Page 254 of Playing the Pucking Game

“What if you change your mind? What if settling down is boring, and you crave the excitement of having a different girl every night?”

“I won’t,” I assure her, twisting our fingers together and holding her tight.

“But how do you know?”

“Because being with you is a better high than being with any other girl has ever been,” I answer honestly. “Every girl I’ve ever been with, I’ve wished it were you.

“You ruined me for anyone else years ago, pretty girl. It’s just taken me a while to get my head out of my ass and do something about it. And anyway, how do I know that you’re not going to miss the online dating scene and want to go off to meet some rando at a bar?”

She snorts.

“Have you ever heard me say anything good about online dating?”

“Thankfully, I’ve never heard you say much about it. If I knew when and where you were meeting these assholes, I’d have turned up and intercepted.”

“You would not,” she argues.

“Totally would. The thought of someone else getting close to you makes me murderous. I know it’s hypocritical, but I want to end any motherfucker who has gotten to touch you since that first time.”

I’m not sure what reaction I’m expecting to that comment, but it’s certainly not for Parker to smile wider than I’m sure I’ve seen all night.

“What?” I ask, happiness I don’t think I’ve ever felt before buzzing under the surface.

“Nothing.”

“Oh no, something definitely made you smile like that.”

“You did,” she states.

Pride swells in my chest.

“Parker,” I warn.

“What?” she asks innocently.

“You liked it when I got all jealous, didn’t you?”

A few seconds pass, my question hanging in the air between us.

“Maybe,” she whispers.

“I’m not joking, Parker. You’re mine. And I’m going to make sure every other man out there knows it.”

The second we’re out of the car, I take her hand and all but drag her to the elevator.

“Linc, what—” I cut off her words as I back her up against the wall and slam my lips down on hers.

She melts into me, her hands gripping my hips as I pin her to the wall, letting her feel how hard I am already.

God. I can’t get enough.

Her taste, her scent, her everything.

I’ve known that I’ve been addicted for a long time, and while I thought I’d managed to keep the memories of our one and only time together alive in my head, being with her again proves just how little I truly remember.

The elevator climbs through the building, and all I can think about is her. She’s all-consuming.

Hockey has been my life. It has been for as long as I can remember. My one focus in life. Nothing has ever come close to pushing it aside. But Parker...fuck.