felt them, but with Steele, it’s easy.

It’s real, and it’s right. Do I feel love for Jason or for Carter?

I’m not sure yet, but Steele and I had a head start.

The rest of my feelings will catch up; I’m as sure of it as I sit here.

Eventually, Steele kisses me softly on the lips and stands up. “I hate to leave you, but practice calls.”

“I understand,” I say, walking him to the door. “Jason asked me to come along. Is that okay?”

“Of course. I’m glad you’re coming. Let’s show the world who you belong to.”

“You mean Mae?” I say dryly, rolling my eyes.

He snickers. “Yeah, Mae especially.”

As Carter comes strolling in, freshly showered and sexy as fuck in just his towel, he swoops in for a hot kiss, which I return with gusto, my sudden nymph-tastic libido skyrocketing as his hands squeeze my ass.